The Wisest and the Best Thing
The sermon emphasizes the importance of carefully considering the requirements and implications of being a disciple of Jesus Christ, and encourages a balanced approach to faith that combines enthusiasm with reason and logic.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of counting the cost of discipleship, urging potential followers of Christ to understand the requirements of their commitment. He highlights that true religion is not merely emotional but can withstand rigorous examination and logical scrutiny. Spurgeon encourages believers to engage their minds in evaluating the worthiness of following Jesus, asserting that both fervor and thoughtful consideration are essential in the faith journey. Ultimately, he concludes that being a disciple of Christ is the wisest and best decision one can make.
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Our Savior's advice to those who wished to be his disciples was "Count the cost." He did not wish to entice any man to enlist in his army by keeping him in ignorance as to the requirements of his service, Again and again he tested professed converts himself, and he frequently exhorted men to try themselves, lest they should begin a profession and be unable to maintain it. True religion is a matter of enthusiasm, but at the same time its truths and precepts can endure the severest examination. The exercise of our judgments upon the gospel is invited, yea required. It is true that many persons are brought to Christ in earnest assemblies, where they are addressed in fervent language; but yet a man may sit down in his study or his counting house with his pen in his hand, and in the coolest possible manner he may calculate, and, if under the Holy Spirit's guidance he shall be led to calculate truthfully, he will come to the conclusion that the cause of the Lord Jesus is worthiest and best.
Do not imagine, as some do, that religion consists in a wild fanaticism which never considers, calculates, judges, estimates, or ponders; for such an imagination will be the reverse of truth. Ardour, fervor, enthusiasm, these are desirable, and we cannot well have too much of them; but at the same time, as I have already said, we can justify our attachment to Christ by the calmest logic, by the most patient consideration. We may make a lengthy and deliberate estimate, taking both things temporal and things eternal into review, and yet we may challenge all gainsayers while we declare that it is the wisest and the best thing in all the world to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "All The People At Work For Jesus ," delivered June 3, 1877.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Counting the Cost
- True Religion and the Exercise of Judgment
- Calculating the Worth of the Gospel
- A Balanced Approach to Religion
- Ardour and enthusiasm are desirable, but not at the expense of reason and consideration
- We can justify our attachment to Christ by calm logic and patient consideration
Key Quotes
“Count the cost.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“True religion is a matter of enthusiasm, but at the same time its truths and precepts can endure the severest examination.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The cause of the Lord Jesus is worthiest and best.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should carefully consider the requirements and implications of being a disciple of Jesus Christ before making a commitment to follow Him.
- Our faith in Jesus Christ can be justified through reason and logic, and we should use our minds to examine and consider the gospel.
- A balanced approach to faith is necessary, combining enthusiasm and fervor with reason and consideration.