Compel Them To Come In II

This week, Teddy James continues to talk with Jeremy Walker, pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church, author of A Word in Season, and blogger at The Wanderer.

This week, Jeremy continues to walk through Charles Spurgeon’s sermon on evangelism called Compel Them To Come In.

This sermon is aimed at strangers to the gospel. This command is for every believer. In Luke 14, we read the parable of the wedding feast and the parable of the great banquet. “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Blessed is the man who sits at the King’s table. There’s still room. The King wants people to come in and enjoy his blessings. This is the gospel heart of God, who sends out His only Son Jesus Christ, and who wants many to be saved.

There is something in this sermon for all of us, not just unbelievers. We should want people to come in. We should understand our privilege and responsibility as believers.

We also ought to allow the gospel to be offensive. This is a gospel for those who are spiritually poor. No matter your own station, position, or class in this life, if you are dead in your sins, your righteousness is nothing more than filthy rags.

If you are not in Christ, you’re spiritually crippled. You are unable to take up your bed and walk.

But Christ is for you! Cast yourself on Him and He will deliver you. Think on this when you see loved ones for Thanksgiving or Christmas. They are not without hope. Encourage them—urge them—to run to Christ!

If you are not in Christ, you are spiritually blind. You can’t truly see yourself or Christ. 

How do you identify people? Are they spiritually poor? Crippled? Blind? Listen to and love them. If you are pursuing their souls, it may soon become clear what their spiritual state is.

Prayer from Spurgeon: Our Father, we are very weak if left to ourselves...

Our Father, we are very weak.
Worst of all we are very wicked if left to ourselves, and we soon fall as prey to the enemy.
Therefore help us.
We confess that sometimes in prayer when we are nearest to You at that very time some evil thought comes in, some wicked desire.
Oh! What poor simpletons we are. Lord help us.
We feel as if we would now come closer to You still, and hide under the shadow of Your wings.
We wish to be lost in God. Amen.

—Charles Spurgeon, A Guide to Family Worship

 

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