Life in Earnest

Spurgeon, Charles Haddon

2 Chronicles 31:20-21

And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and worked that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.…

I. THE SPHERE WHICH CHRISTIAN EARNESTNESS OCCUPIES IN THE DIVINE LIFE.

1. It will make a man think very earnestly for his Lord and Master. In the diary of Jonathan Edwards we find the following account of his feelings towards the Lord's work: "I had great longing for the advancement of Christ's kingdom in the world; my secret prayer used to be in great part taken up in praying for it. If I heard the least hint of anything that had happened in any part of the world which appeared to me in some respect or other to have favourable aspect on the interest of Christ's kingdom, my soul eagerly caught at it, and it would much animate and refresh me. I used to read public news letters, mainly to see if I could find some news favourable to the interest of religion in the world." When we are full of zeal for God it is the same with us.

2. It will make a man plan and purpose for the cause of Christ.

3. It will show itself in perseverance.

4. It will show its zeal in an entire dependence upon God, and in intensely fervent prayer for God's help and for God's blessing.

II. ARGUMENTS WHICH PROVOKE TO THIS EARNESTNESS.

1. The greatness of the work we have to deal with.

2. The earnestness of Satan.

3. The responsibilities which lie upon us as a Church.

4. The onflowing of the stream of death.

5. The love which we have received of Jesus.

III. MAY GOD GIVE ME FRESH GRACE WHILE I UNDERTAKE THE SOLEMN WORK OF DEALING WITH CARELESS AND UNCONVERTED SOULS.

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