“Passing Away”

Fragments Of A Sermon Preached By Jared Smith To The Covenant Baptist Church Meeting In Manila, Philippines, On Sunday, 13 August 2023

The expression (‘passing away’) is customarily used with reference to one’s death, but the scriptures employ it with a wide range of applications.

1. We are to ‘pass away’ from the path of the wicked (Prov 4:14,15)

2. Those who abuse us and despitefully use us will ‘pass away’ (Job 6:15)

3. Our days will ‘pass away’ (Ps 144:3,4; Job 9:25,26; Ps 90:10-12)

4. Each generation will ‘pass away’ (Ecc 1:4)

5. The wicked will ‘pass away’ (Ps 58:8)

6. Rich people and their luxury will ‘pass away’ (Js 1:9-11; 1 Tim 6:17-19)

7. Our welfare and prosperity will ‘pass away’ (Job 30:15)

8. Our sinful lifestyle prior to the new birth has ‘passed away’ (2 Cor 5:17-19)

9. The heavens, the earth and works in the earth will ‘pass away’ (2 Pet 3:10,11; 1 Cor 7:31; 1 Jn 2:15-17; Rev 21:1-4)

Things That Will Not “Pass Away”

1. The words of Christ will not ‘pass away’ (Matt 24:34,35). This is with reference to His office as Prophet.

2. The cup of suffering Christ was given to drink did not ‘pass away’ (Matt 26:36-46). This is with reference to His office as Priest.

3. The dominion of Christ at His coming will not ‘pass away’ (Dan 7:13,14). This is with reference to His office as King.

From eternity, the Father entered into an everlasting and gracious covenant with the Son, appointing Him to serve as the Redeemer for elect sinners. To accomplish the work of redemption, it was necessary for the Son of God to assume a human nature, that in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ He might earn righteousness for elect sinners by His perfect obedience to the heart law, and might delivered elect sinners from their iniquities, satisfy divine justice and appease divine wrath by offering Himself a sacrifice to God and substitute for them (through the shedding of His precious and atoning blood).

As Redeemer, Christ was qualified and fitted to serve three offices on behalf of His elect people. As Prophet, He reveals saving grace to them; as Priest, He secures saving grace for them; as King, He establishes saving grace in them. He continues forever to serve as Prophet, Priest and King for those given to Him by the Father -“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”