
Ralph Erskine
- Sermons
- Bio
What Sinners Should Plead With God
22CH 20:12PSA 80:1ISA 53:11ISA 61:1EZK 36:26JHN 5:6REV 3:20Ralph Erskine preaches on the importance of pleading with God for a new heart and spirit, emphasizing the free and gracious promise in Ezekiel 36:26-27. He encourages acknowledging our feebleness and inability to change ourselves, urging us to seek God's helping hand for transformation. Erskine highlights the power of God in overcoming our weaknesses and the necessity of Christ in our lives, emphasizing the ease with which God can work faith in us. He also stresses the mercy, freedom, and extension of God's compassion, inviting us to come to Him for life. Lastly, Erskine urges listeners to plead Christ's commission and the value of His blood, encouraging a decision to receive Christ and embrace His offer of salvation.
Christ's Treasures Opened by Himself
0ISA 9:6MIC 5:5JHN 13:31JHN 14:16JHN 16:15JHN 17:12CO 3:18EPH 1:3HEB 1:3Ralph Erskine preaches about the glorious excellency and sufficiency of our Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing that all things the Father has are His, revealing His matchless glory. Christ warns of the crosses His disciples will face but assures them of the comfort the Spirit, the Comforter, will provide. The promise of the Spirit is a fruit of Christ's ascension, showing the importance of valuing this privilege. The Spirit's work includes reproving the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, guiding believers into all truth, and glorifying Christ by revealing all things the Father has are His.
Objections Against Receiving Christ Answered
0PSA 103:12ISA 1:18MAT 11:28JHN 6:37ROM 5:8EPH 2:8HEB 7:251JN 1:9REV 3:20Ralph Erskine addresses various objections that may hinder individuals from coming to Christ, emphasizing that the greatness of sins should lead one to Christ, as His mercy and merits surpass all transgressions. He highlights that God's justice is satisfied through belief in Christ, and unworthiness should not deter one from receiving God's grace, as it is freely given. Erskine encourages individuals to trust in Christ's willingness to save, regardless of past rejections or doubts, and assures that even the weakest and oldest sinners can find redemption in Christ. He concludes by urging listeners to persist in seeking Christ, despite doubts, fears, and perceived weaknesses, as Christ is ready to answer and overcome all objections.
The Difference Between Legal and Gospel Mortification
0ACT 15:9ROM 6:6ROM 7:24ROM 8:132CO 5:14GAL 6:14Ralph Erskine delves into the distinctions between legal and gospel mortification, emphasizing that gospel mortification stems from principles like the Spirit of God, faith in Christ, and the love of Christ, while legal mortification arises from legalistic principles such as seeking praise, self-righteousness, fear, and natural conscience. The believer fights against sin using grace's weapons like the blood of Christ and the promises of the covenant, while the legalist relies on law-based promises and threats. The object of mortification differs as the legalist focuses on external sins, whereas the believer targets the root of sin, seeking to overcome original corruption.
The Spiritual Feelings of Believers and Hypocrites Compared
0SNG 2:7Ralph Erskine delves into the difference between the pleasant spiritual impressions peculiar to true believers and those that hypocrites may have in the ways of religion. He emphasizes that true and saving impressions in believers are sociable, unlimited, habitual, and natural, advancing and harmoniously helping one another. In contrast, hypocrites' impressions are limited, temporary, and not natural to them, as their carnal unrenewed nature recoils against it. Erskine illustrates how believers' impressions are like a living spring, never drying up, as they are under the influence of the Spirit dwelling in them.
Unbelievers' Joy in the Word?
0PSA 119:97Ralph Erskine delves into the important question of whether hypocrites and unbelievers can experience joy in the Word, highlighting the stark contrast between spiritual joy of believers and carnal joy of the wicked. He emphasizes that godly sorrow leads to true joy, while the joy of the wicked ultimately leads to sorrow. Erskine explores the differences in the matter, manner, measure, and end of joy between the godly and the wicked, pointing out that the delight of the godly is rooted in God Himself and leads to a desire for conformity to His law.
The Right Rule of Our Love to Christ
0PSA 55:22PSA 62:8MAT 11:28JHN 3:16COL 1:19HEB 4:15Ralph Erskine emphasizes the importance of loving Christ as the Father loves Him. Our love for Christ should mirror the Father's love by choosing Him as our Savior and Surety, just as God chose Him for that purpose. We are called to entrust all aspects of our lives to Christ, just as the Father entrusted all things into His hand, including our hearts, souls, plagues, corruptions, wants, work, and burdens. By surrendering everything to Christ, we demonstrate our love for Him and acknowledge His roles as Prophet, Priest, and King in our lives.
Improve God's Name
0GEN 22:14EXO 17:15JOS 20:2PSA 18:10PSA 46:1PSA 65:2PSA 103:13PSA 106:8ISA 9:6ISA 51:3ISA 53:5JER 23:6EZK 48:35COL 3:11Ralph Erskine preaches on the significance of God's name in salvation, emphasizing how God's mercy and goodness are displayed for the sake of His name. Believers are encouraged to praise God for His attributes and to seek His intervention in every aspect of their lives based on His different names that correspond to their needs, such as Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. The sermon underscores the assurance that God will fulfill His promises and provide for His people according to His name, urging believers to trust in His name for their salvation and every necessity.
Smoking Spiritualized
0PSA 103:15PSA 141:2ECC 12:7ISA 64:1JAS 4:14Ralph Erskine delivers a powerful sermon using the metaphor of smoking tobacco to reflect on the transient nature of life, the vanity of worldly pursuits, the reminder of sin and mortality, and the ultimate return to dust. He encourages the congregation to contemplate on their spiritual state and the need for divine inspiration to ignite their hearts. Through tobacco smoking, Erskine draws parallels to the deeper spiritual truths of life, faith, and the promises of God.
Hear Christ's Testimony About Himself
0Ralph Erskine emphasizes the importance of letting faith take the testimony of Christ concerning His glory, highlighting how all things the Father has are also Christ's, and how Christ offers rest, happiness, and all good things to those who come to Him. He urges listeners to heed Christ's own commendation and invitation, emphasizing that all the treasures of the Father's grace and love are in Christ's hands. Erskine passionately calls for souls to rise and come away to Christ, who offers pardon, peace, grace, and glory abundantly, as all things the Father has are Christ's.
Christ Suitable for All Christians' Needs
0PSA 23:1PSA 27:4PSA 73:25ISA 9:6MRK 10:27PHP 4:13Ralph Erskine emphasizes the importance of believers aligning their needs and weaknesses with the sufficiency and strength found in Christ. He encourages studying Christ's titles that match our conditions, assuring that He will fulfill His promises. Erskine reminds believers to find comfort in Christ's all-encompassing presence, even in times of lack or difficulty, as He has all things the Father has. He urges believers to make Christ the center of their knowledge, desire, love, delight, esteem, joy, glory, life, and trust.
Purgatory Needful for Christians
0PSA 66:10PRO 17:3JHN 15:2ROM 5:3HEB 12:6JAS 1:21PE 4:12Ralph Erskine preaches about the Christian purgatory that Christ designed to bring His disciples through, which includes the purifying blood of Christ, the refining fire of the Spirit, and the shaping and pruning work of the cross. In John 15:2, Jesus speaks of purging His followers to bear more fruit, using the analogy of branches. He reveals two elements used for purifying His disciples: the world's hatred and the world's rage, as mentioned in John 15:18-19 and John 16:2.
The Free Gospel-Call
0PSA 36:8ISA 55:1ISA 55:3MAT 11:28JHN 4:14Ralph Erskine preaches a powerful message on the invitation to all thirsty souls and the poor and needy to come and share in the water of salvation's well. He emphasizes the freedom from sin and woe, the blessings of divine love and mercy, and the abundance of grace available to all who approach the fountain head of bliss. Erskine warns against seeking satisfaction in earthly pursuits that leave the soul empty and encourages listeners to incline their ears to God's offer of true and lasting joy and life.
The Best Match; Or, the Incomparable Marriage Between the Creator and the Creature
0Ralph Erskine preaches about the spiritual marriage between Christ and believers, emphasizing the profound love and beauty of Christ as the Bridegroom and the believer as the bride. He urges the congregation to surrender to Christ as their Husband, to trust in His infinite love, and to long for His second coming. Erskine highlights the need for believers to love, trust, and zealously glorify Christ, to live in communion with Him, and to bear fruit as His bride. He encourages those already married to Christ to continue living wholly on Him, taking all spiritual blessings from Him freely.
Christ the Believer's Adorning Garment
0PSA 45:13ISA 61:10EPH 4:24COL 3:12REV 19:8Ralph Erskine preaches about the spiritual attire of believers, comparing it to a rich and sparkling garment provided by their heavenly husband. He emphasizes that this divine raiment never grows old, offering protection from life's challenges and beautifying the soul. Erskine highlights the grace and righteousness that adorn believers, symbolized by the husband's bright array that is woven with threads from his very being.
Christ the Believer's Sweet Nourishment
0JHN 6:551CO 11:23EPH 5:25REV 19:7Ralph Erskine preaches about the spiritual nourishment and sustenance that believers receive from Jesus Christ, their heavenly husband. He emphasizes how Jesus provides everything believers need, including love, grace, and forgiveness through His flesh and blood. Erskine highlights the sacrificial nature of Jesus as the source of faith and strength for believers, preparing them for the challenges ahead and the ultimate joy of being reunited with their husband in eternity.
The Believer's Faith and Hope Encouraged
0PSA 23:4PSA 91:4ISA 41:10ISA 54:52CO 12:9Ralph Erskine delivers a powerful sermon on the unwavering support and protection believers receive from God, likening Him to a faithful husband who always comes to their aid in times of trouble and distress. Despite facing accusations, threats, trials, and despair, God, as the loving husband, remains a constant source of light, guidance, and strength. Erskine emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's power, even in the midst of seemingly hopeless situations, as He is always near to help and deliver His people.
Benefits Accruing to Believers From Christ
0ISA 54:52CO 5:21EPH 5:25HEB 13:51JN 4:4Ralph Erskine delivers a powerful sermon on the profound love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ as our husband and champion, emphasizing how He saves us from sin, stands by us in times of trouble, and empowers us to overcome the schemes of Satan. Through vivid imagery and poetic language, Erskine paints a picture of the intimate relationship between believers and Jesus, highlighting the divine exchange where Christ took on our sin to make us righteous. He encourages listeners to lean on the strength and promises of Jesus, who is both God and man, and to find courage in the unwavering presence of our faithful husband.
Comfort to Believers in Christ's Relations
0PSA 23:1ISA 41:10EPH 5:25PHP 4:19REV 19:7Ralph Erskine delivers a powerful sermon on the profound love and provision of Jesus Christ as our heavenly Husband. He emphasizes how Christ is not only our relative, friend, brother, father, but ultimately our God who purchased us with His precious blood. Erskine beautifully illustrates how Christ's sacrifice and love pave the way for us, guiding, guarding, and providing for us in every aspect of our lives, ensuring that we lack nothing and are secure in His care.
Thy Husband Is Thy Maker
0PSA 19:1PSA 121:7ISA 54:5MAT 6:26PHP 4:19Ralph Erskine preaches on the profound truth that our Maker is our Husband, emphasizing the intimate relationship believers have with God as their Creator and Sustainer. He highlights how God's creation reflects His love and care for His people, from the earth to the heavens, and even to the creatures that inhabit them. Erskine encourages the congregation to trust in God's provision and protection, knowing that as their Husband, He will destroy all works of evil and fulfill their deepest desires.
Earth Despicable, Heaven Desirable
0PSA 84:10MAT 6:19PHP 3:201PE 1:3REV 21:4Ralph Erskine preaches about the longing for a heavenly home, expressing the dissatisfaction with the troubles and sorrows of this world, the yearning for divine joy and eternal bliss in the presence of God. He highlights the contrast between the fleeting pleasures of earth and the everlasting glory of heaven, emphasizing the need to focus on spiritual treasures rather than worldly possessions. Erskine points to Jesus as the source of true freedom and ultimate happiness, encouraging believers to seek a deeper relationship with Him and to anticipate the day when they will join the saints in praising God for eternity.
Some Sidelights on Ralph Erskine
0PSA 119:105ISA 41:102TI 3:16HEB 13:171PE 5:2Ralph Erskine, known for his gentler and more mystical approach compared to his brother, was a theologian and scholar of considerable ability, with his collected Works passing through many editions. He was a firm believer in the Sovereignty of God, emphasizing the need for constant reliance on the Spirit's guidance. Erskine's sermons, meticulously written and delivered, focused on making full and free offers of Christ to his hearers, urging them to accept the Divine Word's authority. As a true pastor, he deeply cared for his congregation's needs, providing support in times of trouble and maintaining a dutiful yet compassionate approach to discipline.
Ralph Erskine's Marvellous Ministry by Dr. G. Ella. Word
0PSA 119:105LUK 14:231CO 15:57PHP 1:212TI 4:7Ralph Erskine, a devoted preacher and writer, lived a life marked by prayer, dedication to God's Word, and a deep sense of unworthiness. Despite facing doubts and controversies, Erskine's ministry was blessed with revival and genuine conversions, leading many to Christ. His commitment to preaching the Gospel and training young ministers left a lasting impact, with his works remaining popular long after his passing. Erskine's final moments reflected his unwavering faith and trust in God's grace, as he declared victory in Christ even in the face of death.
The Wind of the Holy Ghost Blowing Upon the Dry Bones in the Valley of Vision
0PSA 39:3ISA 44:3ISA 61:2EZK 37:9MAT 11:28LUK 11:13ROM 5:1ROM 8:1GAL 2:20Ralph Erskine preaches about the necessity of the breathings and influences of the Holy Spirit for the revival of souls, emphasizing the threefold resurrection represented in Ezekiel's vision: the resurrection of the body, the resurrection of the soul from sin, and the resurrection of the church from bondage. He highlights the dismal case of spiritual deadness, the blessed remedy of the Spirit's breathings, and the end and effect of their operation in bringing life to the dry bones. Erskine urges the congregation to examine their spiritual state, seek the Spirit's influences through prayer, meditation, and faithful attendance at ordinances, and to wait on God with faith and humility for the reviving gales of the Spirit.
Heaven's Grand Repository
0Faith in ChristThe Father's LoveISA 42:1MAT 11:27JHN 3:35ROM 6:141CO 3:21EPH 1:22PHP 4:19COL 1:19HEB 12:2REV 1:18Ralph Erskine emphasizes the profound love of the Father for the Son, as expressed in John 3:35, where all things are entrusted to Christ. He argues that understanding the Father's love for the Son enhances our appreciation of Christ's sacrifice and encourages our faith in Him. Erskine outlines how this divine arrangement not only honors Christ but also provides believers with a solid foundation for their faith, as all spiritual and material needs are met through Him. He exhorts the congregation to trust in Christ, who holds all things necessary for salvation in His hands, and to recognize the eternal security found in Him. The sermon serves as a reminder of the boundless grace available to all who believe.