Dead But Alive: Click | View Series

Romans 6:11-12—"So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions."

How intimately the believer's duties are interwoven with his privileges! Because he is alive to God, he is to renounce sin, since that corrupt thing belongs to his estate of death.

How intimately both his duties and his privileges are bound up with Christ Jesus his Lord!

How thoughtful ought we to be upon these matters; reckoning what is right and fit; and carrying out that reckoning to its practical issues.

What Does It Mean To Be Dead to Sin?

"So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."

1. We are dead with Christ to sin by having borne the punishment in him. In Christ we have endured the death penalty, and are regarded as dead by the law (verses 6 and 7).
2. We are risen with him into a justified condition, and have reached a new life (verse 8).
3. We can no more come under sin again than he can (verse 9).
4. We are therefore forever dead to its guilt and reigning power: "Sin will have no dominion over you" (verses 12-14).

This reckoning is based on truth, or we should not be exhorted to it.

To reckon yourself to be dead to sin, so that you boast that you do not sin at all, would be a reckoning based on falsehood, and would be exceedingly mischievous. "For there is no one who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46; 1 John 1:8). None are so provoking to God, as sinners who boast their own fancied perfection.

The reckoning that we do not sin, must either go upon the Antinomian theory, that sin in the believer is no sin, which is a shocking notion, or else our conscience must tell us that we do sin in many ways; in omission or commission, in transgression or shortcoming, in temper or in spirit (James 3:2, Eccles. 7:20, Rom. 3:23).

To reckon yourself dead to sin in the spiritual sense is full of benefit both to heart and life. Be a ready reckoner in this fashion.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

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Prepare in Private: Click | View Series

Matthew 10:27—"What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops."

We must not run till we are prepared. This verse describes, and by implication promises, the needful preparation of heart. Our Lord will speak in our ear: he will commune with us in solitude.

Prepare to proclaim Jesus' message

What Jesus has told us alone in the dark we are to tell out openly in the light.

Courting publicity, we are to preach "on the housetops."

What is this message which we have heard whispered?

We bear our willing witness that:

1. There is peace in the blood of Jesus.
2. There is sanctifying power in his Holy Spirit.
3. There is rest in faith in our Lord and God.
4. There is safety in conformity to our great Exemplar.
5. There is joy in nearness to Jesus our Lord.

As we hear more we will tell more.

Oh, that men would receive our earnest testimony!

Will not you receive it, who hear us at this present hour?

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Prepare in Private: Click | View Series

Matthew 10:27—"What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops."

We must not run till we are prepared. This verse describes, and by implication promises, the needful preparation of heart. Our Lord will speak in our ear: he will commune with us in solitude.

Prepare by spending time with Jesus

We do not rightly perceive what we have to make known till Jesus personally imparts his holy teaching to our inmost hearts.

We see by reason of personal contact with our Lord:

1. Truth in its personality; living, acting, feeling; for he is "the way, the truth, and the life." Truth is no theory or phantom in Christ. Substantial truth is spoken by him.
2. Truth in its purity is found in him, in his written teaching, and in that which he speaks to the heart. Truth from man is mixed and adulterated; from Jesus it is unalloyed.
3. Truth in its proportions; he teaches all truth, in its true relations. Christ is no caricaturist, partisan, or politician.
4. Truth in its power. It comes strikingly, persuasively, convincingly, omnipotently from him. It quickens, and sustains.
5. Truth in its spirit. His words are spirit, life, love.
6. Truth in its certainty. "Truly truly," is his motto.
7. Truth in its joyfulness. He speaks delight unto the soul. The truth in Jesus is glad tidings.

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Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Prepare in Private: Click | View Series

Matthew 10:27—"What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops."

Usefulness is the great desire of our souls if we are disciples of Jesus. We believe that it will most surely be attained by our making known the gospel. We have full faith in "the foolishness of preaching."

We feel that we have need to receive that gospel personally from the Lord himself, or we shall not know it so as to use it correctly.

We must not run till we are prepared. This verse describes, and by implication promises, the needful preparation of heart. Our Lord will speak in our ear: he will commune with us in solitude.

Time alone with God is an honor

The disciple is associated very nearly with his Lord, and received into closest fellowship with him.

We see before us three important matters:

1. We are permitted to realize our Lord's presence with us personally.

He is still on speaking terms with us: still is he our Companion in the night, our Friend in solitude.

2. We are enabled to feel his word as spoken to us.

Immediately: "I tell you." Personal contact.
Forcefully: "in the ear." Not as thundered from Sinai, but as whispered by "a still, small voice." Still, very effectually.

3. We are privileged to receive such communications again and again: "I tell you . . . you hear."
• We need precept upon precept, line upon line.
• Our Lord is willing to manifest himself to his own day by day.
• We shall be wise to make occasions for hearing his voice in solitude, meditation, prayer, communion, etc.
• We shall do well to use occasions of the Lord's own making, such as the Sabbath, sickness, the night-watches, etc.
• We need for a thousand reasons this private tuition, this personal communication with our Commander-in-chief.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Jesus Our Lord: Click | View Series

Romans 4:24—"Jesus our Lord."

It is the part of faith to accept great contrasts, if laid down in the Word, and to make them a part of her daily speech. This name, Lord, is a great contrast to incarnation, and humiliation. In the manger, in poverty, shame, and death, Jesus was still Lord.

THE WORD "OUR" IS ESPECIALLY SWEET

1. It makes us remember our personal interest in the Lord. Each believer uses this title in the singular, and calls him from his heart, "My Lord."
• David wrote, "Jehovah said to my Lord."
• Elizabeth spoke of "The mother of my Lord."
• Magdalene said, "They have taken away my Lord."
• Thomas said, "My Lord and my God."
• Paul wrote, "The knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord."
2. It brings a host of brethren before our minds, for it is in union with them that we say "our Lord." And so it makes us remember each other. (Eph. 3:14-15)
3. It fosters unity, and creates a holy clanship, as we all rally around our "one Lord." Saints of all ages are one in this.
4. His example as Lord fosters practical love. Remember the foot-washing and his words on that occasion. (John 13:14)
5. Our zeal to make him Lord forbids all self-exaltation. "But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher. Neither be called instructors" (Matt. 23:8, 10).
6. His position as Lord reminds us of the confidence of the church in doing his work. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples" etc. (Matt 28:18-19). "The Lord worked with them" (Mark 16:20).
7. Our common joy in Jesus as our Lord becomes an evidence of grace, and so of union with each other (1 Cor. 12:3).

Let us worship Jesus as our Lord and God.
Let us imitate him, copying our Lord's humility and love.
Let us serve him, obeying his every command.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Jesus Our Lord: Click | View Series

Romans 4:24—"Jesus our Lord."

It is the part of faith to accept great contrasts, if laid down in the Word, and to make them a part of her daily speech. This name, Lord, is a great contrast to incarnation, and humiliation. In the manger, in poverty, shame, and death, Jesus was still Lord.

OUR LOVE FOR JESUS GIVES "LORD" SPECIAL MEANING

1. We yield it to him only. Moses is a servant, but Jesus alone is Lord. "For you have one teacher" (Matt 23:8, 10).
2. To him most willingly. Ours is delighted homage.
3. To him unreservedly. We wish our obedience to be perfect.
4. To him in all matters of lawmaking and truth-teaching. He is Master and Lord: his word decides practice and doctrine.
5. To him in all matters of administration in the church, and in providence. "It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him." (1 Sam. 3:18).
6. To him trustfully, feeling that he will act a Lord's part right well. No king can be so wise, good, great as he. (Job 1:21).
7. To him forever. He reigns in the church without successor. Now, as in the first days, we call him Master and Lord (Heb. 7:3).

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Jesus Our Lord: Click | View Series

Romans 4:24—"Jesus our Lord."

It is the part of faith to accept great contrasts, if laid down in the Word, and to make them a part of her daily speech. This name, Lord, is a great contrast to incarnation, and humiliation. In the manger, in poverty, shame, and death, Jesus was still Lord. These strange conditions for "our Lord" to be found in are no difficulties to that faith which is the fruit of the Spirit.
It never happens that our faith in Jesus for salvation makes us less reverently behold in him the Lord of all. He is "Jesus" and also "our Lord." "Born a child, and yet a King." "My Beloved," and yet "My Lord and my God."
Our simple trust in him, our familiar love to him, our bold approaches to him in prayer, our near and dear communion with him, and, most of all, our marriage union with him, still leave him "our Lord."

JESUS' HUMILITY GIVES VALUE TO HIS TITLE

"Jesus our Lord" is a very sweet name to a believer's heart.

1. We claim to render it to him especially as man, "who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification" (verse 25). As Jesus of Nazareth, he is Lord.
2. We acknowledge him as Lord the more fully and unreservedly, because he loved us, and gave himself for us.
3. In all the privileges accorded to us in him he is Lord:
• In our salvation, we have "received Christ Jesus the Lord" (Col. 2:6)
• In entering the church we find him the head of the body, to whom all are subject (Eph. 5:23)
• In our lifework he is Lord. "We live to the Lord" (Rom. 14:8). We glorify God in his name (Eph. 5:20).
• In resurrection he is the firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18).
• At the Advent his appearing will be the chief glory (Titus 2:13).
• In eternal glory he is worshipped forever (Rev. 5:12-13)
4. In our dearest fellowship at the table he is "Jesus our Lord."

It is the Lord's Table, the Lord's Supper, the cup of the Lord, the body and blood of the Lord; and our object is to show the Lord's death (1 Cor. 11:20, 26-27, 29).

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Disobedience to the Gospel: Click | View Series

Romans 10:16—"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?'"

Man is the same disobedient creature under all dispensations… When any receive the gospel it is a work of grace: "the arm of the Lord is revealed." But when they refuse it, it is their own sin: "they have not obeyed the gospel."

What Does It Mean to Obey the Gospel?

Obedience to the gospel is not mere hearing, crediting, liking, professing, or proclaiming; but a hearty obedience to its command. It claims:

1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Renunciation of self-righteousness and confession of guilt.
3. Repentance and practical release of sin.
4. Discipleship under the Lord Jesus. This means obedience both to his teaching and his example.
5. Public confession of his name in his own way, namely, by baptism.

If you refuse to obey the gospel:

• Your hearts will harden to a deeper unbelief.
• Others will obtain the blessing which you refuse; and this will deepen your own condemnation (Rom. 10:19).
• You will die in your sins with your blood on your own heads.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

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Disobedience to the Gospel: Click | View Series

Romans 10:16—"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?'"

Man is the same disobedient creature under all dispensations… When any receive the gospel it is a work of grace: "the arm of the Lord is revealed." But when they refuse it, it is their own sin: "they have not obeyed the gospel."

5 REASONS THE GOSPEL CAN DEMAND OBEDIENCE

1. The authority of the sender. Whatever God commands, man is under bonds to do.
2. The motive of the sender. Love shines in the gospel command, and no man should slight infinite love. To refuse to obey the gospel of salvation is an insult to divine love.
3. The great gift of the sender: He has given us his only begotten Son. To refuse Jesus is a high affront to measureless love.
4. The reasonableness of the demand of the sender. Should not men believe their God, and trust their Savior?
5. The earnestness of the sender. His whole heart is in the gospel. Note the high position which the scheme of salvation occupies in the esteem of God. Shall we not obey an appeal put before us with such energy of compassion?

Ask your own consciences whether you do right to refuse or neglect the gospel of the grace of God.

Ask those who are now saved what they think of their long unbelief.

Do not incur a world of regrets in after years by long delays.

Do not jeopardize your souls by refusing the gospel.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

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Disobedience to the Gospel: Click | View Series

Romans 10:16—"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?'"

Man is the same disobedient creature under all dispensations. We bemoan his rejection of the gospel, and so did Isaiah, who spoke in the name of the whole company of the prophets.

It is one of the greatest proofs of the depravity of man's heart that he will no more obey the gospel than the law, but disobeys his God, whether he speaks to him in love or in law.

When any receive the gospel it is a work of grace: "the arm of the Lord is revealed." But when they refuse it, it is their own sin: "they have not obeyed the gospel."

THE GOSPEL IS A COMMAND

It is not optional to men to accept or refuse it at pleasure. "Now God commands all people everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). He also commands them to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).

To refuse to believe is to incur great sin (John 16:8).

There is a death penalty attached to disobedience (Mark 16:16).

It is so put:

1. To secure the honor of God. It is not the offer of an equal to an equal, but of the great God to a condemned sinner.
2. To embolden the proclaimer of it. The minister now speaks boldly with his Master's authority.
3. To remind man of his obligations. Repentance and faith are natural duties from which the gospel does not exonerate a man, although it blesses him by bestowing them upon him.
4. To encourage the humble seeker. He must be at full liberty to believe in Jesus, since he is commanded to do so and threatened if he does not do so.
5. To suggest to men the urgent duty of seeing to their soul's welfare. Suicide, whether of the body or of the soul, is always a great crime. To neglect the great salvation is a grave offense.

The gospel is set forth as a feast, to which men are bound to come under penalty of the King's displeasure (Matt. 22:1-7).

The prodigal was right in returning to his father; and if he was right in doing so, so would each one of us be in doing the same.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

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