The sermon emphasizes the importance of being in the right place at the right time and the role of prayer in seeking opportunities to share the Gospel.
In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares a personal experience of encountering a young man on a train who was seeking salvation. The speaker felt a strong conviction that God had orchestrated their meeting and was determined to share the message of salvation with this young man. As they conversed, the speaker used various passages from the Bible to explain how one can find peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ. The young man eventually understood and accepted the message, and over the following years, he grew in his faith and knowledge of the Lord. The speaker shares this story as an encouragement to others who may be seeking salvation, emphasizing that Jesus Christ is deeply interested in their lives and longs to bring them into a relationship with Him.
Full Transcript
When the train pulled in, I walked through the day coach, and I found there was just a half of one seat vacant, and a man was sleeping on the other half. So I sat down there. I was very much exercised in my soul.
I thought there must have been some reason why God had allowed me to miss that train. I believed implicitly, as I still believe, that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, who are called according to His purpose. And so I felt that He had someone on that train with whom He wished me to speak.
I wondered if it could be the sleeping man beside me. I say sleeping, but the fact is that he roused himself just as I sat down. And he greeted me, and we exchanged a few words, and then were silent for a time, and finally he woke completely up, and we began to talk together.
And all the time I was praying, Lord, if Thou hast something for this man, may I not miss the opportunity, but give me just the right message for him. Finally, as we talked along, I put the question straight to him. Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ? He roused himself up and said to me, it's a remarkable thing that you should ask me that question.
He said, you know sir, I've been so anxious about this matter of salvation for some days, that I've been working in a lumber mill down in the southern part of the state, and some folks were having revival meetings nearby, and I went over to the services, and I was quite impressed by the preaching, and felt that I was a sinner and needed a savior. And night after night I went out to the mourner's bench, but somewhere or another I couldn't seem to get anything clear. You know, as I dropped off to sleep in the train tonight, I was wishing I could talk with someone who could make the way of salvation plain.
Well, of course, it was a delight to take out my Bible and turn from passage to passage, and show that young man just how he might find peace with God. And finally, as we turned to some of the great salvation verses of the New Testament, the light broke upon his soul, and he said, oh, I see it, yes, Christ died for me. And if I trust him as my savior, then the matter's settled.
I said, yes, that's it. Well, he said, I do trust him. I can take him now.
And we bowed our heads together, and he thanked God for giving me the privilege of being his messenger, that earnest young man. We talked together for perhaps an hour or so, and then he came to the place where he was to leave the train. I bade him goodbye and went on my journey northward.
For two or three years after that, I heard from him every little while, and it was delightful to see how he seemed to be growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord. Why am I telling you this story? Well, just for this reason. I'm wondering if you didn't know that the Lord, you too may.
I know now that Christ...
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Being in the Right Place at the Right Time
- The Power of a Simple Question
- The Clarity of Salvation
- The Privilege of Being a Messenger
- The role of believers in sharing the Gospel
- The joy of seeing others come to know Christ
Key Quotes
“I believed implicitly, as I still believe, that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, who are called according to His purpose.” — Harry Ironside
“You know, as I dropped off to sleep in the train tonight, I was wishing I could talk with someone who could make the way of salvation plain.” — Harry Ironside
“And if I trust him as my savior, then the matter's settled.” — Harry Ironside
Application Points
- Pray for God to give you the right message for the right person and look for opportunities to share the Gospel.
- Ask the right question at the right time to create an opportunity for sharing the Gospel.
- Be faithful in sharing the Good News with others and follow up with them after sharing the Gospel.
