With Lovingkindness Have I Drawn Thee
The sermon emphasizes the power of lovingkindness in drawing us to Christ, contrasting it with the law and terrors that harden our hearts.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that while the law and judgment may initially drive us towards Christ, it is ultimately His lovingkindness that draws us in and transforms our hearts. He illustrates this through the parable of the prodigal son, highlighting the father's eager embrace and forgiveness, which reflects God's grace towards us. Spurgeon contrasts the harshness of the law with the gentle, tender call of Christ, who knocks softly at the door of our hearts, inviting us to accept His love and mercy. The sermon encourages believers to recognize the power of Christ's love in effectual calling and to respond joyfully to His invitation. Spurgeon concludes with a prayerful desire to continue being drawn by Christ's love until the ultimate fulfillment in heaven.
Text
The thunders of the law and the terrors of judgment are all used to bring us to Christ; but the final victory is effected by lovingkindness. The prodigal set out to his father's house from a sense of need; but his father saw him a great way off, and ran to meet him; so that the last steps he took towards his father's house were with the kiss still warm upon his cheek, and the welcome still musical in his ears.
"Law and terrors do but harden All the while they work alone; But a sense of blood-bought pardon Will dissolve a heart of stone."
The Master came one night to the door, and knocked with the iron hand of the law; the door shook and trembled upon its hinges; but the man piled every piece of furniture which he could find against the door, for he said, "I will not admit the man." The Master turned away, but by-and-bye He came back, and with His own soft hand, using most that part where the nail had penetrated, He knocked again--oh, so softly and tenderly. This time the door did not shake, but, strange to say, it opened, and there upon his knees the once unwilling host was found rejoicing to receive his guest. "Come in, come in; thou hast so knocked that my bowels are moved for thee. I could not think of thy pierced hand leaving its blood-mark on my door, and of thy going away houseless, 'Thy head filled with dew, and thy locks with the drops of the night.' I yield, I yield, Thy love has won my heart." So in every case: lovingkindness wins the day. What Moses with the tablets of stone could never do, Christ does with His pierced hand. Such is the doctrine of effectual calling. Do I understand it experimentally? Can I say, "He drew me, and I followed on, glad to confess the voice divine?" If so, may He continue to draw me, till at last I shall sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Sermon Outline
- The Power of Lovingkindness
- A Parable of Lovingkindness
- The Doctrine of Effectual Calling
- Christ's Pierced Hand
- The Power of His Love
Key Quotes
“Law and terrors do but harden All the while they work alone; But a sense of blood-bought pardon Will dissolve a heart of stone.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Come in, come in; thou hast so knocked that my bowels are moved for thee.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“He drew me, and I followed on, glad to confess the voice divine?” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Recognize Christ's love and allow it to draw you to Himself, leading you to follow Him.
- Understand that lovingkindness is more effective than law and terrors in softening our hearts and drawing us to Christ.
- Apply the doctrine of effectual calling to your life by confessing Christ's voice and following Him.