Let Him That Thinketh He Standeth Take Heed Lest He Fall
The sermon emphasizes the importance of depending on Christ and His strength, rather than boasting in one's own graces, in order to avoid falling and live a life that reflects Christ's character.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the danger of pride in one's own grace, warning that those who boast of their faith or love may be at risk of falling. He reminds believers that true strength comes from Christ alone, and that continuous reliance on Him is essential to avoid spiritual decline. Spurgeon encourages a life of prayer, scripture reading, and careful living, urging Christians to exemplify Christ in their actions and conversations. He reassures that through faith and dependence on Jesus, believers can be kept from falling and ultimately receive the crown of righteousness. The sermon calls for vigilance and humility in the Christian walk.
Text
It is a curious fact, that there is such a thing as being proud of grace. A man says, "I have great faith, I shall not fall; poor little faith may, but I never shall." "I have fervent love," says another, "I can stand, there is no danger of my going astray." He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of. Some who do this imagine that their graces can keep them, knowing not that the stream must flow constantly from the fountain head, or else the brook will soon be dry. If a continuous stream of oil comes not to the lamp, though it burn brightly to-day, it will smoke to-morrow, and noxious will be its scent.
Take heed that thou gloriest not in thy graces, but let all thy glorying and confidence be in Christ and His strength, for only so canst thou be kept from falling. Be much more in prayer. Spend longer time in holy adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God. Take the best examples for your pattern. Let your conversation be redolent of heaven. Let your hearts be perfumed with affection for men's souls. So live that men may take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus, and have learned of Him; and when that happy day shall come, when He whom you love shall say, "Come up higher," may it be your happiness to hear Him say, "Thou hast fought a good fight, thou hast finished thy course, and henceforth there is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness which fadeth not away."
On, Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy fear and trembling! On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant petition be, "Uphold me according to Thy word." He is able, and He alone, "To keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Boasting in Grace
- The Importance of Continuous Dependence on Christ
- Living a Life of Holiness and Evangelism
- The Promise of God's Preservation
- God's ability to keep us from falling
- The joy of being presented faultless before God
Key Quotes
“He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Take heed that thou gloriest not in thy graces, but let all thy glorying and confidence be in Christ and His strength, for only so canst thou be kept from falling.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“He is able, and He alone, 'To keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.'” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Make prayer and Scripture study a priority in your daily life.
- Cultivate a heart for souls and a life of service, and live in a way that demonstrates Christ's love and character.
- Depend on Christ and His strength, rather than relying on your own graces, to avoid falling and live a life of holiness.