What Are We At?
C.H. Spurgeon's sermon emphasizes God's gracious invitation to receive salvation freely, contrasting it with the misconception of duty and demands.
C.H. Spurgeon shares a poignant story about a poor woman who, mistaking a minister's visit for a demand for rent, failed to answer the door. He emphasizes that his message is not one of obligation or duty, but rather a gracious invitation to receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Spurgeon urges listeners not to turn a deaf ear to the call of God, who desires to bring love, forgiveness, and eternal life. He encourages everyone to open their hearts to the Lord's invitation, as faith comes through hearing and accepting His word. The sermon is a heartfelt plea for individuals to embrace the grace offered by Christ.
Text
I HEARD A STORY; I think it came from the North Country: A minister called upon a poor woman, intending to give her help; for he knew that she was very poor. With his money in his hand, he knocked at the door; but she did not answer. He concluded she was not at home, and went his way. A little after he met her at the church, and told her that he had remembered her need: "I called at your house, and knocked several times, and I suppose you were not at home, for I had no answer." "At what hour did you call, sir?" "It was about noon." "Oh, dear," she said, "I heard you, sir, and I am so sorry I did not answer; but I thought it was the man calling for the rent." Many a poor woman knows what this meant.
Now, it is my desire to be heard, and therefore I want to say that I am not calling for the rent; indeed, it is not the object of this book to ask anything of you, but to tell you that salvation is all of grace, which means, free, gratis, for nothing.
Oftentimes, when we are anxious to win attention, our hearer thinks, "Ah! now I am going to be told my duty. It is the man calling for that which is due to God, and I am sure I have nothing wherewith to pay. I will not be at home." No, this book does not come to make a demand upon you, but to bring you something. We are not going to talk about law, and duty, and punishment, but about love, and goodness, and forgiveness, and mercy, and eternal life.
Do not, therefore, act as if you were not at home: do not turn a deaf ear, or a careless heart. I am asking nothing of you in the name of God or man. It is not my intent to make any requirement at your hands; but I come in God's name, to bring you a free gift, which it shall be to your present and eternal joy to receive. Open the door, and let my pleadings enter. "Come now, and let us reason together." The Lord himself invites you to a conference concerning your immediate and endless happiness, and He would not have done this if He did not mean well toward you. Do not refuse the Lord Jesus who knocks at your door; for He knocks with a hand which was nailed to the tree for such as you are. Since His only and sole object is your good, incline your ear and come to Him.
Hearken diligently, and let the good word sink into your soul. It may be that the hour is come in which you shall enter upon that new life which is the beginning of heaven. Faith cometh by hearing, and reading is a sort of hearing: faith may come to you while you are reading this book. Why not? O blessed Spirit of all grace, make it so!
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the importance of being receptive to God's message - The story of the poor woman and the minister - Understanding the nature of God's call
- II points: - The misconception of God's demands - The contrast between law and grace - God's invitation to receive a free gift
- III points: - The significance of opening the door to Jesus - The assurance of God's goodwill towards us - The call to faith and new life
- IV points: - The role of the Holy Spirit in our understanding - The importance of listening and responding - The promise of eternal joy in accepting God's grace
Key Quotes
“I come in God's name, to bring you a free gift, which it shall be to your present and eternal joy to receive.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Do not refuse the Lord Jesus who knocks at your door; for He knocks with a hand which was nailed to the tree for such as you are.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Faith cometh by hearing, and reading is a sort of hearing: faith may come to you while you are reading this book.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Be open to God's call and do not dismiss it as a demand.
- Recognize that salvation is a free gift, not something we earn.
- Engage with God's word to strengthen your faith and understanding.