That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope

In Short

This book is a transcribed sermon delivered in 1877 by the renowned evangelist D. L. Moody. It argues for the doctrine of the "Blessed Hope"—the belief in the literal, physical return of Jesus Christ to earth. By examining biblical prophecy, Moody contends that this event is the ultimate goal of the Christian faith, intended to replace worldly concerns with spiritual urgency. The text remains significant for its clear, conversational style and its insight into the theological priorities that drove 19th-century revivalist movements.

The Story

The narrative of the sermon begins with an appeal to the authority of Scripture. Moody challenges the notion that prophecy is too complex for the average person, insisting that because God included it in the Bible, it is meant to be studied, understood, and taken to heart. He establishes the "Blessed Hope"—the Second Coming—as a central, yet frequently overlooked, pillar of the New Testament. He notes with personal regret that he went years as a churchgoer before he ever heard the doctrine preached, despite its frequent mention in the Gospels and Epistles.

As the argument progresses, Moody focuses on the nature of this return. He rejects the idea that the "coming of the Lord" refers merely to individual death. Instead, he paints a picture of a sudden, literal manifestation of Christ, comparing it to lightning flashing across the sky. He emphasizes that this event will be personal and bodily, mirroring the way Jesus departed from his disciples at the Ascension. Crucially, he differentiates between the Lord’s return to gather his Church and the final judgment of the world, arguing that the Church, described as the "bride," is to be caught up to meet him in the air before the millennium begins.

The core of the sermon is a call to action. Moody argues that believing in the suddenness of Christ’s return is not a cause for idle waiting, but a powerful motivator for evangelism and holy living. He compares the world to a wrecked vessel and describes the Christian’s role as that of a lifeboat operator, tasked with saving as many people as possible before the inevitable judgment. He addresses skeptics who argue that such teachings are too difficult for new converts or that they discourage social responsibility, countering that the prospect of the Lord’s return actually deepened his own commitment to work.

Toward the end, Moody addresses the state of the contemporary Church. He laments that many fashionable, wealthy congregations have traded the "power of the Holy Ghost" for intellectual vanity and empty forms of worship. He urges his audience to look past the "shams" of current religious life and return to the simple, expectant faith of the early Christians. The sermon concludes on a note of intense personal conviction, with Moody challenging each listener to consider if they are personally ready for the Lord’s return at any moment. He reinforces his message with a series of scriptural references that tie the Christian life—from partaking in communion to enduring tribulation—directly to the act of waiting until the Lord comes again.

How It Unfolds

The mandate to study prophecy Moody asserts that all Scripture, including prophecy, is given for the instruction of believers. He rejects the idea that future events are too mysterious to contemplate, arguing that God would not have provided them if they were not meant for public understanding.

The neglected doctrine The sermon moves to the observation that the return of Christ is mentioned fifty times in the New Testament, far more than baptism. Moody suggests that the devil obscures this truth because realizing the Lord's return is imminent would cause the world’s grip on a believer to vanish.

The manner of the return Using the account of the Ascension, Moody explains that Christ will return physically and unexpectedly. He distinguishes this event from the common misconception that death itself is the "coming of the Lord," affirming that Christ is the conqueror of death, not its synonym.

The hope of the church Moody outlines the sequence of the "Blessed Hope," where Christ takes his Church out of the world to prepare them for his kingdom. He emphasizes that this is a time for joyful anticipation and an incentive for greater, more focused labor in spreading the gospel.

The People

The sermon centers on the relationship between the individual believer and Jesus Christ. The believer is portrayed as a "watchman," someone whose primary identity is formed by the anticipation of the Master’s return. This person is urged to move from a state of cold, formal observance to one of active, urgent service. Standing in their way is the "evil servant," a figure who misinterprets the delay of the Lord’s return as an excuse for complacency or skepticism.

Moody himself acts as the bridge between the biblical text and the modern audience. He is not presented as an abstract theologian, but as a practical, working evangelist who uses his own past ignorance of the doctrine to build rapport with his listeners. He identifies with the common person, using plain language to urge them to bypass the "intellectual preachers" of the day and go directly to the source. Ultimately, the central character is the risen Christ, who is waiting for his bride, the Church. He represents the goal of all human history, the one who brings both the promise of eternal life and the reality of final judgment.

In Its Own Voice

Regarding the reason for the Church's focus on the Lord's return:

The moment a man takes hold of the truth that Jesus Christ is coming back again to receive his friends to himself, this world loses its hold upon him.

Regarding the urgency of his own ministry in light of this doctrine:

I look on this world as a wrecked vessel; God has given me a life-boat, and said to me, "Moody, save all you can."

Regarding the proper posture of the faithful believer:

If he tells us to watch, then watch! If he tells us to pray, then pray! If he tells us he will come again, wait for him!

What It's Really About

At its core, this sermon is a meditation on the concept of "waiting" as an active, rather than passive, spiritual discipline. Moody argues against a view of history where the world gradually improves until it achieves perfection on its own. Instead, he presents a worldview where the world is in a state of terminal decline, and hope lies entirely in an external intervention by the divine. The central question is whether a person is living for the temporary, material gains of the present age—the "gas-stocks and water-stocks"—or for an eternal kingdom. It is a call to align one's daily priorities with an ultimate, looming horizon.

Why Read It Today

Readers today will find this text a fascinating window into the fervor of late 19th-century American revivalism. The prose is direct, rhythmic, and intensely focused, reflecting the oral delivery of a man who spent his life speaking to thousands. It is an excellent choice for those interested in the history of religious thought or the development of Christian eschatology, particularly the pre-millennial views that have since become influential.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the earnest, occasionally repetitive tone common to pulpit oratory of the era. Moody’s worldview is stark and binary, leaving little room for gray areas, which may feel jarring to contemporary sensibilities. His references to specific historical empires as part of a prophetic timeline are deeply rooted in the context of the 1870s and illustrate a period where believers felt the world was approaching a literal "wreck." If you are interested in the mechanics of a revival sermon, or in understanding the intense urgency that drove historical evangelists, you will find this a potent and revealing document. It remains a work that demands the reader consider their own relationship to the concepts of time, hope, and mortality.