I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a living Christ as our Redeemer and the power of positive confession in reaching the essence of consolation.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound comfort found in the personal relationship with a living Redeemer, as expressed in Job's declaration of faith. He highlights the necessity of claiming Christ as 'my Redeemer' to truly experience His redemptive power and joy. Spurgeon encourages believers to move beyond mere hope to a confident knowledge of Christ's presence and assurance in their lives, asserting that doubts can hinder peace and comfort. He reminds us that even a small amount of faith allows us to claim Christ as ours, and that certainty in our relationship with Him brings light even in the darkest times. Ultimately, Spurgeon calls for a deep, personal connection with the living Christ, which leads to unspeakable joy.
Text
The marrow of Job's comfort lies in that little word "My"--"My Redeemer," and in the fact that the Redeemer lives. Oh! to get hold of a living Christ. We must get a property in Him before we can enjoy Him. What is gold in the mine to me? Men are beggars in Peru, and beg their bread in California. It is gold in my purse which will satisfy my necessities, by purchasing the bread I need. So a Redeemer who does not redeem me, an avenger who will never stand up for my blood, of what avail were such?
Rest not content until by faith you can say "Yes, I cast myself upon my living Lord; and He is mine." It may be you hold Him with a feeble hand; you half think it presumption to say, "He lives as my Redeemer;" yet, remember if you have but faith as a grain of mustard seed, that little faith entitles you to say it. But there is also another word here, expressive of Job's strong confidence, "I know." To say, "I hope so, I trust so" is comfortable; and there are thousands in the fold of Jesus who hardly ever get much further.
But to reach the essence of consolation you must say, "I know." Ifs, buts, and perhapses, are sure murderers of peace and comfort. Doubts are dreary things in times of sorrow. Like wasps they sting the soul! If I have any suspicion that Christ is not mine, then there is vinegar mingled with the gall of death; but if I know that Jesus lives for me, then darkness is not dark: even the night is light about me. Surely if Job, in those ages before the coming and advent of Christ, could say, "I know," we should not speak less positively.
God forbid that our positiveness should be presumption. Let us see that our evidences are right, lest we build upon an ungrounded hope; and then let us not be satisfied with the mere foundation, for it is from the upper rooms that we get the widest prospect. A living Redeemer, truly mine, is joy unspeakable.
Sermon Outline
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The Importance of a Living Redeemer
- A living Christ is essential for comfort and satisfaction
- We must have a property in Him before we can enjoy Him
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The Certainty of Christ's Redemption
- Job's confidence in his Redeemer is rooted in faith
- Even a small amount of faith is enough to claim Christ as our Redeemer
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The Dangers of Doubt and Uncertainty
- Doubts and uncertainties can lead to peace and comfort
- Ifs, buts, and perhapses can murder peace and comfort
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The Power of Positive Confession
- Saying 'I know' is essential for reaching the essence of consolation
- Positiveness should be grounded in evidence and not presumption
Key Quotes
“Oh! to get hold of a living Christ.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“A living Redeemer, truly mine, is joy unspeakable.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“If I have any suspicion that Christ is not mine, then there is vinegar mingled with the gall of death;” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We must have faith in Christ to claim Him as our Redeemer.
- Saying 'I know' is essential for reaching the essence of consolation.
- Doubts and uncertainties can lead to peace and comfort, but ifs, buts, and perhapses can murder peace and comfort.