Shipwrecks
The sermon emphasizes the need for spiritual revival and warns against the dangers of false churches and worldly influence.
D.L. Moody addresses the alarming trend of young converts making shipwreck of their faith due to the influence of churches that have become more worldly than godly. He emphasizes the need for believers to repent and seek God's forgiveness for grieving the Holy Spirit, urging them to reflect on their own lives and the impact they have on others. Moody laments the lack of spiritual conversation in church gatherings, where discussions often revolve around worldly matters rather than the personal relationship with Christ. He challenges the congregation to consider their effectiveness in leading others to Christ and to strive for a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, he calls for a return to genuine faith and action in the church.
Text
Alas! how many young converts have made shipwreck against such churches. Instead of being a harbor of delight to them, they have proved false lights, alluring them to destruction. Isn't it time for us to get down on our faces before God and cry mightily to Him to forgive us our sins. The quicker we own it the better. You may be invited to a party, and it may be made up of church members, and what will be the conversation? Oh, I got so sick of such parties that I left years ago; I would not think of spending a night that way; it is a waste of time; there is hardly a chance to say a word for the Master.
If you talk of a personal Christ, your company becomes offensive; they don't like it; they want you to talk about the world, about a popular minister, a popular church, a good organ, a good choir, and they say, "Oh, we have a grand organ, and a superb choir," and all that, and it suits them; but that don't warm the Christian heart. When you speak of a risen Christ and a personal Savior, they don't like it; the fact is, the world has come into the church and taken possession of it, and what we want to do is to wake up and ask God to forgive us for 'Grieving the Spirit."
Dear reader. search your heart and inquire, Have I done anything to grieve the Spirit of God?
If you have, may God show it to you today; if you have done any thing to grieve the Spirit of God, you want to know it today, and get down on your face before God and ask Him to forgive you and help you to put it away. I have lived long enough to know that if I can not have the power of the Spirit of God on me to help me to work for Him, I would rather die, than live just for the sake of living. How many are there in the church today, who have been members for fifteen or twenty years, but have never done a solitary thing for Jesus Christ? They can not lay their hands upon one solitary soul who has been blessed through their influence; they can not point today to one single person who has ever been lifted up by them.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Dangers of False Churches
- A. False lights that allure to destruction
- B. A harbor of delight turned to destruction
- II. The Need for Spiritual Revival
- A. Get down on our faces before God and cry for forgiveness
- B. Own our sins and seek forgiveness
- III. The World's Influence in the Church
- A. The world has come into the church and taken possession
- B. A focus on worldly things rather than Christ
- IV. Grieving the Spirit of God
- A. The consequences of grieving the Spirit
- B. The need to seek forgiveness and put it away
Key Quotes
“Isn't it time for us to get down on our faces before God and cry mightily to Him to forgive us our sins.” — D.L. Moody
“I would rather die, than live just for the sake of living.” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- We should regularly examine our hearts to see if we have done anything to grieve the Spirit of God.
- We should seek forgiveness and help from God to put away any sinful behavior.
- We should prioritize living for Christ and seeking His power in our lives.