Christ's preciousness is revealed in His forgiveness, comfort, and guidance, and will be even more evident in eternity.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the preciousness of Christ to believers during various life circumstances, such as conviction of sin, sickness, trials, and even death. He reassures that Christ's presence brings comfort and hope, stating that His promises are a source of strength and assurance. Spurgeon highlights that the true beauty of Christ will be fully revealed in eternity, surpassing all earthly understanding. He urges believers to deepen their love and commitment to Christ, recognizing that if He is not precious to them, they may not truly believe. Ultimately, Spurgeon calls for a heartfelt response to Christ's love and sacrifice.
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How precious is Christ to the believer in the hour of conviction of sin, when he says, "Your sins, which are many, are all forgiven you." How precious to you in the hour of sickness, when He comes to you and says, "I will make your bed in your sickness." How precious to you in the day of trial, when He says, "all things work together for your good." How precious when friends are buried, for He says, "I am the resurrection and the life." How precious in your old age, "even in old age I am with you." How precious in the lone chamber of death, for "I will fear no evil, thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff shall comfort me." But last of all, how precious will Christ be when we see Him as He is. All we know of Christ here is as noting compared with what we shall know hereafter. Believer, when you see Christ's face now, you only see it through a veil--Christ is so glorious, that, like Moses, He is compelled to put a veil upon his face. . . . And if he be lovely here, when He is marred and spit upon, how lovely must He be when He is adored and worshiped. If He is precious on His cross, how much more precious when He sits on His throne. If I can weep before Him and love Him, and live to Him, when I see Him as the despised man of Nazareth, oh, how shall my spirit be knit to Him, when I see His face and behold His crown of glory, when I mark the harpings of the never-ceasing harpers who harp His praise. Wait awhile, Christian. If He is precious to the believer now, when faith is turned to sight He will be more precious still. Go out of this hall, and cry, "O Lord Jesus, I must love thee. I must serve thee better, I must live for thee; I must be ready to die for thee--for
Thou art precious to my soul,
My transport and my trust.
. . . but if He is not precious, then you are not a believer, and you are condemned already because you believe not on the Son of God ((C. H. Spurgeon, Sermons of Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, pp. 365-364).
Sermon Outline
- I. The Preciousness of Christ in the Hour of Conviction
- A. Forgiveness of sins
- B. Assurance of pardon
- II. The Preciousness of Christ in the Hour of Sickness
- A. Comfort in suffering
- B. Hope in affliction
- III. The Preciousness of Christ in the Hour of Trial
- A. Providence in difficulty
- B. Guidance in uncertainty
- IV. The Preciousness of Christ in the Hour of Death
- A. Presence in loneliness
- B. Comfort in sorrow
- V. The Preciousness of Christ in Eternity
- A. Full knowledge of His glory
- B. Unveiled sight of His face
Key Quotes
“If He is precious on His cross, how much more precious when He sits on His throne.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“If He is precious to the believer now, when faith is turned to sight He will be more precious still.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Thou art precious to my soul, My transport and my trust.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Believers should express their love for Christ by serving Him better and living for Him.
- Christ's preciousness should motivate believers to be ready to die for Him.
- Faith is turned to sight in eternity, and believers will see Christ's glory and be more precious to them.
