Disobedience to the Gospel: Click | View Series

Romans 10:16—"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?'"

Man is the same disobedient creature under all dispensations. We bemoan his rejection of the gospel, and so did Isaiah, who spoke in the name of the whole company of the prophets.

It is one of the greatest proofs of the depravity of man's heart that he will no more obey the gospel than the law, but disobeys his God, whether he speaks to him in love or in law.

When any receive the gospel it is a work of grace: "the arm of the Lord is revealed." But when they refuse it, it is their own sin: "they have not obeyed the gospel."

THE GOSPEL IS A COMMAND

It is not optional to men to accept or refuse it at pleasure. "Now God commands all people everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). He also commands them to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).

To refuse to believe is to incur great sin (John 16:8).

There is a death penalty attached to disobedience (Mark 16:16).

It is so put:

1. To secure the honor of God. It is not the offer of an equal to an equal, but of the great God to a condemned sinner.
2. To embolden the proclaimer of it. The minister now speaks boldly with his Master's authority.
3. To remind man of his obligations. Repentance and faith are natural duties from which the gospel does not exonerate a man, although it blesses him by bestowing them upon him.
4. To encourage the humble seeker. He must be at full liberty to believe in Jesus, since he is commanded to do so and threatened if he does not do so.
5. To suggest to men the urgent duty of seeing to their soul's welfare. Suicide, whether of the body or of the soul, is always a great crime. To neglect the great salvation is a grave offense.

The gospel is set forth as a feast, to which men are bound to come under penalty of the King's displeasure (Matt. 22:1-7).

The prodigal was right in returning to his father; and if he was right in doing so, so would each one of us be in doing the same.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Docent Research

Customized research for pastors. High-level exegesis, theological analysis, and cultural research as well as writing assistance. Learn more.

Heirs of God: Click | View Series

Romans 8:17—"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Paul sets before us a golden ladder, and from every step he climbs to something yet higher: from sonship he rises to heirship, and from heirship to joint-heirship with the Lord Jesus.

OUR HEIRSHIP DEPENDS ON JESUS

"And fellow heirs with Christ."

1. This is the test of our heirship. We are not heirs except with Christ, through Christ, and in Christ.
2. This sweetens it all. Fellowship with Jesus is our best portion.
3. This shows the greatness of the inheritance. Worthy of Jesus. Such an inheritance as the Father gives to the well-beloved.
4. This ensures it to us, for Jesus will not lose it. His title deed and ours are one and indivisible.
5. This reveals and endears his love. That he should become a partner with us in all things is love unbounded.
• His taking us into union with himself secures our inheritance.
• His prayer for us attains it.
• His going into heaven before us prepares it.
• His coming again will bring us the full enjoyment of it.
6. This joint heirship binds us faster to Jesus, since we are nothing, and have nothing apart from him.

Let us joyfully accept the present suffering with Christ, for it is part of the heritage.

Let us believe in the glorification which is sure to follow in due time, and let us anticipate it with immediate rejoicing.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Missional Ecclesiology

Re:Train professor Gregg Allison explains the missional church in his blog series on Missional Ecclesiology.

Heirs of God: Click | View Series

Romans 8:17—"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Paul sets before us a golden ladder, and from every step he climbs to something yet higher: from sonship he rises to heirship, and from heirship to joint-heirship with the Lord Jesus.

OUR INHERITANCE IS IMMENSE

"Heirs of God."

Our inheritance is divinely great. We are:

• Heirs of all things. "The one who conquers will have this heritage" (Rev. 21:7). "For all things are yours'' (1 Cor. 3:21).
• Heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14).
• Heirs of eternal life (Titus 3:7).
• Heirs of promise (Heb. 6:17).
• Heirs of the grace of life (1 Pet. 3:7).
• Heirs of righteousness (Heb. 11:7).
• Heirs of the kingdom (James 2:5).

Since we are said to be "heirs of God," it must mean that we are:

1. Heirs of all that God possesses.
2. Heirs of all that God is: of his love, for God is love. Hence, heirs of all possible good, for God is good.
3. Heirs of God himself. What an infinite portion!
4. Heirs of all that Jesus has and is as God and man.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Gospel-Centered Discipleship

In this book, Jonathan Dodson calls us to fight the good fight of faith in the strength of the gospel. Read a free chapter and get the book here.

Heirs of God: Click | View Series

Romans 8:17—"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Paul sets before us a golden ladder, and from every step he climbs to something yet higher: from sonship he rises to heirship, and from heirship to joint-heirship with the Lord Jesus.

ALL HEIRS ARE EQUAL

"Children, then heirs."

1. The principle of priority as to time cannot enter into this question. The elder and the younger in the divine family are equally heirs.
2. The love of God is the same to them all.
3. They are all blessed under the same promise (Heb. 6:17).
4. They are all equally related to that great Firstborn Son through whom their heirship comes to them. He is the Firstborn among many brethren.
5. The inheritance is large enough for them all.

They are not all prophets, preachers, apostles, or even well-instructed and eminent saints; they are not all rich and influential, they are not all strong and useful, but they are all heirs.

Let us, then, all live as such, and rejoice in our portion.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Free Posters

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Heirs of God: Click | View Series

Romans 8:17—"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

This chapter is like the Garden of Eden, which had in it all manner of delights. If one were shut up to preach only from the eighth of Romans he would have a subject which might last a lifetime. Every line of the chapter serves for a text. It is an inexhaustible mine. Paul sets before us a golden ladder, and from every step he climbs to something yet higher: from sonship he rises to heirship, and from heirship to joint-heirship with the Lord Jesus.

4 WAYS WE CAN'T ESTABLISH HEIRSHIP

"If children, then heirs."

1. It does not follow from ordinary creation. It is not written "if creatures, then heirs."
2. Neither is it found in natural descent. It is not written "if children of Abraham, then heirs" (Rom. 9:7-13).
3. Nor can it come by meritorious service. It is not written "if servants, then heirs" (Gal 4:30).
4. Nor by ceremonial observances. It is not written "if circumcised or baptized, then heirs" (Rom. 4:9-12).

Our being regenerated or born again to God by his Holy Spirit is our one ground of heirship.

Let us inquire:

• Have we been born again (John 3:3)?
• Have we the spirit of adoption (Gal. 4:5)?
• Are we fashioned in the likeness of God (Col. 3:10)?
• Have we believed on Jesus (John 1:12)?

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

Luke Sermon Series

The current Mars Hill sermon series traces the life of Jesus through the Gospel of Luke. Watch the preview.

Bought with a Price: Click | View Series

1 Corinthians 6:19-20—"You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

He slays our sins at the cross. "You were bought with a price." Let us consider this argument, that we may find therein death for our sins.

WHAT THE REDEEMED SHOULD DO

"So glorify God in your body."

Glorify God in your body:
By cleanliness, chastity, temperance, industry, cheerfulness, self-denial, patience, etc.

Glorify God:

• In a suffering body by patience unto death.
• In a working body by holy diligence.
• In a worshipping body by bowing in prayer.
• In a well-governed body by self-denial.
• In an obedient body by doing the Lord's will with delight.

Glorify God in your spirit:
By holiness, faith, zeal, love, heavenliness, cheerfulness, fervor, humility, expectancy.

Remember, O redeemed one, that:

1. You will be closely watched by Christ's enemies.
2. You will be expected to be more gracious than others and rightly so, since you claim to be Christ's own.
3. If you are not holy, the sacred name of your Redeemer, your Proprietor, and your Indweller will be compromised.
4. But if you live a redeemed life, your God will be honored.

Let the world see what Redemption can do.

Let the world see what sort of men "God's own" are.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes, which are in the public domain.

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Bought with a Price: Click | View Series

1 Corinthians 6:19-20—"You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

He slays our sins at the cross. "You were bought with a price." Let us consider this argument, that we may find therein death for our sins.

THE CONSEQUENCE OF BEING BOUGHT

"You are not your own."

Negative. It is clear that if bought, you are not your own.
1. This involves privilege.

• You are not your own provider; sheep are fed by their shepherd.
• You are not your own guide; ships are steered by their pilot.
• You are not your own father; children loved by parents.

2. This also involves responsibility.

• We are not our own to injure. Neither body nor soul.
• Not our own to waste, in idleness, amusement, or speculation.
• Not our own to exercise caprice, and follow our own prejudices, depraved affections, wayward wills, or irregular appetites.
• Not our own to lend our service to another master.
• Not our own to serve self. Self is a dethroned tyrant. Jesus is a blessed husband, and we are his.

Positive. "Your body and your spirit, which are God's."

• We are altogether God's. Body and spirit include the whole man.
• We are always God's. The price once paid, we are forever his.

We rejoice that we know we are God's, for consequently:

• We have a beloved owner.
• We pursue an honored service.
• We fill a blessed position. We are in Christ's keeping.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes, which are in the public domain.

Bought with a Price: Click | View Series

1 Corinthians 6:19-20—"You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

He slays our sins at the cross. "You were bought with a price." Let us consider this argument, that we may find therein death for our sins.

A BLESSED FACT

"You were bought with a price."

"You are bought." This is that idea of Redemption which modern heretics dare to style mercantile. The mercantile redemption is the Scriptural one; for the expression, "bought with a price,'' is a double declaration of that idea.

Redemption is a greater source of obligation than creation or preservation. Hence it is a wellspring of holiness.

"With a price." This indicates the greatness of the cost. The Father gave the Son. The Son gave himself; his happiness, his glory, his repose, his body, his soul, his life. Measure the price by the bloody sweat, the desertion, the betrayal, the scourging, the cross, the heartbreak.

Our body and spirit are both bought with the body and spirit of Jesus.

1. This is either a fact or not. "You are bought," or you are unredeemed. Terrible alternative.
2. If a fact, it is the fact of your life. A wonder of wonders.
3. It will remain to you eternally the greatest of all facts. If true at all, it will never cease to be true, and it will never be outdone in importance by any other event.
4. It should therefore operate powerfully upon us both now and ever.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes, which are in the public domain.

Making Men-Catchers: Click | View Series

Matthew 4:19—And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Our desire should be to be men-catchers; and the way to attain to that sacred art is to be ourselves thoroughly captured by the great Head of the College of Fishermen. When Jesus draws us we shall draw men.

A MODEL FOR US: "Fishers of men."

The man who saves souls is like a fisher upon the sea.

1. A fisher is dependent and trustful.
2. He is diligent and persevering.
3. He is intelligent and watchful.
4. He is laborious and self-denying.
5. He is daring, and is not afraid to venture upon a dangerous sea.
6. He is successful. He is no fisher who never catches anything.

See the ordination of successful ministers. They are made, not born; made by God, and not by mere human training.

See how we can partake in the Lord's work, and be specimens of his workmanship: "Follow me, and I will make you."

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes, which are in the public domain.

Vintage Church

In this book, Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears discuss the essentials of what it means to be a biblical church. Find out more.

Making Men-Catchers: Click | View Series

Matthew 4:19—And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Our desire should be to be men-catchers; and the way to attain to that sacred art is to be ourselves thoroughly captured by the great Head of the College of Fishermen. When Jesus draws us we shall draw men.

GOD'S ROLE: "I will make you."

Our following Jesus secures our education for soul-winning.

1. By our following Jesus he works conviction and conversion in men: he uses our example as a means to this end.
2. By our discipleship the Lord makes us fit to be used.
   • True soul-winners are not self-made, but Christ-made.
   • The making of men-catchers is a high form of creation
3. By our personal experience in following Jesus he instructs us till we become proficient in the holy art of soul-winning.
4. By inward warnings he guides us what, when, and where to speak.
   These must be followed up carefully if we would win men.
5. By his Spirit he qualifies us to reach men.
   The Spirit comes to us by our keeping close to Christ.
6. By his secret working on men's hearts he speeds us in our work.
   He makes us true fishers by inclining men to enter the gospel net.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes, which are in the public domain.

Rain City Hymnal

The first offering from Re:Sound is the Rain City Hymnal. Listen online and get the record from the Re:Sound website. Find out more.