The Heart of the Gospel - Pt 26

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. (Luke 18:9-14 ESV).

Today we come to the close of our study in “The Heart of the Gospel.” I hope you have been inspired and challenged to wrestle further with these great doctrines. I have. In so “wrestling” there are many great preachers I have studied carefully through the years. One of those is Charles Spurgeon. He lived from 1834to 1892. He was a contemporary of George Mueller. He was also the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London and the most famous pastor of his day. His preaching was powerful in so many ways; however, it was this plain means of declaring the gospel that held thousands spellbound each week. Spurgeon wrote: “I believe there is no substitute for Christ. And, we must preach Christ. That is the Gospel. Further, we cannot preach the gospel unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of God; nor do I think we can preach the gospel unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ completed on the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called.” Perhaps it is best to let this great preacher lead us in prayer: Let Charles Spurgeon lead you in prayer: “Lord, I am guilty, I deserve thy wrath. Lord, I cannot save myself. Lord, I would have a new heart and a right spirit, but what can I do? Lord, I can do nothing, come and work in me to will and to do thy good pleasure. Thou alone hast power, I know, to save a wretch like me; to whom, or whither should I go if I should run from thee? But I now do from my very soul call upon thy name. Trembling, yet believing, I cast myself wholly upon thee, O Lord. I trust the blood and righteousness of thy dear Son. . . . Lord, save me tonight, for Jesus’ sake.” [Quoted in Iain Murray, The Forgotten Spurgeon (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1973), pp. 101–102.] This is the prayer that will indeed send you “down to your house” justified! It emanates from the heart of God working grace in you!