Rejoice That Your Name Is Written Above!
True joy and assurance of salvation come from knowing our names are written in heaven, not from human achievements.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of knowing that our names are written in heaven, arguing that earthly achievements and successes do not guarantee salvation or true regeneration. He warns against being overly proud of accomplishments, as even those who perform miraculous acts may not be true believers. Instead, Spurgeon encourages believers to find their joy in their relationship with Jesus and the assurance of their heavenly citizenship. The sermon calls for self-examination to ensure that one truly belongs to Christ, especially as one approaches the end of life.
Text
Gifts, attainments, labors, successes, all heaped together, cannot support a soul on the verge of eternity. There is ever present the fact that such things are no sure sign of regeneration. Did not the sons of the Pharisees cast out devils? Did not the people say of Simon Magus, "This man is the great power of God"? Yet these were graceless deceivers. We must have sure evidence of the new birth, we must know that our citizenship is in heaven, we must know that we belong to Jesus, in one word, we must know that our names are written in heaven, or else we shall find ourselves utterly undone in our dying hours.
For all these reasons, then, be not too elated, because of devils conquered, crowds gathered, or souls saved; but hearken to your Lord's voice while he points you to other reasons for rejoicing.
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Why May I Rejoice?," delivered October 29, 1876.
Sermon Outline
- The Unreliability of Human Achievements
- The Need for Sure Evidence of Regeneration
- The Importance of Knowing Our Names Are Written in Heaven
- We must know our citizenship is in heaven
- We must know we belong to Jesus
- This is the only sure sign of salvation
- Without this knowledge, we are undone in our dying hours
Key Quotes
“Gifts, attainments, labors, successes, all heaped together, cannot support a soul on the verge of eternity.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Do not rely on your accomplishments or achievements for assurance of salvation.
- Know that your citizenship is in heaven and that you belong to Jesus for true peace and joy.
- Faith in Jesus Christ is the only sure sign of salvation.