Aug/093
Sinclair Ferguson on how the whole Bible points to Jesus
I found this great quote from an obscure leaflet written by Sinclair Ferguson – heard in an equally obscure sermon given by Dr. Tim Keller at Gordon Conwell Seminary in the US. The talks can sadly only be bought in CD form and not downloaded. I’ve asked about MP3 versions, but they’re not available. Here’s the quote anyway:
“Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is [given] to us. Jesus is the true and better Abel who though innocently slain has blood that cries out for our acquittal not our condemnation. Jesus as the true and better Abraham who answered the call of God to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go into the void not knowing whither he went. Jesus is the true and better Isaac, who is not just offered up by his Father, but actually sacrificed by his Father. Jesus is the true and better Jacob who wrestled and took the blow of justice we deserve so that we like Jacob only receive the wounds of grace to wake us up and discipline us. Jesus is the true and better Joseph who at the right hand of the king forgives those who betray him and sold him and uses his new power to save us. Jesus is the true and better Moses who stands in the gap between the people and the Lord and who mediates a new covenant. Jesus is the true and better rock of Moses, who struck with the rod of God’s justice now gives us water in the desert. Jesus is the true and better Job, the truly innocent sufferer who then intercedes for and saves his stupid friends. Jesus is the true and better David whose victory becomes his people’s victory, although they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves. Jesus is the true better Esther who didn’t just risk losing an earthly palace but lost the ultimate heavenly palace and who didn’t just risk his life but gave his life to save his people. Jesus is the true and better Jonah who was cast into the storm so that we could be brought in. Jesus is the ultimate lamb, the ultimate priest, the ultimate king” (Sinclair Ferguson)
Popularity: 66% [?]
September 7th, 2009
This leaflet can be found in PDF form with a simple google search for ‘sinclair ferguson Jesus is the true and better’ or ‘preaching Christ through all of scripture Sinclair gethuson’
Tim Keller refers to the leaflet in his ‘Preaching the Gospel’ presentation available from the Resurgence podcast and website.
December 17th, 2009
I found that pamphlet online but the quote isn’t in there. I have heard Keller use this quote in two different sermons, but can’t figure out who is the originator of the quote. Are you sure it’s attributed to Ferguson?
Just curious, because I was planning to share this in my sermon this coming Sunday.
December 17th, 2009
I’m pretty sure it’s Sinclair Ferguson as that’s who Keller cites it as being from. He does say that it’s in an obscure leaflet that’s out of print. There is a similar one available on the web from the Proclamation Trust but it doesn’t contain the quote – find it here. You could just cite Tim Keller quoting Sinclair Ferguson.