Sermons by William Gadsby (Gospel Standard Publications, 1991)

Many have testified to the Christ exalting nature of William Gadsby’s sermons. It is to these that I have turned this week, and this extract from a sermon on ‘The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad’ (Psalm 126:3) illustrates Gadsby’s forthright style. His preaching always directed sinners to Christ as their only hope for salvation, and reminded believers of Christ their sure refuge and strength.

The church was made the special charge and care of God the Son before the world was; and, I speak with reverence, God the Father looked to Christ to bring them all to heaven. “Thine they were and thou gavest them me.” And “all that the Father giveth me shall” – shall what? Have a chance of coming? No, not so. Have an offer of mercy? No, not so. Have conditions proposed to them – easy terms? No, nor so either. Well, then, how is it? “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.” Unbelief says they shall not, and pride says they shall not, and the devil says they shall not, and their hearts say they will not, for they love sin, and after it they will go; but God has taken his stand and Christ has taken his stand upon eternal fixtures, and God and Christ have said, “They shall come.” Yes, poor souls! And when he comes with invincible power to the heart, he will make them glad to come as poverty-stricken sinners, and be glad to be made partakers of the riches of his Son; and “him that cometh,” says Christ, “I will in no wise cast out.” This is the reason why the apostle so sweetly sums up: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places,” – where? “In Christ.”

‘Page 9, Chapter 1: The Great Things God Has Done For His People

To find out more about William Gadsby read this article reposted on our blog a few months ago.

Lorna