Why Christ Offends Men - Charles Spurgeon (Read )
Christ offends men because His gospel is intolerant of sin, demanding that we renounce our sinful habits and desires.
The sermon transcript discusses why Christ offends men and why some people stumble at the idea of following Him. It highlights that Christ's holiness and strictness are too much for those who are unwilling to renounce their sinful pleasures. The sermon emphasizes that Christ requires believers to give up their sinful habits and desires in order to receive Him. It also mentions that without holiness, no one can see the Lord, and human nature often rebels against this requirement. The sermon draws from biblical references such as the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and the teachings of Christ.
Full Transcript
Why Christ Offends Men The following is from Spurgeon's Sermon Unbelievers Stumbling Believers Rejoicing There are some who stumble at Christ because of His holiness. He is too strict for them. They would like to be Christians, but they cannot renounce their sensual pleasures.
They would like to be washed in His blood, but they desire still to roll in the mire of sin. Willing enough the massive men would be to receive Christ if, after receiving Him, they might continue in their drunkenness, their wantonness, and self-indulgence. But Christ lays the axe at the root of the tree.
He tells them that these things must be given up. For because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience. And without holiness no man can see the Lord.
Human nature kicks at this. What? May I not enjoy one darling lust? May I not indulge myself at least now and then in these things? Must I altogether forsake my old habits and my old ways? Must I be made a new creature in Christ Jesus? These terms are too hard, conditions too severe. And so the human heart goes back to the flesh pots of Egypt and clings to the garlic and the onions of the old estate of bondage and will not be set free even though a greater than Moses lifts up the rod to part the sea and promises to give them a Canaan flowing with milk and honey.
Christ offends men because his gospel is intolerant of sin.
Sermon Outline
- Christ Offends Men Due to His Holiness
- Christ's Gospel is Intolerant of Sin
- Human Nature Resists Christ's Terms
- The human heart clings to sinful habits
- Christ's conditions are seen as too severe
Key Quotes
“He tells them that these things must be given up.” — Paul West
“For because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience.” — Paul West
“Without holiness no man can see the Lord.” — Paul West
Application Points
- We must be willing to renounce our sinful habits and desires to follow Christ.
- Christ's conditions may seem severe, but they are necessary for our salvation.
- We must trust in Christ's promise to give us a new life, free from sin and its consequences.