
Thomas Shepard
- Sermons
- Bio
Love the Lord Jesus!
0HOS 2:6Thomas Shepard preaches about the importance of loving the Lord, emphasizing the need to start loving Him now when there is every reason to do so. He addresses the question of how to love the Lord, highlighting the role of God in planting and nurturing this grace. Shepard provides insights on learning to taste the truth, being satisfied with Christ's love, and seeing Jesus as He truly is to cultivate a deep love for Him.
Wine for Gospel wantons...
0ISA 28:1JER 13:12LAM 3:15DAN 5:25MIC 7:4NAM 1:10JHN 14:16REV 3:17REV 17:4Thomas Shepard preaches on the consequences of spiritual drunkenness as described in Jeremiah 13:12-15, where God fills the inhabitants of the land with a spirit of drunkenness, leading to destruction and no mercy. The causes of this spiritual drunkenness include indulgence in sinful pleasures and corrupt counsel, resulting in staggering, blindness, rage, deep sleep, exposing of one's nakedness, and vomiting up corruption. This spirit of drunkenness is a forerunner of destruction when God fills people with delusions and they reject the truth, leading to division and misery. The preacher warns against spiritual drunkenness and urges to love the truth, seek counsel, and avoid deception.
Consider How Christ Will Love You.
0PRO 8:21Thomas Shepard preaches about the intimate and loving relationship between Christ and His followers, highlighting the privileges and blessings that come with loving and being loved by Him. He emphasizes that those who love Christ will be honored, enriched, counseled, and constantly assisted by the Spirit. Shepard also assures that Christ will dwell with His followers, rejoice over them, comfort them in times of sorrow, forgive their wrongs, and never part with them, promising eternal union even in the face of sin, miseries, and death.
Only Those Prepared Here
02CH 12:14PSA 10:17MAL 1:14LUK 1:17ROM 9:231CO 15:502CO 5:8PHP 3:20HEB 12:14REV 21:27Thomas Shepard preaches about the importance of being ready and prepared in this life for Christ to enjoy eternal communion with Him. He emphasizes that men are naturally unfit for heaven and must be prepared by God's grace to partake in fellowship with Christ. The honor of the Lord Jesus is highlighted, as believers owe it to Him to be in readiness for His return. The sermon concludes with a call to self-reflection and repentance for those who are unready, emphasizing the urgency of being prepared to meet the Lord.
Eleven Degrees of Resting in Duties
0MAT 7:21ROM 3:20GAL 2:16EPH 2:8TIT 3:5Thomas Shepard preaches about the various ways people try to find salvation apart from true faith in Christ, such as relying on superstitious practices, token professions of religion, good works, inner goodness, reformation, repentance, morality, zeal for good causes, and self-effort. He warns against resting in these false hopes and emphasizes the need for genuine faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, highlighting the danger of trusting in one's own efforts or righteousness. Shepard also points out the tendency for some Christians to approach salvation like the Papists, seeking to earn their way to heaven through works and self-improvement rather than relying solely on the grace of Christ.
Why Men Rest in Duties
0JDG 10:14Thomas Shepard preaches about the reasons why men tend to rely on their own efforts and good works for salvation instead of fully trusting in Jesus Christ. He explains that this reliance on duties is rooted in human nature, ignorance of Christ's righteousness, the desire for self-comfort and self-righteousness, and the ability to hide one's sins behind religious activities. Shepard warns against resting in duties as a false sense of security, emphasizing that true salvation comes only through faith in Christ, not through our own works.
Signs of Resting in Duties
0ROM 3:20GAL 2:16EPH 2:8PHP 3:8TIT 3:5Thomas Shepard preaches about the danger of resting in religious duties for salvation, highlighting the signs that indicate one is relying on their own works rather than on Christ for redemption. He emphasizes the importance of not finding security in the mere performance of duties but in a genuine relationship with Jesus. Shepard warns against the deception of self-righteousness and the tendency to trust in one's own efforts rather than in the saving grace of Christ.
The Inability of All Duties to Save
0ISA 64:6EZK 18:24ROM 3:20REV 4:10Thomas Shepard preaches about the insufficiency of relying on our own good deeds for salvation, emphasizing that even our best actions are tainted with sin and cannot save us. He warns that no amount of good works can make up for past sins or secure our salvation, as one sin can lead to our downfall. Shepard highlights the importance of not just performing duties, but humbly offering them to Jesus Christ, acknowledging that any goodness in our actions comes from Him alone.
The Proper Purpose of Duties
0MIC 3:11TIT 2:14HEB 7:252PE 1:22PE 1:8Thomas Shepard emphasizes the importance of performing duties not for salvation but to draw closer to the Lord Jesus Christ, to deepen love, acquaintance, and union with Him. He warns against falling in love with the performance of duties themselves rather than using them as means to reach Christ, the only source of rest and salvation. Shepard also highlights the role of duties as evidences of God's love and the need to honor Christ through zealous good works. Lastly, he cautions against false faith and presumption, urging individuals to seek true faith that comes from God and not rely on their own efforts or imaginations for salvation.
Containing Motives and Arguments to Persuade Us Unto the Love of Christ, and to Be Espoused to Him.
0Thomas Shepard preaches about the importance of having a deep, intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus, comparing it to a marriage where our affections and love are solely directed towards Him. He emphasizes that true faith is one that is fueled by love, as seen in Galatians 5:6. Shepard urges the congregation to choose Christ above all else, to set their hearts and affections on Him, and to allow Him to reign in their hearts as the ultimate love. The sermon focuses on three groups: those who have never loved Jesus genuinely, those who struggle to love Him deeply, and those whose love for Him has grown cold. Shepard's main goal is to present pure and devoted souls to Christ, likening the ministry's role to that of a friend speaking on behalf of the bridegroom, as seen in John 3:29.
Love Christ Because of His Glory
0PRO 8:30JHN 5:22JHN 17:241TI 4:10REV 1:5Thomas Shepard preaches about the incomparable glory of Jesus Christ, urging listeners to consider His unmatched greatness and love. He highlights five aspects of Christ's glory: as the Prince of the kings of the earth, the appointed Judge of all, the source of all goodness, the everlasting wonderment of saints in heaven, and the delight and love of God Himself. Shepard emphasizes that Christ's glory surpasses all worldly attractions and challenges listeners to wholeheartedly love and embrace Him.
Love Him Because of His Love to You
0PSA 2:12PRO 8:17ISA 27:3JER 3:8HOS 11:4JHN 1:12Thomas Shepard preaches about the incredible love of the Lord Jesus towards all, desiring to be espoused to each soul. This love is real, fervent, constant, and pure, demonstrated through God's continuous pursuit and longing for our hearts. Despite our unworthiness, God's love remains unwavering, always seeking our return and offering mercy and grace.
How Shall I Know That the Lord Loves Me?
0PSA 23:3PRO 18:10LUK 7:47ROM 3:19ROM 5:202CO 12:9PHP 2:9Thomas Shepard delves into the question of how one can know that the Lord loves them despite their sin. He emphasizes that if the Lord loves someone for His name's sake, it will draw them into fellowship with Him, seeking all they lack from Him. Shepard highlights the importance of holding up Christ before God, resting in His grace and mercy, and finding assurance in the unmatchable love of God for His own sake. He explains that every passage of providence from God is meant to bring glory to His name, even using sins to humble and draw individuals closer to Him.
He Loves You With an Unmeasurable Love.
0GEN 12:2PSA 119:97MAT 22:37JHN 3:16ROM 5:201CO 2:9EPH 2:3EPH 2:71JN 4:71JN 4:19Thomas Shepard preaches about the unmeasurable love of God towards His people, emphasizing the abundance of grace that overflows in the presence of sin. He describes two aspects of this love: a created love, which encompasses all human and angelic love, and an uncreated, infinite love of God that is immeasurable. Shepard highlights how God's love is manifested in various ways, from providing earthly blessings to offering eternal life and enlightenment. He urges believers to love God without measure, not limiting their devotion or dedication to Him.
Behold the Happiness of Those Espoused to Christ
0ISA 25:8LUK 12:37ROM 8:241CO 15:191TH 4:171JN 3:2Thomas Shepard preaches about the happiness of those who are espoused to the Lord Jesus, as their hopes are set on the second coming of Christ and the promises of the next life. Saints eagerly await the transformation of their bodies, the removal of sins, sorrows, shame, and the ultimate recompense for their labor of love. They anticipate being forever with the Lord, experiencing His glory and endless compassion, while the world faces judgment and despair. Shepard urges listeners to embrace Christ wholeheartedly, as the hope in Him brings certainty, glory, and unspeakable joy, contrasting the fate of those without hope.