The Divine Surgeon
E.A. Johnston teaches that the Christian life is a process of surrender and faith under the divine surgeon’s hand, who purges and perfects believers for the glory of Christ’s coming kingdom.
In "The Divine Surgeon," E.A. Johnston explores the Christian journey as a process of surrender, faith, and sanctification under God’s refining hand. Drawing from Matthew 16 and Philippians, Johnston emphasizes the gospel’s demands on believers to live holy, obedient lives while trusting God’s purpose in trials. This devotional sermon encourages believers to embrace the painful but purposeful work of God as He prepares them for Christ’s glorious return.
Full Transcript
There will be a day when God's plan of redemption will come to completion, and the gates of heaven and hell will close as there'll be no more need to admit to either one. Hell will be full of the damned and the devil, and heaven will be full of the saints and glory land. Yes, friends, there is a day fast approaching when the redemption of humanity will be completed, when the defeat of the devil will be finalized, and when the reign of Christ will be glorified.
In the meantime, we have work to do and a God to serve. Let each of us gamble our lives away on the gospel for the sake of souls, and cast all our energies and hope upon the pearl of great price, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is worth selling off for and losing off for, to gain him. In Matthew's gospel in chapter 16 and in verses 24 through 27, our Lord Jesus gives out the rights and claims that the gospel has on a follower of him.
We read, Then Jesus said unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father, with angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
The rights and claims of the gospel on a follower of Christ Jesus are as follows. You may want to jot these down, friends. 1. God demands obedience in a life of surrender, as we live a life of separation from the world and holiness unto God.
He expects fidelity from us as a lover would from a spouse unconditionally. 2. God is looking for faith from us, as we live day by day, moment by moment, trusting Him to be who He says He is, and abiding in Him for power to live above the world and to live unto Him, in a dependence upon His Spirit as we serve Him in a world of sin, to be both useful to Him and fruitful for Him, all for His glory. 3. As God works to accomplish these things in our life, the most painful process in our life will be when God builds faith in us.
All the trials and tribulations will be applied like a burning knife held in the hand of the divine surgeon, as it cuts and divides, cleans and conquers the cancer of self. Philippians 2.13 declares, 4. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do, of His good pleasure. 5. When God is working in us, stripping us, purging us, pruning us, it is no pleasure to us, but remarkably it is to Him.
6. Because in Philippians 1.6 we learn His purpose behind all this, being confident of this very thing, that He, which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. That's the Christian life in a nutshell, friend. Crack open that nut and feast upon Him.
Let us pray.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The certainty of the final redemption and judgment day
- The eternal destinies of heaven and hell
- The glory of Christ’s reign to be revealed
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II
- The call to surrender and follow Christ fully
- The gospel’s claims on a believer’s life
- The cost and value of losing one’s life for Christ
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III
- God’s demands: obedience, faith, and holiness
- The divine surgeon’s painful work of sanctification
- Trusting God’s purpose in the pruning process
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IV
- Confidence in God’s faithfulness to complete His work
- Living dependently on the Spirit for power
- The Christian life summarized as a journey of faith and surrender
Key Quotes
“There will be a day when God's plan of redemption will come to completion, and the gates of heaven and hell will close as there'll be no more need to admit to either one.” — E.A. Johnston
“All the trials and tribulations will be applied like a burning knife held in the hand of the divine surgeon, as it cuts and divides, cleans and conquers the cancer of self.” — E.A. Johnston
“Being confident of this very thing, that He, which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Surrender your life fully to Christ, embracing the cost of discipleship.
- Trust God daily through trials, knowing He is refining your faith.
- Live a holy and obedient life, anticipating Christ’s coming reward.