promises

He Maketh His Saved Ones Rich

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, salvation, The Father 1 Comment

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. – John 3:17

When He came, He came with such wondrous blessings-pardon and peace, justification and acceptance, sanctification and honour, wisdom and righteousness-all these; and now He proclaims Himself to be our protector; His paths drop fatness; He maketh rich and addeth no sorrow; such as find Him find in Him such wealth of goodness-deep, mysterious, unknown-as far exceeds all earthly pleasure, all worldly fortune. Surely on the lowest ground we might afford Him the loftiest welcome. Even churlish Laban received Eliezer with courtesy when he saw the presents he brought-the bracelets, and the earrings, and the jewels, and should not we receive Jesus when we mark those costly gifts in His hand, the purchase of His own blood, which He freely gives to those who receive Him?

And shall we not receive Him joyfully because He comes in such a blessed spirit? He upbraideth not. He was all gentleness, meekness, grace, when here below; though of divine pedigree, the Only-begotten of the Father full of grace and truth. Should we not then receive Him with sound of the trumpet, with the psalter and harp, yea, and with joy of heart unspeakable? Let me add that the better we know Him the more joyfully we should receive Him for His own sake. Oh! I could stand here and weep to think that I do not speak better of my Lord and Master. Truly I know more of His grace and goodness than I should ever be able to tell. I trust you can say the same. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

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

Jesus’ Gracious Work in the Hearts of Men

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, salvation, Sovereignty of God 2 Comments

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:2-4

Well may we receive Christ joyfully since He works such wonderful changes in us, and so beneficent. He cheers the grievous past. It was all black and threatening with the memory of our provocations. He sprinkles His blood upon it, and now it becomes bright and beaming with mementoes of the loving-kindnesses and tender mercies of the Lord. He illuminates the present. There was nought but gloom and blank despair till He shone as the light of life in our dwelling. Then life and salvation dawn upon us like the dayspring from on high. He disperses the clouds that hung over the future. The outlook was dark and threatening till Jesus came, bright and glorious, and discovered a hereafter. Beyond the black river of death we now discern the gleaming of the spirit-land, and the place of meeting where we shall see His face. Thus, when Jesus comes into the heart, the three realms of the past, the present, and the future, all glow with light. When the sun rises, the hills, and valleys, and rivers, above and beneath, are all sown with orient pearl.

Right joyfully do we receive Christ because He comes into our hearts with such gracious offices. He came as a priest to put away sin; who could but be glad? He came as a king; who would not receive such a monarch with sound of trumpets and flaunting of banners? He came to us as a shepherd; shall not the flock of His pasture be glad of the sight of Him? He came as a dear and tender friend; does not His sweet sympathy excite any joy? Think, too, of the yet more endearing relationship in which He came. He came as a husband, and our souls are married unto Him. Blessed bridegroom! Thou adorable Saviour! Thou hast engrossed our heart and won our love. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

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

Let Me to Thy Bosom Fly

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, prayer, promises, repentance, salvation, Sovereignty of God, the unbelieving life 1 Comment

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house… – Luke 19:9

Why do some men receive Him joyfully? The answer simply is because grace has made them to differ. Grace has subdued their stubborn will, illuminated their darkened understanding, changed their depraved affections, and made their whole mind to judge of things after a different fashion. Do not suppose that we who have received Christ were naturally any better disposed to Him than others. Oh! no. If, when the seed was sown, we were like the honest and good ground in which it took root, there had been a previous tillage upon our hearts to make them ready, we should not have been found willing had it not been the day of God’s power.

We make Christ our last resource. We try everything else; grand resolutions to do good works, or to attend gorgeous ceremonies, trivial formalities, or paltry superstitions; anything, the silliest conceit or the emptiest quackery. We go the round of folly before we discover the path of wisdom. At length I must go to Christ, or else woe is unto me if I win Him not. Helpless and hopeless, in sheer distress we cry out, “Give me Christ, or else I die.” Henceforth He is not merely our choice, but a positive necessity to us to have Him as our hourly, daily, and eternal portion. Oh! the strait unto which I was brought when I received Christ. It was Christ or death; salvation by Christ, or damnation without Him. I received Him because I could not help it. I had no alternative. How many of you are in the like dilemma? How many of you will fly to Him in similar destitution? Driven before the tempest, catching a glimpse of the lighthouse, you cry out:

“Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly.”

~ C.H. Spurgeon

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

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