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I. A PROOF AND STATEMENT OF THE SAVIOUR'S WORK AND ERRAND.

1. One feature of the mediatorial character is particularly displayed in the very name in which the Saviour is introduced to our attention, "the Son of Man."

2. These words point out the fact of the Saviour's incarnation, "The Son of Man is come."

3. This description of the object of His coming we may contrast with another, when He comes a second time into this our world.

II. VIEW THE SAVIOUR'S ERRAND AND WORK AS IT IS EXHIBITED TO US IN THAT FIGURATIVE ILLUSTRATION THAT FOLLOWS THE TEXT,

1. He represents the state of the guilty sinner whom He came into the world to save under the idea of a wandering sheep. Prone to wander.

2. The care and kindness of the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Manifests particular care over case of individual sinner.

3. Christ's search for the lost embraces all the means used for the salvation of sinners.

4. He carries back the sheep when He has found it. To prevent exposure to danger.

5. His joy.

III. THE GREAT PRINCIPLE OF THE DIVINE CONDUCT THAT IS DEVELOPED IN THE WORK TO WHICH WE HAVE TURNED YOUR ATTENTION, "It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven," etc.

1. The connection that is here obviously formed between the end in view, and the means for the accomplishment of that end.

2. In redemption the will of the Father and Son are equal.

3. The work of Christ was designed to accomplish that intention, and is efficacious to its accomplishment.

4. Magnify the fulness of Christ's work.

5. Have you learnt that your characters are that of lost sheep?

(R. H. Cooper.)

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KJV: For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

WEB: For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.