The Wrath to Come
The sermon warns of the approaching storm of God's wrath and calls the sinner to salvation through Christ.
C.H. Spurgeon delivers a powerful sermon titled 'The Wrath to Come,' emphasizing the contrast between the peace experienced by Christians and the impending judgment awaiting sinners. He illustrates the calm after a storm for believers, who find solace in Christ, while warning of the terrifying tempest of God's wrath that looms over the unrepentant. Spurgeon urges sinners to recognize their perilous position and to seek refuge in Jesus, the only source of salvation from the coming judgment. He paints a vivid picture of the approaching storm, calling for immediate action to embrace the mercy offered through the gospel. The sermon serves as a heartfelt plea for repentance and faith in Christ to escape the wrath to come.
Text
It is pleasant to pass over a country after a storm has spent itself; to smell the freshness of the herbs after the rain has passed away, and to note the drops while they glisten like purest diamonds in the sunlight. That is the position of a Christian. He is going through a land where the storm has spent itself upon His Saviour's head, and if there be a few drops of sorrow falling, they distil from clouds of mercy, and Jesus cheers him by the assurance that they are not for his destruction.
But how terrible is it to witness the approach of a tempest: to note the forewarnings of the storm; to mark the birds of heaven as they droop their wings; to see the cattle as they lay their heads low in terror; to discern the face of the sky as it groweth black, and look to the sun which shineth not, and the heavens which are angry and frowning! How terrible to await the dread advance of a hurricane--such as occurs, sometimes, in the tropics--to wait in terrible apprehension till the wind shall rush forth in fury, tearing up trees from their roots, forcing rocks from their pedestals, and hurling down all the dwelling-places of man!
And yet, sinner, this is your present position. No hot drops have as yet fallen, but a shower of fire is coming. No terrible winds howl around you, but God's tempest is gathering its dread artillery. As yet the water-floods are dammed up by mercy, but the flood-gates shall soon be opened: the thunderbolts of God are yet in His storehouse, but lo! the tempest hastens, and how awful shall that moment be when God, robed in vengeance, shall march forth in fury! Where, where, where, O sinner, wilt thou hide thy head, or whither wilt thou flee?
O that the hand of mercy may now lead you to Christ! He is freely set before you in the gospel: His riven side is the rock of shelter. Thou knowest thy need of Him; believe in Him, cast thyself upon Him, and then the fury shall be overpast for ever.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Christian's Position
- A. A land where the storm has spent itself on Christ's head
- B. A few drops of sorrow, but from clouds of mercy
- C. Jesus cheers with the assurance of mercy
- II. The Sinner's Position
- A. A storm is gathering, but has not yet fallen
- B. The water-floods are dammed up by mercy, but will soon be opened
- C. The thunderbolts of God are gathering
- III. The Call to Salvation
- A. The hand of mercy leads to Christ
- B. Christ is freely set before us in the gospel
- C. Believing in Christ brings shelter from the storm
Key Quotes
“How terrible is it to witness the approach of a tempest: to note the forewarnings of the storm; to mark the birds of heaven as they droop their wings; to see the cattle as they lay their heads low in terror; to discern the face of the sky as it groweth black, and look to the sun which shineth not, and the heavens which are angry and frowning!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Where, where, where, O sinner, wilt thou hide thy head, or whither wilt thou flee?” — C.H. Spurgeon
“O that the hand of mercy may now lead you to Christ!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Recognize the approaching storm of God's wrath and take action to escape it by believing in Christ.
- Cast yourself upon Christ as the rock of shelter from God's wrath.
- Do not wait until the storm has fallen, but seek salvation through Christ now.