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I. EVERY REAL CHRISTIAN MAY SAY, "CHRIST IS MINE."

1. There are five different ways in which anything may become ours.

(1) By formation, or production. In this way the articles which we construct, and the fruits of the earth which our labour produces, become ours.

(2) By purchase, or exchange. In this way we obtain many things which were previously the property of others.

(3) By inheritance. In this manner we become possessed of the property of deceased relatives. (.4) By conquest. In this manner many things are acquired, especially by sovereign princes.

(5) By gift. In this manner whatever is bestowed on us by the generosity of others, becomes our property.

2. Among all these ways, there is only one in which Christ can become ours.

(1)  He is given to them by His Father.

(2)  Christ gives Himself to His people.

II. CHRIST IS THE PROPERTY OF ALL TRUE CHRISTIANS, SO, ALL CHRISTIANS ARE HIS.

1. They are His by creation; for by Him and for Him they were created.

2. They are His by inheritance; for we are told that the Father hath appointed Him heir of all things.

3. They are His by purchase; for He has bought them, bought them with His own blood.

4. Christians are the property of Christ by right of conquest.

5. They become His by gift.

(1)  They are given to Him by His Father (John 17:6).

(2)  All true Christians have voluntarily given themselves to Christ.Conclusion:

1. From this subject you may learn something of the worth and interest of the Christian's portion.

2. We may learn from our subject to whom this incomparable gift belongs; who it is that without presumption may say, "Christ is mine." Every man may say this who can with truth repeat the other part of our text, who can truly say, "Christ is my beloved, and I am His property."

3. From this subject you may learn the extent of your duty. "I am Christ's" are words easily said, but the engagements which they imply are not so easily fulfilled. If we are His, we are no longer our own. If we are His, then everything that we possess is His — our time, our possessions, our strength, our influence, our powers of body and faculties of mind, all are His, and must be consecrated to His service and glory; and if we love Him supremely, they will he so, for the whole man ever follows the heart.

4. How great are the privileges which result from an ability to say, "Christ is mine." If Christ is yours, then all that He possesses is yours. Its power is yours to defend you, His wisdom and knowledge are yours to guide you, His righteousness is yours to justify you, His Spirit and grace are yours to sanctify you, His heaven is yours to receive you.

5. From this subject you may learn what is the nature of the ordinance which you are about to celebrate, and what you are about to do at the Lord's table. In this ordinance we give ourselves to Christ, and He gives Himself to us.

(E. Payson, D. D.)

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KJV: My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

WEB: My beloved is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies.