Letter 147.
James Bourne's sermon highlights the necessity of the Holy Spirit in achieving true salvation and warns against the dangers of human-centered religion and the fear of man.
James Bourne addresses the importance of seeking true salvation through Christ alone, emphasizing the necessity of the Spirit's work in guiding believers into all truth. He expresses concern over the prevalent darkness caused by false teachings and the danger of being misled by those who promote an easy path to salvation. Bourne urges his friend to seek the regenerating power of God's grace, emphasizing the need for a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ that transcends mere professions of faith.
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[To Mrs. Oakley.] Pulverbach, August 1838.
My dear Friend,
When I saw you on your sick bed, I was pleased to hear you say that your affliction had driven you to Christ for salvation. When I saw you after you were in a measure recovered, your language was changed. I think you said something of this sort, that your minister had been with you, and you believed he was a good man, but that he did not think all the work of religion upon the heart was of the Spirit, but that man must do a part. How can a good man be so totally divested of the first rudiments of the doctrines and oracles of God? The Lord tells us, "when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into ALL truth" [John xvi. 13]; but your minister thinks a part of this heavenly work is to be done by us. Indeed matters must be at a low ebb if we have not a clearer knowledge of the truth of this. Surely if spiritual energy had been felt it would have produced a brighter evidence. I perceive exceeding great darkness in many hereabouts, and I fear the cause is their believing and hearing every one that cries, Lo here! Salvation is a rare thing; a profession is a common thing; and some are easily persuaded that the strait and narrow way is bigotry.
You and I are not far from the end of our race. It is an awful thing to be brought to the bar of God in our dying moments, where no lies nor errors will stand, nor our saying we are good, or this or that man is good; but we must have the true, vital, regenerating power of God's grace upon our consciences, so that we may be at a point, and more than sure, that the Lord Jesus Christ has a favour towards us. May the Lord cause you to give him no rest until this takes place; then I am sure the light which this will bring along with it will show you the way you ought to take. The fear of man is often a great snare, and keeps us from boldly showing our colours, in consequence of which we spend our days in confusion of mind, and seldom have any of the sweet supporting presence of the Lord; but the Bible teaches us that the fear of Man, as well as every other yoke, shall be destroyed because of the anointing of the Holy Ghost. [Isaiah x. 24-27.]
Yours &c. J. B.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The importance of relying on the Holy Spirit for truth
- Critique of human-centered religion
- The necessity of spiritual energy
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II
- The rarity of true salvation
- The danger of false professions
- Understanding the strait and narrow way
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III
- The inevitability of facing God in death
- The need for true regenerating power
- The assurance of Christ's favor
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IV
- The fear of man as a spiritual snare
- The confusion it brings to our lives
- The promise of freedom through the Holy Spirit
Key Quotes
“When I saw you on your sick bed, I was pleased to hear you say that your affliction had driven you to Christ for salvation.” — James Bourne
“Surely if spiritual energy had been felt it would have produced a brighter evidence.” — James Bourne
“The fear of man is often a great snare, and keeps us from boldly showing our colours.” — James Bourne
Application Points
- Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of your faith.
- Be aware of the dangers of relying on human efforts for salvation.
- Overcome the fear of man to experience the fullness of God's presence.