Sovereignty of God

The Spiritual Life

Sherry Christian Life, promises, Sovereignty of God, The Holy Spirit Leave a comment

Because I live, ye shall live also. – John 14:19

Life, what is it? We know practically, but we cannot tell in words. We know it, however, to be a mystery of different degrees. As all flesh is not the same flesh, so all life is not the same life. There is the life of the vegetable, the cedar of Lebanon, the hyssop on the wall…Animal life rises far above the experience and apprehension of the flower of the field. Then there is mental life, which we all of us possess, which introduces us into quite another realm from that which is inhabited by the mere beast. To judge, to foresee, to imagine, to invent, to perform moral acts, are not these new functions which the ox hath not? Now, let it be clear to you, that far above mental life there is another form of life of which the mere carnal man can form no more idea than the plant of the animal, or the animal of the poet. The carnal mind knoweth not spiritual things, because it has no spiritual capacities. As the beast cannot comprehend the pursuits of the philosopher, so the man who is but a natural man cannot comprehend the experience of the spiritually minded. Thus saith the Scripture: “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” There is in believers a life which is not to be found in other men-nobler, diviner for education cannot raise the natural man into it, neither can refinement reach it; for at its best, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh,” and to all must the humbling truth be spoken, “Ye must be born again.” ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0968.cfm

Jehovah’s Wrath

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, promises, Sovereignty of God 2 Comments

“Father Abraham, send Lazarus, that he may dip the top of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.” Luke 16:24

“If, O my reader, thou art merely a professor, and not a possessor of the faith that is in Christ Jesus, the following lines are a true sketch of thine end. You are a respectable attendant at a place of worship; you go because others go, not because your heart is right with God. This is your beginning. I will suppose that for the next twenty or thirty years you will be spared to go on as you do now, professing religion by an outward attendance upon the means of grace, but having no heart in the matter. Tread softly, for I must show you the death-bed of such an one as yourself. Let us gaze upon him gently. A clammy sweat is on his brow, and he wakes up crying, ” O God, it is hard to die. Did you send for my minister?” “Yes, he is coming.” The minister comes. “Sir, I fear that I am dying!” “Have you any hope?” “I cannot say that I have. I fear to stand before my God. Oh! pray for me.” The prayer is offered for him with sincere earnestness, and the way of salvation is, for the ten thousandth time, put before him; but before he has grasped the rope, I see him sink. I may put my finger upon those cold eyelids, for they will never see anything here again. But where is the man, and where are the man’s true eyes? It is written, “In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment.” Ah! why did he not lift up his eyes before? Because he was so accustomed to hearing the Gospel that his soul slept under it. Alas! if you should lift up your eyes there how bitter will be your wailings. Let the Saviour’s own words reveal the woe: “Father Abraham, send Lazarus, that he may dip the top of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.” There is a frightful meaning in those words; may you never have to spell it out by the red light of Jehovah’s wrath! ~ C. H. Spurgeon

Let Him in! Let Him in!

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

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple…And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple; and He healed them. – Matthew 21:12.14

If Jesus comes into your soul He will come as a Reformer. He will make your heart a temple, and out of it He will drive the buyers and the sellers, and all else that would pollute the soul. With His scourge of small cords He will whip out many a naughty thing from the heart which He makes His temple. Ay, let the thieves go! If your heart has been made a den of thieves by evil desires, should not these be chased out without mercy? So let it be. Welcome, Thou great Refiner! Fain would we lose our dross.

I feel so glad to have to add that when He comes into your heart He will hold a leve (a monarch’s reception). Did I not note it to you when we were reading the fourteenth verse? -“The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple; and He healed them.” Dear heart, if Jesus comes to you, all that is blind and lame about you shall be healed. That was a singular leve, was it not? Many of that select company came on crutches, and some with legs doubled up, or malformed. Blind men were there, with useless eyeballs or empty sockets where eyes should have been. Into this limping, groping circle came the King of glory, and He did not repel them, but He healed them. Admit the Lord into your heart, and the limping of your unbelief will be exchanged for the reapings of faith. Then shall you see those things to which your heart has long been blind. Let Him in! Let Him in! Believe on Him, and trust Him, and so let Him into your heart, and you shall find Him the physician of your soul. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/2196.cfm

The King Who Brings Joy and Peace

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

Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. – Matthew 21:5

Remember, beloved, the coming of Christ is with gentleness and love. Riding on a colt, the foal of an ass, is a very different thing from riding the fiery war-horse. I like not men who seem as if they were converted to hate everybody else. It is not Christ who has come unto you if you have grown prouder, harder, more passionate than ever. No, the Christ who enters to save, is Himself so meek and lowly of heart that those who take His yoke upon them learn of Him, and they become meek and lowly too. Admit the lowly Christ and be of one mind with Him. He will kill your bad temper, conquer your malice, and cast out your pride. Come and be the willing subject of a King who rideth forth in lowliest guise.

His entrance caused great joy. No man’s heart was made heavy that day. The face of the King frowned on none. Other kings have found it needful to force their way through crowds of rebels to their capital, and wade through slaughter to a throne; but none was found to hurt or devour in all the holy mountain when Jesus came to Zion. Women have been ravished, men have been murdered, even babes have been massacred when monarchs have entered cities; but when our King cometh, boughs and palm fronds, shouts and songs, are the setting of a very different scene. Instead of shrieks and groans, we hear the ringing music of children, with their glad Hosannas. Oh, will you not admit the Lord Jesus? Who will refuse an entrance to One who brings with Him joy and peace? ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/2196.cfm

“Come in, my Lord! Come in!”

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, prayer, promises, salvation, Sovereignty of God, The Holy Spirit Leave a comment

And when He was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” And the multitude said, “This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee”. – Matthew 21:10-11

On that day, when Christ came up from Bethany, the city gates were wide open. We read nothing about them, because they were not in the way; they were no shut gates to Him. He rode into Jerusalem without let or hindrance. Are your gates wide open? If not, I would say, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors: and the King of glory shall come in.” He is willing to abide in your hearts and go no more out for ever; be sure that your gates are set wide before Him. May the Holy Ghost open your hearts! Do not tolerate the thought of shutting out your Lord. Never! Throw wide the portals of your soul. Yea, go forth by willing obedience and say, “Come in, my Lord! Come in!” He was cheerfully received as King. Our Lord did not come to subdue the citizens at the point of the sword. He did not come with force of arms to coerce the city. You must receive Jesus willingly, or not at all. He comes to reign; but He comes in the gentleness of love. He rides on no high-mettled charger, He lays His hand on no sharp sword which clatters at His side; about Him are no men-at-arms, behind Him come no heavy guns dragged along the trembling streets. Jesus was willingly received: everyone exultingly welcomed Him. Will you so receive Jesus? Has He made you willing in the day of His power? You may well salute Him and welcome Him to your heart and your home; for you have never before received so blessed a guest. Set open wide the gates and entreat Him to come in; for He will bring heaven with Him. He never uses force; He conquers only by love. The Holy Spirit works upon the will of man; but He leaves it still a will, so that we freely choose our Lord, and delight in Him as our King. It should not be needful that I should plead for His admission. Surely you should run down the hill to meet Him, and then come back, following after Him with glad Hosannas. Lord Jesus, we cannot be cold in Thy presence. Our souls burn as with coals of juniper when we remember Thee. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/2196.cfm

A Shout of Homage and of Prayer

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

…and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord…Hosanna in the highest. – Mark 11:9,10

I want you to notice in our text, that our Savior was received with the shout of Hosanna! The best interpretation I can give is-“Save, oh, save! Save, oh, save!” Different nations have different ways of expressing their good will to their monarchs. A Roman would have shouted, “Io triumphe!” We sing, “God save our gracious Queen.” The Persians said, “O King, live for ever.” The Jews cried, “Hosanna!” “Save,” or, “God save the King!” The French have their “Vivas,” by which they mean, “Long live the man.” Hosanna is tantamount to all these. It is a shout of homage, welcome, and loyalty. It wishes wealth, health, and honor to the king. In the Saxon we say, “Hurrah”; in Hebrew, “Hosanna.” That mighty shout startled all the streets of the old city: “Hosanna, Hosanna, the King is come. Save Him, O Lord! Save us through Him! Long live the King!” While it was a shout of homage, it was also a prayer to the King. “Save, Lord; save us, O King! O King, born to conquer and to save, deliver us!” It was, moreover, a prayer for Him-“God save the King, God bless and prosper His majesty.” Prayer also shall be made for Him continually; and daily shall He be praised.” We never cease to pray, “Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Let us then cry, Hosanna, making it at once a loyal shout; a prayer to our King, and a prayer for Him. All these things appear in the benediction which follows: “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”

Would it be amiss if we were to indulge in a hearty shout for our King? May we never grow enthusiastic? May we never overleap the bounds of prim propriety? Shall we never cry Hallelujah! Shall no Hosannas burst from our lips? Surely, if our King will come into the midst of His church again, and end these black days of doubt, we must and will shout, or else the very stones will cry out, Yes, O Lord Jesus, Thou shalt have our Vivas: we will shout, “Long live the King! ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/2196.cfm

A Time of Testimony

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

The people therefore that was with Him when He called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. – John 12:17

It was a time of testimony: for those who had been present, and had seen Lazarus raised from the dead, bore witness. One stepped forward and said, “With these eyes I saw Lazarus come forth from the tomb of rock.” “As for me”, said another, “I saw him buried, I helped to carry him to the grave; but I saw him come back to the house alive.” “Yes”, said a third, “I rolled away the stone, and as I stood watching for the result, I saw the dead man come forth alive, and I helped to loose his grave-clothes.” All these bore witness to what they had seen. You cannot tell what a joyful effect it produces, and what enthusiasm is stirred, when one after another bears personal witness. Lord, open men’s mouths! Lord, make the quiet ones to tell forth Thy praise! Your silent tongues deprive us of our joy. Your cowardly reticence robs Christ of His glory and the church of its increase. If God has done anything for you, or you have seen Him do anything for others, bear testimony to it. It is the Lord’s due, and your duty, that you should speak to the glory of Christ Jesus. When great wonders have been done, and those who saw them are willing to bear their testimony “hereunto, then we may look for red-letter days, wherein gladness and praise shall be in the ascendant.

When we are all ready, each man, each woman, ready to take our share in the harvesting, then will the sheaves be garnered. It is cheering when the congregation shares the excitement with the church and its ministers, and the prospect of a divine blessing is before the mind of all who seek better things. Surely, the time to favor Zion, yea, the set time has come, when her King is longed for, and every heart beats high with love of Him. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/2196.cfm