In the World Ye Shall Have Tribulation
Christians can expect to face tribulation in their lives, but with God's help and strength, they can overcome their enemies and grow in holiness.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that believers should expect tribulation as part of their Christian journey, reminding them to look upward to God, who is pure and holy, and to recognize the need for refining through affliction. He urges Christians to be aware of the spiritual battles they face, as Satan will relentlessly pursue them, and to understand that the world is not their friend but an enemy territory. Spurgeon also highlights the internal struggles with sin that every believer faces, asserting that even without external foes, the heart can be a source of trouble. However, he reassures believers that God is present to provide help and strength in times of trouble.
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Art thou asking the reason of this, believer? Look upward to thy heavenly Father, and behold Him pure and holy. Dost thou know that thou art one day to be like Him? Wilt thou easily be conformed to His image? Wilt thou not require much refining in the furnace of affliction to purify thee? Will it be an easy thing to get rid of thy corruptions, and make thee perfect even as thy Father which is in heaven is perfect? Next, Christian, turn thine eye downward. Dost thou know what foes thou hast beneath thy feet?
Thou wast once a servant of Satan, and no king will willingly lose his subjects. Dost thou think that Satan will let thee alone? No, he will be always at thee, for he "goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Expect trouble, therefore, Christian, when thou lookest beneath thee. Then look around thee. Where art thou? Thou art in an enemy's country, a stranger and a sojourner. The world is not thy friend. If it be, then thou art not God's friend, for he who is the friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Be assured that thou shalt find foe-men everywhere. When thou sleepest, think that thou art resting on the battlefield; when thou walkest, suspect an ambush in every hedge. As mosquitoes are said to bite strangers more than natives, so will the trials of earth be sharpest to you. Lastly, look within thee, into thine own heart and observe what is there. Sin and self are still within. Ah! if thou hadst no devil to tempt thee, no enemies to fight thee, and no world to ensnare thee, thou wouldst still find in thyself evil enough to be a sore trouble to thee, for "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." Expect trouble then, but despond not on account of it, for God is with thee to help and to strengthen thee. He hath said, "I will be with thee in trouble; I will deliver thee and honour thee."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Reason for Tribulation
- A. The need for purification
- B. The struggle against corruption
- II. The Enemies of the Christian
- A. Satan's opposition
- B. The world's hostility
- III. The World as an Enemy's Country
- A. The Christian as a stranger and sojourner
- B. The world's enmity towards God
- IV. The Internal Struggle
- A. Sin and self within
- B. The heart's deceitfulness
Key Quotes
“Will it be an easy thing to get rid of thy corruptions, and make thee perfect even as thy Father which is in heaven is perfect?” — C.H. Spurgeon
“He hath said, 'I will be with thee in trouble; I will deliver thee and honour thee.'” — C.H. Spurgeon
“the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Christians should expect to face tribulation and difficulties in their lives, but they should not be discouraged by them.
- Christians should rely on God's help and strength to overcome their internal struggles and external enemies.
- Christians should seek to be conformed to God's image and to grow in holiness, even in the midst of tribulation.