THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

The Pilgrim’s Progress as a Christian Journey

Time. For centuries, in fact, it was next to the Bible, the best selling book in the English language. It tells a story of how Christian makes his way from the city of destruction to the heavenly city.

And it is a great story. It used to be taught in our schools, or at least read through in our schools, and it's still a great, great book that explains to us how you make the pilgrimage from the city of destruction to the heavenly city.

So our kids have been working on this for a long time, and I am excited to see how they're going to show us the pilgrim's progress. So before we start, let me pray, and then the kids will take us on this journey.

All right, let's pray. Father in heaven, we thank you for your goodness to us, and Lord, we thank you for the scriptures which describe for us what life is on the way to the heavenly city. And so we pray for these kids tonight, our kids, as they seek to show us what the Bible says about that journey.

We're thankful for them. We're thankful for these that are here tonight, and we pray Lord that they would not merely enjoy this, but that they too would see this great message. Thank you now, in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Christian’s Burden and the Call to Flee the Wrath to Come

In the wilderness of this world, I came upon a place where there was a den. There I lay down to sleep. As I slept, I dreamed a dream. I saw a man clothed in rags, his face turned away from his home, a book in his hand, and a great burden on his back.

I looked and saw him open the book and read. As he read, he wept and trembled. Unable to contain his grief, he broke out in a lamentable cry. What shall I do? In this plight, he went home and tried to conceal his grief, not wanting his wife and children to see his distress.

But he could not be silent. Finally, he poured out his heart to them. My dear wife and beloved children, I am told that this book, that this city will be burned by fire from heaven. We will all perish unless we find some way of escape.

His wife and children were amazed and frightened, not that they believed him, but because they thought he was losing his mind. Soon, to his torrid evening, they urged him to go to bed, hoping that a good night's sleep might settle his mind.

The night was as troublesome as day. He was so restless he couldn't sleep, but spent the whole night in sighs and tears. Then he repeated his fears from the previous day, but they refused to listen. His family and friends did not understand him.

They tried to console him, ridicule him, and ignore him. Pilgrim prays to God for compassion on all of them. For several days, he walks in the fields, sometimes reading his book and sometimes praying.

But always, there would be stress. As he read, he cried aloud, What must I do to be saved? I saw a man and an evangelist come to him.

Why do you cry?

Sir, I read in this book of what you said, and after death and judgment, I do not want to die nor face the judgment. If life is so full of trouble, why are you not willing to die? It might be better. Because I know it will blow a person down on me.

I am afraid that when I die, it will sink me lower in the grave, and I shall sink into hell. If you are in such trouble, why do you say it? Because I do not know where to go. Then the evangelist gave him a book on which were the words, Leave from the wrath to come.

But where must I go?

Do you see that mirror gate?

No.

Do you see that shining light? I do see the still light. Fix your eyes on the light, go straight toward it, and you will find the gate. When you knock on the gate, you will be told what to do next.

The road is long, but I know, for you will be my guide. Just lie ahead, for you will see me, which you tell me this is true.

In my dream, I saw that the man, obedient to his evangelist's words, began to run. Before he had gone far, his wife and children began to call after him to rescue him.

Christian, come back!

Two neighbors, obstinate and pliable, ran after him and broke him to room by force. Christian, for that was his name, spent some time encouraging them to go with him. Come with me, obstinate. Come with me, pliable.

You guys are crazy and full of empty words. Come with me, and let's go home.

No, I'll stay. I think I'll stay.

We do know the way, Christian. Got him? Both of you are crazy. Beyond this mirror is another gate. When we get there, someone will tell us which road we must take. And so they journeyed on, discussing what Christian had read in the book.

There is an eternal kingdom where death shall not enter and we shall live forever. That's wonderful, but how would you get to this eternal kingdom? The word of that kingdom states that in this book, that whoever asks will freely be given to him.

Okay, let's hurry to the priest. I cannot go fast because of the spirit on my back. Then, in my dream, I saw that they drew near to the slough of this pond, a very mired bog in the middle of the plain.

Visibly talking and evenly soothed away, they both fell suddenly into the bog. In this mire, they were wallowing around, so their clothes were covered with mud. Because of the burden on his back, Christian began to sink.

How did we get into this mess? Truly, I do not know.

Is this the happiness of which you spoke? If we haven't had such a bad beginning, who knows what danger we shall run into.

If I get out of this with my life, you may discuss that grave plan alone, but I can't. And at this, five of them ran, struggling desperately. She climbed out of the mire on the side where they had fallen, and left into struggle and sloughed this pond below.

Poor Christian dragged himself to the side, which was nearest to the narrow gate. But he could not climb out because of the burden on his back, and he began to sink again. Then I saw in my dream that a great big hulk came along.

Hey, what are you doing here?

The man in the bandage told me to yonder near a gate, that I may be delivered from the wrath of the sun. As I was on my way, I fell in.

So why do you look? There are stumps of sand in the mire. Have you turned across from the sink?

I was in a hurry to get to the inner gate, but it was the nearest way, that is why I fell in. How much did you give me, ma 'am? Taking Christian by the ears, you pulled him out and set him on solid ground.

Since the road from the city of destruction is this way, why is the bog not filled in, so that travelers may go there safely?

This mire you think will not be easily rendered, as the man becomes aware of the stream, although all the dreads that fill from his heart sit out here. That is why it is called a sloughed pond.

The Slough of Despond, Worldly Wiseman, and the Narrow Gate

His way, walking by himself. Along the way, he met a worldly wise man. Christian, listen to me. That man, a vandalist, doesn't know what he is talking about. There is an easier way to rid of your burden.

Come with me to the village of Moravia. A man named Legality will help you get rid of your burden. He will tell you what to say, what to do, even when to eat. Then all you have to do is obey. It is easy.

Can't anyone keep the perfect law of God? So Christian turned out of the mire away to go to...

To go to Mr. Legality's house for help.

When he reached a high hill, he saw an overhanging cliff that threatened to crash down over him with flashes of lightning coming out of the hill. Christian, feeling the burden even heavier, feared for his life.

About this time, the vandalist, who had been keeping watch, came near.

Christian, what are you doing? Jesus, let's go and sleep in.

She has taken out a way of death.

I was a fool to disignore the God's name and forsake the true way. And with that, a vandalist pointed Christian again to the narrow gate, warning him not to be fooled again. Christian followed the road carefully and came to the narrow gate.

He saw written above the words, not that it shall be opened unto you. So he went up and knocked. At last, a solemn woman named Goodwill opened the gate.

Hello, can I help you?

Christian, please, I am a poor virgin from the city of destruction. I am on my way to Mount Zion so that I may deliver you from the wrath of the Lord. All you have is a ticket.

You should just sleep in peace. You watched all the unfortunate people I killed, and never get sad.

Who brought you here? Then Christian described all that happened on the way. You are here with me, and I wish you the next road you must take. Look before you. Do you see that straight road?

It was built by...

Follow it.

No.

It was built by prophets of old, by Christ and his disciples. Follow it, and you will come to the interpreter's house. Knock on her door, and she will show you many wonderful things.

The road is long and hard, Lord. Our burdens weigh us down. But soon we'll find our burdens lie buried in the ground. An empty tomb hides our simple view. The book which you have given is true.

The Interpreter’s House and the Lessons of Law and Gospel

Interpreter's house. And so I saw that Christian set out to walk the straight road. When he reached the interpreter's house, he knocked again and again. At last, someone came. My name is Christian, and I speak to the mistress of the house.

Are you the mistress of the house? Yes, I am.

Who is the woman that you brought here?

Good looks on your walk the straight road, so you may help me understand this road in salvation.

My name is Henry, I am a servant of the interpreter's house. My name is John Christian, and one of the things that God promised her in her life.

And in the hall, they saw a figure of a man holding out his hands as if to plead with men. His head was lifted toward heaven, the world behind his back.

This man can transform people and cause them to be born again. Go to him and find him.

The stars will be behind his back.

The interpreter next showed Christian a large room that was full of dust because it had never been swept. After that, they looked at it for a moment. The interpreter called for a man to sweep.

Young servant, would you please bring me a broom and sweep this room? It is so dusty.

As he swept, the dust rose in such strides that Christian was almost choked.

William, here. Miss, bring me water and sprinkle this room.

The room was swept clean. What does this mean?

The hall is a hall of men. The sin is a distant, as they found her. He that thinketh this thing that he does do well. She got her water and sprinkled it, and it is the gospel. The law rives and increases sin in the soul.

So sweet and precious is the fruit of the gospel commandments. So it is vanquished, and it will be clean and fit for the coming of the Lord your God.

In my dream, I saw the interpreter take Christian by the hand and lead him into a little room where two children sat. The name of one, Passion, and the other, Patience. Passion seemed quite discontent, but Patience was very quiet.

Why is Passion so discontent?

Passion has been told to wait until next year for his best days. He doesn't think that's why he's next year unhappy.

Then I saw someone bring Passion a bag of toys and candy and pour it at his feet. Laughing triumphantly at Patience, he picked up all the toys and candy. But in a short time, he had wasted it all and had nothing left but broken toys.

Life after death.

And as Passion's toys and candy slowly wasted away, so did Patience's happiness as they swirled off.

And Christian was led to many other rooms, learning many other lessons. The strong man who will oppose us, the man caped by his wilfulness and selfish desires, and the one not ready for judgment.

Remember these spiritual lessons, Christian, and Godspeed. May the Kingdom of God always be with you, and may He guide you to the city.

I trust. Now I saw in my dream that Christian traveled a highway that was fenced on either side by a wall called Salvation. Christian ran, but with great difficulty, because the burden on his back. As he ran, he came to a high place.

On top stood a wooden cross and an empty grave. As he came up to the cross, his burden fell away and rolled into the empty grave, and I saw it no more. He has given me rest. I saw my body set. Back on the road to Salvation.

The Cross, the Hill of Difficulty, and the Way to the Celestial City

Three people lying on the edge of a cliff with chains about their legs. You are in danger. What are your names?

Simple. Sloth.

You are in danger. There's a cliff and I see no bottom. Come with me and I'll help you with your chains. Walking a bit further, Christian meets two women tumbling over the wall, entering the path. You are me.

What are you doing climbing over this wall? My name is Formalist, and we come from the land of my praise. We are on our way to the Celestial City to seek fame and fortune. But the Lord of the Celestial City says you must enter by the narrow gate.

Our way is short, and besides, it is customary for our countrymen to enter this way. You came in by the narrow gate. We climbed over the wall, yet we are all traveling along the same road. It is the same road, but I walk by the will of the Lord.

You walk by the will of your own hearts. You are already counted as thieves by the Lord of the Way. The fair maiden will answer except to say, Well, we will go our way, and you go yours.

So they went on every man his own way into the great hill of difficulty.

Here there were also two other roads, but the narrow one went straight to the top. Christian starts up the hill, Formalist and Hypocrisy go separate ways and disappear forever. I look in again and saw Christian climbing the hill of difficulty so steep at times that he was on his hands and knees.

Have I made a mistake?

Partway up he found a bench and laid down. Pulling out his book he read for a bit, but formless like he drops his book. Good pillow is fine and sweet. Perhaps he is a slugger we read about in Proverbs.

Let's sing and see if he wakes up. Go to the end, oh slugger, see how she works all day. And she doesn't even have a captain to tell her what to do, but she works hard anyway. And listen, tell me, don't she?

Thank you all. I see it's getting late. I know the dark. Suddenly, to his surprise, he meets two men coming down. The name of one is Timorous, the other is Mistrust.

Hey, you were going the wrong way.

There is nothing behind that.

But this is the only way to eternal life in a special city. We must go on. Christian is visibly shaken and feels for his book. Oh no, I must go back. I cannot find my book. I cannot enter this special city without it.

Not finding it, he heads down the hill. Thank you, Lord. You are my comforter. You are my comforter. My carelessness and sloth have caused me to cover this path three times, now in the dark. It was my dream that he hurried to the palace, hoping to get lodging there for the night.

But before he had gone far, he entered a narrow passage and saw a short distance ahead, two lions flying in front of the gate. Now I see the dangers that must have frightened Mistrust and Timorous.

Come, come. Wait to come.

Don't be afraid. Those who are entertained.

They are here to test your faith.

If you stay in the middle of the path, they can't hurt you. And I saw Christian walk the path, fearfully going ahead. And I saw in my dream that Christian was safe and slept. And I saw the watchman ring a bell.

A girl named Discretion took Christian by the hand, questioning him. She found that he was a true pilgrim and invited him to stay.

This is Piety. This is Cherry.

You are blessed, O Lord. I saw in my dream that Christian was safe and slept. Next morning, he was shown the records which gave the family history of the Lord of the Hills. The records prove that our Lord is the truly Son of God.

He is the Alpha and Omega. First and the last. The records prove that he has fulfilled the law of God.

And I saw in my dream that as they wished him Godspeed,.

They all reminded him to be praying on all occasions with every kind of prayer and request. Thank you all. You have been so helpful. Come on and go. Let's get you over there. Instead, he found himself in a solitary valley called the Valley of Humiliation.

Perhaps the worst is over.

No sooner had he said this, he saw a stalking toward him, a falcon. He was a towering shape that was nine feet tall. And the closer he got, the more hideous he became. He had scales like a fish and wings like a dragon.

And out of his belly came smoke and fire. As in a dream, Christian knew his name.

Apollyon.

Where are you coming from? The city of destruction. In my allegiance to another, he is the king even of you. But you are not true to him. I have watched you. You fell in the slough of this one. You slept.

You forgot in a book. You think only of yourself. All of that is true, but the king in my story is merciful and ready to forgive.

I hate his people. I hate his wife.

Who is you? Come with me. I will double your wages. But your wages are death, Apollyon. I cannot come with you. Then prepare to die. I saw Apollyon straddle the whole path, and so began a fearsome battle.

The words of my lord say, Do not go with me, my enemy. Though I have fallen, I will rise. May he cover my case and establish my right. May he cover you, my enemy, with shame. And I saw in my dream that Christian picked up his sword with his right hand and struck Apollyon with an awful blow.

He then delivered me and my lord and my king. And I saw Christian slump over, wounded and exhausted. He did not turn his way until he came to a little hill in a valley. Seeing faithfulness ahead of him, he cried out, Wait, wait, wait for me.

The dragon is behind you.

Christian feeling very sure of himself because all he had been through was thoroughly annoyed. He began to run to catch up, but as happens to all of us, and conceit began to tug at our heart, he stumbled and fell amongst the stones.

Yes, this wounded in the spirit, faithful.

Pick me up and tell me how you fare since the last time I saw you. And I saw the two of you traveling on together, both going into adventures, both praising the lord of the country for the strength and health of the times you need.

Yes, that is my old friend Evangelist. Peace be with you, my friends. How have you fared since I last saw you? And I saw them both. Tell of that that had happened to them along the way. How glad I am that you have met with Charles, for that you have been victorious.

An indestructible crowd awaits you, so keep on going. The city is still ahead. Sarah faces Lake Flint, and with well-drawn hearts. You have all the power of heaven and earth on your side. Tell us one, is there still more danger ahead?

Yes, my children, you have much to resist. Great danger is ahead, and one will die. Be faithful unto death, and the king will give you the crown of life. And I saw in my dream that at that moment Evangelist went on his way.

Which of the two of us do you think he met? I don't know, but we must go on. There is nothing for us to do. Yes, Christian, the lord will give us strength. And so they traveled on, coming to that city of Vanity Fair, where, as Evangelist had said, they met great trouble.

Here they met people moving about, who were selling themselves their cheap wares. The pilgrims stood out because their clothing was plain and modest, and their speech was kindly and full of truth. And they turned away from all that the merchants tried to sell.

Well, what do you intend to buy? We seek to buy an angel.

We seek to buy an angel.

And where do you intend to buy it? We go to the central city where all the people live. Such a place doesn't exist. Fools, fools, you are only fools. Christian and Faithful answered so kindly that some in the crowd were divided and began to fight each other.

Christian and Faithful were taken into custody, beaten, and taken to the judge in chains. There were questions and cues like, Judge, Judge, hate them. Anything to say against these two vagrants? Please come forward.

These two keep saying that everything we say or do is wrong. They condemn all the noble things we say or do. Should I continue? Stand aside and we will hear from you later.

Next, these two people say that our religion is in vain and that none of our worship completes God.

These two keep saying that none of our worship completes God. They say we are all condemned. Then they saw so many others rise up in anger. That we have to go and take it all away? And I saw that the crowd carried Faithful away and beat her and stoned her and finally left her for dead.

I saw a beautiful chariot come down from above and Faithful carefully put in it and drawn away immediately to the gates of the celestial city. Christian was joined by Hope. And the two went on their way to the Pleasant River.

They drank the sparkling water and stepped safely in the green meadow. Where in the green meadow? The weary ones found rest. Well, should we go on with her? I really hate being this frivolous. Yes, we must go on.

We've had a good rest. Look, do you see that path? I think it runs parallel to the narrow way.

Yes, let's take it.

And I saw them blissfully walking on till they met a woman named Vain Confidence. Hello, my name is Hopeful. This is Christian. What is your name?

Vain Confidence.

Where are you going?

To the left of there. So this is the right path. That is where we are going. But night came and the sky grew dark. The sky grew dark and Vain Confidence missed the path and fell into a deep pit.

There were groans. They searched for her, but they couldn't find her.

And by now they were very lost and very afraid. It began to rain thunder and lightning flashed. Coming to a little shelter, they lay down.

Well, I fell asleep on the grounds of the Doubting Castle, which is owned by the dreadful Giant Spear.

Walking up and down the next morning, Giant Spear caught sight of Christian and Hopeful. He drove them to this castle and locked them in a dungeon and left them there for three days without food or drink, only stones to sleep and foul air to breathe.

I've seen a way out, my friend. I know, but we must not despair.

What?

You must beat them. The dungeon is not enough. This morning, the Giant beat Christian and Hopeful to death. Neither of them could help themselves or even turn over on the floor, but they endured it all without a word.

The next night, Giant was asking his wife for advice. Your wife's still alive. I'll leave nothing to live for unless you tell me how to end this.

I'll leave this so you can make it quicker.

Maybe he's right, Hopeful. I've seen a way out. We must be brave. Who knows? Maybe he forgot to leave the door open. We cannot take our own lives. And so they continued together another day in the dark.

Another day in the dark, at night, the Giant again talked to his wife.

Are the prisoners dead?

They're talking to rogues and will not listen to my advice.

Then you must take them to the castle yard. So up got the Giant again and took the prisoners to the castle yard. He showed them the skulls and bones of the other ones who had trespassed there. They trespassed upon my grounds, and in ten days I tore them to pieces.

I'll do the same to you. And he threw them back into the dungeon.

Hopeful, I cannot go on, Hopeful. It's dark. I'm hungry and so thirsty.

We must be brave and bear up.

Remember all the Lord has done for us.

Remember how he has always been our help. He will help us again. Remember, I can remember. I was given a key called Promise that was forged along the way. Perhaps it will fit in the door. Please, try it.

And I saw that the key fit. Christian was weak, but slowly the key turned and the gate opened and they were free. Bye, shepherds. Moving as quickly as they could away from the castle grounds, the two were met by shepherds.

Slow down. You are safe here. Rest a little. And come with me. We know where you are going and you can see it with the light. Look, Hopeful, the Celestial City is a-going. Oh, thank you, kind shepherds.

And so they continued on. Look, Christian, the Celestial City. I see, but do you see... I see, but look, do you see that dark river? We must be crossing to get over to the Celestial City. Yes, Christian, I believe so.

But the Lord will guide us through. He has helped us this long way. Come, we must cross over.

Closing Reflection on the Pilgrimage

The personalities at work was really something, wasn't it?

Wow, that was great. And I hope you enjoyed that. And I hope you learned a few things. And maybe you ought to ask yourself, which one of those characters am I?

All right?

Think about that for a minute. But we want to invite you in the back for some refreshments. And maybe you could talk to the kids and tell them what you think, which is good. So let's stand and we'll be dismissed with prayer, all right?

Father, thank you for the work that all the adults and all these children did. Thank you that they worked together. They worked together on truth that comes from the Scriptures, the truth of the Gospel.

Lord, we thank you for their parents and their patience and their help. Now, Father, we just want to thank you for what we have in Jesus, for the salvation that is free, but at the cost of your Son. We're thankful that as pilgrims we can, with all the dangers and all the dangerous people we meet, yet know that you will walk us to the celestial city.

Thank you again for our children, for their work, and for your Son. In Jesus' name, amen. You're dismissed.