The Secret of a Happy Life (sermon 1305)

This attractively-titled sermon would certainly draw in unbelievers, as well as engaging many Christians. Spurgeon addresses it to all, concluding his sermons with a word to unbelievers who know themselves unhappy or feel themselves happy presently, and to Christians who are either unhappy or happy. The foundation of these applications lies in his two main divisions: living in the Lord's presence always, and trusting in the Lord's presence always. For each, Spurgeon unpacks what it means and how it works out. What is particularly striking, in this sermon, is that Spurgeon identifies the contented man, first and foremost, as the Lord Jesus. This enables him to hold the Lord before us for adoration and contemplation, learning from the Saviour himself what it means to walk in happiness before God. Adroitly, Spurgeon moves from Christ's example to our imitation, pressing the two into each other wisely and well. All of these counsels and comforts bring us to those last brief charges to different classes of hearer, leaving us considering Christ as the Author and Finisher of our faith, and—we might hope—ready to live before his God and ours, and to trust the Lord in all things.