Only Trust Him” — Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1857) Full Public-Domain Sermon Text Text: John 3:18 — “He that believeth on Him is not condemned.” Introduction These words are among the most comforting in the whole Bible.
They sweep away despair. They silence fear. They open the very gate of heaven to the trembling sinner. Christ does not say: He that prays, He that weeps, He that works, He that feels, He that reforms, but: “He that believeth on Him is NOT condemned.
” Not condemned — now. Not condemned — today. Not condemned — the moment he believes. This sermon is Spurgeon’s simple, urgent appeal: “Only trust Him.” I. The Great Fact — “He that believeth on Him is not condemned” 1.
Not condemned by God. The Judge of all acquits him. 2. Not condemned by the law. The law has no claim on a man in Christ. 3. Not condemned in eternity. No hell for the believer. No wrath. No curse. 4.
Not condemned now. Salvation is a present thing. The moment you believe, condemnation ends. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” II. The Condition — “He that believeth on Him” Not: he that deserves, he that achieves, he that understands everything, he that has deep feelings.
Just: he that believes. What is it to believe? To believe is to: trust Christ, rely on Him, rest on His blood, lean your whole weight on Him, accept Him as your Substitute. To believe is not: mere head knowledge, mere emotion, mere profession.
It is the heart looking to Jesus. III. The Object of Faith — “On Him” Faith must have a person to lean on. It is not faith in: yourself, your works, your prayers, your tears, your church. It is faith in Christ .
Look to: His wounds, His cross, His blood, His righteousness, His intercession, His finished work. Spurgeon says: “Your faith may be weak, but your Christ is strong.” IV. The Simplicity of the Gospel 1.
Trust, and live. Like the bitten Israelites who looked to the bronze serpent. 2. Trust, and you are saved. Not will be, might be, or hope to be — but are saved. 3. Trust, and all guilt is gone. 4. Trust, and heaven is yours.
The gospel is simple so that none may perish through inability — and free so none may perish through poverty. V. The Universality of the Invitation 1. The worst sinner may trust. Christ saves to the uttermost.
2. The oldest sinner may trust. Even at the eleventh hour. 3. The youngest sinner may trust. A child can believe. 4. The weakest sinner may trust. A trembling hand can touch the hem of Christ’s garment.
5. The farthest sinner may trust. “All the ends of the earth.” 6. The vilest sinner may trust. And be washed whiter than snow. VI. The Danger of Not Trusting “He that believeth not is condemned already.
” 1. Condemned even now. Living under a suspended sentence. 2. Condemned because of unbelief. Unbelief is the great damning sin. 3. Condemned while mercy pleads. 4. Condemned, though salvation is near.
5. Condemned by rejecting the only remedy. VII. Exhortation — “Only trust Him” 1. Trust Him now. Do not wait for better feelings. Do not wait for better righteousness. Do not wait for a more convenient season.
2. Trust Him wholly. Not partly Christ and partly self. Not Christ and your prayers. Not Christ and your works. Christ alone. 3. Trust Him simply. As a little child. As a drowning man clings to a rope.
As a sick man takes medicine. 4. Trust Him personally. Not: “Christ can save sinners,” but “Christ saves me .” Not: “Christ died for the world,” but “Christ died for me .” 5. Trust Him with all your heart.
Let go every other hope. Cling to the cross. Rest in His blood. Conclusion Christ says: “Trust Me — and you are saved.” Let your heart answer: “I do trust Thee. I rest in Thy finished work. I am not condemned.
” Amen.