Every true believer knows the danger of . . .
their own deceitful heart,
their tendency to wander,
the pull of the flesh,
and the constant assaults of the world.
Were it not for God's restraining grace, we would surely fall into flagrant sin. That is why the psalmist pleads, "Hold me up--and I will be safe!"
It is one thing to be saved by grace, but another to be kept by grace. Just as a child walking along a dangerous path needs the firm grip of his father's hand, so too do we need the steadying grasp of God's upholding grace to keep us from stumbling. We are prone to pride, self-reliance, and every other sin--but God, in His mercy, restrains us from going where our sinful nature would lead.
Consider Peter--how easily he fell when he boasted, "Even if everyone falls away, I will not!" (Mark 14:29). And left to himself, he denied his Savior three times. But when Jesus prayed for him (Luke 22:32), his faith did not ultimately fail. This is God's gracious, omnipotent, upholding hand--preventing His redeemed people from utterly falling away.
How often have we been spared from sin, not because of our own wisdom and strength, but because the Lord upheld us? Perhaps we were tempted by a sin that would have ruined us, but were providentially hindered by God's restraining grace.
Christian! We continually need God's upholding grace, as we have a heart that is able to commit every sin that was ever committed in Heaven, Earth or Hell! (Jeremiah 17:9)
Paul reminds us, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12). True safety lies not in our resolve, but in God's upholding po
C. H. Spurgeon's sermon "Hold me up--and I will be safe!" addresses the crucial doctrine of God's sustaining grace, emphasizing the believer's continuous need for divine assistance to persevere in faith. Spurgeon argues that true safety in the Christian life comes not from one's own strength but from God's upholding grace, using Scripture references, particularly Psalm 119:117 and Jude 24-25, to illustrate that while believers are saved by grace, they must also rely on God's power to prevent them from falling away. He contrasts human pride and self-reliance with the acknowledgment of weakness that leads to a plea for God’s intervention, citing Peter's denial of Christ as a cautionary tale. The sermon highlights the practical significance of living in daily dependence on God's grace, reinforcing the Reformed understanding of perseverance as a work of God in the life of the believer.
Key Quotes
“Hold me up, and I will be safe.”
“It is one thing to be saved by grace, but another to be kept by grace.”
“True safety lies not in our resolve, but in God's upholding power.”
“May we walk in daily dependence, not trusting in ourselves, but in the almighty hand of our sovereign God.”
The Bible teaches that God's upholding grace is crucial for believers to remain safe in their faith.
In the Scriptures, particularly in Psalm 119:117, the psalmist expresses his plea for God's upholding grace, indicating that without it, believers are prone to wander and fall into sin. The reality of human depravity means that we need a constant reminder that it is not by our strength but by God's grace that we can stand firm. Jude 24-25 emphasizes God's ability to keep us from falling and present us faultless before His glory, underlining the importance of relying on God's sustaining power for our perseverance in faith.
Relying on God's grace is vital for Christians as it provides the necessary strength to avoid sin and remain steadfast in faith.
The Christian life is marked by trials and temptations that test our faith. As stated in the sermon, believers possess a deceitful heart and a tendency to stray. Thus, daily dependence on God's grace is essential. This reliance is not an acknowledgment of self-effort, but rather an understanding that it is through God's omnipotent hand that we are kept from falling into sin. The apostle Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12 that those who think they stand firm should take heed lest they fall, reminding us that our confidence should rest solely in God's sustaining grace.
We can trust God to keep us from falling because He has promised to uphold us by His power.
The assurance that God will keep His people from falling is deeply rooted in Scripture. Jude 24-25 clearly states that God is able to keep us from stumbling and present us blameless before Him. This promise demonstrates God's faithfulness and His desire to maintain His redeemed in their journey of faith. The example of Peter further illustrates this truth; though he faltered, Jesus' intercessory prayer safeguarded his faith from ultimate failure. Thus, believers can rest in the knowledge that their salvation is secure in the hands of a sovereign and merciful God who sustains them daily.
Daily grace is necessary for Christians to combat sin and live righteously before God.
Christians are called to live in a way that reflects their faith, yet the reality of sin still dwells in their hearts. Thus, as stated in the sermon, we need God's upholding grace not just for salvation, but for everyday living. Our natural inclination is towards pride and self-reliance, which can lead to spiritual downfall. Therefore, seeking God's grace daily acknowledges our dependence on Him and reinforces the truth that without His help, we would stumble into sin. It's not merely a one-time experience but a continual seeking of God's grace to guide and correct us as we navigate our Christian walk.
James 4:6, Psalm 119:10
Sermon Transcript
Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors
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Hold me up, and I will be safe. Psalm 119 verse 117
Every true believer knows the danger of Their own deceitful heart, their tendency to wander, the pull of the flesh, and the constant assaults of the world. Were it not for God's restraining grace, we would surely fall into flagrant sin. That is why the psalmist pleads, Hold me up, and I will be safe.
It is one thing to be saved by grace, but another to be kept by grace. Just as a child walking along a dangerous path needs the firm grip of his father's hand, so too do we need the steadying grasp of God's upholding grace to keep us from stumbling. We are prone to pride, self-reliance and every other sin. But God, in his mercy, restrains us from going where our sinful nature would lead.
Consider Peter, how easily he fell when he boasted, Even if everyone falls away, I will not. And left to himself, he denied his Saviour three times. But when Jesus prayed for him, his faith did not ultimately fail. This is God's gracious, omnipotent, upholding hand, preventing his redeemed people from utterly falling away.
How often have we been spared from sin, not because of our own wisdom and strength, but because the Lord upheld us? Perhaps we were tempted by a sin that would have ruined us, but were providentially hindered by God's restraining grace.
Christian We continually need God's upholding grace, as we have a heart that is able to commit every sin that was ever committed in heaven, earth or hell. Paul reminds us, so, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. True safety lies not in our resolve, but in God's upholding power.
Like a sheep that would stray without the shepherd's oversight, we constantly need the Lord's guidance and loving interventions to keep us safe. We must daily pray, as the psalmist did, hold me up and I will be safe. This is a humble acknowledgement that we cannot persevere by our own strength and wisdom. It is a confession that, apart from God's upholding hand, we would rush headlong into ruinous sin.
May we walk in daily dependence, not trusting in ourselves, but in the almighty hand of our sovereign God. His grace is not only sufficient to save us, but also to sustain us until we stand before him in glory.
Father, I acknowledge my weakness and my need for your restraining grace. Left to myself, I would stumble and fall. Hold me up, O Lord, and I will be safe. Keep me from sin, uphold me by your mighty hand, and let my confidence rest in you alone. In Jesus' name, Amen.
unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy. To the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore. Amen.
Jude, verses 24 and 25.
About Charles Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (19 June 1834 — 31 January 1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher. His nickname is the "Prince of Preachers."
Pristine Grace functions as a digital library of preaching and teaching from many different men and ministries. I maintain a broad collection for research, study, and listening, and the presence of any preacher or message here should not be taken as a blanket endorsement of every doctrinal position expressed.
I publish my own convictions openly and without hesitation throughout this site and in my own preaching and writing. This archive is not a denominational clearinghouse. My aim in maintaining it is to preserve historic and contemporary preaching, encourage careful study, and above all direct readers and listeners to the person and work of Christ.
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