Why Sit We Here Until We Die?
The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking Jesus for salvation and the dangers of remaining in a state of unbelief.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the urgency of seeking salvation, drawing parallels between the plight of lepers in the Bible and the spiritual condition of the unsaved. He urges listeners to abandon despair and take a step towards Jesus, highlighting that remaining stagnant leads to certain ruin. Spurgeon reassures that those who seek the Lord will find Him, and encourages believers to share their newfound faith with others. He stresses the importance of acting on hope and the instinct of self-preservation in the face of spiritual death. Ultimately, he calls for immediate action to embrace God's mercy before it's too late.
Text
Dear reader, this little book was mainly intended for the edification of believers, but if you are yet unsaved, our heart yearns over you: and we would fain say a word which may be blessed to you. Open your Bible, and read the story of the lepers, and mark their position, which was much the same as yours. If you remain where you are you must perish; if you go to Jesus you can but die. "Nothing venture, nothing win," is the old proverb, and in your case the venture is no great one.
If you sit still in sullen despair, no one can pity you when your ruin comes; but if you die with mercy sought, if such a thing were possible, you would be the object of universal sympathy. None escape who refuse to look to Jesus; but you know that, at any rate, some are saved who believe in Him, for certain of your own acquaintances have received mercy: then why not you? The Ninevites said, "Who can tell?" Act upon the same hope, and try the Lord's mercy. To perish is so awful, that if there were but a straw to catch at, the instinct of self-preservation should lead you to stretch out your hand.
We have thus been talking to you on your own unbelieving ground, we would now assure you, as from the Lord, that if you seek Him He will be found of you. Jesus casts out none who come unto Him. You shall not perish if you trust Him; on the contrary, you shall find treasure far richer than the poor lepers gathered in Syria's deserted camp. May the Holy Spirit embolden you to go at once, and you shall not believe in vain. When you are saved yourself, publish the good news to others.
Hold not your peace; tell the King's household first, and unite with them in fellowship; let the porter of the city, the minister, be informed of your discovery, and then proclaim the good news in every place. The Lord save thee ere the sun goes down this day.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Unbelief
- The Example of the Lepers
- The Call to Action
- The Assurance of Salvation
- The Call to Witness
- Publishing the good news to others
- Uniting with believers in fellowship
Key Quotes
“If you sit still in sullen despair, no one can pity you when your ruin comes; but if you die with mercy sought, if such a thing were possible, you would be the object of universal sympathy.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Jesus casts out none who come unto Him.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“You shall not perish if you trust Him; on the contrary, you shall find treasure far richer than the poor lepers gathered in Syria's deserted camp.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We must act on the hope of finding mercy by seeking Jesus and stretching out our hand to Him.
- If we trust in Jesus, we shall not perish, but find treasure far richer than what we have now.
- We should publish the good news of salvation to others and unite with them in fellowship.