We Would See Jesus
The sermon emphasizes the importance of having one desire for Christ and the promise of salvation for those who truly seek Him.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the singular desire for Christ as the ultimate good, contrasting the worldly pursuit of earthly comforts with the awakened sinner's longing for Jesus. He illustrates that true fulfillment comes when one's desires are focused solely on Christ, transforming a chaotic heart into a river of life. Spurgeon encourages listeners to recognize their deep need for Jesus, asserting that mere religious practices are insufficient without a personal relationship with Him. He reassures those who yearn for Christ that their desire is a sign of divine work within them, and that they are close to the kingdom of heaven. Ultimately, he calls for a heartfelt pursuit of Jesus, the true source of satisfaction and freedom from sin.
Text
Evermore the worldling's cry is, Who will show us any good?" He seeks satisfaction in earthly comforts, enjoyments, and riches. But the quickened sinner knows of only one good. "O that I knew where I might find HIM!" When he is truly awakened to feel his guilt, if you could pour the gold of India at his feet, he would say, "Take it away: I want to find HIM." It is a blessed thing for a man, when he has brought his desires into a focus, so that they all centre in one object. When he has fifty different desires, his heart resembles a mere of stagnant water, spread out into a marsh, breeding miasma and pestilence; but when all his desires are brought into one channel, his heart becomes like a river of pure water, running swiftly to fertilize the fields.
Happy is he who hath one desire, if that one desire be set on Christ, though it may not yet have been realized. If Jesus be a soul's desire, it is a blessed sign of divine work within. Such a man will never be content with mere ordinances. He will say, "I want Christ; I must have Him--mere ordinances are of no use to me; I want Himself; do not offer me these; you offer me the empty pitcher, while I am dying of thirst; give me water, or I die. Jesus is my soul's desire. I would see Jesus!"
Is this thy condition, my reader, at this moment? Hast thou but one desire, and is that after Christ? Then thou art not far from the kingdom of heaven. Hast thou but one wish in thy heart, and that one wish that thou mayst be washed from all thy sins in Jesus' blood?
Canst thou really say, "I would give all I have to be a Christian; I would give up everything I have and hope for, if I might but feel that I have an interest in Christ"? Then, despite all thy fears, be of good cheer, the Lord loveth thee, and thou shalt come out into daylight soon, and rejoice in the liberty wherewith Christ makes men free.
Sermon Outline
- I. The World's Cry for Satisfaction
- A. The world seeks satisfaction in earthly comforts and riches
- B. The worldling's cry is 'Who will show us any good?'
- II. The Sinner's Cry for Christ
- A. The quickened sinner knows of only one good - Christ
- B. The sinner's desire is to find Christ
- III. The Blessed Sign of Divine Work
- A. When Christ is a soul's desire, it is a sign of divine work within
- B. Such a man will never be content with mere ordinances
- IV. The Condition of the Believer
- A. The believer has but one desire - to see Christ
- B. The believer is not far from the kingdom of heaven
Key Quotes
“O that I knew where I might find HIM!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“I want Christ; I must have Him--mere ordinances are of no use to me; I want Himself;” — C.H. Spurgeon
“I would give all I have to be a Christian; I would give up everything I have and hope for, if I might but feel that I have an interest in Christ” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- If you are seeking Christ, be of good cheer, the Lord loves you and you will come out into daylight soon.
- Do not be content with mere ordinances, but seek Christ Himself.
- Be willing to give up everything for Christ, if that is what it takes to have an interest in Him.