All They That Heard It Wondered at Those Things
The sermon emphasizes the importance of holy wonder in worship, thanksgiving, and godly living, highlighting the marvel of God's redemption through Jesus' sacrifice.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder at God's marvelous works, particularly in relation to the incarnation and redemption through Jesus Christ. He highlights that this holy wonder can lead to genuine worship, gratitude, and a deeper awareness of God's presence in our lives. Spurgeon encourages believers to reflect on the miracle of grace that God has shown by becoming our Redeemer, which should inspire both reverence and hope. He reminds us that true astonishment at the Savior's sacrifice can transform our perspective on life and our relationship with God. Ultimately, he calls for a response of worship and a commitment to live in light of such profound love.
Text
We must not cease to wonder at the great marvels of our God. It would be very difficult to draw a line between holy wonder and real worship; for when the soul is overwhelmed with the majesty of God's glory, though it may not express itself in song, or even utter its voice with bowed head in humble prayer, yet it silently adores. Our incarnate God is to be worshipped as "the Wonderful." That God should consider His fallen creature, man, and instead of sweeping him away with the besom of destruction, should Himself undertake to be man's Redeemer, and to pay his ransom price, is, indeed marvellous!
But to each believer redemption is most marvellous as he views it in relation to himself. It is a miracle of grace indeed, that Jesus should forsake the thrones and royalties above, to suffer ignominiously below for you. Let your soul lose itself in wonder, for wonder is in this way a very practical emotion. Holy wonder will lead you to grateful worship and heartfelt thanksgiving. It will cause within you godly watchfulness; you will be afraid to sin against such a love as this.
Feeling the presence of the mighty God in the gift of His dear Son, you will put off your shoes from off your feet, because the place whereon you stand is holy ground. You will be moved at the same time to glorious hope. If Jesus has done such marvellous things on your behalf, you will feel that heaven itself is not too great for your expectation. Who can be astonished at anything, when he has once been astonished at the manger and the cross? What is there wonderful left after one has seen the Saviour?
Dear reader, it may be that from the quietness and solitariness of your life, you are scarcely able to imitate the shepherds of Bethlehem, who told what they had seen and heard, but you can, at least, fill up the circle of the worshippers before the throne, by wondering at what God has done.
Sermon Outline
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The Importance of Holy Wonder
- Drawing a line between holy wonder and real worship
- The role of holy wonder in worship and thanksgiving
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The Marvel of Redemption
- God's decision to be man's Redeemer
- The sacrifice of Jesus for humanity's ransom
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The Practical Application of Holy Wonder
- Leading to grateful worship and heartfelt thanksgiving
- Causing godly watchfulness and fear of sin
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The Impact of Holy Wonder on Hope
- Feeling that heaven itself is not too great for expectation
- Glorious hope in the face of God's marvelous deeds
Key Quotes
“It would be very difficult to draw a line between holy wonder and real worship;” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Who can be astonished at anything, when he has once been astonished at the manger and the cross?” — C.H. Spurgeon
“What is there wonderful left after one has seen the Saviour?” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Let your soul lose itself in wonder, for wonder is in this way a very practical emotion.
- Holy wonder will lead you to grateful worship and heartfelt thanksgiving.
- Feeling the presence of the mighty God in the gift of His dear Son, you will put off your shoes from off your feet, because the place whereon you stand is holy ground.