His Mercy Is Not for Sale
Salvation is a gift from God that cannot be purchased, but rather received through faith in Jesus Christ.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that Christ's mercy is freely given and cannot be bought or earned, using the analogy of a mother seeking grapes for her sick child from a prince who only gives them away. He illustrates that just as the prince's grapes are not for sale, God's grace and salvation are offered freely to all who humbly ask. Spurgeon encourages believers to come and receive this gift of mercy by faith in Jesus, highlighting the importance of approaching God with a humble heart.
Text
Christ's mercy is to be had for nothing, bribe or purchase is out of the question. I have heard of a woman whose child was in a fever and needed grapes; and there was a prince who lived near, in whose hothouse there were some of the rarest grapes that had ever been grown. She scraped together the little money she could earn, and went to the gardener and offered to buy a bunch of the royal fruit. Of course he repulsed her, and said they were not to be sold. Did she imagine that the prince grew grapes to sell like a market-gardener? And he sent her on her way, much grieved. She came again; she came several times, for a mother's importunity is great; but no offer of hers would be accepted.
At last the princess heard of it and wished to see the woman; and when she came the princess said, "The prince does not sell the fruit of his garden:" but, snipping off a bunch of grapes and dropping them into a little bag, she said, "He is always ready to give it away to the poor." Now, here is the rich cluster of gospel salvation from the true vine. My Lord will not sell it, but he is always ready to give it away to all who humbly ask for it and if you want it come and take it, and take it now by believing in Jesus.
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Aeneas," delivered July 16, 1876.
Sermon Outline
- Christ's Mercy Is Not for Sale
- The Princess's Generosity
- The Application to Gospel Salvation
- The Riches of Salvation Are Not for Purchase
- The Prince's Fruit Is Not for Sale
- The Princess's Gift of Grapes
- The Implication of the Princess's Gift
- The Lord's Gift of Salvation
- The Invitation to Receive Salvation
Key Quotes
“My Lord will not sell it, but he is always ready to give it away to all who humbly ask for it and if you want it come and take it, and take it now by believing in Jesus.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“He is always ready to give it away to the poor.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Salvation is available to all who ask for it and believe in Jesus Christ.
- Faith in Jesus Christ is the condition for receiving the Lord's gift of salvation.
- The Lord's gift of salvation is not something that can be bought, but rather received as a gift.