Many preachers today have given up the old ideas about the fall and total depravity of man. People are rarely told that they are guilty sinners before a holy God. Sermons that press this are regarded as relics of the dark ages, only fit for the old curiosity shop.
But there is one preacher of the old school who still speaks as loudly and clearly as ever. The whole world is his parish. He speaks every language. He preaches to rich and poor, to people of every religion and no religion; and the substance of his sermon is always the same.
He is an eloquent preacher. He often stirs feelings which no other preacher could reach. He brings tears to eyes that rarely cry.
He is not popular. Most people hate him. But in one way or another he makes everyone hear.
He is neither refined nor polite. He often interrupts the public arrangements, and breaks rudely upon the private enjoyments of life. He lingers at the doors of theaters and ballrooms. His shadow sometimes falls on card tables. He is often in the neighborhoods of bars, saloons and taverns.
He frequents the shop, the office, the factory, the farm, the school and university. He constantly visits prisons, hospitals and homes for the aged. He has a master key which gives him access to the most secluded rooms. He appears in the midst of both legislators, and fashionable religious assemblies. Neither the palace nor mansion daunt him by their greatness; and no slum, alley or hovel is too mean to escape his notice.
His name is DEATH.
You have heard many sermons from this old preacher. Perhaps he has often addressed you personally. The sudden departure of that neighbor— the solemn parting with that dear parent— the loss of a valued friend— the awful gap left in the heart when that fondly-loved wife, that idolized child, was taken. All these have been loud, solemn appeals from the old preacher.
Someday, very soon, he may have YOU for his text. Let your heart turn to God this moment to thank Him that you have not before now died in your sins!
You may get rid of the Bible. You may ridicule it and despise its warnings. You may reject the Savior of whom it speaks. You can get away from preachers of the gospel. You are not compelled to attend church or mission room. You can turn off the gospel broadcast. You can cross to the other side if there be a street meeting. It is in your power to burn this booklet and every tract that comes your way.
But if you get rid of God's Word and of God's servants, what will you do with the old preacher of whom you are reading?
Your little day will soon be passed. Your pleasures will end. Your possessions will be worthless to you when you leave this world. After all, you "must needs die."
Must there not be a cause for this? Is it by mere accident that a creature with such marvelous powers and capacities should come to so ignominious an end?
The fall of man is no mere theological dogma, but a fearful reality. Sin is not just an ugly word in the Bible or on preachers' lips. It is a dark, foul reality which blights and curses the world by its presence. Nor is there any exception: "Death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."
Thank God, He has not been indifferent to the ruin of His creature, whose sin has brought death upon him. There is no denying the fact that "the wages of sin is death"; but it is equally true that: "The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).
Jesus, the holy Son of God has died in love upon the cross. In this stupendous act, God commends His love to us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
The old preacher never spoke so loudly, or in more positive tones, than when Jesus went to Calvary. Divine love would bless the sinner, but divine holiness could not make light of the sin. The full penalty of guilt, the wages of sin in all its dark and dreadful reality, passed upon the sinless Substitute. He took our place in death and judgment, that we might have His life and His place of acceptance and favor before God.
You may die unsaved; but you will not die unloved. God loves you; Christ died for you; eternal life may be yours. The love of God— the work of Christ— urge you to turn to the Son of God whose soul-assuring words are these: "He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).