"NONE BUT CHRIST"

John Lambert was a Christian scholar who had been condemned to death by Henry VIII for denying that the elements of the Lord's supper actually became Christ's body and Christ's blood. Foxes Book of Martyrs records his execution as follows:



Upon the day that was appointed for this holy martyr of God to suffer, he was brought out of the prison at eight o'clock in the morning unto the house of the Lord Cromwell, and so carried into his inward chamber, where, it is reported of many, that Cromwell desired of him forgiveness for what he had done. There, at the last, Lambert, being admonished that the hour of his death was at hand, was greatly comforted and cheered; and, being brought out of the chamber into the hall, he saluted the gentlemen, and sat down to breakfast with them, showing no manner of sadness or fear. When the breakfast was ended, he was carried straightway to the place of execution, where he should offer himself unto the Lord, a sacrifice of sweet savour, who is blessed in his saints, for ever and ever. Amen.
As touching the terrible manner and fashion of the burning of this blessed martyr, here is to be noted, that of all others which have been burned and offered up at Smithfield, there was yet none so cruelly and piteously handled as he. For, after that his legs were consumed and burned up to the stumps, and that the wretched tormentors and enemies of God had withdrawn the lire from him, so that but a small fire and coals were left under him, then two that stood on each side of him, with their halberts [A weapon of the 15th and 16th centuries having an axlike blade and a steel spike mounted on the end of a long shaft] pitched him upon their pikes, as far as the chain would reach... Then he, lifting up such hands as he had, and his fingers' ends flaming with fire, cried unto the people in these words, "None but Christ, None but Christ;" and so, being let down again from their halberts, fell into the fire, and there ended his life.



"None but Christ" "No king but Jesus" Acts 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.



What is it that drove, and still drives today, men and women, boys and girls, to hazard their lives to proclaim that Holy Name? Perhaps it is the fact that:



I. NONE BUT CHRIST CAN PROVIDE ETERNAL SALVATION [Matthew 1:21]



And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.



1. There is None But Christ to go To [John 6:67-69]



2. There is None Other Name [Acts 4:12]



Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.



3. There is None But Christ Witnessed to by All the Prophets [Acts 10:43]



To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.



II. NONE BUT CHRIST CAN MAKE ETERNAL SENSE OUT OF SUFFERING



1. None But Christ can Produce that Measure of Joy [Acts 5:40-42]



2. None but Christ can Produce that Measure of Devotion [Acts 21:11-14]



3. None but Christ can Produce that Measure of Esteem [Heb. 11:24-28]



III. NONE BUT CHRIST CAN MAKE ETERNAL BENEFITS OF SERVICE



1. To the Lost [Acts 15:14]



Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.



2. To the Saints [Hebrews 6:10]



For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.



3. To the King of Kings [Rev. 22:1-5]