Christian Life

What Does the Gospel Mean?

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, confession of sin, promises, salvation 1 Comment

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. – Acts 4:12

There are thousands of persons, even in this highly-favoured, greatly- enlightened country, who really do not know what the Gospel means. The knowledge of salvation is within their reach, but they have no desire to acquaint themselves with this best of all the sciences. We are all sinners, they say; but they do not know what they mean. In the jargon of general confession they lose sight of their own personal transgressions. The plan of salvation by a Substitute, which is the gist of the whole matter, never dawned on their understanding. They do not know the great truth that Jesus took our sins and suffered for us in our room, and in our stead, that justice might be satisfied, that mercy might be magnified, and that we sinners might be liberated. Hence it comes to pass that whosoever trusteth in Christ is saved. Being ignorant of this, they are still depending upon their own works, merits, and professions, or they are relying upon their baptism, their confirmation, or their identification with some ecclesiastical system by means of some outward ceremony, instead of understanding that salvation is by faith, a thing of the heart in the spirit, and not in the letter. This ignorance of the blessed Saviour prevents many from receiving Him joyfully. So was it with the woman of Samaria; hence the Saviour said to her, “If thou hadst known the gift of God, and who it is that speaks to thee, thou wouldst have asked, and He would have given thee living water.” Lest ye perish through lack of knowledge, brethren, do entreat the Lord so to guide you in the reading of Scripture, and in listening to the exposition of Scripture that you may get a clear understanding of the way of the Lord. “That the soul should be without knowledge is not good,” for ignorance is the parent of many infatuations. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/3487.cfm

All Men Need Christ

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, prophecy, salvation, Sovereignty of God, the unbelieving life 3 Comments

To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. – Isaiah 28:12

Why is it that all men do not receive Christ joyfully? This is our first question. They need Him, all of them. There is no difference in this respect. Whether Jews or Gentiles, they are all sold under sin. God has concluded the whole race of man in unbelief. He has shut them all up in condemnation. There is no escape from the universal doom except by the way of the cross. Jesus Christ comes to save; comes with pardon in His hands, with messages of love, with tokens of favour; yet most men bar the doors of their hearts against Him. There is no cry heard in their souls, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates! and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, that the King of Glory may come in!” Instead thereof, there is a sullen cry, “Come prejudice; come unbelief; come hardness of heart; come love of sin; bar ye the doors and barricade the gates lest, perhaps, the King of Glory should force an entrance!” Men treat the Saviour as they would treat an invader who attacked their country. They seek to drive Him away; they would fain be rid of Him. They cannot endure His presence. Nay, they can scarce endure, some of them, to hear about Him in the street. Why is this? The chief reason lies in the depravity of man’s nature. You never know how bad man is till he comes in contact with the Cross.

Oh! Human Nature, how blind must be thy heart, how seared thy conscience, not to see the beauties of Christ! How base must thou be to despise the love and tenderness of such a Saviour!~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/3487.cfm

Receive Christ Joyfully

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, salvation, Sovereignty of God Leave a comment

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully. – Luke 19:5,6

When the Master said, “Make haste,” he made haste. Hardly had He said, “Come down,” when down he came. If thou, my hearer, be likewise willing and obedient, thou shalt eat of the good of the land. Christ likes us to be obedient to Him, though He speaks to us less as a Lawgiver than as a Saviour and a Friend. If we refuse to take His yoke upon us, and learn of Him, how can we reasonably expect to find rest unto our souls? The words of Jesus must be deeply respected and diligently observed by those who would have Him for their Rock, their Refuge, and their Hiding Place. Let Him be your Councillor if you want to partake of His redemption. Render allegiance to Him as your King, if you would enjoy all the grace of His priestly mediation and intercession.

There was also a thorough heartiness on the part of Zaccheus in receiving Christ. He made a great feast for Him. He did not admit Him as one who intruded. It was not with cold civility, but with cordial hospitality that he greeted Him. I think I see the satisfaction that sparkled in his face! I think I hear the salutation that leaped from his tongue, “Come in- come in, my gracious Lord; never did my house entertain so welcome a guest as Thou art!” Would you receive Christ, you must throw the doors of your heart wide open; then your eyes, your lips, every muscle of your body will express your earnestness. Your whole spirit, soul and strength will be stirred to enthusiasm if you know His worth, and feel the honour He confers on you. A man who findeth a treasure hid in a field will congratulate himself on his good fortune. A woman, when she embraceth her first-born child, will dote on him with exquisite fondness. Shall no strong emotions prove our sincerity when we receive the Lord of life and glory? ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/3487.cfm

He Received Christ Speedily

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, repentance, salvation Leave a comment

“And he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.”- Luke 19:6

Are you prepared, like Zaccheus, to give the Lord Jesus Christ a glad and grateful welcome? If we would obtain the full benefit of His devoted life, His atoning death, and His triumphant resurrection, we must receive Him into our hearts by simple faith, and entertain Him with tender love. Outside the door of our heart Jesus is a stranger; He is no Saviour to us; but inside the heart which has been opened, by divine grace, to admit Him, His power is displayed, His worth is known, and His goodness is felt. My dear hearer, you have heard His fame, you have witnessed the miracles He has wrought upon others, and now it remains that you receive Him yourself to ensure your own well-being. He stands at the door and knocks; you must open to Him. The promise is, “If any man will open unto Me, I will come in and sup with him.” “To as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” Not upon all who heard was the privilege conferred, for many, when they heard, did not believe. Alas! they provoked Him, and so they perished in their sins. But those who hail Jesus as a friend salute Him as an honoured guest, sit at His feet, and hang on His lips, find how He lights every chamber of their soul with joy, satisfies every craving of their better nature, and enriches them with all the endowments of adopted children.

Zaccheus supplies us with a noble example. He shows us how to receive the Saviour. You will observe that he received Him speedily. “He made haste and came down.”It is not always easy to come down from a tree with great speed…I daresay his heart was down before his feet…”Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Zaccheus made haste. They who receive Christ heartily must receive Christ immediately. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/3487.cfm

He Calleth for Thee, Sinner

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, salvation, Sovereignty of God 4 Comments

…and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. – John 6:37

The Master has come. This is certain. From the highest throne in glory to the manger, to the cross, and to the grave, the Master has come. That He calls for thee, this is also certain, I think. Let me give you a text in which, I think, He calls for you: “Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely.” “Whosoever believeth on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved.” Calls He not for you, too, in this text, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him turn unto the Lord, for He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon”? Calls He not for you in this verse, where He bids all that labour and are heavy-laden come unto Him, that they may rest; or in that other, “Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though thy sins be as scarlet, they shall be as wool; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as snow.” He calleth for thee. Do not disbelieve Him. It is certainly matchless grace, but He is a God and none is like unto Him. “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are His thoughts above your thoughts.” But does your heart say, “Why, if I thought Jesus called for me, I would come”? Then He does call thee; that speech of thine, “I would come,” proves it; ’tis He that makes thee feel willing. Dost thou long for Him? Oh! He is putting  His hand in at the door of thy heart, and making thy bowels yearn for Him. Does a tear drop on the floor, and do you say, “It cannot be that such a one as I should ever live and be saved, and be Christ’s”? Why, thy very admiration at His grace shows that some of His grace is at work upon thee. Trust thou that that arm can save: trust thou that that pierced hand can grasp thee; trust thou that that heart that was gashed with a spear can feel for thee. Trust thyself wholly to Him. “Go thy way; thy sins which are many are forgiven thee.” If thou hast trusted Him, thou art saved. Come and cast thyself at Jesus’ feet. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/3461.cfm

At the Saviour’s Feet

Sherry Character of Jesus, Christian Life, confession of sin, prayer, promises, Sovereignty of God 4 Comments

Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.- John 11:32

Some of us do know what it is to be scarcely able to get together two consecutive thoughts-not to be able to master a text or lay hold of a promise; still we could say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him”; we could lie down at the feet that were pierced, and feel how sweet it is to swoon at the Saviour’s feet. Only get there. Let your will and heart be good to get at Him now, for the Master is here, and calls for you. Come, though in the coming you should utterly fail to get enjoyment, come and fall at His feet. Do I hear any of you saying, “Ah! but I have a heavy thought pressing at my heart, and if I come to Him it is not much that I can say in His honour. I feel but little love, and gratitude, and joy. I could not pour out sweet spikenard from the broken box of my heart.” Be it so, only pour out what you have; for what did Mary do? She said-and the Master did not chide her though He might have done-“Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Oh! it was half cruel, for she seemed to say, “Why wast Thou not here?” It was unbelieving in part, and yet there is a deal of faith in it-a sweet clinging to Him…Beloved, when you are at Jesus’ feet, if you have an unbelieving thought, if you have something that half chides Him, pour out your heart like water before the Lord…Tell Him the weakness; tell Him the suspicion; tell Him all the sin that has been, and all the sin that is haunting you. Tell it all to Him; and at His feet is the place to tell it. You will be eased of your burden then. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/3461.cfm

Rise Up, and Draw Near to Him

Sherry Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises 1 Comment

“The Master is come, and calleth for thee.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him. – John 11:28,29

In answer to the Lord’s visit, you will notice the conduct of Mary. She rose up quickly. She bestirred herself. Oh! let each one of our souls now say, “Has the Lord called for me? Why, then, should I loiter or linger for a single moment? I will get me up this very moment; I will say, ‘My Lord, I am come to Thee. Thou hast called me, and here I am.'” Oh! for grace to shake off the sorrow that makes some hearts sit still! Mary’s dear brother was newly laid in the tomb, but she rose up quickly to go and meet her Master. Dear mother, forget for a few minutes that dear unburied child still in the house. Forget awhile, dear husband, that sick wife of yours towards whom your heart so naturally flies. Forget, beloved, just now, all that you have suffered, all that you expect to suffer, all that you have lost or may be losing. The Master is come, and calleth for thee. Rise up quickly. Let not these things constrain thee to inactivity of spirit, but rise up now, and by His grace come away from them. She bestirred herself; she put on her best efforts that she might not tarry when He called. And then she went, we find, just as she was. She rose up quickly, it is said, and she went: she came unto Him. No sooner said than done. She arose and she came…Come to Him who knows just what thou art, and in what state thou art, and He will not cast thee out; only make brave to believe that, when Christ calls, His call is a warrant to come, however unfit we may be. And oh! how promptly she left all other comforters to come to Christ…She went straight away to the Master there and then. So would I have you forget that there are other comforters: forget your joys as well as your griefs: leave all for Him, and let your soul be only taken up with that Great Master of yours who calls for you, for all your faculties, for all your emotions, for all your passions, for your entire self. Come right away, by His help, from everything else that would absorb any part of your being. Rise up, and draw near to Him.~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/3461.cfm