When I am preaching the gospel, many may say, “Oh, he is only telling us commonplace truth.” Just so, I know that; and yet I feel within myself as if I was wheeling up God’s great cannon, which will still blow the gates of hell to pieces. “What! none of the venerable mysteries of Rome? What, none of the new philosophical discoveries?” None of the imposing ceremonies? No, brethren, not one of them, they are all wooden guns, shams and counterfeits, and if ever they are fired off they will blown to bits. This plain truth, that “God was made flesh and dwelt among us,” is God’s great battering ram against which nothing can stand. Never lose heart in the gospel, my brethren, but think that you hear the apostle calling across the ages, “Great is the mystery of godliness.” Look for nothing greater, the gospel is great enough. Keep at it, never think you have told men enough times about it. As Napoleon told his warriors at the pyramids, “A thousand ages look down upon you!” bleeding martyrs who from their graves, call to you to be faithful; confessors who ascended to heaven in fiery chariots, implore you to be steadfast. Hold fast to what you have received. Do not attempt to mend the truth, do not venture to shape it according to the fancy of the times, but proclaim it in all its native purity. By this hammer the gods of Rome and Greece were dashed to pieces, by this lever the world was turned upside down; it is this gospel which has brought glory to God, filled heaven with redeemed souls, and made hell to tremble in all its palaces of flame. Bind it about your heart, and defy the hosts of Rome or hell to unloose its folds. Wrap it about your waist in death, and hold it as a standard in both your hands in life. This simple truth, that “Jesus Christ has come to seek and to save those who were lost,” and that “whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life,” must be your jewel, your treasure, your life. - Spurgeon |