“Look Unto Me” — Charles H. Spurgeon (Originally preached by an anonymous Primitive Methodist lay preacher in 1850; Spurgeon re-preached it later. The sermon is firmly public-domain.) Text: Isaiah 45:22 — “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.
” Introduction How simple is the gospel! How plain is God’s way of salvation! Not: “Do,” “Work,” “Earn,” “Deserve,” “Wait.” But: “LOOK.” A man need not be wise to look. A man need not be rich to look.
A man need not be strong to look. A man need not be learned to look. Only look and live. I. The Command of the Text — “Look unto Me” This is God speaking. He does not say: Look to yourselves, Look to your works, Look to your priests, Look to your ministers, Look to your feelings.
He says: “Look unto Me.” Look unto Me in creation. I made you. I formed you. I sustain you. Look unto Me in providence. I feed you. I clothe you. I preserve you. Look unto Me in grace. I alone can save.
I alone can pardon. I alone can justify. II. The Object of the Look — Christ Jesus God says: “Look unto Me… for I am God, and there is none else.” Look unto: 1. Christ on the cross. Bleeding. Dying. Suffering.
Bearing sin. Enduring wrath. 2. Christ risen. Triumphant over death. 3. Christ exalted. At the right hand of the Father. 4. Christ pleading. Interceding for sinners. 5. Christ coming again. To gather His people.
Where else can you look? Your works? They are filthy rags. Your heart? It is deceitful. Your tears? They cannot wash away sin. Only Christ. III. The Extent of the Invitation — “All the ends of the earth” This sweeps away all supposed limitations.
1. The worst are invited. You who have wandered far. You who have sunk deep. You who are at “the ends of the earth” in guilt and shame. 2. The weakest are invited. Those who cannot pray well. Those who cannot weep.
Those who can only look. 3. The farthest are invited. You who feel far from God. Far from hope. Far from peace. Far from salvation. You are called. 4. The whole world is invited. Jews and Gentiles. Young and old.
Rich and poor. “All the ends of the earth” means you . IV. The Blessing Promised — “Be ye saved” Not: “Look and try to be saved.” “Look and hope to be saved.” “Look and wait to be saved.” But: “Look… and BE SAVED.
” 1. Salvation is immediate. The moment you look — you live. 2. Salvation is certain. God never deceives. He who looks is saved — without fail. 3. Salvation is full. Saved from: guilt, condemnation, sin’s power, Satan, hell.
V. The Simplicity of Salvation A dying man can look. A child can look. A sinner can look. The gospel is made simple so none may perish from inability. The gospel is made free so none may perish from poverty.
Illustration This was the truth that saved young Spurgeon. A simple preacher cried out: “Young man, look to Jesus Christ! Look! Look! Look!” And he looked — and lived. VI. The Folly of Looking Elsewhere 1.
Looking to your own righteousness. It is filthy rags. 2. Looking to your repentance. Your repentance needs repenting of. 3. Looking to your faith. Your faith is not the Savior — Christ is. 4. Looking to ordinances.
Baptism cannot save. The Lord’s Supper cannot save. 5. Looking to ministers. They are only men. 6. Looking to yourself. You are nothing. VII. Exhortation 1. Look now. Why delay? Every moment you wait is sin.
Every refusal is rebellion. 2. Look away from everything else. Not Christ and something — Christ alone . 3. Look with all your heart. Look and trust. Look and live. Look and be saved. Conclusion God says: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved.
” Let your heart answer: “I will look. I do look. I trust in Christ alone.” Amen.