Whereby They Have Made Thee Glad.
We have the power to make Christ glad through our love, praise, gifts, forgiveness, generosity, witnessing, and evangelism.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that the church and its people have the privilege of making the Savior glad through their love, praise, and acts of kindness. He acknowledges that while our love may feel faint, it is sweet to Christ, who delights in our affection and gratitude. Spurgeon encourages believers to express their love not just through words but through heartfelt actions, such as forgiving others, giving to the poor, and sharing the gospel. He illustrates that even the smallest offerings, motivated by love, are precious to God. Ultimately, he calls on believers to joyfully honor Christ with their lives, just as the woman who anointed Him with precious oil did.
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And who are thus privileged to make the Saviour glad? His church--His people. But is it possible? He makes us glad, but how can we make Him glad? By our love. Ah! we think it so cold, so faint; and so, indeed, we must sorrowfully confess it to be, but it is very sweet to Christ. Hear His own eulogy of that love in the golden Canticle: "How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine!" See, loving heart, how He delights in you. When you lean your head on His bosom, you not only receive, but you give Him joy; when you gaze with love upon His all-glorious face, you not only obtain comfort, but impart delight.
Our praise, too gives Him joy--not the song of the lips alone, but the melody of the heart's deep gratitude. Our gifts, too, are very pleasant to Him; He loves to see us lay our time, our talents, our substance upon the altar, not for the value of what we give, but for the sake of the motive from which the gift springs. To Him the lowly offerings of His saints are more acceptable than the thousands of gold and silver. Holiness is like frankincense and myrrh to Him. Forgive your enemy, and you make Christ glad; distribute of your substance to the poor, and He rejoices; be the means of saving souls, and you give Him to see of the travail of His soul; proclaim His gospel, and you are a sweet savour unto Him; go among the ignorant and lift up the cross, and you have given Him honour.
It is in your power even now to break the alabaster box, and pour the precious oil of joy upon His head, as did the woman of old, whose memorial is to this day set forth wherever the gospel is preached. Will you be backward then? Will you not perfume your beloved Lord with the myrrh and aloes, and cassis, of your heart's praise? Yes, ye ivory palaces, ye shall hear the songs of the saints!
Sermon Outline
- The Privileged Who Make the Saviour Glad
- The Ways We Make Christ Glad
- The Rewards of Making Christ Glad
- Forgiveness and Generosity
- Witnessing and Evangelism
- Honouring Christ in Our Lives
Key Quotes
“How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“To Him the lowly offerings of His saints are more acceptable than the thousands of gold and silver.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“It is in your power even now to break the alabaster box, and pour the precious oil of joy upon His head,” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Make Christ glad by offering your heart in genuine love and gratitude.
- Value the lowly offerings of your heart over material wealth.
- Use your gifts and talents to perfume your Lord with the fragrance of your praise.