30 Sermon Illustrations on Lordship Of Christ

Someone said to Bishop Talleyrand, one of the most astute men who ever lived: "The Christian religion-what is it? It would be easy to start a religion like that." "Oh, yes," replied Talleyrand. "One would only have to get crucified and rise again the third day." In Tune Have you at sometime watched a symphony orchestra as a performance is about to begin? The musicians sit and stand about, strumming on strings, blowing into horns, beating on drums. There is a lot of noise, but no music. Then the conductor enters. He walks to his podium and steps up onto it. His eye sweeps the scene before him-all the musicians and all their instruments. He lifts his baton, pauses there for a moment, then he gives the downbeat. Instantly there is music; all instuments blend into one harmonious whole. Our human spirits are a lot like symphony orchestras. Within us there may be discordant elements, warring factions that pull this way or that, and we are out of focus, out of tune-we are just not together within. As an orchestra needs a master control, so do we. When we turn the whole focus of our attention to our Lord and acknowledge that He is in command, our lives will give forth harmonious music.

I used to think the Lord's prayer was a short prayer; but as I live longer, and see more of life, I begin to believe there is no such thing as getting through it. If a man, in praying that prayer, were to be stopped by every word until he had thoroughly prayed it, it would take him a lifetime. "Our Father,"—there would be a wall a hundred feet high in just those two words to most men. If they might say, "Our Tyrant," or "Our Monarch," or even "Our Creator," they could get along with it; but "Our Father,"—why, a man is almost a saint who can pray that. You read, "Thy will be done;" and you say to yourself, "Oh! I can pray that;" and all the time your mind goes round and round in immense circuits and far-off distances: but God is continually bringing the circuits nearer to you, till he says, "How is it about your temper and your pride? how is it about your business and your daily life?" This is a revolutionary petition. It would make many a man's shop and store tumble to the ground to utter it. Who can stand at the end of the avenue along which all his pleasant thoughts and wishes are blossoming like flowers, and send these terrible words, "Thy will be done," crashing down through it? I think it is the most fearful prayer to pray in the world. Beecher.

This feast was a memorial bringing the redemption of Israel into view. Redemption is the basis upon which all blessing rests. Typically stands for "Christ our Passover" (1 Cor. 5:7) whose blood was shed for remission of sins

must serve one or other. If your work is first with you, and your fee second, work is your master, and the Lord of work, who is God. But if your fee is first with you, and your work second, fee is your master, and the lord of fee, who is the devil; and not only the devil, but the lowest of devils—"the least erected fiend that fell." So there you have it in brief terms—work first, you are God's servants; fee first, you are the fiend's. And it makes a difference, now and ever, believe me, whether you serve him who has on his vesture and thigh written, "King of kings," and whose service is perfect freedom; or him on whose vesture and thigh the name is written, "Slave of slaves," and whose service is perfect slavery.— John Ruskin.

Passengers from Europe to New York know that when the steamer reaches a point fifteen miles from Sandy Hook the pilot comes on board to superintend the navigation into New York harbor. The great steamer slows down and the pilot climbs on board. If this happens in the darkness of night the passengers looking down from the deck can see a lantern on the surface of the ocean where the pilot’s boat is lying. Presently he emerges from the blackness and is soon on deck. From that moment the anxieties of the captain and the officers are at an end. So when Christ is on board our life, the government is upon His shoulders. (Text.)

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

(as portrayed from cover to cover)

In Genesis - Jesus Christ is the Creator God and seed of the woman!

In Exodus - He the Lamb of God for sinners slain!

In Leviticus - He is our High Priest!

In Numbers - He is the Smitten Rock and He is lifted high!

In Deuteronomy - He is our True Prophet!

In Joshua - He is the Captain of our salvation!

In Judges - He is the Judge who Deliverers!

In Ruth - He is our Kinsman Redeemer!

In 1 & 2 Samuel - He is our King, Prophet and Priest!

In 1 & 2 Kings - He is Lord of heaven and earth!

In 1 & 2 Chronicles - He is the true Historian!

In Ezra - He is our Restorer!

In Nehemiah - He Rebuilds our walls!

In Esther - He is our Advocate!

In Job - He is our living Redeemer Liveth!

In the Psalms - He is the Crucified and our Great Shepherd!

In Proverbs - He gives us wisdom; He is the Friend that sticketh closer

than a brother!

In Ecclesiastes - He is the One to whom all living will return!

In the Song of Solomon - Our Beloved is the Lover of souls!

In Isaiah - He is our Suffering Substitute!

In Jeremiah - He is the LORD our Righteousness!

In Lamentations - He is the Man of Sorrows!

In Ezekiel - He is the Son of Man!

In Daniel - He is the Smiting Stone cut without hands!

In Hosea - He is the Healer of backsliders!

In Joel - He is the Restorer!

In Amos - He is the Heavenly Husbandman!

In Obadiah - He is our Savior!

In Jonah - He is our Buried and Risen Savior!

In Micah - He is the Everlasting God!

In Nahum - He is a Stronghold in the day of trouble!

In Habakkuk - He is the Anchor of our faith!

In Zephaniah - He is in the midst for Judgment and Cleansing!

In Haggai - He is the Smitten Shepherd!

In Zechariah - He is the Righteous Branch!

In Malachi - He is the Sun of Righteousness!

In Matthew - He is the Promised Messiah and Coming King!

In Mark - He is the Servant of God!

In Luke - He is the perfect Son of Man!

In John - He is the Eternal Son of God!

In Acts - He is the Ascended Lord!

In Romans - He is our righteousness!

In 1 Corinthians - He is the One who died for our sins, was buried and

rose again!

In 2 Corinthians - He is our Sufficiency!

In Galatians - He is the End of the Law!

In Ephesians - He is the Head of the Church!

In Philippians - He is the Supplier of every need!

In Colossians - He is the Preeminent One!

In 1 Thessalonians - He is our Blessed Hope!

In 2 Thessalonians - He is the world's Returning Judge!

In 1 Timothy - He is our Mediator!

In 2 Timothy - He is the Giver of Crowns!

In Titus - He is our Great God and Savior!

In Philemon - He is our Lord and Master!

In Hebrews - He is Greater than angels and Intercedes for His own!

In James - He is the Lord of Sabaoth!

In 1 Peter - He is the Cornerstone of our Faith and the Rock of Ages

cleft for me!

In 2 Peter - He is our Strength!

In 1 John - He is the Word of Life, the Assurance of our salvation!

In 2 John - He is the Truth who exposes the lie!

In 3 John - He is the Way!

In Jude - He is the One who keeps us from falling!

In Revelation - He is the One who was and the One who is to Come!

He is Heaven's Wonder and Hell's Dread!

He the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth!

He is Faithful and True, the Word of God!

He is KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

He the Triumphant Sovereign is coming back

on a great white horse and He will reign!

"Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!"

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Another version from Hosanna Music:

In Genesis Jesus is the Ram at Abraham's altar

In Exodus He's the Passover Lamb

In Leviticus He's the High Priest

In Numbers He's the Cloud by day and Pillar of Fire by night

In Deuteronomy He's the City of our refuge

In Joshua He's the Scarlet Thread out Rehab's window

In Judges He is our Judge

In Ruth He is our Kinsman-Redeemer

In 1 and 2 Samuel He's our Trusted Prophet and

In Kings and Chronicles He's our Reigning King

In Ezra He is our Faithful Scribe

In Nehemiah He's the Rebuilder of everything that is broken

In Esther He is the Mordecai sitting faithfully at the gate

In Job He's our Redeemer that ever liveth

In Psalms He is my Shepherd and I shall not want

In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes He's our Wisdom

In the Song of Solomon He's the Beautiful Bridegroom

In Isaiah He's the Suffering Servant

In Jeremiah and Lamentations it is Jesus that is the Weeping Prophet

In Ezekiel He's the Wonderful Four-Faced Man

In Daniel He is the Fourth Man in the midst of a fiery furnace

In Hosea He is my Love that is forever faithful

In Joel He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit

In Amos He's our Burden Bearer

In Obadiah our Savior

In Jonah He is the Great Foreign Missionary that takes the

Word of God into all the world

In Micah He is the Messenger with beautiful feet

In Nahum He is the Avenger

In Habakkuk He is the Watchman that is ever praying for revival

In Zephaniah He is the Lord mighty to save

In Haggai He is the Restorer of our lost heritage

In Zechariah He is our Fountain

In Malachi He is the Son of Righteousness with healing in His wings

In Matthew Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God

In Mark He is the Miracle Worker

In Luke He's the Son of Man

In John He is the Door by which every one of us must enter

In Acts He is the Shining Light that appears to Saul on the road

to Damascus

In Romans He is our Justifier

In 1 Corinthians Our Resurrection

In 2 Corinthians our Sin Bearer

In Galatians He redeems us from the law

In Ephesians He is our Unsearchable Riches

In Philippians He supplies our every need

In Colossians He's the Fullness of the Godhead Bodily

In 1 and 2 Thessalonians He is our Soon Coming King

In 1 and 2 Timothy He is the Mediator between God and man

In Titus He is our Blessed Hope

In Philemon He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother

In Hebrews He's the Blood of the everlasting covenant

In James it is the Lord that heals the sick

In 1 and 2 Peter He is the Chief Shepherd

In 1, 2, and 3 John it is Jesus who has the tenderness of love

In Jude He is the Lord coming with 10,000 saints

In Revelation, lift up your eyes, Church, for your redemption

draweth nigh, He is King of kings and Lord of lords!

- Integrity's Hosanna Music, 1993

#5511

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I am afraid that most of Christian people do with that Divine reason for work, "The love of Christ constraineth me," as the old Franks used to do with their long-haired kings -- they keep them in the palace at all ordinary times, give them no power over the government of the kingdom, only now and then bring them out to grace a procession, and then take them back again into their reverential impotence.

--Maclaren

Hasten, Lord, the glorious time,

When, beneath Messiah's sway,

Every nation, every clime,

Shall the gospel call obey.

Mightest kings His power shall own;

Heathen tribes His Name adore;

Satan and his host o'er thrown,

Bound in chains shall hurt no more.

Then shall wars and turmults cease;

Then be banished grief and pain;

Righteousness, and joy, and peace,

Undisturbed, shall ever reign.

Bless, we then, our gracious Lord;

Ever praise His glorious Name;

All His mighty acts record,

All His wondrous love proclaim.

- Harriet Auber, {Watchword Messenger}

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Do you believe that? Careful, belief is a powerful thing, especially concerning such profound matters as God's existence. True belief or true disbelief in such a proposition will radically shape your view of the world, so proceed with caution. In other words, banish blitheness.

Our fundamental beliefs about the world are not always as transparent to us as we might think. For example, we might fancy ourselves avowed atheists, but in truth, we live and think as if the world were created and sustained by a personal God. Or we might conceive ourselves God-fearing folk who wouldn't dare question the Creator's existence, yet live and think about the world as if we were atheists.

In both cases confessed belief contradicts what is truly believed, that is, what is actually lived out in thoughts and actions. This is a difficult problem for all, for our thought life is influenced and determined by factors we often don't realize are influencing and determining us. Socrates attempted to combat this self-ignorance by advising to first, “Know thyself.”

I propose a test for knowing our self on this matter of the Creator: a test of true belief for those who confess to believe in the Creator. If you do believe, ask yourself: “What is my body? Who owns my body? Am I accountable to anyone for what I do with my body?”

If you believe in the Creator and therefore in creation, then you must admit that, for you, your body is the most intimate domain of creation. So how you think about your body reflects how you think about creation. Today, many voices tell us that our bodies are our own, the region where our will reigns supreme, where we are in control; and this control, they say, is a sacred right. Such beliefs permeate our society and shape how we treat our bodies. From plastic surgery to fast food, our bodies are the clay that our will molds, and don't try to tell us otherwise.

Such notions are in direct contradiction to belief in the Creator. So if you believe in one, heed my words. Your Creator created your body, breathed His breathe into it, fashioned it from clay; so you are not its sole monarch. Yes, God gave us a will to choose, but He did this so that we might bring our bodies under his Lordship, His creatorship.

So ask yourself, “Who shapes my clay?” The benevolent potter desires too.

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Copyright © 2002 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

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[Original illustration at this number was added to HolwickID #19087]

There are lots of people who just love to play golf, and some charitable organizations have found a way to harness golf fever to help support their work. They have these benefit golf tournaments on behalf of their cause. In one major city where a friend of mine is in charitable work, they asked the local NFL quarterback to be the chairman of the golf tournament - well, actually, the honorary chairman. His name on the invitation and the letterhead - ooooh, those were impressive! And it made the whole event feel more important. Oh, but don't be fooled. Mr. Quarterback had absolutely no say in how that day was organized. He was the honorary chairman. That's a big title, but no real authority.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “The Honorary Chairman Charade.”

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from the words of Jesus Himself beginning in Luke 6:46. He begins with an unsettling question. “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” Jesus says, “You're saying the right words. You're giving Me the right title. But I'm not really in charge. You are.” Jesus then proceeds with an example that shows the difference between the person who knows what Jesus wants and the person who does what Jesus wants.

He says, “I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Now, here's a believer who is headed for a collapse. Why? Because he has allowed Jesus to become just his “honorary chairman.” See, a lot of Christians play that game - maybe you. Jesus' name is still on the letterhead. Oh, you've certainly continued to give Him the right title - “Lord.” He still has your official allegiance as the final word in your life. But could it be that, in reality, you have given Jesus little real authority over the choices that make up your day?

It's all too easy for that to happen when you've followed Christ for a while. There was a time when you surrendered it all to Jesus. But your life has grown and changed a lot since then. You've got a reputation, a lot more earth-stuff, relationships, a family, your financial position, a career, some scars, some spiritual struggles. And you may not have extended Jesus' Lordship daily as each day's new experiences emerged. And now there're a lot of pieces of your life that are not really under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Maybe you're depending on a commitment that was very deep and meaningful at the time, but not sufficient to cover a lot of the ground that has become your larger life today. So, what was once passionate with Jesus has become professional. What was once vibrant and alive has become official.

If Jesus is really just the honorary chairman of your life, it's time to return again to that altar of total surrender. It will be harder this time because you've got a lot more to surrender. But Jesus died, not to have the title, but the real authority over your life. An authority that has to be expanded through giving today's new ground to Him. Light again that fire that once burned to high in you - the fire that's kindled, not when Jesus is your honorary chairman, but when He is the hands-on Lord of every choice you make!

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Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

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The principle of Christ’s lordship is the “master key” that “unlocks every other doctrine,” Roger D. Willmore, president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, said at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

“I believe that our understanding of and response to the lordship of Jesus Christ affects the whole of our life and the whole of our ministry,” said Willmore, pastor of Deerfoot Baptist Church in Trussville, Alabama.

A person’s confession of Jesus as Lord involves the unseen spiritual aspects of life as well as the physical aspects of life, he said. “If you don’t know this yet, you will learn that the major battlefield is ... in your mind, in your heart.

“The decisions made in your heart and in your mind will invariably and inevitably be displayed in your life,” Willmore said, preaching from Luke 9:57-62, where Jesus is called “Lord” three times.

Noting Christ’s lordship over a person’s physical life, Willmore recounted in his Oct. 24 message at the Fort Worth, Texas, seminary how Adrian Rogers, as he lay in his bed each morning, consecrated each part of his body to Christ’s service. Willmore then asked the seminarians whether Christ is Lord of their actions, attitudes, language, relationships, entertainment and possessions. Christ is not the Lord of a person’s life, Willmore said, unless He is Lord of everything.

Noting the implications of Christ’s lordship, Willmore said Christians have been bought at the price of Jesus’ blood. As such, Christ’s lordship implies ownership. Referencing Florence Nightingale, the renowned nurse who at the age of 30 submitted her life completely to Christ’s lordship, Willmore said she was asked late in life about the secret to her fruitful career. “I held nothing back from God,” Nightingale answered.

Second, Willmore said, Christ’s lordship implies obedience. The Luke 9 passage, he said, reveals three tests of obedience: the test of poverty, the test of urgency and the test of sovereignty.

In the first test, a man offers to follow Jesus, but Jesus replies that He, “the Son of Man,” does not even have a home.

In the test of urgency, another man offers to follow Jesus after his father’s death. Jesus, however, urges the man to follow Him immediately. “Delayed obedience is disobedience,” Willmore said. “When God calls, He calls now. When He sends, He sends now. When He gives you an assignment, there is a ‘nowness’ about it that has an urgency about it.”

In the test of sovereignty, a man offers to follow Jesus but desires to bid farewell to his family first. Willmore said the man had divided loyalties: He was hesitant to give up his allegiance to his family so that he could give his allegiance fully to Christ.

“I submit to you that if [Christ’s lordship] is the master-key doctrine, then we should be preaching the lordship of Christ,” Willmore said.

“In a day when the preeminence of Christ is challenged and debated, we need to preach the lordship of Jesus. In a day when Christians are malnourished and spiritually anemic ... in a day when we seek to be culturally relevant rather than Christ-honoring ... in a day when Christians are more concerned about satisfying self and seekers than they are the Savior, we need to preach the Lordship of Jesus.”

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[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #20936]

The Keswick movement, also called the Higher Life movement, is a theological movement that originated in England in the early 19th century. It was heavily influenced by the teachings of John Wesley, John William Fletcher, and Adam Clarke. Since 1875 promoters have organized the annual Keswick Convention. Various Christian leaders have been involved in the Keswick Convention through the years, including missionaries Hudson Taylor and Amy Carmichael, devotional writer Oswald Chambers, and evangelist Billy Graham.

Essentially, Keswick theology teaches that the Christian life consists of two primary crises (or major turning points): justification and sanctification, both of which happen at different times in the life of the believer. After salvation one must have another encounter with the Spirit; otherwise, he or she will not progress into holiness or the “deeper” things of God. This second encounter with the Spirit, in Keswick terminology, is called “entire sanctification,” “the second blessing,” or “the second touch.” This emphasis on a second, post-salvation experience corresponds with the Pentecostal idea of the “baptism” of the Spirit. Some Keswick teachers would even say that sinless perfection is possible after one receives the “second blessing.”

Although it is true that both justification (i.e., getting saved) and sanctification (i.e., becoming more like Christ) are vital aspects of the Christian life, overemphasizing the distinction between them tends to produce two different “classes” of Christian — those who are not being sanctified and those who are being sanctified. Moreover, according to Keswick theology, we can decide which camp we belong in, and the initiation of sanctification is something that depends on us after we are saved.

The tendency for theological error resulting from over-emphasizing one side of a debate versus another has been demonstrated time and time again throughout church history. For example, the well-known debate between Calvinists and Arminians is frequently seen (somewhat inaccurately) as a “conflict” between God’s sovereignty and man’s autonomous free will. Many on both sides of this debate have a tendency to overemphasize one side of this “conflict” to the exclusion of the other. Those who emphasize God’s sovereignty tend to minimize human volition, while those who emphasize man’s ability to choose end up burdening themselves and others with the charge to behave perfectly before the Lord. In reality, both God’s sovereignty and man’s volition must be held in tension with one another, because both are taught in Scripture.

In the same way, Keswick theologians take a very real and biblical distinction between justification and sanctification and press it too far. Scripture tells us that all those who are saved (justified) are also being sanctified. God promises to finish the work He began in us (Philippians 1:6).

“But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification” (Romans 6:22, NASB). We are freed from sin by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, but our freedom must lead to holiness (sanctification), not further sin. Rather, Paul tells us earlier in the same chapter that we are “to consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11, NASB). The picture that we see painted in these verses is that it is impossible for the believer to persist in sin, once he or she has truly entered into a relationship with Christ. Keswick theology says that one could be a genuine Christian and still say something like, “I have been justified, but I am not being sanctified, because I don’t see the need to be right now. I’m a Christian, surely; I’m just not as dedicated as others might be.” Of course, Scripture tells us that such an attitude is really evidence that the person speaking is not a believer (1 John 2:3–4). As a result, Keswick theology may give false assurance of salvation to those who refuse to submit to the Word of God but still want to think of themselves as truly saved.

Sanctification is a long, gradual, and sometimes tortuous process, and it something that all believers will experience, not just those who have a “second touch” of the Spirit. The Keswick movement has some commendable points — an emphasis on the lordship of Christ and personal holiness, discipleship, and a promotion of missionary activity. And some historic evangelistic efforts have begun at Keswick Conventions. However, Keswick theology’s insistence on a “second blessing,” its hierarchy of “sanctified” Christians vs. those who are “only justified,” and its bent toward the unbiblical doctrine of entire sanctification are causes of concern.

Palm Sunday sermon. John 12:12-19

WELCOMING THE KING

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I. Here comes the king.

II. Mixed motives of the crowd.

A. Many were there for the thrill factor.

B. Some worshipped him with innocent faith.

C. A few had a deeper appreciation.

D. None grasped the full meaning.

III. What it means to welcome Jesus as your king.

A. More than hosannas.

B. The Lordship of Jesus.

1) Regular time with God.

2) Commitment to God's people and work.

3) Self-Control in areas of weakness.

4) Stand up for Jesus in the public square.

IV. Choosing your king.

Dr. Ernest Pickering on the concept of Lordship Salvation:

“One of the chief objections to the notion of ‘Lordship salvation’ is that it adds to the gospel of grace. It requires something of the sinner which the Scriptures do not require. The message of salvation by grace proclaims to sinners that they may receive eternal life by FAITH ALONE whereas the message of ‘Lordship salvation’ tells sinners they must be willing to give up whatever is in their life that is displeasing to God. At the point of gospel presentation they do not know what things those are, nor does the personal worker seeking to point them to Jesus know. There is a vast and significant difference between BELIEVING on Christ for salvation and LEARNING from Him as our Lord....

“None of us are happy with shoddy, fleshly, and disobedient Christians. But the remedy for this condition is not found in changing the terms of the gospel. Well over 100 times in the New Testament, we are told that salvation is by faith or through believing. It is a very serious matter to add an ingredient to the gospel of salvation which is not found in the New Testament....

“Our task is to keep preaching the plain, simple gospel of free grace. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to produce in true believers those qualities of righteousness which we all devoutly long to see.”

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[Original illustration at this number was added to HolwickID #28656]

During our meeting in San Jose, California, a gentleman in high standing in the city, who had raised a college by his own merits, came to my room, by the request of his wife, to converse with me on the subject of religion. He said:

“I will state to you my sentiments, then you can give me such advice as you think proper. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, but do not and cannot believe in the Son, that is in Jesus. Now sir, what am I to do?”

“What are you to do? You are to be lost forever unless there can be a change,” I replied.

“You make out that I am in a bad condition,” he said.

“You are in a bad condition,” I replied. “You say you believe in God the Father, and he says, 'There is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.’ So that there can be no possible hope in your case unless there can be a change in your views.”

“Well, sir, I can never believe in the Son of God,” he replied again.

I said again to him, “that must settle the question forever if it is so. For the Father has no blood to shed for you and “without the shedding of blood there can be no remission.”

I asked him if he would kneel down and pray with me.

“Yes,” he said, “I will pray to the Father, I know no Son.”

But what a chilly prayer. After a little further conversation, I said:

“Your case is not hopeless. Will you give me your hand and pledge of honor that you will not knowingly grieve the Holy Spirit from you?”

“I pledge you that I will not knowingly resist the Spirit.”

I said, “My dear sir, I can pray for you now and believe the Spirit will show you Jesus.”

In about three days he kneeled in a large assembly and offered this prayer:

“O Lord, I promised that I would not resist the Holy Spirit, and he has melted me all down and I have a glimpse of Jesus.”

I felt sure the full-orbed day would soon rise to his view. In a few days after this, he stood in the midst of a great crowd and made this statement:

“Ten days ago I stood upon a platform of infidelity, now I have sweetly embraced Jesus as my Saviour.” While it is true that no man can find or come to Christ, except by the Holy Spirit, it is equally true that we can resist him, and be lost forever.”

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A. B. Earle, “Incidents Used ... In His Meetings,” published in 1888