(Because of the wretched state of Red Deer’s
pulpit space, it is now, as predicted by Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3, the time to
‘pluck up that which is planted…a time to break down…a time to weep…a time to
cast away stones’ and even ‘a time to refrain from embracing.’ And it is
certainly more ‘a time to speak’ than ‘a time to keep silence.’ Be that as it
may, the wrecking ball of negative criticism should be followed by the laying
down of truth. To this end, we introduce the sermon sketch as an intermittent
blog feature. As the term ‘sketch’ implies, this kind of post, in distinction
from the usually lengthy analysis, will be pithy. The source for each sketch
will be indicated at the bottom of each post.)
Faith
“Without faith it is
impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11.6.)
Introduction. The Old Assembly’s Catechism is correct in saying that
the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever. It is equally
truthful to say that man’s end is to please God, for in doing so he will also
please himself. He that pleases God is, by divine grace, journeying to the
ultimate reward. He who is ill-pleasing to God must be banished from God’s
presence. Do what you may, be as lovely and of good repute as can be, yet you
will not be pleasing to God without faith. This is an old law. Cain and Abel
brought their best offerings to God. Only Abel’s was accepted, being seasoned
with faith. This rule will hold until the last man ascends to heaven.
(1) An Exposition. What is faith? The old Puritan writers, by far the
most sensible, tell us that faith consists of three things: knowledge, assent,
and affiance. The first thing in faith is knowledge.
A man cannot believe what he does not know. Some have heard the minister
cry, ‘Believe! believe! believe!’ And they have got it into their heads that
they are believers. There must be some degree of knowledge before there can be
faith. By searching and reading comes knowledge, and by knowledge comes faith,
and through faith comes salvation. But a man may know a thing and not have
faith. Therefore assent is necessary.
We must agree with what we know. Whosoever would be saved must know the
Scriptures, and give his full assent to them. But a man may have all this, and
yet not possess true faith. The chief part of faith is affiance to the truth: taking hold of it and resting on it for
salvation. I shall not be saved and delivered from wrath by knowing Christ is a
Saviour and that his atonement is sufficient. I shall be saved by making his
atonement my refuge. With faith men are saved; without it men are damned.
(2) An Argument. Why is it impossible to please God without faith?
There is not one case in Scripture of a man pleasing God without faith. Judas
repented, and then hanged himself. Saul confessed his sins, and yet went on as
before. Like those who cast their crowns at God’s feet, we must bow in order to
be saved. And faith is necessary because works can’t save. The key of works is
broken, for you have broken the commandments. Christ alone can open heaven for
you. If you think to enter heaven by your good works, they will be kindled into
a flame wherein you must suffer for ever. Take heed of your good works; get
them after faith. To be saved and to please God, there must be union with
Christ. Christ is on the shore, so to speak, holding the rope of faith, and
when we lay hold on that, he pulls us to shore. Grappling on your works with
hooks of steel will avail you nothing. Without faith it is impossible to please
God because it is impossible to preserve holiness without faith. Many
Christians are tremendously religious in pious parlors and chapels. But if they
are exposed to ridicule, it is all over with religion until the next fine day.
That kind of religion is worse than irreligion. There is no shame in being a
follower of Jesus. The only thing to be ashamed of is hypocrisy. Be true to
your profession.
(3) A Question. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with all your
heart? If so, you may hope to be saved. He that has faith has renounced his own
righteousness. True faith begets love to Christ. True faith begets good works.
No one can have faith unless he also has holiness.
Selection
from Conclusion. “Cast yourselves upon his love and blood, his doing and
his dying, his miseries and his merits; and if you do this you shall never
fall, but you shall be saved now, and saved in that great day, when not to be
saved will be horrible indeed.”
{This sermon by C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) is sketched
by M. H. Gaboury.}
No comments:
Post a Comment