He Is Dull, Heavy, Lumpy--all but Dead
The sermon emphasizes the need for spiritual quickening and the role of God in stirring us to zeal and fervor in our spiritual lives.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the dangers of vanity in our lives, illustrating that both worldly pleasures and the pursuit of wealth can lead us away from God. He highlights the need for divine intervention to awaken our spirits, as mere thoughts of hell, heaven, or even Christ's love may not be enough to stir us from our spiritual lethargy. The Psalmist's plea to 'turn away my eyes from beholding vanity' and 'quicken me in Your way' serves as a powerful reminder of our dependence on God for spiritual vitality. Spurgeon encourages believers to unite their body and soul in fervent prayer, seeking God's help to overcome dullness and embrace a life focused on Him. This prayer is deemed essential for every day, urging us to seek God's presence actively.
Text
"Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken me in Your way." Psalm 119:37
"Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity."
There are diverse kinds of vanity. The cap and bells of the fool; the mirth of the world; the dance and the cup of the dissolute. All these we know to be vanities; they wear their proper name and title upon their forefront. Far more treacherous, are those equally vain things--the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. A man may follow vanity as truly in his business--as in the theater! If he is spending his life in amassing wealth--he passes his days in a vain show. Unless we follow Christ, and make our God the great object of life--we only differ in appearance, from the most frivolous. It is clear that there is much need of the first prayer of our text.
"Quicken me in Your way."
The Psalmist confesses that he is dull, heavy, lumpy--all but dead. Perhaps, dear reader, you feel the same. We are so sluggish that the best motives cannot quicken us, apart from the Lord Himself. What! will not hell quicken me? Shall I think of sinners perishing--and yet not be awakened? Will not heaven quicken me? Can I think of the glory that awaits the righteous--and yet be cold? Will not death quicken me? Can I think of dying, and standing before my God--and yet be slothful in my Master's service? Will not Christ's love constrain me? Can I think of His dear wounds, can I sit at the foot of His cross--and not be stirred with fervency and zeal? It seems so! No mere consideration can quicken us to zeal--but God Himself must do it, hence the cry, "Quicken me!"
The Psalmist breathes out his whole soul in vehement pleadings--his body and his soul unite in prayer. "Turn away my eyes," says the body. "Quicken me," cries the soul. This is a fit prayer for every day. O Lord, hear it in my case this day.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Vanity points: - The cap and bells of the fool - The mirth of the world - The dance and the cup of the dissolute
- The Treacherous Nature of Worldly Concerns points: - The cares of this world - The deceitfulness of riches
- The Need for Spiritual Quickening points: - The Psalmist's prayer - The Lord's role in quickening us
- The Futility of Human Motivation points: - The failure of hell to quicken us - The failure of heaven to quicken us - The failure of death to quicken us
Key Quotes
“Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken me in Your way.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The Psalmist confesses that he is dull, heavy, lumpy--all but dead.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Will not Christ's love constrain me? Can I think of His dear wounds, can I sit at the foot of His cross--and not be stirred with fervency and zeal?” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Recognize the dangers of vanity in your life and confess your spiritual dullness and heaviness to God.
- Cry out to God to quicken you in His way, and trust in His power to stir you to zeal and fervor.
- Let the love of Christ constrain you to live a life of fervor and zeal for Him.