Compel Them To Come In III

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 directly evangelical and its text is Luke 14. Without much of an introduction, Spurgeon goes straight to the good news, feeling the urgency to point unbelievers to Christ while there is still time. He describes four possible spiritual states outside of Christ:

  1. Poor

  2. Maimed/injured

  3. Lame

  4. Blind

Spurgeon speaks with real affection and real authority. He calls forth God’s command to repent. He pleads with them over their need. Why would you stay in your darkness and misery when there is a Savior ready to redeem you? Don’t you understand what God in Christ is holding out to you? Why will you not come? 

He is reasonable. Why if you’re lost, will you not go to the One who finds you? Spurgeon speaks to them as “spiritual suicides” until they come to Christ.

This is a weighty reminder to pastors not to be a shepherd never warning his sheep of sure and coming danger. We often miss the weight of eternal damnation in our modern churches. Jonathan Edwards prayed to God, “Stamp eternity on my eyeballs.”

There’s a hell to be shunned and a heaven to be gained. Let us live in light of these things.

In this sermon, Spurgeon knew there would be a time when they will no longer hear the gospel or of a Savior willing to save. It may be their last opportunity. We are but a breath from eternity. 

Before Spurgeon preached this sermon, he has wrestled with God on behalf of his congregation and pleaded to God for their souls.

We can do the same, whether we are pastors or not. Plead with God to bless your feeble words. 

It is the God of our salvation who saves people from their sins. It’s not by our weak efforts or bumbling words. Pray to God to do a great work in your home, your church, your country.

Lord Jesus, take from us now everything that would hinder the closest communion with God.
Any wish or desire that might hamper us in prayer remove, we ask You.
Any memory of either sorrow or care that might hinder the fixing of our affections wholly on our God, take it away now.
Help us that we may now come boldly into the Holiest of all, where we should not dare to come if our great Lord had not rent the veil, sprinkled the mercy seat with His own blood, and bidden us enter. Amen.

—Charles Spurgeon, A Guide to Family Worship

 

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Behold Your God PodcastCourtney Brewer