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Charles Spurgeon

I am chained to the chariot of rolling time!

James 4:14; Psalm 90
Charles Spurgeon • May, 31 2016 • Audio
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The sermon "I am chained to the chariot of rolling time!" by C. H. Spurgeon addresses the theological doctrine of the brevity and fragility of human life in light of eternity. Spurgeon articulates that life is fleeting, using various scriptural references to illustrate this point, including James 4:14 and Psalm 90:12, which remind listeners of the uncertainty of life and the importance of numbering one's days wisely. He emphasizes the swift passage of time, comparing life to a mist, a shadow, and bubbles, thereby underscoring the insignificance of human existence in the scope of eternity. The practical significance of this message urges a reflection on life choices and the orientation of one's heart towards eternal matters, reminding believers to seek wisdom in their limited time on earth.

Key Quotes

“Life is even as that bubble. You see it rising into the air... But it is all gone in one moment. So uncertain is life.”

“Your pulses each moment beat the funeral marches to the tomb. I am chained to the chariot of rolling time.”

“Who can lay hold thereof? You may see it, but the moment the person passes by, it is gone.”

“So teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

What does the Bible say about the fleeting nature of life?

The Bible emphasizes the brevity and uncertainty of life, comparing it to a mist or shadow.

The scriptures highlight the fleeting nature of human life, as seen in James 4:14, which states that our lives are like a mist that appears and quickly vanishes. Similarly, Job 7:6 and Job 9:25 illustrate how life is swift and transient, making it clear that we do not know what tomorrow holds. This reminds us of the importance of recognizing our mortality and the need to live wisely and purposefully. As Psalm 90:12 instructs, we should teach ourselves to number our days wisely to gain a heart of wisdom.

Additionally, life is often likened to a vanishing bubble or a passing shadow (Ecclesiastes 6:12), reinforcing that our existence is brief compared to eternity. This understanding urges Christians to hold loosely to earthly pursuits and to focus on eternal realities, which are what ultimately matter in the grand scheme of God’s plan for salvation and life beyond the grave.

James 4:14, Job 7:6, Job 9:25, Ecclesiastes 6:12, Psalm 90:12

Why is it important for Christians to understand the transience of life?

Understanding the transience of life enables Christians to prioritize what truly matters.

Recognizing the brevity of life is crucial for Christians, as it cultivates a sense of urgency in how we live out our faith. Scriptures like James 4:14 remind us that life is fleeting, prompting us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that we invest our time in God-honoring activities. It leads us to engage more deeply with our relationship with Christ and to pursue the Kingdom of God above earthly gains.

Furthermore, grasping the temporary nature of our existence encourages believers to live with purpose and intention, understanding that our time on earth is limited. The call to 'number our days' from Psalm 90:12 acts as a wake-up call to take stock of our lives. It reminds us to engage in works that glorify God and reflect His eternal truths, rather than chase after mere shadows and vanities that ultimately fade away. This awareness of life's transitory nature fosters a deeper reliance on God's grace and the eternal hope we have in Christ.

James 4:14, Psalm 90:12

How do we know that life is brief and uncertain?

Life's brevity is affirmed in various biblical passages that describe it as swift and fleeting.

The Bible provides ample evidence of the transience and uncertainty of human life. In Job 7:6, the assertion that our days are as fleeting as a weaver’s shuttle illustrates the quick passage of time. Similarly, Job 9:25 compares our lives to swift ships that quickly sail away from sight. Moreover, James 4:14 explicitly states that we do not know what tomorrow will bring, reinforcing the idea that life is inherently uncertain.

These scriptural depictions serve to remind believers of their mortality and the importance of making the most of the time we have. This recognition should naturally lead to a reliance on God's sovereignty and a deeper appreciation of His grace in the face of our fleeting existence. By acknowledging the brief nature of life, Christians can cultivate humility, gratitude, and an earnest pursuit of God and His will, preparing their hearts for the eternal realities that lie ahead.

Job 7:6, Job 9:25, James 4:14

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

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I am chained to the chariot of rolling time by Charles Spurgeon from the swiftness of life. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle. Job chapter 7 verse 6. My days are but a breath. Job chapter 7 verse 16. My days are swifter than a runner, they flee away. Job 9.25 My days pass by like swift ships, like an eagle swooping on its prey. Job 9.26 Are not my days few? Job chapter 10 verse 20. My days are cut short. The grave awaits me. Job chapter 17 verse 1. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James chapter 4 verse 14.

Let me speak to you of the frailty of human life, the fleeting nature of time, how swiftly time passes away, how soon we shall all fade as the leaf, and how speedily the place which knows us now shall know us no more for ever. It is a great fact that life to the young man appears to be long, yet to the old man life is ever short, and to all men life is really but a brief period.

Children sometimes blow bubbles and amuse themselves thereby. Life is even as that bubble. You see it rising into the air. The child delights itself by seeing it fly about. But it is all gone in one moment. So uncertain is life.

human life is not long compare it with the ages of the universe and it becomes a span and especially measure it by eternity and how imperceptible does life appear it sinks like one small drop into the ocean and becomes as insignificant as one tiny grain of sand upon the seashore

Life is swift. Your pulses each moment beat the funeral marches to the tomb. I am chained to the chariot of rolling time. There is no bridling the steeds or leaping from the chariot. The wind of time bears me along. I cannot stop its motion. I am moving through time at an incalculable rate. Oh, what an idea it is, could I grasp it!

The wise man says, For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? Ecclesiastes chapter 6 verse 12 Now what can there be less substantial than a shadow? What substance is there in a shadow? Who can lay hold thereof? You may see it, but the moment the person passes by, it is gone. Yes, and who can grasp his life?

Many men reckon upon a long existence, and think they're going to live for ever. But who can calculate upon a shadow? Go, O man, who say to your soul, Eat, drink, and be merry. I have much goods laid up for many years. Go, and store your barn with shadows. Go and pile shadows up, and say, These are mine, and they shall never depart. But say you, I cannot catch a shadow. No, and you cannot reckon on a year, for it is as a shadow, which soon melts away and is gone.

My days pass by like swift ships. Like a swift ship, my life must speed on its way until it reaches its haven. But where is that haven to be? Shall it be found in the land of eternal bitterness and punishment, that dreary region of the lost? Or shall it be that sweet haven of eternal peace, Where not a troubling wave can ruffle The quiescent glory of my spirit?

wherever the haven is to be the truth is the same we are like the swift ships so teach us to number our days are right that we may gain a heart of wisdom Psalm 90 verse 12 you
Charles Spurgeon
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."
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