A 'Prayer Tip' From Charles Spurgeon
The sermon emphasizes the importance of approaching the Bible with reverence and awe, treating every word as law and gospel.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of approaching the Bible with deep reverence and a prayerful heart, asking God to make His words vivid and impactful in our lives. He highlights that every word of Scripture should be treated as law and gospel, urging believers not to trifle with its meaning or power. Spurgeon points out that even Christ recognized the authority of the Word, and that to disregard Scripture is to miss out on its transformative aid. He encourages a posture of gratitude towards God for the gift of His Word, which speaks to us with the same authority as if God Himself were present.
Text
I like to open the Bible and pray, "Lord God, let the words leap off the page into my soul; make them vivid, powerful, and fresh to my heart."
"How are we to handle this sword of 'It is written'? First, with deepest reverence. Let every word that God has spoken be law and gospel to you. Never trifle with it; never try to evade its force or change its meaning. God speaks to you in this book as much as if he came to the top of Sinai and lifted up his voice with thunder.
I like to open the Bible and pray, 'Lord God, let the words leap off the page into my soul; make them vivid, powerful, and fresh to my heart.'"
Our Lord Himself felt the power of the Word. It was not so much the devil who felt the power of 'It is written" as Christ Himself. The manhood of Christ felt an awe of the Word of God, and so the Word became a power to Christ. To trifle with Scripture is to deprive yourself of its aid. Reverence it, and look up to God with devout gratitude for having given it to you.
Sermon Outline
- Handling the Sword of Scripture
- With reverence and awe
- As law and gospel
- Never trifle with its force or meaning
Key Quotes
“Lord God, let the words leap off the page into my soul; make them vivid, powerful, and fresh to my heart.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“God speaks to you in this book as much as if he came to the top of Sinai and lifted up his voice with thunder.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“To trifle with Scripture is to deprive yourself of its aid.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Treat the Bible with reverence and awe, never trifle with its force or meaning.
- Pray for the words of Scripture to come alive in your heart.
- Recognize the power of Scripture and its significance in your life.