Possess, Not Only Profess
True possession of faith is necessary for spiritual growth and increase, and we should pray for a deeper hatred of evil, full assurance of faith, and vehement affection for God.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of possessing genuine faith rather than merely professing it, highlighting that true faith leads to an abundance of grace from God. He warns that superficial faith will ultimately be stripped away, urging believers to ensure their faith is real and deep. Spurgeon encourages the faithful to seek a greater depth of love and trust in God, as true possession of grace leads to spiritual abundance. He expresses a desire for increased hatred of sin, deeper faith, and a fervent love for God, recognizing that these are gifts that come from a genuine relationship with Him.
Text
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance. (Matthew 13:12)
When the Lord has given to a man much grace, He will give him more. A little faith is a nest egg; more faith will come to it. But then it must not be seeming faith, but real and true. What a necessity is laid upon us to make sure work in religion and not to profess much, and possess nothing! For one of these days the very profession will be taken from us, if that be all we have. The threatening is as true as the promise.
Blessed be the Lord, it is His way when He has once made a beginning to go on bestowing the graces of His Spirit, till He who had but little, and yet truly had that little, is made to have abundance. Oh, for that abundance! Abundance of grace is a thing to be coveted, It would be well to know much but better to love much. It would be delightful to have abundance of skill to serve God but better still to have abundance of faith to trust in the Lord for skill and everything.
Lord, since Thou hast given me a sense of sin, deepen my hatred of evil. Since Thou hast caused me to trust Jesus, raise my faith to full assurance. Since Thou hast made me to love Thee, cause me to be carried away with vehement affection for Thee!
Sermon Outline
- The Necessity of True Possession
- The Promise of Increase
- The Value of Abundance
- Prayer for Increase
- Pray for a deeper hatred of evil
- Pray for full assurance of faith
- Pray for vehement affection for God
Key Quotes
“A little faith is a nest egg; more faith will come to it.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Abundance of faith is better than abundance of skill.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Oh, for that abundance!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We must make sure work in our faith and not just profess it.
- We should pray for a deeper hatred of evil and a stronger desire to follow God.
- Abundance of faith is more valuable than abundance of skill or knowledge.