Tag Archives: hear spurgeon

Chapter 7 : Around the Wicket Gate – A Helpful Survey (of Christ’s Wounds)

~ Around the Wicket Gate ~
Almost Saved, But Altogether Lost

Here in Chapter 7, Spurgeon focuses on the sufferings of Christ, urging readers to look to his wounds as the sole cure for sin. He describes Jesus’ agony—from Gethsemane to the cross—as the full payment for our guilt. Spurgeon reminds seekers that salvation rests entirely on Christ’s finished work, not on anything we do. Faith and repentance naturally follow, but it is Christ’s atonement alone that heals and saves.


The following are select quotes from this chapter.
Please use the comment section below to share your own thoughts regarding this book!

Holy men of old have lovingly elaborated on the bodily sufferings of our Lord, and I have no hesitation in doing the same, trusting that trembling sinners may see salvation in these painful “wounds” of the Redeemer.

No language can ever fully convey his agony in anticipation of his passion; how much less can we comprehend the passion itself?  When nailed to the cross, he endured what no martyr ever suffered. When they have died, martyrs have been so sustained by God that they have rejoiced amid their pain.  But our Redeemer was forsaken by his Father, until he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). That was the bitterest cry of all, the utmost depth of his unfathomable grief.

Yet it was necessary for him to be deserted, because God must turn his back on sin, and consequently, he must turn his back on him who was made sin  for us. The soul of the great Substitute suffered a horror of misery in place of the horror of hell into which sinners would have been plunged had he not taken their sin upon himself and been made a curse for them.“Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” (Galatians 3:13); but who can truly understand what that curse means?

The remedy for your sins and mine is found in the substitutionary sufferings of the Lord Jesus, and in these only. These “wounds” of the Lord Jesus Christ were on our behalf. Do you ask, “Is there anything for us to do to remove the guilt of sin?” I answer: There is nothing whatsoever for you to do. By the wounds of Jesus,  we are healed. He has endured all those wounds and left not one of them for us to bear.”

“But must we not believe in him?”  Yes, certainly.  If I say a certain ointment heals, I do not deny that you need a bandage to apply it to the wound. Faith is the linen that binds the plaster of Christ’s reconciliation to the sore of our sin. The linen does not heal; that is the work of the ointment. Similarly, faith does not heal; that is the work of the atonement of Christ.

“But we must repent,” cries another. Assuredly we must, and we will, for repentance is the first sign of healing.  But it is the wounds of Jesus that heal us, not our repentance. These wounds, when applied to the heart, work repentance in us. We hate sin because it made Jesus suffer.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon


Around the Wicket Gate,almost saved altogether lost,a helpful survey,Spurgeon gospelCharles Spurgeon,Spurgeon audiobook,Spurgeon book,Hear Spurgeon,chapter 7

Chapter 6 : Around the Wicket Gate – Difficulty in the Way of Believing

~ Around the Wicket Gate ~
Almost Saved, But Altogether Lost

Here in Chapter 6, Spurgeon addresses the difficulty some face in believing, showing that faith is not an instant act but often comes in stages. He encourages seekers to actively pursue faith by hearing, reading, and thoughtfully considering Christ. Using vivid illustrations, he highlights how faith grows through experience, much like a lighthouse keeper who, over time, no longer fears the storm. Spurgeon warns against willful unbelief, urging readers to examine the truth honestly, trust in Christ’s power to save, and rest securely in the gospel.


The following are select quotes from this chapter.
Please use the comment section below to share your own thoughts regarding this book!

Go to places of worship to see Jesus; and if you do not hear the mention of his name, leave for another place where he is more thought of, and is therefore more likely to be present. 

The Bible is the window through which we may look and see our Lord. Read over the story of his sufferings and death with devout attention, and before long the Lord will cause faith to enter your soul. The Cross of Christ not only rewards faith, but also creates faith.

At one time I might have needed evidence to make me believe in the Lord Jesus, but now I know him so well by proving him, that I would need a very great deal of evidence to make me doubt him.


Around the Wicket Gate,almost saved altogether lost,Charles Spurgeon,Spurgeon audiobook,Spurgeon book,Hear Spurgeon,chapter 6,difficulty believing

Chapter 3 : Around the Wicket Gate – Faith in the Person of the Lord Jesus

Around the Wicket Gate – Almost Saved, But Altogether Lost
Chapter 3 – Faith in the Person of the Lord Jesus

This chapter finds its home at HearSpurgeon.com/wicket3

Voiced by: Zach Kispert
© 2024 HearSpurgeon.com — A Charles Spurgeon Ministry

Your feedback is valued!
Contact Zach at hearspurgeon@gmail.com

*Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.*

Consider supporting this ministry at HearSpurgeon.com/donate

In Chapter 3, Spurgeon explores the necessity of personal faith in Jesus for salvation, stressing that it’s not enough to acknowledge Christ’s sufficiency without actively seeking refuge in Him. Through vivid analogies, Spurgeon illustrates how faith involves running to Christ, much like a pursued sinner fleeing to a sanctuary. He urges readers to fully trust in Christ’s ability to save, regardless of the depth of their sinfulness. Spurgeon closes by reinforcing the idea that true faith places the entirety of one’s hope in Christ, who alone can protect and deliver from judgment.

Chapter 2 : Around the Wicket Gate – Jesus Only

~ Around the Wicket Gate ~
Almost Saved, But Altogether Lost


Here in Chapter 2, Spurgeon underscores the centrality of Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation. He argues against the notion that human efforts or righteousness can contribute to one’s salvation, highlighting that only Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient. Through metaphors and analogies, he illustrates the folly of depending on anything other than Christ, urging readers to trust in him entirely for forgiveness and eternal life. Spurgeon concludes by emphasizing that faith unites believers with God and guarantees salvation, encouraging readers to cling to Christ as their only hope.


The following are select quotes from this chapter.
Please use the comment section below to share your own thoughts regarding this book!

It stands to reason that the darling of heaven would not have died to save us if we could have been rescued at less expense. Infinite grace provided the great sacrifice; infinite love submitted to death for our sake.  How can we dream that there can be another way than the way which God has provided at such cost  and set forth in Holy Scripture so simply and so urgently? Surely it is true that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

When a person believes, there is a point of union between them and God, and that union guarantees blessing. Faith saves us because it makes us cling to Christ Jesus, who is one with God, and thus brings us into connection with God.
I am told that, years ago, above Niagara Falls, a boat was flipped over, and two men were being carried down by the current. People on the shore managed to float a rope out to them, and both men seized the rope. One of them held fast to it and was safely drawn to the bank; but the other, seeing a sizeable log floating by, unwisely let go of the rope and clung to the large piece of timber, for it was bigger and apparently better to cling to. Alas! The timber, with the man on it, went right over the vast abyss because there was no union between the wood and the shore. The size of the log was no benefit to him who grasped it; it needed a connection with the shore to produce safety.
Similarly, when a person trusts in their works, or in their prayers, or almsgivings, or in sacraments, or in anything of that sort, they will not be saved because there is no junction between them and God through Christ Jesus. But faith, though it may seem to be like a slender cord, is in the hand of the great God on the shore side; infinite power pulls in the connecting line, and thus pulls the person from destruction. Oh, the blessedness of faith, because it unites us to God by the Savior, whom he has appointed, even Jesus Christ!  O reader, is there not common sense in this matter? Think it over, and may there soon be a rope of union between you and God through your faith in Christ Jesus!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon


Preface : Around the Wicket Gate

~ Around the Wicket Gate ~
Almost Saved, But Altogether Lost


“Enter by the narrow gate.”—Matthew 7:13

In this preface, Charles Spurgeon addresses those who are close to entering the path of salvation but hesitate at the threshold. Drawing inspiration from John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” Spurgeon uses the metaphor of the “wicket gate” to represent the entrance to the way of life. He highlights the peril of being “almost saved, but altogether lost,” and expresses his earnest hope that this book will guide many to faith in Christ.


The following is a selected quote from this chapter.
Please use the comment section below to share your own thoughts regarding this book!

It will be an awful thing to die just outside the gate of life. Almost saved, but altogether lost! This is the most terrible of positions. A person just outside Noah’s ark would have been drowned; a manslayer close to the wall of the city of refuge, but still outside, would be slain; and the person who is within a yard of Christ, and yet has not trusted in him, will be lost. Therefore, I am deeply earnest to get my hesitating friends over the threshold.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon


603. Now — 2 Corinthians 6:2

“For he says, “In an acceptable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
—2 Corinthians 6:2.

Main Points:
0:00 – Introduction
8:57 – 1. Now of believers
27:11 – 2. Now of sinners
38:26 – 3. Now in heaven
39:54 – 4. Now in hell


Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!

The following are select quotes from this sermon.
Please use the comment section below to share your own thoughts regarding this podcast!

…there is one thought which should not leave us when talking about times and seasons, namely, that now, now, just now, this present flying moment, that second which is being recorded by the ticking of yonder clock, is the only time which we have to work with.

You perceive that our text is a quotation. How ought we to value the Old Testament! If inspired men of God, who spoke by the Holy Ghost, yet quoted the Old Testament, how valuable must be its bejeweled sentences!

If Christ had not died, there had never been a day of salvation. If Christ had not been heard and accepted, an accepted time there never could have come to us; but since he, man’s representative, hath obtained favour in the eyes of God, and through his complete work, hath for ever settled that favour upon himself, there is favour in the heart of God to those whom Christ represented, even to those transgressors for whom he maketh intercession.

The great mischief of the most of men is that they procrastinate. It is not that they resolve to be damned, but that they resolve to be saved to-morrow. It is not that they reject Christ for ever, but that they reject Christ to-day; and truly they might as well reject him for ever, as continue perpetually to reject him “now.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon


Spurgeon now, now, sermon 603, 2 Corinthians 6, Spurgeon podcast, Spurgeon sermon, Hear Spurgeon, Spurgeon, Spurgeon gospel, Spurgeon salvation,

588. The Prodigal’s Reception — Luke 15:20

“And he arose and came to his father.  But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”—Luke 15:20.

Main Points:
1. The condition of many seekers – 5:16
2. The matchless kindness of the Father – 20:11


Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!

The following are select quotes from this sermon.
Please use the comment section below to share your own thoughts regarding this podcast!

O you who know the Lord… while we talk of what he is willing and able to do to the far off sinners, let your souls leap with joyous gratitude at the recollection of how he received you into his love, and made you partakers of his grace in days gone by.

…the sinner is a long way off from God when you consider his utter want of strength to come to God. Even such strength as God has given him is very painfully used. God has given him strength enough to desire salvation, but those desires are always accompanied with deep and sincere grief for sin.

if you had to come to God by the way of your own righteousness you would never reach him, for he is not thus to be found. Christ Jesus is the way. He is the safe, sure, and perfect road to God. He who sees Jesus, has seen the Father; but he who looks to himself will only see despair. The road to heaven by Mount Sinai is impassable by mortal man, but Calvary leads to glory; the secret places of the stairs are in the wounds of Jesus.

I recollect a young prodigal who was received in the same way. Here he stands, it is I, myself. I sat in a little chapel, little dreaming that my Father saw me; certainly I was a great way off. I felt something of my need of Christ, but I did not know what I must do to be saved; though taught the letter of the Word, I was spiritually ignorant of the plan of salvation; though taught it from my youth up, I knew it not. I felt, but I did not feel what I wished to feel. If ever there was a soul that knew itself to be far off from God, I was that soul; and yet in a moment, in one single moment, no sooner had I heard the words, “Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth,” no sooner had I turned my eyes to Jesus crucified, than I felt my perfect reconciliation with God, I knew my sins to be forgiven. There was no time for getting out of my heavenly Father’s way, it was done, and done in an instant; and in my case, at least, he ran and fell upon my neck to kiss me. I hope that will be the case this morning; before you can get out of this place, before you can get back to your old doubtings, and fearings, and sighings, and cryings, I hope here the Lord of love will run and meet you, and fall upon your neck and kiss you.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon


Sermon 588, The Prodigal’s Reception, Luke 15, Spurgeon podcast, Spurgeon sermon, Hear Spurgeon, Spurgeon, Spurgeon gospel, evangelism, prodigal son, God the Father

561. Expiation — Isaiah 53:10 (Substitutionary Atonement)

“You do understand me, I trust, that God must punish sin, that he must punish you for sin unless some one else will suffer in your stead…” ~ C.H.S.


“You shall make his soul an offering for sin.”—Isaiah 53:10.

Main Points:
1. Sin deserves and demands punishment – 3:29
2. The provision of a substitute is an act of grace – 13:37
3. The most fitting person to be a substitute – 18:55
4. The substitutionary work is complete – 28:12


Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!


The following are select quotes from this sermon.
Please use the comment section below to share your own thoughts regarding this podcast!

I do implore you do not look upon the sacrifice of Christ as an act of mere vengeance on the Father’s part… Oh, no, dear friends, Jesus’ death is the effect of overwhelming and infinite love on the Father’s part, and every blow which wounds, every infliction which occasions sorrow, and every pang which rends his heart, speaks of the Father’s love…

You do understand me, I trust, that God must punish sin, that he must punish you for sin unless some one else will suffer in your stead, that Jesus Christ is the person who did suffer in the room and place of all those who ever have believed on him, who do believe in him, or ever shall believe in him, making for those who believe on him a complete atonement by his substitution in their place. 

Charles Haddon Spurgeon


Sermon 561, Expiation, Isaiah 53, spurgeon sermon, spurgeon gospel sermon, spurgeon podcast, hear spurgeon, substitution, atonement, substitutionary atonement, gospel

556. The Sinner’s Friend — Matthew 11:19

[Jesus] will never love you less—he cannot love you more. ~ C.H.S.


“A friend of tax collectors and sinners.”—Matthew 11:19.

Main Points:
1. Jesus was the friend of sinners – 2:40
2. Jesus is the friend of sinners still – 20:36

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!

The following are select quotes from this sermon.
Please use the comment section below to share your own thoughts regarding this podcast!

As soon as Jesus Christ, being born in the likeness of sinful flesh, has come to years of maturity, and has commenced his real life-work, he at once discloses his friendship for sinners by associating with them. You do not find him standing at a distance, issuing his mandates and his orders to sinners to make themselves better, but you find him coming among them like a good workman who stands over his work; he takes his place where the sin and the iniquity are, and he personally comes to deal with it. He does not write out a prescription and send by another hand his medicines with which to heal the sickness of sin, but he comes right into the lazar-house, touches the wounded, looks at the sick; and there is healing in the touch; there is life in the look. The great Physician took upon himself our sicknesses and bare our infirmities, and so proved himself to be really the sinner’s friend. Some people appear to like to have a philanthropic love towards the fallen, but yet they would not touch them with a pair of tongs. They would lift them up if they could, but it must be by some machinery—some sort of contrivance by which they would not degrade themselves or contaminate their own hands. Not so the Saviour. Up to the very elbow he seems to thrust that gracious arm of his into the mire, to pull up the lost one out of the horrible pit and out of the miry clay.

A special providence brings the woman to the well. The conventionalities of society forbid him to talk with her. But he breaks through the narrow bigotry of caste. A Samaritan by birth, he cares not for that; but will that most holy being condescend to have familiar conversation with her—a dishonour to her sex? He will. His disciples may marvel when they come back and find him talking with her, but he will do it. He begins to open up the Word of life to her understanding, and that woman becomes the first Christian missionary we ever hear of, for she ran back to the city, leaving her water-pot, and crying, “Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” And they came and believed; and there was great joy in that city of Samaria.

As for the river of the Saviour’s love to sinners, I have only brought you to its banks. You have but stood on the bank and dipped your feet in the flood; but now prepare to swim. So fond was he of sinners that he made his grave with the wicked. He was numbered with the transgressors. God’s fiery sword was drawn to smite a world of sinners down to hell. It must fall on those sinners. But Christ loves them. His prayers stay the arm of God a little while, but still the sword must fall in due time. What is to be done? By what means can they be rescued? Swifter than the lightning’s flash I see that sword descending. But what is that in vision I behold? It falls—but where? Not on the neck of sinners; it is not their neck which is broken by its cruel edge; it is not their heart which bleeds beneath its awful force. No; the “friend of sinners” has put himself into the sinner’s place! and then, as if he had been the sinner, though in him was no sin, he suffers, bleeds, and dies—no common suffering—no ordinary bleeding—no death such as mortals know. It was a death in which the second death was comprehended; a bleeding in which the very veins of God were emptied. The God-man divinely suffered. I know not how else to express the suffering. It was a more than mortal agony, for the divine strengthened the human, and the man was made vast and mighty to endure through his being a God. Being God and man he endured more than ten thousand millions of men all put together could have suffered. He endured, indeed, the hells of all for whom he died, the torments, or the equivalent for the torments, which all of them ought to have suffered—the eternal wrath of God condensed and put into a cup, too bitter for mortal tongue to know, and then drained to its utmost dregs by the loving lips of Jesus. Beloved, this was love. “Herein is love, that while we were yet sinners, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” This Christ has done, and he is, therefore demonstrated to be the friend of sinners.

… he will never love you less—he cannot love you more.

If you will select me the grossest specimen of humanity, if he be but born of woman, I will have hope of him yet, because the gospel of Christ is come to sinners, and Jesus Christ is come to seek and to save sinners. Electing love has selected some of the worst to be made the best. Redeeming love has bought, specially bought, many of the worst to be the reward of the Saviour’s passion. Effectual grace calls out and compels to come in many of the vilest of the vile; and it is therefore that I have tried tonight to preach my Master’s love to sinners.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Sinner's friend, thumbnail, Sermon 556, Sinner’s friend, spurgeon sermon, spurgeon podcast, Matthew 11, Charles Spurgeon, hear spurgeon, spurgeon gospel
,.jpeg

554. Enduring to the End — Matthew 10:22

Spurgeon’s grandfather, an “example of how honorable it is to endure to the end… fell asleep in Christ but a few hours” before this sermon was delivered.

“…the one who endures to the end will be saved.”—Matthew 10:22.

Main Points:
Perseverance is…
1. …the badge of saints – 16:57
2. …the target of our foes – 32:11
3. …the glory of Christ – 40:24
4. …the care of all believers – 44:27

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!

The following are select quotes from this sermon.
Please use the comment section below to share your own thoughts regarding this podcast!

So have we seen, that earth’s sun may be eclipsed, earth’s stars may go out, and all human glory melt into shame. No true child of God perishes—hold that fast; this is the badge of a true child of God…

Let your prayer be not against death, but against sin.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon


Sermon 554, enduring end, perseverance saints, spurgeon sermon, spurgeon audio, spurgeon podcast, Matthew 10, Charles Spurgeon, hear spurgeon, doctrines grace,