In this sermon, Charles Spurgeon explains that no person can choose to follow Jesus on their own, because sin has so deeply damaged human nature that our minds, wills, and hearts naturally reject God. Just like a wolf cannot simply decide to act like a sheep, a person cannot simply decide to come to Christ without God's Holy Spirit first working in their heart to change them. This is actually good news, because if you feel drawn toward God and aware of your sin, that is evidence that God is already at work in you and has loved you from the very beginning.

Sermon delivered on March 7, 1858.

In this sermon, Charles Spurgeon explains that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save a specific group of people from their sins, not just to make salvation possible for everyone. He argues that our sins are so serious and God's sense of justice is so strong, that only Jesus's suffering and death could pay the price to set us free. If you feel guilty about your sins and trust in Jesus as your only hope, Spurgeon says you can be confident that you are forgiven and will be saved.

Sermon delivered on February 28, 1858.

In this sermon on Philippians 4:7, Charles Spurgeon teaches that while Christians are commanded to keep their hearts with diligence (from his morning sermon), they cannot do this on their own but must depend on God's peace—both the peace established between believers and God through Christ's atonement, and the resulting peace experienced in a quiet conscience—which surpasses human understanding because philosophers and moralists can never achieve it through their own wisdom or effort. To obtain this peace, Christians must practice three precepts: rejoice always (avoiding the sin of constant complaining and doubt), be moderate in all desires and expectations (except desires for God), and immediately bring every trouble to God in prayer rather than brooding over problems or telling them to others. Spurgeon explains that this peace keeps the heart full of love for God, pure from Satan's temptations (since the Christian already possesses everything Satan offers), undivided in devotion to God alone, rich through access to meditation and Scripture, and peaceable in all circumstances—making believers armed and protected against all spiritual attacks. He concludes by urging unconverted people to look not at their own wicked hearts but at Christ's meek and lowly heart, which welcomes sinners who come to Him.

Sermon delivered on February 21, 1858.

In this sermon on Proverbs 4:23, Charles Spurgeon uses the metaphor of a water reservoir to teach that just as a city's water supply depends entirely on the central reservoir's condition, so all of life flows from the heart, making it futile to try reforming behavior, educating the mind, or strengthening the will without first addressing the heart itself. He urges Christians to keep their hearts full (by drawing constantly from God through prayer, Scripture, and communion with Christ rather than living spiritually dry lives), pure (by fixing the cross of Christ in their hearts rather than allowing sin to pollute them), peaceful (by maintaining calmness through the Holy Spirit's work rather than letting inner turmoil create outer conflicts), and undivided (by serving Christ wholeheartedly rather than trying to walk both sides of the street by giving some affection to God and some to the world). Spurgeon concludes that a heart enriched with God's Word, generous love, and Christ's presence will produce a life that blesses others like wine instead of water, while warning unconverted people that their stony hearts need complete replacement by God's regenerating power.

Sermon delivered on February 21, 1858.

In this sermon on Galatians 3:3, Charles Spurgeon warns that while Christians correctly believe salvation comes entirely from the Holy Spirit, they constantly fall into the foolish practice of trusting their own strength, resolutions, and moral efforts instead of depending on the Spirit who began their salvation. He teaches that regeneration is the Spirit's first work—coming even before conviction of sin—when God mysteriously breathes spiritual life into a dead sinner, enabling him to truly feel his guilt, recognize his complete inability to save himself, and eventually believe in Christ and receive assurance, since without this supernatural quickening by the Spirit, even the best preaching, ceremonies, and moral efforts are utterly powerless. Spurgeon insists that no one can begin regeneration themselves because they're spiritually dead, incapable, and unwilling, dismissing those who sneer at "supernaturalism" as no wiser than Nicodemus and warning that moral, religious people who've never experienced this divine change are just as lost as the vilest sinners. He concludes by assuring anyone who feels their guilt and helplessness that Christ died for them as part of His purchased people, so they can rejoice that their sins are forgiven through faith alone.

Sermon delivered on November 5, 1858.

In this sermon on Proverbs 15:11, Charles Spurgeon argues that most people are "practical atheists" who live as if God doesn't see them even though they believe He exists, and he demonstrates God's omniscience by showing that if God can see all of death's ancient burial places and every detail of hell's torments, He certainly sees the comparatively small and brief lives of humans. Spurgeon explains that God doesn't just glance at hearts but thoroughly searches them like an officer searching a house with a candle, tests them like a goldsmith trying gold in a furnace, and weighs them like a merchant weighing merchandise—knowing every lust, blasphemy, imagination, device, resolve, and broken promise hidden within. He warns hypocrites that their masks will be torn away at judgment, and urges sinners to stop living as if unseen since God's constant gaze should either terrify them into repentance or (once they turn to Christ) become their comfort rather than their horror.

Sermon delivered February 14, 1858.

In this sermon on Luke 15:20, Charles Spurgeon addresses people who are under conviction of sin and genuinely seeking Christ but feel they're "a great way off" from God because of their past sins, ongoing struggles with temptation, and inability to exercise faith—people who fear they might die before finding salvation, lose their convictions again, or be rejected by God when they finally approach Him. Spurgeon reassures seekers that God isn't the harsh, severe being many imagine, but rather like the father in the parable who was already watching for his son from a distance, ran to meet him while he was still far off, embraced him before he could even finish his apology, and welcomed him home with joy instead of punishment. He promises that anyone truly seeking Christ will never die before finding Him, won't lose their convictions this time, and will be received with compassion rather than wrath, since God sees their first tears and prayers with intense interest and rejoices over even the smallest signs of repentance. The sermon concludes with a warning not to trifle with convictions by returning to worldly entertainment, illustrated by the tragic story of a young man who died at a ball after abandoning his pursuit of salvation.

Sermon delivered on February 7, 1858.

In this sermon on Matthew 25:22-23, Charles Spurgeon teaches that God sovereignly gives different amounts of talent and ability to different people—some have great gifts while others have few—and this variety displays God's sovereignty, His love of diversity, and ensures every sphere of Christian service (including small, humble ones) has someone fitted to fill it. He warns that having few talents doesn't excuse anyone from accountability, since God will judge each person individually and examine every detail of how they used what they were given, making those with little actually more accountable since less effort was required to use their gifts faithfully. However, Spurgeon encourages believers with few talents by promising that if they faithfully use what they have (by God's grace), they'll receive the exact same commendation—"Well done, good and faithful servant"—as those with many talents, since God rewards faithfulness rather than the size of accomplishments, meaning a poor needlewoman who led one person to Christ receives equal praise as famous evangelists like Whitfield.

Sermon delivered on January 31, 1858.

In this sermon on Galatians 3:10, Charles Spurgeon directly addresses unconverted people by systematically proving from the Ten Commandments that every person has broken God's law in thought, word, or deed, making excuses like "I did my best," "I'm no worse than others," or "I've been virtuous" completely worthless since the law demands continuous, perfect obedience in absolutely everything. He warns that being under God's curse means being cursed right now in every area of life and facing a terrifying judgment day followed by eternal hell, painting a vivid picture of Christ returning as Judge and condemning the unconverted with "Depart, you cursed." However, Spurgeon offers hope by explaining that Christ took the curse upon Himself on the cross for sinners, and anyone who truly feels their condemnation, hates their sin, and repents can trust in Christ alone for salvation—not in their good works or prayers—simply believing that Jesus came to save sinners and casting themselves entirely on His mercy.

Sermon delivered on November 8, 1857.

In this sermon on Isaiah 53:10, Charles Spurgeon explains that while human sin caused Christ's death, God the Father ordained and actually bruised Christ, withholding His comforting presence while Christ suffered on the cross—something martyrs never experienced because they had God's support through their suffering. Spurgeon teaches that Christ died as a literal substitute, being punished in the exact place of all believers and suffering the complete equivalent of their eternal punishment, so that God's justice was fully satisfied and believers can never be punished since Christ already paid their entire debt. He strongly rejects the idea of universal atonement (that Christ died for everyone including those who perish), arguing instead that Christ's death was limited to the elect but absolutely effective for all He died for, and he assures seekers that their desire for salvation proves they're among the elect Christ died for. The sermon concludes that Christ's death will certainly result in countless people being saved, and Christ living forever in resurrection.

Sermon delivered on January 24, 1858.