I listened to this sermon by Spurgeon twice yesterday while doing some remodeling work. I thought I’d share a couple of excerpts. The whole sermon is excellent and is available online both in audio and print form. – Brother Shawn

“Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house.” It was not a thing that he might do, or might not do; but it was a necessary call. The salvation of a sinner is as much a matter of necessity with God as the fulfilment of his covenant that the rain shall no more drown the world. The salvation of every blood-bought child of God is a necessary thing for three reasons; it is necessary because it is God’s purpose; it is necessary because it is Christ’s purchase; it is necessary because it is God’s promise…” {emphasis mine}

Spurgeon’s Invitation

…Oh! listen to Christ while he speaks to you. Christ says, “Come down,” this morning. Go home and humble yourselves in the sight of God: go and confess your iniquities that you have sinned against him; go home and tell him that you are a wretch, undone without his sovereign grace; and then look to him, for rest assured he has first looked to you. You say, “Sir, oh! I am willing enough to be saved, but I am afraid he is not willing.” Stay! stay! no more of that! Do you know that is part blasphemy—not quite. If you were not ignorant, I would tell you that it was part blasphemy. You cannot look to Christ before he has looked to you. If you are willing to be saved, he gave you that will. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and be baptized, and thou shalt be saved.”

From the sermon Effectual Calling by C. H. Spurgeon (June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892)