Charles Spurgeon · New Park Street Pulpit, Volume 4, Sermon No. 173 · 1858

The Death of Christ: sermon notes

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 53:10

Summary

Christ’s death was the Father’s loving, effectual sacrifice for sinners, securing their salvation, Christ’s resurrection, and the triumph of God’s purpose.

Sermon outline

Likely Title: The Death of Christ

Likely Text/Passage: Isaiah 53:10

Main Theme: Christ’s death was ordained by the Father as a substitutionary offering for sin, securing salvation, resurrection, and the triumph of God’s purposes.

Introduction

The cross of Christ is the central event toward which the faith of believers, the attention of angels, and the hope of the redeemed are directed.
The sermon invites listeners to look spiritually upon Calvary and consider the cause, reason, and effects of Christ’s death.

Main Points

The Cause of Christ’s Death: The Father’s Purpose
Though human wickedness led to the crucifixion, Christ’s death was also accomplished according to God’s determinate counsel and foreknowledge.
The Father did not become loving because Christ died; Christ was sent because the Father already loved sinners.
God willingly gave His Son, and the Father’s withdrawal of comforting fellowship brought the deepest suffering of the cross.

The Reason for Christ’s Death: An Offering for Sin
Christ stood as the substitute and representative of His people, taking their place under divine judgment.
His suffering was a real and sufficient payment for the punishment owed by sinners.
The preacher emphasizes an effectual redemption: Christ’s death actually secures salvation for those who believe, rather than merely making salvation possible.
Those who recognize their sin, desire salvation, and cling to Christ alone may be assured of God’s saving work.

The Effects of Christ’s Death
He shall see His seed: Christ’s death results in the certain salvation of multitudes who become His people.
He shall prolong His days: Christ rose from the grave, lives forever, and reigns victoriously.
The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand: Christ’s death will ultimately accomplish God’s purpose to redeem and renew the world.

Application

Look to Christ’s cross as the central demonstration of the Father’s love and the sufficient provision for sin.
Abandon self-reliance and come to Christ confessing sin, desiring salvation, and clinging to the cross alone.
Rest in the certainty that Christ fully paid the debt of those who believe in Him.

Conclusion

Christ’s death was neither accidental nor ineffective: it fulfilled God’s purpose and completely accomplished redemption.
The risen Christ will gather His redeemed people and bring God’s saving purposes to their final triumph.

Key quotes

Each quote below is copied from the printed sermon and checked word for word against it.

Christ was sent into the world by his Father, as the consequence of the Father's affection for his people

Jesus Christ did not die to make God loving, but he died because God was loving

when Christ died, he died for you, if you be a believer in him

he took the cup, and At one triumphant draught of love, He drank damnation dry

Men die and leave their children, and they see not their seed; Christ lives, and every day sees his seed brought into the unity of the faith

The third morning came, and the conqueror, rising from his sleep burst the iron bonds of death, and came forth from his prison house, no more to die

The stream that flowed from his side on Calvary shall cleanse the world from all its blackness

The hour approacheth when old Rome shall shake upon her seven hills, when Mohammed's crescent shall wane to wax no more, when all the gods of the heathens shall lose their thrones and be cast out to the moles and the bats

Scripture references

Isaiah 53:10
The sermon’s central text, explaining the cause, reason, and effects of Christ’s death.
"Which things the angels desire to look into"
Used to show that angels continually gaze upon and desire to understand the realities concerning Christ.
"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain."
Used to show that Christ’s death was ordained by God while carried out through human wickedness.
"It pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief."
Repeated to teach that Christ’s suffering and death are traceable to God the Father’s purpose.
"so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Used to show that the Father sent Christ because of divine love, not because Christ’s death made the Father loving.
"In the fullness of time"
Used to describe the appointed time when God sent his Son into the world.
"the fullness of time"
Repeated in describing when the Father sent Christ to be born of the Virgin Mary and suffer for human sin.
"Father, behold the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?"
Quoted from Isaac’s question to Abraham to illustrate the anguish surrounding the Father giving his Son.
"My son, God will provide himself a lamb."
Quoted as Abraham’s response to Isaac, connecting the provision of a substitute with Christ’s sacrifice.
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Used to emphasize the unique abandonment and divine judgment Christ experienced on the cross.
Psalm 22
Recommended as a description of Jesus’ sufferings, especially the opening verses and those that follow.
"If it be possible let this cross pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Used to describe Christ’s submission to the Father amid profound suffering.
"Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin."
Used to explain that Christ suffered as a sacrificial substitute for sinners.
"By his righteousness he shall justify many."
Used to show that Christ’s death certainly accomplishes the salvation and justification of those for whom he died.
"He shall see his seed"
Used to teach that Christ’s death results in the salvation of multitudes who become his spiritual offspring.
"He shall prolong his days."
Used to point to Christ’s resurrection and continuing life after death.
"In that he died he died unto sin once; but in that he liveth he liveth unto God,"
Used to show that Christ died once and now lives permanently to God.
"led captivity captive, and ascended up on high."
Used to describe Christ’s victorious resurrection and ascension.
"the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand."
Used to conclude that Christ’s death will successfully accomplish God’s purpose of redeeming the world.
"the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth."
Used to anticipate the future universal reign and honor of Christ.

Small-group discussion questions

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

What event or moment in history do you think has attracted the most attention and shaped the most lives? Why?
When you hear the word “sacrifice,” what examples from everyday life come to mind?

Diving In (20 minutes)

The sermon focused on the cause, reason, and effects of Christ’s death. How would you summarize the pastor’s main message about what the cross accomplished?
Isaiah 53:10 says, “It pleased the Lord to bruise him,” and that Christ’s soul would be “an offering for sin.” How did the pastor explain the Father’s role in Christ’s death, and how did he connect that role to God’s love?
The pastor described Christ’s death as substitution, Christ suffering in the place of his people. What difference should that make in the way a Christian approaches God on a Tuesday morning, with guilt, fear, gratitude, or something else?

Going Deeper (15 minutes)

The sermon raised a difficult tension: If God is loving, how can it be said that he “bruised” his Son? What explanation did the pastor give, and what questions or difficulties remain for you?
The pastor said that a sense of sin, a desire for salvation, and clinging to the cross are evidence of God’s grace. Where do you find it hardest to rest in Christ’s finished work rather than relying on your own efforts or feelings?

Prayer Prompt

Pray for deeper gratitude for Christ’s substitutionary death, confidence in the forgiveness he provides, and compassion toward people who need to hear about his salvation.

Takeaways

Big idea

Christ’s death was the Father’s loving, effectual sacrifice for sinners, securing their salvation, Christ’s resurrection, and the triumph of God’s purpose.

Live it out

Examine your heart honestly as a sinner and bring your need directly to Christ.
Pray, “Nothing in my hands I bring; simply to the cross I cling.”
Rest in Christ’s finished substitution rather than your own works or worthiness.
Look to the risen Christ, who lives and reigns beside the Father.
Tell someone this week that Christ’s death fully satisfies God’s justice for believers.

Closing prayer

Father, we praise You for loving us before Christ came and for giving Your beloved Son as an offering for sin. Help us look to Calvary and trust His finished substitution, knowing He drank damnation dry for His people. Keep us from hard thoughts of Your heart, and teach us to cling simply to the cross. Fix our eyes on the risen Christ, who prolongs His days and will prosper Your pleasure until the earth is filled with His glory. Amen.

Read the full sermon

Charles H. Spurgeon, “The Death of Christ,” New Park Street Pulpit, Volume 4, Sermon No. 173. The sermon is in the public domain; the text used here is the CC0 Markdown edition of Spurgeon's sermons.

Full text in the CC0 edition

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