Pilgrim's Progress - Part 2 — Alfred P. Gibbs

We begin the actual story of the Pilgrim's Progress. And we're going to follow the adventures of the Pilgrim from his leaving the City of Destruction until he reaches the Gate, at which he receives instructions as to how to get rid of the heavy burden of his sin.

The Pilgrim’s Journey From Destruction to Salvation

The Pilgrim's Progress has been classed as second only to the Bible for several reasons. First, it tells us about the most important journey anyone will ever be asked to go on, namely a journey from this life into eternity.

Every person listening to me now is traveling along the road of life. Every day that he lives brings him nearer and nearer to the end of that journey and that day he will go out into eternity. And the great question is, where will you be in that eternity that follows death?

Either an eternity of joy or an eternity of misery such as weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth? Second, this story tells us about the most important thing in life, namely salvation. First of all, from sin's penalty through faith in the One who came from Heaven's glory and on the Cross of Calvary paid the penalty of our sins by shedding His precious blood and thus obtaining our eternal redemption.

Salvation From Sin’s Penalty, Power, and Presence

And every soul who trusts in Him is that moment saved from the consequences or the penalty of his sins, which is eternal death. Then this story tells us about salvation from sin's power. The Lord Jesus is now glorified at God's right hand and He ever lives to impart power to those who put their trust in Him.

And in that power, in that strength, they may live lives to the glory of that One who made them forever His at such infinite cost. Then it speaks of salvation from sin's presence at the coming of the Lord Jesus when with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God He will raise the dead and rapture the living to be with Him and like Him forever in that glorious celestial city.

Thus this story is very, very important. And then it tells us about the most important people we shall meet on this journey. Every person appearing in this story has a name that exactly describes his character.

Thus a person named good will be a good person. A person named bad will be a bad person. If you remember this, it will help you to understand the meaning of this palpable story of the pilgrim's progress.

So as you go on from night to night, remember the word of God. Here is the dreamer lying in his prison cell. A brazier of coals helps to keep that cell a little more habitable. And as he lies upon his bed of straw with a vest of books the Bible clasped fondly to his bosom he has a wonderful dream.

In this dream he sees a man starting out from his own home with a great burden upon his back. His clothes all in rags. A book in his hand. His cry, what must I do to be saved? He follows the adventures of this man until he reaches a gate at which he receives instructions as to how to get rid of that dreadful burden.

From that gate he goes on to the place where he sees a marvelous sight. And that burden rolls from his shoulders and he sees it no more forever. He goes on from that place passing through two lions and enters into a beautiful castle.

From that castle he emerges to engage in a great fight with a great enemy of his soul, Apollyon or Satan. From thence, together with a companion they enter the great city of Vanity. And from that city go on their way and are caught by a great giant named Despair who puts them in his castle called Doubting Castle.

Finding a way of escape from that castle they make their way onward, upward, homeward, heavenward until they reach a river called the River of Death. Through that river they pass. Step out on the other side breathe that new air celestial air and enter into that beautiful celestial city where they enjoy the presence of their Lord and their Savior forever.

This in brief is the story of the pilgrim's progress with which we shall be concerned during the next few nights together. The story opens up with a man whose back is turned to his own home. There's a great burden upon his back.

He holds a book in his hand from which he reads and as he reads he cries despairingly What must I do to be saved? His clothes are all in rags and he's indeed in a pitiable condition. Who is this man? What is that city to which he's turned his back?

What is that book from which he reads? What is that burden on his back? Why are his clothes all in rags? And why does he cry, what must I do to be saved? Let us try to answer these questions one by one.

Graceless and the City of Destruction

First, his name is Graceless. That is, one who is without the grace of God. In other words, an unsaved person. He represents each person in this audience this evening who has never come as a poor lost sinner and put his faith and trust in the Lord Jesus.

If you have never been born by the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ, remember, your name in the sight of God is Graceless or one who is without the grace of God. And to be without the grace of God is to be without Christ, to be without spiritual life, to be without the Holy Spirit, to be without righteousness, to be without excuse, to be without escape from the judgment of God if one dies in that condition.

Remember, if you are not saved, your name is Graceless. What is that city to which he has turned his back? It is the city of destruction. A picture of this world in which we live, which one day is going to be destroyed with fire from heaven.

For the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his holy angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power.

This world, for those who are living for it, is a city of destruction doomed to be eternally banished from God's presence forever. What is that book he holds in his hand? It is the Holy Bible, the Word of God, living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, a book that discerns the thoughts and the intents of our heart.

Graceless lived for many years in the city of destruction without realizing what he really was until one day he began to read the Bible. And as he read the Bible, he discovered what God said about him.

He read such verses as these,. There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth. There is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way. They are together become unprofitable.

There is none that doeth good, no, not so much as one. Now we know that whatsoever things the law saith, it saith unto them that are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God.

And as Gracious read such words as these, he felt a burden coming upon his conscience. And the more he read, and the more he thought about God and thought about his own sinfulness, the greater that burden became.

He tried in many ways to get rid of that burden, by his tears of repentance, by his good resolves to live a better life for the future, by attending church more regularly, by doing the best he could. But alas, alas, all his own attempts to remove that burden from his back were in vain.

That burden is the burden of sin. This is the burden that God sees upon the back of every unsaved person. The fact that you do not feel that burden on your conscience only proves that the God of this age has blinded your mind that you should believe and the light of the gospel should shine unto you.

Supposing there was a dead boy lying here on the platform and I put a heavy weight on that dead boy, would he feel it? You reply, no. Why not? Because he's dead. A dead person cannot feel a burden. Supposing there was a living boy on this platform and I put a heavy weight on him, would he feel it?

Indeed he would. Why? Because he's alive. The reason many people do not feel the burden of their sins is this, they are still dead in their trespasses and in their sins. And Satan has blinded their minds lest they should see their deep need of God's saving grace and trust the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

Jesus said, come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, laden with what? Laden with sin. Just as graceless is laden with sin. So you are viewed by God as being laden with your sins. All those evil thoughts, evil words, evil deeds, and wrong attitude you've adopted toward God, all gather together like a great big heavy burden.

And if a person dies with that burden on his back, he must go out into an eternity of blackness and darkness forever. His clothes are all in rags. Clothes speak of one's own righteousness. And the Bible says we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

In the sight of God all our own goodness, if we are trusting in that for salvation, is like a bundle of filthy rags. No wonder therefore, as gracious read from that book and learned how holy and righteous God was, how just, how he must because of his holy character punish sin.

Here filled his heart and he cried despairingly, what must I do to be saved? In this condition he returned to his home and confided to his wife and to his children, oh my dear wife and you my dear children, I have discovered from the word of God I am a lost and guilty and burdened sinner and if I die in my sins I shall be lost forever.

Oh what must I do to be saved? Can you help me? But his wife was one of those self-righteous people. Those people who believe they can be saved and go to heaven without trusting Christ as their savior.

They can be saved on the basis of their own good works. And she got quite impatient with her husband. She said, Graceless, ever since you've been reading that book you've got these ridiculous ideas about being a lost and burdened and guilty sinner and having to meet God and be lost forever.

I believe that this religion is turning your mind. Come now, you better go to bed. I'll make you up some medicine and maybe after a good night's rest you'll feel better in the morning and forget all about these strange notions.

And so she packed her husband off to bed but poor Graceless couldn't sleep that night. He was afraid to close his eyes in sleep lest like that rich man that Jesus spoke of in the 16th of Luke he might open his eyes in hell being in torment.

He tossed from one side of his bed to the other crying, Day and night thy hand is heavy upon me. My moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Oh, what must I do to be saved? How can I go out into eternity in my present condition?

For God is holy and righteous and just and must therefore banish me from his presence to weaken way over ever. Oh, what must I do to be saved? Truly there is no trouble like soul trouble. Early in the morning long before the rest of the family was astir Graceless got out from his bed began to walk outside the city limits of the city of destruction reading his Bible and groaning and crying and praying Oh, what must I do to be saved?

Presently as he read these words appeared It is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgment. As Graceless read those words his heart paled within him. He realized as never before how lost and guilty and helpless and hopeless and hell deserving he was and from his soul came that cry again and again What must I do to be saved?

Evangelist Points Graceless to Christ

At that moment a man named Evangelist was passing by and hearing the cry of Graceless he hurried in his direction and inquired Who are you? And why do you cry? What must I do to be saved? Graceless answered My name is Graceless.

I am a poor burdened sinner from the city of destruction the place of all evil. I have learned from the word of God that I am a sinner and as such one day I must die and after death I must meet a holy God and I dare not contemplate death and eternity.

It fills my heart with dread and with terror. Oh sir, can you tell me how a poor lost burdened sinner such as I may be saved? Evangelist answered Yes, I can tell you I was once a poor lost and guilty sinner like you burdened with a load of sin.

All my prayers and tears and good works and religious rites and forms and ceremonies failed to remove that burden but I came to Jesus. I believe he bore my sins and died for me and through faith in him the burden of my heart rolled away and now it is my joy at the command of the Lord Jesus to point other souls to him that they too may lose the burden of their guilt.

And then Evangelist gave to Graceless a piece of paper on which were written the words Flee from the wrath to come. But Graceless inquired Whither can I flee? Evangelist pointed in a certain direction and said Do you see that gate over yonder?

Graceless shaded his eyes and replied No, I cannot see that gate. Well, do you see that light? Yes, I see the light. Well, continued Evangelist Follow that light. Go in its direction. That will bring you to the gate and at that gate you will receive instructions as to how to get rid of your load of guilt.

Now you will notice that Evangelist did not attempt to take the burden from Graceless shoulders. No Evangelist, no Christian can do that Evangelist of course illustrates any person saved by God's grace born again by God's Holy Spirit whose delight it is to point souls to Christ.

All Evangelist did was to point Graceless to one who could take away his burden. That's all we can do is to point you to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world and who is able to say to the uttermost every poor guilty sinner who puts his faith and trust in Him.

That light illustrates the word of God. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. As we follow the light of God's word it will bring us to the gate which speaks of Christ who said I am the door by me.

If any man enter in he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture. Now what did Graceless do when he heard those instructions? Did he say well I'm not going to get excited about this. I'll start off maybe sometime next week.

No indeed. He realized behold now is the day of salvation. Behold now is the accepted time. He realized that tomorrow is unknown. Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

The moment he heard that there was a way of salvation from the burden of his guilt and from the consequences of his sins he did what every burdened guilty sinner should do which I trust you will do tonight.

He began to flee from the city of destruction and as he began to run in the direction of that light all the people came out to see the fun. My how they laughed at him. Some tried to detain him by force others sought by ridicule and threats to retain him.

Even his wife and family had no sympathy with him. His wife said oh Graceless don't leave me for this journey. It's just a wild goose chase. No one knows whether he can be saved or not in this life. Graceless replied I have learned my dear wife that I am a sinner in the sight of a holy God.

And if I die in my sins I shall be lost forever. I must flee from the wrath to come come with me for you too are a sinner. She replied I am nothing of the kind. And if you are determined to go on this journey you shall go alone.

Neither I nor the children will go with you. And though it almost broke Graceless' heart to leave his wife and family behind he remembered that scripture. If any man loved father or mother or wife or children more than me he is not worthy of me.

And so Graceless ran for his life. This is what will happen when you begin to flee from the wrath to come. Your friends and your enemies alike will do their very best to detain you to hold you still in their grasp.

The devil will do his utmost to blind you still further to the dreadful fact of your need of a saviour and of the wonderful saviour to be found in Christ. But do what Graceless did. Turn your back upon the city of destruction and flee from the wrath to come in order to shut out the cries of his enemies and the pleadings of his friends.

Graceless put his fingers into his ears and as he ran he cried life life eternal life. The one great consuming ambition with Graceless was to have eternal life. Let this be your cry too shut out from your mind all intruding thoughts and concentrate on the great business of striving to enter in at the straight gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth unto destruction.

Obstinate, Pliable, and the Cost of Discipleship

And many there be which go in thereat. But straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life and few there be that find it. Two men one named obstinate and the other named pliable came to the wife of Graceless and said Mrs. Graceless don't you worry about that husband of yours.

We'll run after him and bring him back again. I wish you would sob Mrs. Graceless. He's been a good husband to me and a good father to his children. It's only since he began to read that bible and talk with that man named evangelist that he's got all these queer ideas of going on a journey.

Oh I wish you'd follow him and convince him of his folly and bring him back again. We'll soon do that said Mr. Obstinate. And so obstinate and pliable ran after Graceless very soon they caught up to him for Graceless couldn't run very fast on account of the great burden on his back.

When they caught up to him Graceless inquired what are you following me for. We've come to take you back where you belong. Where's that. Why in the city of destruction. Oh no replied Graceless I don't belong there any longer.

I've turned my back on that city for over that city there hangs the wrath of God which abideth on all those who reject Christ as their saviour. No no my fair companions fare you well. I will not go with you to dwell.

I mean with Jesus Christ to dwell. Let me go. As he turned to go. Obstinate inquired what you're going to leave all your friends and all your comforts behind all your pleasures. What are my comforts. What are my friends.

What are my pleasures. Retorted Graceless if they are enjoyed under the wrath of God which may fall at any moment that great cloud long delayed because of God's mercy may fall in unparalleled fury upon that city of destruction.

No no. I must go on my way. And besides added Graceless I'm going to a place where all is joy and bliss and peace where the streets are paved with gold where all the redeemed walk in fight where the patriarchs and the angels are where Christ is the lord of that city where there's no more curse no more sin no more death no more pain no more sorrow no more parting.

I'm going to an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled. And it faded not away preserved in heaven for me. I must go on my way Obstinate said to Pliable. Come on. Let's leave this fool to his folly.

I see we'll never persuade him to go with us. But what Graceless had said about the beauties and the glories of heaven intrigued Pliable. And he stammered if you don't mind Obstinate maybe I'll take a little walk with Graceless along the pathway.

What? Stormed Obstinate two fools instead of one be persuaded by me. Pliable. Let's go back home. Graceless said Pliable you come along with me for what I have you too shall have for the same lord over all is rich to all that call upon him.

And so Obstinate as angry as he could be stormed back again to the city of destruction. And Graceless and Pliable went on their way as they walked along. Pliable inquired eagerly. What did you say I would get if I came with you brother.

You shall walk on streets of gold. Real gold? Real gold me? Yes you. Oh goody goody. Wouldn't it be lovely walking on streets of gold. What else am I going to get brother. You're going to wear a golden crown.

No yes. Real gold? Real gold me? Yes you. Oh my. Imagine me walking down the golden streets with a golden crown on my head. What else am I going to get brother. You're going to play on a golden harp. No yes.

Real gold? Real gold me? Yes you. Oh imagine. Won't that be grand walking down the golden streets with a golden crown on my head and playing on a golden harp. What else am I going to get brother. You're going to see all the patriarchs.

You're going to see all the holy angels. You're going to see all the martyrs all the prophets and the apostles. Better still you're going to see the king in his beauty and the land that is fairer than day where there is no darkness no sadness no pain no crying no whining no popping.

My exclaimed Triable. You may be homesick to get there quick. Come on. Let's run. I'm sorry I can't run replied Graceless Lucia. I've got a great big heavy burden on my back. Do you notice any difference between these two men.

What is the main point of difference. Ah I hear you say one has a burden on his back. The other has no burden. What is sending Graceless on his way. The fact that he's a needy lost and guilty sinner and he wants to get saved.

What is sending Triable on his way. The beauties and the glories of heaven. He's not concerned about the matter of his sin in the sight of God. He's not thinking about his lost and guilty state. All he wants is a nice vacation in heaven at God's expense to play on the golden harp and wear a golden crown and walk on golden streets.

The Bog of Despondency and False Profession

While they were talking about the beauties and the glories of heaven and not looking too well to their feet they did not notice. At this particular point there was a great big bog called the bog of despondency right in front of them.

Now into that bog. They both fell headlong. And when Triable came out of that bog with his mouth full of mud he was in a rage. He cried huh where are we now brother Graceless. Graceless replied alas I do not know.

I had no idea of the existence of this bog. And then Triable began to be sarcastic putting one of his feet out of the bog. It made a noise like this. Then he inquired. I suppose this is one of the golden streets you told me I was going to walk on pulling some of the weeds out of his hair.

He said huh. I suppose this is the golden crown. You told me I was going to wear and the golden harp I was going to play if I can get out of this bog alive you can have your heaven and your golden streets and your golden harps and your golden crowns and everything else.

I am going back home to the city of destruction where at any rate I wasn't plastered with mud like this. And Triable gave a desperate struggle or two and climbed out to the side of the bog nearest to his own home and scuttled back where he belonged to the city of destruction when he got back.

My what fun they made of him. Oh they said so you decided to come back from the celestial city. And how did you like the golden streets. How did you like your golden crown. How did you like your golden harp.

Come Triable give us a tune on your harp of gold. And they made him the butt of their jokes. But by and by bit by bit Triable returned to his old companions his old pursuits his old pleasures the old pleasures of amusement.

And what do you think. He called himself. He called himself a backslider when all the while he had never been a frontslider. Alas there are many like this. Triable began to sneak around until gradually bit by bit he was received back again into favour with the people of the city of destruction lots of girls and boys and men and women in meetings like this as they hear about the beauties.

And the glories of heaven have a desire to become pilgrims but they do not count the cost. They do not count the cost his old companions his old pursuits his old pleasures.

The old pleasures of amusement. And what do you think he called himself. He called himself a backslider when all the while he had never been a frontslider. Alas there are many like this Triable began to sneak around until gradually bit by bit he was received back again into favour with the people of the city of destruction.

Lots of girls and boys and men and women in meetings like this as they hear about the beauties and the glories of heaven have a desire to become pilgrims. But they do not count the cost. They do not admit that they are lost in their guilty state and in their own strength.

By their good results they determine they will turn over a better leaf and become a Christian. They take the evangelist's hand in theirs they sign a card. They really put up their hand for prayer and they imagine that this makes them Christians.

But alas when persecution arises when difficulties come then they go right back where they truly belong back again to the world because they were never truly saved by God's grace never really born again by the Holy Spirit of God.

But graceless did he want to get out of the side of the bog nearest to his own home? Not he. He wanted to get as far as he possibly could from the city of destruction. But alas he could not get out of that bog.

In spite of all his efforts. He sank again and again sometimes up to the neck sometimes up to the knees. In spite of all his efforts he could not extricate himself from that bog of despondency. Now the bog of despondency as its name indicates illustrates those desponding fears and doubts that fill the heart of the convicted sinner and sink him into despondency and darkness and doubt and despair.

For instance the devil suggests to a poor sinner you're too bad to be saved. What does that do? Sinks him down into the bog of sorrow and doubt. If the devil can't get him that way he'll say even if you do come to Christ he won't receive you.

That sinks the sinner further still into that bog of despondency. If he can't get him with that doubt he will say and even if you do come to Christ and he does receive you by and by you'll give it all up and you'll be worse than you were before.

And all these doubts combined with the evil reasonings of a sinner's wicked heart of unbelief all tend to sink him into the bog. And the mire of doubt and darkness and despair as grace has struggled but in vain to get out of that bog.

Help and the Promises of God

Presently he saw a man whose name was Help come down to the side of that bog. Help inquired who are you? What are you doing in that bog of despondency? Grace has replied my name is Graceless. I'm a poor burdened sinner from the city of destruction.

I was sent on my way by Evangelist and while following the light which he said would lead me to the gate I together with a companion pliable by name fell into this grievous bog. He has gone back again to the city of destruction but I do not want to go back there.

I want to get out of this bog but I cannot. All my efforts are in vain. Could you assist me? That is why I came replied Help give me your hand. And Help reached out his hand and Graceless took Help's hand in his.

And with Help's assistance he was lifted out of that horrible pit and that miry clay. Now Help illustrates the promises of God whatever your difficulty or doubt may be as a convicted sinner there is a promise in the word of God that meets your need and will deliver you from that particular doubt.

For instance if the devil is saying to you you are too bad to be saved here is a promise for you. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

Do what Graceless did. Just as Graceless could not be helped out of that bog unless he had taken Help's hand in his. So every convicted sinner must grasp with the simple hand of faith the promises of God and as he does so he will be lifted out of that particular doubt.

If the devil is saying to you if you come to Christ he won't receive you. Here is a promise for you. Jesus said him that cometh unto me. I will in no wise cast out. Take hold of that promise plead it and you'll be delivered from that particular doubt.

If the devil is saying to you if you do come to Christ you won't be able to hold on and by and by you'll give it up and you'll be worse than you were before. Here is a promise for you. Jesus himself said I give unto my sheep eternal life and they shall never perish.

Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Take that promise by faith and you will be delivered from that particular doubt. Whatever the difficulty is there is always a word from God which when grasped by the hand of faith when believed and received and acted upon will deliver you from that doubt and save you from the bog of despondency.

Worldly Wisdom and the Way of the Law

As Graceless continued his journey following the light presently he saw a man coming toward him who looked very nice from a distance but not too good near at hand. This man's name was Mr. Worldly Wise Man.

And as he looked at Graceless he inquired in a very superior tone. Who are you walking in such a burdened and sighing manner. Gracious answered my name is Graceless. I'm a burdened sinner from the city of destruction.

I'm on my way to the gate to receive instructions as to how to get rid of my burden. I'm to follow the light. Mr. Worldly Wise Man inquired Burden? Gate? Light? What do you mean? Who sent you on your journey anyhow?

He said a man named Evangelist. Ah said Mr. Worldly Wise Man with a scornful smile. Hmm. So he deceived you too. What do you mean deceive me? Why don't you know that that man Evangelist is nothing but a religious fanatic.

He has had no theological education. All he does is to send people on a wild goose chase to a gate that doesn't exist. And to follow a light that will only blind you. Oh I wish you had met me before you had met him.

I would have given you some real advice advice based on a long experience in the wisdom of this world. But alas alas I feel so sorry for you. However did you get the idea you have a burden on your back.

Gracious replied I got it from reading this book the Bible. Ah said Mr. Worldly Wise Man. I thought so why don't you realize that book can only be understood by learned people like me. Poor simpletons like you reading that book get all sorts of queer ideas.

I'm afraid it's affected your mind. And you don't exactly know what you're doing. Oh I feel so. Would you like some real good advice advice based on a long experience in the wisdom of this world. And he spoke with such assurance as though he knew what he was talking about.

That poor gracious was taken in and said yes. I would like some good advice. Well said Mr. Worldly Wise Man. Forget all about what evangelists told you don't try to read that Bible anyhow. You can't understand it unless people like me interpret it to you forget all about that gate and that light.

You see way over yonder that hill called Mount Sinai. Yes sir. Well make your way in that direction. And when you get there you'll meet a friend of mine named Mr. Lawyer. He'll give you the right kind of instructions as to how to get rid of that burden there.

Now I'm sure you'll be very glad that you met me. You have been greatly honored in listening to my expert advice. And what do you think gracious did. Gracious followed the directions of Mr. Worldly Wise Man turned his back to that light that he had been told to follow turned his feet from the narrow path to the path that led to Mount Sinai.

Did he do the right thing or the wrong thing. We'll learn what happens when a poor guilty sinner instead of going to the gate turns his feet in the direction of the law and the demands of the law represented by Mount Sinai.

Presently gracious came to Mount Sinai great mountain it was seemed to be all on a smoke from the top of that mountain incapped with clouds. There came flashes of lightning followed by terrifying peals of thunder.

And as gracious stood there a great earthquake shook that mountain and it seemed to him as though the whole mountain would fall on top of him. His burden increased tremendously. And as he stood there terror stricken he heard the sound of a trumpet from the top of that mountain.

And these were the words he heard. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soul with all thy strength and with all thy mind. And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. As gracious heard those words his heart sank within him.