Christ Calling — E.A. Johnston

The Urgency of Eternity and the Gospel Call

Life is hard. Life is short. Eternity waits. I believe, friends, that people need to hear about Jesus. You may be young. You may be old. But either way, we need to hear about the one who came down here so we can go up there.

The calls of the gospel must go forth into the land. We need to hear the calls of Christ in the gospel so we may be saved from a horrible place called hell. None of us preachers need to misrepresent Jesus either by portraying him as an impotent beggar who stands at the door of your heart, helplessly there until you let him in.

Christ as the Sovereign Savior

No, friends, that won't do it all for Christ Jesus is a sovereign who sits at the right hand of the Father and he earned that right by way of a bloody cross. If you're going to get saved, friends, you must get to that bloodstained Savior who sits on a heavenly throne in all power and majesty.

Jesus Invites the Thirsty to Living Water

In John's gospel, in chapter 7 and in verses 37 through 38, we read, In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

I submit to you, friends, that Jesus Christ still stands before sinners, calling and inviting them to come to him. Let no one get in the way of them coming. Let them come from every walk of life. The only requirement is that one must feel their need.

Jesus said, If any man thirst, then get out of his way and let him come. Don't hinder him if he's thirsty for Christ and in need of that remedy for sin. Let him come. But the gospel call is not for the self-satisfied, who sees no need of him.

The Universal Invitation to Come

The call is to the thirsty, the hungry, the weary, thirsty souls that come to Christ. We'll be ready to drink. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hear us say, Come. And let him that is a thirst, come.

And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Are you hungry, friend? I've got some bread for you. Listen to this gospel promise. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life. He that cometh to me shall never hunger.

Christ the Bread of Life and the Free Gift of Salvation

And he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Jesus stands right now and calls. He invites. You don't need to bring anything with you, friend, but yourself. Oh, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.

And he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat. Yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price. The Lord Jesus Christ continually proclaims by his gospel a message of good news to the souls of man.

That if any man come, I will in no wise cast him out. Come to Christ, friend, and believe on him. Come while you have time to come. For you may be suddenly cut off from this world. Don't put it off, friend.

Repentance, Mercy, and the Call to Seek the Lord

Are you hungry for God? Are you weary of your sins? Are you thirsty for Christ? Then why the delay? Seek ye the Lord while he may be found. Call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.

And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him. And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Friend, if you leave here tonight, and all you've heard is my shaky voice, you'll be none bettered.

But if by his grace you hear his voice, as it comes to you and all power, majesty, and authority, then you better do something about it. Friend, do you need pardon for sin? Will you come clean before God, admit you are a sinner, and throw down your shotgun of rebellion at the feet of a sovereign?

Coming to Christ Without Delay

If you are a sinner and need a forgiveness for sin, don't let anyone or anything stand in your way. Don't let your reputation keep you from coming, even if you are the pastor of the church. If you need to come, then come to Christ.

Come on, you may be the biggest sinner in this town tonight. There is room at the cross. Bloodstained Savior calls out to you now. Look unto me, and be ye saved. All the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is none else.

Look on Jesus, friend. Look and live.