posted by Phil Johnson
The PyroManiacs devote some space each weekend to highlights from The Spurgeon Archive. The following excerpt is from "Earthquake but not Heartquake," a sermon originally preached Sunday morning 27 February 1887, at the Met Tab in London.
am often sadly tossed about because of the heresies and false doctrines of this present age. It grieves me to the heart to see the want of spirituality among ministers, and of holiness among professing Christians. It cuts me to the quick to see the utter rubbish and poison which is preached instead of Christianity.At times it looks as if all things were going wrong; the men to whom one looked as pillars, forsake the faith, and the staunchest give way for the sake of peace.
We are apt to cry, "What will become of us?" But if God is our refuge and strength, we need not be afraid, even amid general apostasy. While God lives, truth is in the ascendant.
I remember years ago meeting with that blessed servant of God, the late Earl of Shaftesbury. He was at Mentone with a dying daughter, and he happened that day to be very much downcast, as, indeed, I have frequently seen him, and as, I am sorry to confess, he has also frequently seen me. That day he was particularly cast down about the general state of society. He thought that the powers of darkness in this country were having it all their own way, and that, before long, the worst elements of society would gain power, and trample out all virtue.
Looking up into his face, I said to him, "And is God dead? Do you believe that while God lives the devil will conquer him?"
He smiled, and we walked along by the Mediterranean communing together in a far more hopeful tone.
The Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock. All long as the Lord liveth our hope lives also. Gospel truth will yet prevail, we shall live to see the old faith to the front again. The church, like Noah's dove, will come back to her rest again.
5 comments:
The heaviness of shallowness and religion which tries to make one feel esteemed can be like being stuck in thick mire, but then there is the sovereign truth of God mighty righteous arm.
Thanks for the Spurgeon. It hit my spirit right where I needed it.
It's a good thought, but I bet CHS never expected it to take 120 years (and counting) for the old faith to go to the front again, or that the Lord would allow things to slide so much further, before they'd hit bottom.
Amen to the post!
What an insightful post in 1887. I feel as though there is always doom upon the horizon though. Thanks for this post, it definitely got the wheels turning.
Sincerely,
Jareld Salizar
Church Resources
Phil,
Thank you so much for this. My own soul has been downcast over a battle for the truth, and it has taken quite a toll. I have seen people who I thought knew the truth compromise "for the sake of 'peace.'" And yet, as the Lord lives, the Gospel will yet prevail, and the truth will be back in the forefront. Praise God.
Post a Comment