You Need Only Be Willing
C.H. Spurgeon's sermon emphasizes the necessity of being willing to accept Jesus as Savior, highlighting that the invitation is open to all who are ready to respond in faith.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that the key to salvation is a willingness to come to Jesus, rather than a prerequisite of being ready or worthy. He illustrates that even those who are poor, blind, or maimed can approach Christ, as the gospel is prepared for all who are willing to believe and accept Him as their Savior. Spurgeon clarifies that it is not about our own readiness, but about the readiness provided by the Spirit, which instills in us the desire to seek Jesus. The invitation to come is open to everyone, regardless of their condition, as all things are ready for those who are willing.
Text
Willingness to come is everything. A readiness to believe in Jesus, a willingness to cast the soul on him, a preparedness to accept him just as he is, because you feel that he is just the Savior that you need - that is all: there was no other readiness, there could have been none, in the case of those who were poor and blind, and halt, and maimed, yet came to the feast.
The text does not say, "You are ready, therefore come," that is a legal way of putting the gospel; but it says, "All things are ready, the gospel is ready, therefore you are to come." As for your readiness, all the readiness that is possibly wanted is a readiness which the Spirit gives us, namely, willingness to come to Jesus.
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "All Things Are Ready. Come." Sermon delivered May 13, 1877
Sermon Outline
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I
- The importance of willingness to come to Jesus
- Understanding our need for a Savior
- The invitation extended to all
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II
- The role of the Holy Spirit in our readiness
- Distinguishing between legal readiness and spiritual willingness
- Examples from scripture of those who came to Jesus
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III
- The assurance that all things are ready
- The nature of God's invitation
- Responding to the call with faith
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IV
- The consequences of refusing the invitation
- The joy of acceptance
- Living a life of willingness
Key Quotes
“Willingness to come is everything.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“All things are ready, the gospel is ready, therefore you are to come.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The readiness that is possibly wanted is a readiness which the Spirit gives us.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Reflect on your own willingness to come to Jesus and what that means for your faith.
- Encourage others to accept the invitation of grace extended by God.
- Recognize the role of the Holy Spirit in fostering a heart ready to respond to Jesus.