PILGRIM’S PROGRESS OVERVIEW OF CONTENTS OF THE BOOK
PREFACE TO PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
V - XVII
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER ONE
1
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER TWO
13
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER THREE
25
CHAPTER 3/SCENE 1 – THE WICKET GATE
25
CHAPTER 3/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN MEETS GOODWILL
26
CHAPTER 3/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN MEETS INTERPRETER
28
I. THE FIRST EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN - THE MAN IN
THE PICTURE
29
II. THE SECOND EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN - ONE
SERVANT SWEEPING THE PARLOR, AND A SECOND SERVANT
SPRINKLING WATER ON THE DUST.
30
III. THE THIRD EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN - TWO
CHILDREN PLAYING - PASSION & PATIENCE
31
IV. FOURTH EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN - THE FIRE BY THE
WALL
33
V. FIFTH EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN -THE STATELY
PALACE
33
VI. SIXTH EXCELLENT THING THAT CHRISTIAN WAS SHOWN - THE MAN
IN THE IRON CAGE
34
VII. THE SEVENTH EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN - THE MAN
WITH THE TERRIFYING DREAM.
36
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 1 – WHERE CHRISTIAN LOSES HIS BURDEN
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 2 – WHERE CHRISTIAN MEETS THREE SHINING ONES
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN MEETS 5 DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 4 – THE HILL OF DIFFICULTY
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 5 – THE PLEASANT ARBOR
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 6 – THE TWO MEN WHO TURNED BACK
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 7 – CHRISTIAN REALIZES HE LOST HIS SCROLL AND
SEEKS TO RECOVER IT.
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 8 – FACING THE LIONS ON THE WAY
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN COMES TO THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN INTERVIEWED BY THE FAMILY
41
41
41
42
45
46
47
47
49
55
55
56
1
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN IS ACCEPTED INTO THE FAMILY
56
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 4 – CHRISTIAN IS DISCIPLED
56
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 5 – CHRISTIAN JOINS WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS TO
REMEMBER THE LORD’S DEATH
61
CHAPTER 5SCENE 6 – CHRISTIAN GOES DOWN INTO THE VALLEY OF
HUMILIATION
64
REVIEW – CHAPTER 1-5
66
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER SIX
71
CHAPTER 6/SECTION 1 – THE VALLEY OF HUMILIATION
CHAPTER 6/SECTION 2 – HE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER 7/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN CAME TO A LITTLE HILL
1. TEMPTATION #1 - WANTON
2. TEMPTATION #2 - THE OLD MAN
3. TEMPTATION #3 - MOSES
4. TEMPTATION #4 - DISCONTENT
5. TEMPTATION #5 - SHAME
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER EIGHT
72
76
85
127
130
135
139
141
143
147
CHAPTER 8/SCENE 1 – HOW FAITHFUL MET AND BEGAN A DISCUSSION
WITH A MAN CALLED TALKATIVE
147
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER NINE
166
CHAPTER 9/ SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND FAITHFUL WERE GOING THROUGH
A WILDERNESS
166
CHAPTER 9/SCENE 2 – VANITY FAIR
168
CHAPTER 9/SCENE 3 – FACING MISTREATMENT, INJUSTICE AND
PERSECUTION
172
CHAPTER 9/SCENE 4 – THE JURY RETURNS A VERDICT
175
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER 10/SCENE 1 – HOPEFUL JOINS CHRISTIAN
CHAPTER 10/SCENE 2 – THE PILGRIMS MEET MR. BY-ENDS AND HIS
FRIENDS
CHAPTER 10/SCENE 3 – THEY EVALUATE CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER ELEVEN
177
178
180
184
189
2
CHAPTER 11/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO THE PLAIN
CALLED EASE.
190
CHAPTER 11/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO AN OLD
MONUMENT: THE PILLAR OF LOT’S WIFE
192
CHAPTER 11/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO THE RIVER OF
GOD
193
CHAPTER 11/SCENE 4 – TEMPTED TO TRAVEL IN BY-PATH MEADOW
194
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER TWELVE
202
CHAPTER 12/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARRIVE AT THE
DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS
202
CHAPTER 12/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL SPEND TIME WITH THE
SHEPHERDS AND ARE MINISTERED TO BY THEM
204
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER THIRTEEN
212
CHAPTER 13/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL MEET IGNORANCE
213
CHAPTER 13/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL SEE A MAN BEING
CARRIED AWAY
215
CHAPTER 13/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF
LITTLE-FAITH
216
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER FOURTEEN
223
CHAPTER 14/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL GET TANGLED IN A NET
224
CHAPTER 14/SCENE 2 – GOD SENDS A SHINING ONE TO DISCIPLINE THEM
FOR LISTENING TO THE FLATTERER
227
CHAPTER 14/SCENE 3 – WHERE CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL MEET ATHEIST
228
CHAPTER 14/SCENE 4 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO A PLACE
CALLED THE ENCHANTED GROUND
229
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER 15/SCENE 1 – HOPEFUL’S TESTIMONY
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER SIXTEEN
232
232
239
CHAPTER 16/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF
JUSTIFICATION WITH IGNORANCE
239
CHAPTER 16/ SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL DISCUSS GODLY FEAR
241
3
CHAPTER 16/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF
BACKSLIDING AND MR. TEMPORARY - BOTTOM OF PAGE 141 THROUGH
143
246
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
249
CHAPTER 17/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARRIVE AT THE COUNTRY
CALLED BEULAH
250
CHAPTER 17/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN'S AND HOPEFUL'S EXPERIENCE WITH
THE DARK RIVER
251
CHAPTER 17/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARRIVE AT THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE DARK RIVER AND GAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CELESTIAL CITY
252
CHAPTER 17/SCENE 4 – THE FINAL OUTCOME OF IGNORANCE
256
INTRODUCTION TO PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
INTRODUCTORY MATTERS:
1. PURPOSE OF COURSE
2. TEXTBOOK FOR THE COURSE
3. AUTHOR OF TEXTBOOK
4. METHOD OF COURSE
GENERAL PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY



Col 1:28 – Become more mature in Christ
2 Peter 3:18 – Grow in grace and knowledge, better disciples
Ephesians 4:11-16 – “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets,
and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the
equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body
of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which
belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children,
tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine,
by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the
truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even
Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what
every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part,
causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
4
1. To increase your confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture for
handling all the personal and interpersonal problems of life.
2. To present in a clear fashion the dynamics and basic elements of
Christian growth and development
3. To promote biblical thinking about people and the problems
encountered in the Christian life.
4. To foster the development of a Christian world and life view.
5. This course is designed to help you understand the true nature of
the Christian life from its beginning with regeneration to its
completion when we enter heaven.
6. To clarify many of the important doctrines of the Christian life and
show how they relate to the every day life of a Christian.
7. To increase your understanding of how to deal with the various
problems and challenges that you and others face in life.
8. To help you to more fully understand the impact that others can
have on you and you can have on others.
9. To help you to learn from the many examples in The Pilgrim’s
Progress how to ask questions and provide distinctly biblical
solutions to those questions
10. To help you to become a more discerning Christian with an
increased ability to avoid being led astray by false doctrine and
false teachers.
11. To help you to have an increased ability to earnestly contend for
the faith once delivered to the saints
12. To help each of us to become better disciples of and disciplers for
Jesus Christ
13. To help each of us to understand clearly how the true Gospel
differs from false gospels.
Barry Horner’s comments on the significance of the Gospel in The
Pilgrim’s Progress.
14. To help each of us to understand the nature of temptation and sin,
their deceptive
5
15. To help each of us to learn more fully how to respond to sin and
sinners.
16. To help each of us to learn more fully how to do the work of
evangelism.
THE MAIN TEXTBOOKS – Your Bible, The Pilgrim’s Progress Cheryl Ford
translation with study questions by me. Now give several reasons for choosing
The Pilgrim’s Progress as a textbook.
THE TEXTBOOK
1. THE BIBLICAL/THEOLOGICAL NATURE OF THIS BOOK (AND
ACCURACY)
William Coleridge, George Whitfield(“The poor man’s Bible”), Charles
Spurgeon (Bunyan was Spurgeon’s favourite author.), Maureen Bradley
(“those that understand this book are accomplished theologians”).
2. ITS INTERESTING & APPEALING STYLE –
Best seller by end of 17th century – 100 000 sold within 22 years.
By 18th century – England and America –hardly a home in England or
America that didn’t have a copy.
Translated into more languages than any other book besides the Bible - More
than 200 languages
Sold more than any other book except the Bible.
George Whitfield
Cheryl Ford
Barry Horner – most popular and widest circulation single piece circulated.
Maureen Bradley
Literary form in which written - an allegory. Bunyan also uses Metaphors,
similitudes, parables, dialogue, humor etc.
WHAT IS AN ALLEGORY?
In writing the Pilgrim’s Progress Bunyan used a literary form called an
allegory to convey the message he wanted to convey. An allegory is a story in
which the characters, places and events are symbolic and have deeper
meaning. In Bunyan’s case, he used the people, events and places of his
native England to represent important aspects of, and used them to depict
truths and experiences and struggles in the Christian life. In Pilgrim’s
6
Progress, John Bunyan figuratively depicts various aspects of the Christian’s
experience as a journey from this world to the Celestial City.
Bunyan also describes real people and experiences, just gives them different
names.
3. IT IS SO PRACTICAL & HELPFUL IN NATURE
Different from many/most theology books, some are not theologically
accurate
Describes most of difficulties and pressures we experience today; incredibly
relevant. Also provides solutions – the people’s problems also have answers
and solutions in the book.
4. IT IS SO COMPREHENSIVE IN SCOPE
Wide range of Christian life issues. Amazing variety of Christian Life Issues
John Gulliver
More than 130 Christian life topics; a few of them.























Angels
Anxiety
Apostasy
Assurance
Atheism
Atonement
Backsliding
Carnality
Chastisement
The Church
Church Membership
Comfort
Commitment
Complaining
Counseling
Conversion
Counterfeit religion
Death
Satan and demons
Depression
Discernment
Discipline
Discipleship
7












































Discontentment
Discouragement
Encouragement
Evangelism
Faith
False teachers
Family
Fear
Fear of God
Fellowship
Friendship
Forgiveness
Hypocrisy
Gospel Grace
Guidance
Heaven & hell
Holy Spirit
Hope
Hopelessness
Humility
Joy
Judgment
Justification
Legalism
Lord’s supper
Lust
Materialism
Motives/motivation
Pastors
Patience
Passion
Persecution
Perseverance
Praise
Prayer
Pride
Presumption
Rebuke
God’s providence
Repentance
Restoration
Sanctification
Self control
Shame
8



Suicide
Unpardonable sin
Temptation, etc.
Many examples of how to gather information – of good questions that
produce helpful data
How to make an accurate biblical interpretation of the nature and cause of
problems
How to give hope
How to give biblical solutions & how to help people to put those solutions
into practice etc.
5. PROVIDES SOLIKD, BIBLICALLY ACCURATE ANSWERS TO MANY
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE QUESTIONS ANSWERED
BY PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
Pilgrim’s Progress answers the following questions:



















What is a Christian?
How does a true Christian live?
What is the essence of the gospel?
How do we recognize the true and false gospel?
What relevance does the gospel have for the Christian after
regeneration?
What is the relationship of the gospel and Christian obedience?
What is the nature of the world today and how does it influence the
Christian’s life?
What is sin, how serious is it, and how does it influence us and deceive
us?
How should the Christian respond when he is sinned against?
What should the Christian do when he sins or someone around him
sins?
What or whom are the Christian’s enemies and who is he at war with?
What methods or weapons should the Christians use to overcome the
enemy?
How can the Christian grow to be stronger and more stable?
What does it mean to minister or serve others, and what is effective
ministry?
What does it mean to witness, and who should we witness to?
What is the church, and what is to be done there?
Who are real Christians, and how do we discern who is authentic?
How do we stay away from error?
How do we think Christian-like in everything?
9


How does the Christian develop the Christian mindset?
What does it mean in practical terms to put on the Lord Jesus Christ?
In this book find Evangelist counseling Christian; Christian – Faithful &
Hopeful; Faithful & Hopeful = Christian; Interpreter = Christian; Watchful,
Prudence, Discretion, Piety and Charity counseling Christian; Faithful –
Talkative; Christian – Ignorance; eamples of good counselors and bad
counselors.
6. IT SPEAKS TO THE NEED OF THE HOUR IN EVANGELICAL
CHRISTIANITY - in a manner that is equal to and even superior to any
other book I know.
What are the needs of the hour that Pilgrim’s Progress addresses?
1. There is a need for a clear proclamation of the Gospel – Galatians 1:6 –
9; 2:4 -5, 14 – 16. Many false erroneous Gospels being preached today.
2. There is a need for a clear proclamation of sovereign grace. Over
emphasis on human ability.
3. There is a need for a clear proclamation of sanctification – how Christians
overcome sin and grow into the likeness of Christ – how become holy in
heart and conduct.
4. There is a need for a clear proclamation of the nature and methods of
spiritual warfare.
5. There is a need for a clear proclamation of the role of the church and the
role of pastors in the Christian life.
6. There is a need for a clear proclamation of the sufficiency of Scripture for
dealing with all of our non physical problems.
7. There is need for a clear proclamation of the way that Christians should
counsel and minister to one another in the Christian life.
8. There is a need for a clear proclamation of the true and realistic nature of
the Christian life in this world.
9. There is a need for a clear proclamation of what constitutes true
discipleship.
These are some of the needs of the hour in evangelical Christianity and, in
my judgment, Pilgrim’s Progress wonderfully fulfills the need for these various
kinds of proclamation in a way that is equal or even superior to any other
book I know.
THE AUTHOR
John Bunyan (lived from 1628-1688)

GENERAL FACTS ABOUT JOHN BUNYAN – 1628-1688
10

–
Became a Baptistic Pastor (1.8)
–
Travelled widely – Bishop Bunyan
–
George Whitfield’s description of his Physical Characteristics
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE HISTORICAL SITUATION – 4 PERIODS:





PERIOD 1. 1628-1649: King Charles 1 - Opposed and persecuted any
kind of religion outside the church of England – All Presbyterians,
Congregationalists, Baptists, Independents.
CIVIL WAR = CROMWELL = LEADER- WENT ON FROM 1642-1649.
CROMWELL’S FORCES WON – CHARLES 1 KILLED. BUNYAN
BORN IN 1628 AND LIVED A WICKED LIFE DURING THE LATTER
PART OF THIS PERIOD.
PERIOD 2. 1649 –1660: OLIVER CROMWELL AND PARLIAMENT
RULED – RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, GOSPEL PREACHED FREELY,
MANY CONVERTED, BIBLE PREACHING CHURCHES
ESTABLISHED – BUNYAN CONVERTED DURING THIS PERIOD
AND BEGAN TO PREACH.
PERIOD 3. 1660-1681: CROMWELL DIED - KING CHARLES II
RETURNS FROM THE CONTINENT & WINS BACK THE THRONE –
ANOTHER ERA OF INTENSE PERSECUTION - UNIFORMITY ACT
PASSED MAKING IT ILLEGAL TO WORSHIP OUTSIDE CHURCH
OF ENGLAND – ALL PREACHERS MUST BE LICENSED – MANY
INDEPENDENT AND BAPTIST PASTORS INCLUDING BUNYAN
WERE PUT IN JAIL AS COMMON CRIMINALS, SUFFERED
GREATLY BECAUSE THEY PREACHED. SOME WERE EVEN
KILLED. BUNYAN SPENT 12 YEARS IN JAIL. WROTE MANY
BOOKS INCLUDING THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.
PERIOD 4. 1681-1688: KING JAMES II AND KING WILLIAM AND
QUEEN MARY. KING JAMES INITIALLY TRIED TO UNITE THE
CHURCH OF ENGLAND WITH THE CHURCH OF ROME. DIDN’T
RULE LONG BECAUSE PEOPLE REVOLTED – KING JAMES FLED
TO FRANCE; KING WILLIAM AND QUEEN MARY CAME INTO
POWER AND SOON PASSED WHAT WAS CALLED THE
TOLERATION ACT THAT GUARANTEED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM TO
ALL PROTESTANT DISSENTERS.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL OTHER ASPECTS OF BUNYAN’S LIFE:
A. FACTS ABOUT HIS EARLY LIFE
1. Born in Elstow – smaill village few miles from Bedford. Mother and father
Thomas and Margaret Bunyan. Very poor.
11
2. Poor man’s education – something like Grade 1-3
3. Learned trade of a tinker – Plumber, metal worker, blacksmith
4. Mother died when 16; father remarried – left home at 17.
5. Drafted into army at 17 – saw rawer side of life – during Civil war
6. Dismissed after two years
7. Went back to job as tinker in Elstow
8. Married a young lady at 20 who had a positive influence on him – 2 books
– Plain Man’s pathway to heaven; Practice of Piety. Sometimes read with
wife, but not particularly convicted.
B. FACTS ABOUT HIS CONVERSION
1. AFTER MARRIAGE, BEGAN ATTENDING ANGLICAN CHURCH WITH
WIFE – WENT THROUGH FOUR YEAR PERIOD OF INTENSE
TURMOIL. INITIALLY VERY IMPRESSED WITH RITUAL AND ROBES
AND FORMALITY OF ANGLICAN CHURCH.
2. LOVED PLEASURES OF SIN – PARTYING, DRINKING, SWEARING –
COMMENT BY WOMAN OF ILL REPUTE IN ELSTOW.
3. HUMILIATED BY THIS CHARGE – CLEANED UP OUTWARD LIFE - NO
HEART CHANGE. IGNORANT OF GOSPEL AND OF REAL
CHRISTIANITY.
4. ONE DAY OVERHEARD FEW WOMEN ON BEDFORD STREET
DISCUSSING NEW BIRTH AND THEIR SINFUL STATE BY NATURE.
HAUNTED BY WHAT HEARD – CONVICTED & DISTURBED. BEGAN
TO READ BIBLE – SEARCHED, BUT DIDN’T UNDERSTAND.
5. FRIENDS SUGGESTED CONTACT JOHN GIFFORD. GIFFORD
COUNSELED. OTHER CHRISTIANS COUNSELED. CONVICTION OF
SIN CONTINUED AND INCREASED – WENT THROUGH SLOUGH OF
DESPOND WITH NO RELIEF – FEARED TOO WICKED TO BE SAVED
– GREATLY TROUBLED BY SIN – THEN ONE DAY CAME ACROSS
COL. 1:20 (AS READING LUTHER’S INTRODUCTION TO BOOK OF
GALATIANS) – BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND THE DOCTRINE OF
JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE ALONE THROUGH FAITH ALONE
THROUGH CHRIST ALONE – AT AGE OF 25 (1653) MEMBERSHIP OF
BEDFORD CHURCH
C. HIS DOCTRINAL CONVICTIONS
1. A PURITAN IN TERMS OF CHRISTIAN LIFE – PURE LIFE AND PURE
CHURCH
12
2. SOTERIOLOGICALLY A CALVINIST – TOTAL DEPRAVITY,
UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION, EFFECTUAL CALL – IRRESISTIBLE
GRACE, PRESERVSATION & PERSEVERAJNCE OF SAINTS
D. HIS MINISTRY AND IMPRISONMENT
1. AFTER CONVERSION BUNYAN DEVOTED HIMSELF TO BIBLE STUDY
– VORACIOUSLY READ BOOKS ABOUT BIBLE, THEOLOGY AND
CHRISTIAN LIFE - DISCIPLED AND TAUGHT BY PASTOR GIFFORD
AND OTHER GODLY MEN.
2. GIFFORD AND OTHERS RECOGNIZED HIS GODLINESS AND
GIFTING AND HE BEGAN RECEIVING NUMEROUS PREACHING
OPPORTUNITIES
3. 3. FEW YEARS AFTER HE BECAME A CHRISTIAN, PASTOR GIFFORD
OF BEDFORD CHURCH DIED; BUNYAN BECAME PASTOR.
REPUTATION AS A GODLY MAN AND GIFTED PREACHER GREW –
INVITATIONS TO SPEAK ALL OVER ENGLAND BEGAN TO POUR IN.
WHEREVER WENT CROWDS GATHERED TO HEAR HIM EXPOSIT
WORD.
4. IN 1660, 7 YEARS AFTER HIS CONVERSION THE UNIFORMITY ACT
WAS PUT INTO EFFECT BY KING CHARLES II – MADE ALL
PREACHING OUTSIDE ANGLICAN CHURCH ILLEGAL –
PERSECUTION BEGAN. BUNYAN WAS WARNED – TOLD WOULD BE
ARESTED AND IMPRISONED IF PREACHED –IGNORED WARNING&
PREACHED –ARRESTED – IMPRISONED FOR 6 YEARS. BRIEFLY
RELEASED – WENT BACK TO PREACHING –ARRESTED AGAIN – 6
MORE YEARS – BRIEFLY RELEASED AGAIN – PREACHED –
ARRESTED AGAIN – 6 MORE MONTHS IN JAIL. KING WILLIAM AND
QUEEN MARY PUT TOLERATION ACT INTO EFFECT – RELEASED –
LIVED REST OF LIFE IN FREEDOM – 6 YEARS OF PREACHING –
DIED FROM PNEUMONIA WHICH HE CONTACTED WHEN ON A
PREACHING TOUR IN LONDON.
5. WHY PUT IN PRISON? FOR PREACHING; FOR REFUSING TO
PROMISE NOT TO PREACH.
6. WHAT DO WHEN IN PRISON? WASTE TIME? BECOME DEPRESSED?
BITTER? ANGRY? PLAN REVENGE? NO! STUDIED WORD,
PREACHED, CONDUCTED BIBLE, STUDIES, WITNESSED – MANY
CONVERTED – PASTORED THEM, WROTE – MANY BOOKS. WROTE
GRACE ABOUNDING; LIFE AND DEATH OF MR BAD MAN; PILGRIM’S
PROGRESS; CHRISTIANA; WHY ABLE TO RESPOND THIS WAY?
BUNYAN WAS A CALVINIST - BELIEVED ROMANS 8:28; BELIEVED AS
PAUL DID – EPH. 4:1- HE A PRISONER OF THE LORD. BECAUSE OF
THAT PRISON EXPERIENCE, WE NOW HAVE THE PILGIM’S
PROGRESS. BUNYAN STILL MINISTERING THROUGH HIS BOOKS.
Reminder: Pilgrim’s Progress is written in the literary form of an allegory.
An allegory is a literary form in which the characters, places and events are
13
symbolic and have deeper meaning. In Bunyan’s case, he used the people,
events and places of his native England to represent important aspects of,
and truths and experiences in the Christian life. In Pilgrim’s Progress, John
Bunyan figuratively depicts various aspects of the Christian’s experience
as a journey from this world to the Celestial City.
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER ONE – TRUE CONVERSION –PAGES 1 –
12
MAIN SCENES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
THE MAN IN RAGS AT HOME WITH A BURDEN
EVANGELIST APPEARS
OBSTINATE AND PLIABLE PURSUE PILGRIM
PLIABLE DECIDES TO GO WITH PILGRIM
THE SLOUGH OF DESPOND
CHAPTER 1/SCENE 1 – BUNYAN INTRODUCES US TO A CERTAIN MAN
TELLS US CERTAIN THINGS ABOUT THIS MAN:
First tells us where this man lives:
City of Destruction
Where does Bunyan come up with such a name?



2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
2 Peter 3:7,10,11
Revelation 19:11-21
Second, tells us that this City of Destruction is located in the world. What
Bunyan mean by word “world”? Using word world as Bible often does.
14














Gal 4:3
Gal 6:14
1 Cor 2:12
James 1:27
Eph 2:2
Eph 6:12
2 Cor 4:4
John 7:7
John 8:23
John 14:30
Col 2:8
Rom. 12:2
1 John 2:15-17
1 John 4:4-5
Third, tells us that this “City of Destruction” is located in the wilderness of
this world.






Deut 8:1-5 – place of hardships and trials
Psalm 102:6 – “pelicans in the wilderness” – something out of place
Isaiah 51:3 Jer 2:6,7
Jer 50:10-12
Matt 4:1-13 / Mark 1:12-13
THE MAN HIMSELF; HIS CONDITION
Fourth, man was dressed in Rags: What do the rags represent? (Notes)




Zechariah 3:1-5 – represent sin, iniquity
Isa 64:6 – man’s righteousness is like filthy rags
Philippians 3:3-9
Matthew 22:1-14 [Parable of the Marriage Feast]
 Scene 1 (Vss. 1-6) - Wedding invitations sent and rejected
 Scene 2 (Vss. 7,8) - Rejecters punished
 Scene 3 (Vss. 9,10) - New guests invited
 Scene 4 (Vss 11-14) - Guest with wrong attire
Fifth, tells us that his Face Is Turned Away From The City



Does not look to man for solution to his problems
So concerned about the problem that he goes against the counsel of
friends and family. Dressed in rags, full of sin, unworthy. Family and
friends counsel ignored. Got to be willing to turn away from them.
Following the requirements for discipleship given by Jesus:
15



Luke 14:15-27 – v25 esp – must hate own father, mother, brothers
and sisters, even himself. Must put God first.
Luke 14:33
Luke 18:29-30 – No-one who has left family for the kingdom that
will not receive one hundred fold in the kingdom to come.
Sixth, the Man Has A Great Burden On His Back


Psalm 38:4 – David is experience – saw how great a sinner he was, his
sin was over his head. A heavy burden.
Luke 18:13
Seventh, the Man Was Reading A Book
What is the book he is reading?

The Bible
Why is this book so necessary?






Rom. 3:19-20 – by the law there is the conviction of sin. It
condemns us. Brings the whole world under accountability to God.
Luke 10:25-27
2 Tim 3:15
Gal 3:24 – Law is our tutor to lead us to Christ
Luke 18:18-23
Psalm 19:7
Eighth, as the man read this book, he was convicted and reproved and
began to tremble and weep while reading the book. (Notes –6, 7)









2 Tim 3:16 - “reprove” elechos [to convict, convince – objectively and
subjectively] uses it to convicts us
Rev 3:14-18
Ezra 9:4 – When Ezra taught the Word, the people began to weep and
tremble.
Rom 7:7 – The law is not the cause of sin, but brings to light the conviction
of sin.
Acts 2:14-37 – What the people on the day of Pentecost experienced
when they heard the Word for the first time.
Isaiah 66:2 – God looks on those that trembles
Jer 23:29 – God uses his word as a hammer to break and a fire to purify.
Neh 8:5-9 – People wept
Rom 3:20 – Law brings knowledge of sin
16

Heb 4:12 – Word is like a knife that cuts
LESSONS: Bunyan wants us to learn at least 3 truths from this account
about this man’s concern over his burden:
1. God’s Word when rightly understood brings conviction to the unsaved.
Can be no substitute. Before a man can be saved he must know that he is
lost.
2. For a person to really seek Christ, he must recognize that his spiritual
problem is more serious than anything else in his life; when a person
really does recognize that his spiritual problem is very serious he will not
seek God in the same manner that a person who has a slight blister seeks
for a physician. Rather he will seek him the way a person who knows he
has a serious physical problem will seek a physician who has the cure for
his serious problem. Will go to any lengths, will take the time, make the
effort – allow nothing or no one to stand in his way.
3. God’s Word brings conviction in both the objective and subjective sense;
God’s Word when rightly understood will convince us that we are legally
guilty before God and unprepared to die and face God’s judgment. But
more than that, it will also bring us a sense of subjective conviction that
will cause us to experience sorrow and fear and a desire to change.
THE MAN’S FAMILY
In the 9th part of Scene 1 Bunyan tells us that this man became concerned
about his family and began to warn them of the coming destruction.
Then he tells us about his family’s response to his concern:



Thought that he was mentally ill
They pitied him
They became angry with him, mocked
In this little episode in scene 1, Bunyan reminds us in story form of what often
happens when a person becomes serious about spiritual things.
1 Peter 5:8; 2 Cor 2:11 – speak of Satan’s strategies or methods or devices - tell
us we must not be ignorant of his devices; one of the primary ways
Matt 10:21, 36 - man’s foes shall be they of his own family.
In this scene Bunyan also wants to remind us that people will respond to God’s
Word in different ways – 2 Cor. 2:16; Acts 17:32 – 34; Mark 4 – 4 soils.
17
Episode should encourage us not to despair if someone does not immediately
respond. In sequel – Christiana – she and children as well as some of his
neighbors came to Christ – John 4:36-38 (some sow, others reap); some
respond immediately upon first hearing the Gospel - Acts 2:36-37; some after a
period of time – Saul Acts 8 & 9; Me and rest of family – my sister Betty – wife’s
family.
May also learn from this that it should not surprise us if people face opposition
from others when they become interested in spiritual things – Luke 14:25, 26; 1
Peter 4:12.
Learn from this how we should respond to others when they try to dampen our
spiritual concern – when his family and neighbors cried after him he didn’t give
up…didn’t continue to listen to them…didn’t become bitter… didn’t argue with
them… instead he withdrew to his room and continued to seek a solution to his
dilemma though prayer and a study of God’s Word.
CHAPTER 1/SCENE 2 –WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE
BECOME CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SINFULNESS - PAGE 2
God Sends A Man To Show Him The Way

Who is this man that shows the way to relieve Pilgrim’s burden?
Evangelist – a faithful Pastor – 2 Tim 4:1-5 (John Gifford in John Bunyan’s
case)
Page 2 -Evangelist Begins by Questioning Pilgrim’s Sorrow




Why are you crying?
Knew that people may be crying for a number of reasons.
Doesn’t jump to conclusions. Doesn’t assume.
Practices Prov. 18:13 – seeks to probe this man’s sense of need –
discover his main concern.
Pilgrim gives a 4-fold answer (p. 2)):

Read in the Book that he was condemned to die.

Read in the Book that after death came judgment.

Perceived that he was not willing to die.

Perceived that he was not ready for judgment.


Note that this man’s main concerns were not psychological, but spiritual.
Not for self esteem etc.
His main concern was not his emptiness, but his lack of preparedness to
meet God on judgment day.
18


Main concern was not his desire for happiness or fulfillment but his desire
for forgiveness and holiness.
Main concern had to do with eternity, not the present.
Note Evangelist’s Counsel
Having received these answers, Evangelist continues to probe and gather data
by asking more searching questions:


Why aren’t you willing to die? (Page 2) Seeking to draw from this man a
clear confession of his guilt and corruption before God. Again seeking to
discover what is it that is motivating this man’s concern. Laboring to get
this man to think seriously.
Follows that question with another probing question: Why haven’t you
done something to solve your problem? (Page 3) Avoids doing what
some false prophets were doing in time of Jeremiah 6:12-13; Jer 8:8-12
(rejected the word of the Lord, they practice deceit, heal Israel
superficially)
Note Pilgrim’s answer and what it demonstrated (P.3)
“Don’t know where to go, what to do.” Answer demonstrated his ignorance as
well as his desire to learn and willingness to obey.
At this point, Evangelist gave some instruction and some directions to
Pilgrim: so again see him using questions as well as giving directions (p.
3):

Flee from the coming wrath – didn’t minimize his concerns – indicated that
the man had every reason to weep and tremble – assured him that there
is wrath to come and that he’d better do something about escaping that
wrath – indicated that the main reason he should be concerned – not right
with a holy God. Flee – not crawl, walk – conveys a note of urgency and
haste.
This elicited another confession of helplessness from this man as well as a
request for direction.
And now having been assured that the man had the right concerns and was
serious about getting right with God, Evangelist directs his attention to the
Wicket Gate.

Note he didn’t hurry him into a profession of faith. Believed that must
begin right if to end right. Believed that some understanding is essential
for a person to be truly saved.
19






At this point, due to his lack of clear biblical teaching about Christ and
salvation he humbly confesses his lack of understanding and asks him if
he sees a shining light.
Man confesses that he thinks he sees the shining light – still very
insecure, acknowledges his ignorance. So Evangelist tells him to keep his
eyes fixed upon the shining light (The Bible Psa 119) and go toward it.
Assures him that if he keeps his eyes on the shining light and goes for it
he will see the wicket gate – his ignorance will be lifted.
Then tells him that when the light has led him to the gate he should knock
and he would be told what to do.
The Shining Light (the Bible): Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 6:23
Wicket Gate (Christ?): Matt. 7:13-14; Acts 4:12; John 6:35-44; John 10:79; John14:6
Knocking(Earnestness): Matt 7:7-9
Note what it was that Evangelist told him to follow if to get rid of his
burden. Indicates that he was not to follow:




Opinions of Man.
Opinions of the church.
Opinions of Philosophers.
Traditions of man.
Was to Follow the light of God’s Word
Why did Evangelist counsel him this way?
1. Didn’t want to encourage him to go through some little kind of formula that
might produce a false kind of assurance.
2. Believed Jonah 2:9 & Romans 9:16 and John 1:13 & 2 Corinthians 4:6.
3. Believed John 6:37; 6:39, 44; Phil. 1:6
4. Believed that all an evangelist has to do when someone is genuinely
convicted – point to the Word and to Christ.
5. Did not believe in the psychological Gospel
20
Bunyan tells us that when this man heard Evangelist’s counsel he began to
run toward:
The Light
Also tells us that as he began to run toward the light he encountered other
hindrances from his:
21


Family again tried to get him to give up his concern about his soul. “Cried
out for him to return…”
Neighbors also – some mocked, others threatened, some cried out for him
to return.
CHAPTER 1/SCENE 3 – OBSTINATE AND PLIABLE PURSUE PILGRIM
In particular we’re told that two of this man’s neighbors came after him to try to
hinder him - Obstinate & Pliable – pages 3 -7
OBSTINATE.
3 questions about Obstinate:
1. What are the qualities that characterize Obstinate?















Worldliness – utterly devoted to the superiority of worldly values; thinks
that what the world has to offer is much better than what Christ offers.
Stubbornness – inflexibility, pridefulness, Scornful
Self-Willed
Domineering
Insensitivity
Hostility
Opinionated
Unkind
Sarcastic
Cruel
Vindictive
Abusive
Pushy
Nasty
Hard Hearted
2. Whom does Obstinate represent?


Those who hear the gospel and stubbornly reject it. People who won’t
even give the Gospel a hearing; people who are closed minded toward the
things of God; represents the way side soil in Jesus parable in Mark 4:3,4
Also represents those who not only reject the Gospel, but who vehemently
oppose it; those who are personally hostile to it; those who try to hinder
others from responding, mock, make fun of it or anyone who shows an
interest – like the Athenians in Acts 17:32 who mocked Paul and his
message; represents people like ones who stoned Stephen – stuck fingers
in ears – then stoned the messenger.
22
3. What Methods or Arguments did he use to try to get Christian to turn
away from his interest in spiritual things? P. 3 -5
1. Bunyan tells us that Obstinate tried to get him to turn back by reminding
him of all the friends and comforts he was leaving behind; think of all you’ll
be giving up.
2. Spoke derisively about the Word of God – said that the Bible ands its
contents were ridiculous. Gave no evidence to substantiate this – just
railed against the Bible.
3. Belittled Christian and others that believe in God – called them “crazy
headed fools” – called Christian a “sick headed man” – indicated that
Christian was not being reasonable or willing to listen to people who were
much more intelligent than he was.
4. So Obstinate represents many of the University professors who not only
won’t listen God’s Word, but also seek to turn others away from the truth
by their attacks on the veracity of God’s Word; represents men like Daniel
Brown of DaVinci Code fame who live 2000 years after Christ and yet
attack and demean God’s Word by inventing and propounding
unsubstantiated ideas that contradict the truth of God’s Word.
REVIEW – WHAT TAUGHT US ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE THUS FAR:
1. WHERE ALL OF US LIVE BEFORE WE COME TO CHRIST
2. WHAT WE’RE LIKE BEFORE WE COME TO CHRIST
3. HOW GOD MAKES US AWARE OF OUR SINFULNESS AND OUR
NEED OF CHRIST
4. TWO THINGS GOD’S WORD WILL DO IN PEOPLE WHO BECOME
CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SINS AND THEIR NEED OF
FORGIVENESS
5. HOW OTHERS MAY REGARD US AND WHAT THEY MAY DO WHEN
WE BECOME CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SINS
6. HOW WE SHOULD RESPOND WHEN OTHERS SEEK TO HINDER US
IN OUR PURSUIT OF FORGIVENESS AND A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP
WITH GOD
7. EVANGELIST COMES AND COUNSELS HIM - NOTED WHAT HE DID
DO AND WHAT HE DIDN’T DO - ALSO DISCUSSED WHY HE DID
WHAT HE DID - ASKS 3 QUESTIONS AND GIVES HIM A FIVE FOLD
DIRECTION
8. TWO OF HIS FELLOW CITIZENS IN THE CITY OF DESTRUCTION
CAME AFTER HIM TO PERSUADE HIM TO COME BACK.
9. NOW WE COME ON PAGES 4 AND 5 TO SCENE 4 WHERE WE HAVE
A DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND NEIGHBOR WHO TRIED TO GET
CHRISTIAN TO RETURN – MAN BY THE NAME OF PLIABLE –
SEVERAL QUESTIONS: (1) WHAT KIIND OF A PERSON WAS HE –
WHAT WERE HIS PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS (2) WHOM DOES
HE REPRESENT; (3) WHAT DID CHRISTIAN AND PLIABLE TALK
23
ABOUT (4) WHAT MISTAKES did CHRISTIAN MAKE IN THIS
CONVERSATION WITH PLIABLE?
CHAPTER 1/SCENE 4 – PLIABLE, THE SECOND NEIGHBOUR
INTRODUCED
1. What were his personal characteristics? What was he like? What can we
learn about him from Bunyan’s description? (P. 6 & 7):







Unstable
Easily Influenced
Superficial
Changeable
Wrongly Motivated
Inconsistent
Feeling Oriented
2. Whom does Pliable represent?









Represents those who hear the gospel and immediately manifest an
interest without considering the cost.
Those who are easily influenced by whatever appealing idea they hear. At
first Pliable was easily influenced by Obstinate to come with him; then
easily persuaded by Christian to go with him.
Those who are interested in the Gospel because they only want to feel
better; represents people who make a profession of faith because they
want the blessings - want joy, peace, security, significance, sense of self
worth – but who don’t want to deny self, etc.
Pliable is like people in John 6:14, 15; 61, 66 who followed Christ because
they heard of how he had fed the 5000.
Pliable is like Simon Maggus in Acts 8:13-18, 23
Pliable is like 2 of the soils in Mark 4:5-6, 16-17
Pliable represent all who are interested in Christ for the wrong reasons.
Pliable knew nothing of Christian’s conviction of sin – knew nothing of
God’s holiness and righteousness – didn’t see self clothed in rags… as
totally unacceptable to God - had no burden – knew nothing of the fear of
God .
People who come to Christ because they think that this will be the means
by which they escape the hardships and difficulties of life.
People who are mainly concerned for personal happiness and have little
interest in holiness; represents people who want the prize that is promised
at the end of the race, but who don’t want to experience the pain and
rigors of the training that God prescribes for every Christian.
24

People who want to go to heaven when they die, but don’t want to suffer
hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; they want to wear the crown
but don’t want to carry a cross.
3. PAGES 6, 7 - BUNYAN TELL US THAT CHRISTIAN AND PLIABLE
ENTERED INTO A DISCUSSION – LET’S NOTICE WHAT THEY TALKED
ABOUT.
Page 6 – says that Pliable Is brimming with Questions – from this it would
appear that he set the agenda. Well, what questions did he ask? Significant
note the kind of questions he asked. His primary concerns are indicated by
the questions he asked.





What things are we seeking?
How will we enjoy them?
Where are we going? Excellent!
What else?
How can we come to share in them?
4. WHAT MISTAKES MAY CHRISTIAN HAVE MADE IN THIS
CONVERSATION WITH PLIABLE? POINT = HIS MISTAKES ARE
COMMON MISTAKES THAT WE MAY ALSO MAKE IN OUR SITNESS TO
PEOPLE. PROBABLY HAD GOD INTENTIONS, BUT WAS MISTAKEN
NONETHELESS. CHRISTIAN MADE THE MISTAKE OF:





Allowing Pliable to dictate what they would talk about. Problem wasn’t
that what Christian said wasn’t true. Problem not that it is wrong to
discuss the glories of heaven. Problem is that this was Pliable’s main
concern. Didn’t show any interest in his sin or in forgiveness. This
should have been a tip off for Christian, but apparently it wasn’t.
Assuming Pliable’s motivation was the same as his.
Allowing his desire for company to cloud judgment.
Overlooking the fact that Pliable had no burden.
Failing to follow Evangelist’s pattern and example. Before Evangelist
provided the good news he made sure that Christian understood the
bad news.
SCENE 5 – PAGES 7 - 9 - THE SLOUGH OF DESPOND
Pilgrim & Pliable both fall into this slough (P. 7 - 8):


Pliable gets out without much difficulty – little if any awareness of the
seriousness of sin; little conviction
Pilgrim struggles and sinks deeper
What does the Slough Of Despond represent?
25
See page 8 & 9



Life of sin exposed under heavy conviction
Fear, doubt and anxieties of a lost condition
Hopelessness & despair of sinful condition
Christian Struggles In The Slough Of Despond
P. 8 & 9 -Christian is unable to extricate himself by his own efforts. The more he
struggles, the more deeply he becomes entrenched in the mire. The Help arrives
to assist.
Help To The Rescue - Whom does Help Represent?









1 Corinthians 12:28
Anyone God chooses to help people overcome their discouragement,
despondency and hopelessness.
Bunyan’s case = women in Bedford; Pastor John Gifford; reading Martin
Luther on Justification by grace alone.
At any rate, Help arrives and counsels Christian - speaks to him of steps
placed in the Slough. Steps represent the promises of God such as:
Ephesians 1:7
Romans 3:24
Rom 5:1
1 John 1:7-9
1 John 2:1-2
Is Bunyan saying that everyone needs to experience the depths of slough
of Despond that Christian did when he was coming to Christ for that
person to really be a Christian?
Answer = no.
Chapter 7 – no indication that Faithful went through the depths of this slough of
despond experience.
Sequel – where we have a record of Christian’s wife's pilgrimage. There is no
indication she or the others with her went through the depths of Christian’s
experience. She found the steps and carefully went through.
CHAPTER 1 CONCLUSION
2 questions for you:
1. What Promises of God have been of most help to you in your coming to
Christ?
26
2. If you had no other information about the Christian life, except that
which you received from this chapter, what ideas about the Christian life
would you have?
1. Reading and studying the Bible is an extremely important aspect of the
Christian life.
2. The same Bible that convicts and condemns also provides the solution
and remedy to our sin problem.
3. People in the world will not understand what we believe or do to become
Christians or after we become Christians. No sense of sin.
4. We need the help of other Christians when we are going through
difficulties.
5. God usually uses people in helping us to come to Christ.
6. Unbelievers, even in our own families, may seek to hinder us from coming
to Christ
7. The Christian must live with eternity’s values in view.
8. Much of the distress we experience is due to our failure to understand
God’s Word and appropriate His promises.
9. Experiencing true conviction is a very important aspect of the Christian
life.
10. If we are going to help others who are struggling, we must be able to
accurately diagnose what is going on in their lives and know God’s
solutions to them.
11. In our attempts to bring others to Christ, we must make sure that they
understand what their real concern should be and what their real problem
and need is.
12. In our attempts to bring others to Christ, we must make sure that we don’t
try to do the work of the Holy Spirit. (Evangelist’s witness to him – believed
salvation is from the Lord, God will give assurance of salvation.)
13. In the matter of our coming to Christ and continuing in Christ we must
make sure that we seek and listen to the right counselors and counsel.
14. From the slough of despond experience we may learn that many of the
problems we have in our lives are related to out ignorance of biblical truth
15. From the whole chapter, we may learn that getting started right in the
Christian life is vitally important for success in the rest of your Christian
life. Many people flounder because they don’t get off to a good start.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. DISCUSS WHAT HAVE YOU OBSERVED ABOUT WAYS THAT SOME
FAMILY MEMBERS/ FRIENDS HAVE SOUGHT TO DAMPEN THE
SPIRITUAL INTEREST OF PEOPLE AS THEY HAVE BECOME
INTERESTED IN SPIRITUAL MATTERS?
2. DISCUSS:
a. MODERN DAY EVANGELISTIC METHODS
27
b. THE TYPICAL MODERN DAY EVANGELISTIC MESSAGE
c. THE KIND OF RESULTS MODERN DAY EVANGELISM IS PRODUCING
d. WHY YOU THINK SO MANY PEOPLE WHO MAKE PROFESSIONS
FALL AWAY AND DON’T CONTINUE IN THE FAITH.
CHRISTIAN LIFE ISSUES AS DEPICTED IN THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER TWO
Pages 12 – 23 – Bad Counsel/Counseling; Good Counsel/Counseling
2 Main Scenes
1. Christian Meets Mr. Worldly Wiseman
2. Evangelist Gives Wise Counsel
CHAPTER 2/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN MEETS MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN
As we come to this chapter scene 1 of ch. 2 Bunyan tells us that Christian was
still sighing and groaning under conviction of sin (page 13).
And we also find a man who comes along to supposedly help him by giving
him counsel (p.9).
And who was this man?
Well, the name of this man says it all = Mr. Worldly Wiseman.
1. This man, says Bunyan, is Mr. Worldly Wiseman - Remember the
Bible’s definition of the word “world”:




2 Cor 4:4
Eph 2;2
Psa 17:14
Phil 3:19
2. He is Mr. Worldly Wiseman - = man who is considered wise by the
world and in the way of the world – provided worldly solution to
Christians problem
28



James 3:13-18 – Wisdom from above vs. earthly, natural, demonic
wisdom
1 Cor 1:17-25 – Wisdom of the world is foolishness to God
1 Cor 2:1-8 - Wisdom of the earth is passing away. God’s wisdom is
forever.
3. Some say Bunyan is referring to Edward Fowler - Anglican Pastor Broad Minded – might be in that many of Bunyan’s characters are
descriptions of real life people with different names. Fowler:







Saw Christianity as only one of many ways to come to God
Saw Christianity as a means to improve people morally
Saw Christianity as a means of social reform
Rejected doctrine of substitutionary atonement
Embraced the moral influence theory of Christ’s death
Rejected doctrine of justification by grace through faith
Believed salvation was through works - by being a good person
according to the world’s definition.
4. Whoever he was, Mr. Worldly Wiseman was a Religious Man Who
Advocated A Way Of Salvation That Was Acceptable To The World


Gal 6:12-14 – trying to compel certain activities to avoid persecution.
Keeping religious activities
Col 2:8-23 – religion that keeps certain laws, feasts etc.
5. Pages 13 & 14 further identify Mr. Worldly Wiseman as a man who:




Respects the values and wisdom of this world
Goes to church in the town of Morality
Loves the world’s wisdom because it spares him from facing the cross
Seeks to pervert the ways of the true Christian
On pages 13-16 Bunyan describes the nature of the counsel he gave and
the approach he used with Christian. The account indicates that he:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Counseled Christian With Sensitivity & Sympathy
Offered Christian A Way To Avoid His Struggles
Slandered And Demeaned Advice Of Evangelist
Scared Christian With Words About Toil & Suffering if he proceeded the
way Evangelist advised
5. Attempted To Destroy Christian’s Confidence in the counsel of Evangelist
and the Bible
6. Told Christian How To Easily Remove Burden
29
7. Presented a Gospel that is based on human opinion – not the Word of
God.
8. Presented a Gospel that is antithetical to the Gospel of the Word of God.
9. Presented a Gospel that is based on what man can do; human merit.
10. Presented a Gospel of legalism.
11. In reality, Mr. Worldly Wiseman presented another Gospel that was not a
Gospel at all: the gospel of legalism. Presented a religion that is described
in:
 Mark 7: 1-20
 Matthew 23 – Pharisees had this religion
 Luke 18:9-14  Galatians 3:1-14 – Gospel of legalism
 Colossians 2:8ff.
12. This so called Gospel of legalism is characterized by the ideas that:
1. Man can save himself.
2. Man must save himself.
3. Man can atone for his own sins.
4. Man can be saved by obedience to a list of dos and don’ts.
5. This Gospel of legalism focuses on externals.
6. This Gospel of legalism teaches that condition of man of man is not
nearly as bad (sinful) as the Bible makes it out to be.
7. This Gospel of legalism adopts a very light view of sin.
8. This Gospel of legalism focuses on certain aspects of the character
of God such as the love of God, mercy of God, grace of God and
overlooks the holiness and righteousness and justice and wrath of
God.
9. This Gospel of legalism misunderstands and misrepresents the
purpose for which Christ came into the world.
10. This Gospel of legalism misunderstands and misrepresents the
meaning and purpose of the cross of Christ.
Basically, Mr. Worldly Wiseman counseled Christian to get relief from
his burden through legalism. And, legalism is still alive today.
This bent toward legalism manifests itself today in the form of:



Using unbiblical standards to measure spirituality (Mark 7)
Emphasizing externals rather than heart issues
Requiring conformity to unbiblical/extra-biblical standards for fellowship
or service.
Mr. Worldly Wiseman is still around today – didn’t die in 17th century:
today there are various forms of the same legalistic counsel that are
being given today by different religious organizations.


Greek orthodox church – letter to Greek Orth. Priest
Romans Catholics
30





Mormons
JW’s and other cults
Liberal churches
Prosperity Gospel churches
Some fundamentalistic churches – do’s and don’t’s – extrabiblical
standards
In our day, people are still being told that they can get relief from their
sense of guilt and other emotional distresses by means of religion:





Going to church
Doing good
Giving to the poor
Religious activism, ritualism
Doing penance; repeating certain phrases
On Page 15 - 16 – Bunyan tells us that Christian initially responded to Mr.
Worldly Wise-Man’s Counsel in a positive way. Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s
counsel was originally very appealing to Christian because it:
1. Offered an easy way to secure what he wanted – promised good
provisions at a cheap price.
2. Offered a quick way to secure what he wanted – close by – can be helped
right away.
3. Offered him a respectful way of securing relief – if you do it my way, your
wife and neighbors will respect you – intimated might need a little counsel,
but basically could do it on own.
4. Encouraged him to trust and rely on himself rather than Christ – no
mention of Christ.
5. Offered to Christian a way that built up his self esteem rather than self
denial
6. Offered him a way that would bring many temporal benefits – worldly
security, safety, fame, success.
7. Appealing because Mr. Worldly Wiseman seemed so intelligent, so well
informed, so knowledgeable, was so persuasive, spoke so authoritatively
8. Mr. Worldly Wiseman seemed to be unselfishly and genuinely concerned
about Christian’s well being.
9. Mr. Worldly Wiseman offered him a way that seemed to make sense in
contrast with a way that makes no sense to the natural man – 1 Cor 1:18;
1 Cor 2:14
10. Mr. Worldly Wiseman offered him a way of relief that would be acceptable
and pleasing to his family.
11. Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s counsel was appealing because Christian was not
well taught/ knew little of the Word; lacked discernment.
31
12. Christian was susceptible to Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s erroneous counsel
because he was experiencing deep emotional distress and desperately
wanted relief.
13. Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s counsel was appealing to him because the
majority of people believed his counsel was right – Matthew 7:13-14;
Proverbs 14:12
14. Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s counsel was appealing because it seemed to be
so clear and understandable – it seemed to map Christian’s experience.
On page 16 – Bunyan tells us that Christian followed the counsel of Mr.
Worldly Wiseman and then goes on to also describes some of the
consequences of Following Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s erroneous counsel.



Christian was overwhelmed with a sense of futility
Christian’s burden grew heavier
Christian was petrified with fear and full of remorse
Summary: His attempt to find relief from sin and its consequences apart
from the cross didn’t work; actually made him feel worse. So it is with
every attempt to relieve sin and the consequences of sin apart from the
true Gospel on the part of those who are truly convicted of sin by the Holy
Spirit. A person may find temporary relief through legalism or any of the
other methods we’ve mentioned, but ultimately these attempts won’t work.
Cf. Paul – Phil 3; Martin Luther.
And just as legalism had serious consequences for Christian, it still has
serious consequences for people today. What are they?











Hypocrisy, pretending
Depression
Pride
No Joy
Guilt
Judgmentalism
Anger
Anxiety
Frustration
Mechanical Spirituality
Lack of True fellowship
So on a practical and personal level legalism leads to some pretty serious
consequences, but apart from that, legalism has some serious
consequences in terms of what it does to God and other men.

Robs God of His glory
32








Nullifies the need for passive and active obedience of Christ - Gal 2:21 –
no reason for Christ to have died; Gal 1:6-8.
Robs God of praise and adoration.
Contradicts Scripture.
Minimizes the seriousness of sin.
Deludes and deceives men.
Produces a false concept of spirituality.
It is heinous and odious in the sight of God - Gal 1.
It is not a means of salvation or sanctification - Rom 3:20, Phil 3:3-9.
CHAPTER 2/SCENE 2 – EVANGELIST APPEARS AND COUNSELS
CHRISTIAN
Page 16-19 Evangelist Appears And Counsels Christian – Let’s see what
we can learn about counseling from the example of Evangelist. Note on
pages 16 and 17 how he begins.
1. Begins as any good counselor should. Begins by asking him eight
pointed questions.



1 Kings 19
Jonah 4
Proverbs 18:13
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What Are You Doing Here? Page 16
Aren’t you the man I found crying outside the City of Destruction?
Didn’t I instruct you to go to the wicket gate? Page 16
How can you be so quickly led astray? Page 17
What was the man who gave you counsel like? Page 17
What did this man say to you? Page 17
And then what did he say? Page 17
And what did he say then?
Why did Evangelist begin his counseling by asking these pointed questions?



Gather information.
Increase Christian’s conviction.
Encourage and develop Christian’s discernment skills.
2. Having asked some questions Evangelist goes on to warn Christian
about the seriousness of legalism from the Word; he emphasizes the
seriousness of legalism by quoting Scripture


Hebrews 12:25
Hebrews 10:38
33


Romans 3:20
Galatians 3:10
3. He exposed the folly of Mr. Worldly Wiseman and His counsel





He is true to his name - Wisdom is from the world, not God
He fellowships at the church of morality
He proclaims doctrine of human ability
He opposes those who teach and preach true Christianity
He teaches 3 errors:
1. Turns people from the truth
2. Tries to make the cross repulsive
3. Sets people’s feet on the path that leads to death
4. He Counseled Christian to Abhor Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s teaching
because



It draws men from the way of life - It rejects God’s truth - Matthew 7:13-14
It teaches men to demean the cross, the atonement of Jesus Christ
It leads to the way of death and destruction - Proverbs 14:12; Matthew
7:14; John 3:18,36
5. He encouraged Christian with assurance of the availability of
forgiveness - Matthew 12:31
6. He concludes by giving him a warning, an encouragement and then
another exhortation. Reminds him of the seriousness of his sin and
why it was serious and then assures him of Christ’s willingness and
desire to forgive and then warns him not to make the same mistake
again. Psalm 2:12.
CONCLUSIONS FROM EVANGELIST’S COUNSEL:
1. Learn that listening to false teaching from the teaching of Evangelist is
serious.
2. Learn something about the way we should regard erroneous counselors
and counsel from the example of Evangelist; 2 Peter 2; Jude; Titus 1
3. Learn something about the proper way we should respond to sin by the
response of Christian.



Expressed sorrow
Ashamed of being misled
Asked if he could be forgiven, asked for hope; wanted to be forgiven;
sought counsel
34
In closing our study today, I want us to compare Evangelist’s Approach to
counseling and evangelism to the typical approach to counseling and
evangelism today.
Evangelist Method:






Correcting
Probing
Exposing
Explaining
Warning
Enlarging a person’s concept of sin
Today’s Evangelistic Methodology:






User Friendly
Don’t press
Don’t make people feel uncomfortable
Don’t talk about sin
Use only the comforting, positive passages of Scripture
Base your counsel on what experts say rather than on what God’s Word
says
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS REVIEW – CHAPTER 1-2
Chapter 1 – Beginning of Christian Life – conviction – opposition –
Evangelist - Pliable & Obstinate - Slough of Despond
Beginning of Chapter 2 – Bad counsel from Mr. Worldly Wise Man
Conclusion of Chapter 2 – Good counsel of Evangelis
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER THREE
PAGES 25 - 40
MAIN SCENES:
1. The Wicket Gate – page 25
2. Christian Meets Good-Will – 25 - 26
3. Christian At Interpreter’s House – pages 28 - 40
CHAPTER 3/SCENE 1 – THE WICKET GATE
Chapter 3 begins where chapter 2 concluded. Chapter 2 – begins with Christian
being given bad counsel by Mr. Worldly Wiseman and therefore getting into a lot
of trouble; concludes with Christian being given good counsel by Evangelist –
35
rebuke, explanation, warning, admonition, exhortation, encouragement and
assurance.
In commenting on the way Evangelist counseled Christian at the end of
chapter 2, George Cheevers says:
“Nothing but the Gospel of Christ can direct our steps in the right way, and
bring peace and comfort to our souls. It salutes us with a cheerful smile, a
kiss of peace and a blessing of consolation, and hence it wings our speed
to Christ and holiness.
Yet in aiming to encourage those who are ready to despond, we must by
no means persuade them that their sins are few and small, or that they
judge themselves too rigorously. On the contrary, we should endeavor to
convince them that their guilt is far greater than they suppose; yet not too
great to be pardoned by the infinite mercy of God; for this tends to take
them more speedily from every vain attempt to justify themselves, and
renders them more unreserved and earnest in applying to Christ for
salvation. In the midst of the most affectionate encouragements, the
faithful minister will also solemnly warn young converts not to turn aside;
nor can the humble, when consciously guilty, ever find confidence or
comfort, till they have regained the way they have forsaken.” (27, 28)
Well, scene 1 of Chapter 3 begins with Christian following the counsel of
Evangelist. Here we find Christian running back to the proper pathway and
pressing on until he arrives at the wicket (not wicked) gate – p. 25.
1. According to the dictionary - A wicket gate = small door or gate; cricket
players will be very familiar with the word.
2. Bunyan uses this word to emphasize the necessity of humility if to be
saved:



Matthew 5:3
Matt 18:3-4 – Must humble himself as a little child
Luke 18:9-14
Christian Arrives At The Wicket Gate
Bunyan says that when Christian arrived at the wicket gate he began to
knock. In fact he tells us he knocked more than once.
The fact that he knocked more than once is intended to convey to us the
idea of:



Earnestness
Determination
Perseverence
36

Strong Desire
This activity of knocking is, of course, based on the Bible truth found in
several passages of Scripture.





Matthew 7:7,8 – Ask, Seek, Knock
Luke 13:24, 25 - Strive to enter by the narrow door (now)…Once the head
of the house shuts the door and then you stand outside and begin to
knock… Knocking is equated with striving..
Matthew 11:12 – conveys the idea of being violent to get into the Kingdom
Matthew 11:28 – idea of earnestness incoming – taking His yoke and
learning of Him Rejecting and renouncing any other form of relief
Philippians 3:3-9 – When Paul became a Christian he renounced
confidence in self – turned his back on all his religious efforts –counted
them but dung
When Bunyan emphasizes importance of knocking to become a Christian,
is he teaching salvation by works?
1. Know this because Evangelist rebuked Pilgrim in the last chapter for
turning aside from the path of grace to the path of works.
2. Know this because the rest of the book consistently teaches salvation by
grace through faith.
3. Know this because p. 26 tells us that Good-Will opens the gate and
actually pulls Christian through the gate.
If Bunyan knew that salvation is a free gift, why then does he say that
Christian had to knock (25)?




Because he wants us to understand that being saved is serious business;
wants us to know that, according to the Bible, those whom God saves are
people for whom salvation is an incredibly important matter.
Wants us to know that God does not externally force or coerce people to
get saved. God doesn’t do what some false religions do – they try to win
people by intimidating them, by threatening them, by frightening them with
physical punishment if they do not embrace their religion immediately.
Bunyan was a biblical Christian who believed that salvation is of the Lord
– believed Romans 9:16; John 1:13 but also recognized that those whom
God saves are people who want to be saved. Was not a hypercalvinist
who denied the importance of human responsibility. Was not a rank
Arminian who denied God’s Sovereignty. Was fighting a battle on two
fronts – those who overemphasized human responsibility to the neglect of
Divine Sovereignty and those who emphasized Divine Sovereignty to the
neglect of human responsibility. Had a balanced view.
Emphasized the necessity of knocking to remind us that there are
enemies who try to hinder those who desire to come to Christ. Knew 1
37

Peter 5:8 – (devil is a lion) not only true after saved – true as people are
initially coming to Christ – see page 17, 24. So striving is necessary
because of the opposition of demons.
Because at this point Christian had a limited understanding of biblical truth
– Christian was not well taught – didn’t know much of the Bible –
significant that neither Faithful – Chapter 7 or Christiana in sequel had as
difficult a time – probably because they knew more biblical truth about the
way of salvation.
CHAPTER 3/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN MEETS GOODWILL
At any rate, when he comes to the gate, he meets a person named Good
Will. It’s clear from the context that Good-Will represents Jesus Christ,





When Christian asks to be let in, p. 26 - Good-Will says He is willing
Good-Will says He is willing with all his heart
Good-Will quotes Revelation 3:8
Know this because of what we read in the sequel about the conversion of
his wife Christiana (page 263) when she was saved.
In Bunyan’s book, “The Strait Gate” this is the same.
Interesting Note: in this instance we see that Christ is the Gate, and He is
also the One who helps us enter through the gate. Pulls Christian through
- Rev 5:9-10. Teaching = when it comes to salvation - Colossians 3:11
We read that Good-Will Pulls Christian Through The Wicket Gate. From this
we may learn that:



Christ’s is willing & eager to save – Matt 11:28 John 6;37
Salvation is of the Lord - Jonah 2:9, Rom 9:16
Only Christ can deliver us from the enemy’s fiery darts
Only Christ can deliver us from our internal and external struggles. Only
Christ can deliver us from:








Our thoughts of the cost of salvation
Our reluctance to give up our old ways
Our resistance to give up autonomy & independence
Our thoughts of the vileness of our sins
Our thoughts that we are not one of God’s elect
Our thoughts that we committed the unpardonable sin
Our thoughts that we are pretty good
Our thoughts that Christianity is not the truth
38
Following this, we find in page 26-28 Good-Will Asking Christian 5
Questions and Christian giving his answers. Note the questions Good Will
asked and the answers Christian gave:
1. Good Will asked: Why did you come by yourself?
Answer: No one else saw the danger.
2. Did anyone else know you were coming?
Answer: Yes, and they tried to turn me back.
3. Did anyone else try to follow you?
Answer: Yes, Obstinate and Pliable. Obstinate went away scoffing, Pliable
continued on for awhile.
4. Why didn’t Pliable continue?
Answer: Slough of despond discouraged him.
5. Did Pliable value celestial glory so little that he could not endure a
few difficulties to endure it?
Answer: Truth is, I am no better than he is.
From the answers that Christian gave we may learn that Christian had:
1. A deep concern about his spiritual condition
2. A willingness to give up everything to get rid of his burden
3. A deep sense of shame and humility
 Confesses sin
 Recognizes unworthiness
 Acknowledges he is only worthy of death
 George Cheever’s comment on this statement:
“Where there is true grace in the heart, it will take shame to itself, and give
all glory to God’s Sovereign grace, for any difference there is between us
and others. Free grace kills free-will pride, and lays the sinner low, while it
exalts Christ, and causes sinners to triumph in his righteousness and
salvation. (30)
Though Jesus Christ knows what is in man, and all his ways, yet he will
bring the soul to confession unto him. It is a sure sign of a genuine work of
grace when the heart ascribes all to grace. Here is no talk of being faithful
to grace – no ascribing anything to his own free will or power, but his
39
escape from destruction…are wholly resolved unto the grace of the
Gospel, the mercy of God…(31)”
What may we learn from the fact that Good Will Questioned Christian the
Way He Did?






Importance of reflection upon our past Christian experiences
An example about how to counsel new believers
An example of the fact that true believers will persevere in spite of
opposition
An example of how the believer should think of himself in reference to
others.
An example of how the believer should think of himself in reference to
God’s acceptance of them
An example of how believer’s should exalt the grace and mercy of God
On Pages 27-28 Bunyan describes the Instruction that Good Will Provided
About The Way Christian Should Go.




Should proceed according to the way constructed by the Patriarchs Hebrews 1:1-3
Should go along the Straight and Narrow path - Matthew 7:13-14
Because this is the way that leads to Deliverance - Ephesians 1:7
Should proceed on the the way that leads to the House of Interpreter (The
Church) – p. 20 – 28 - 1 Corinthians 2:14
CHAPTER 3/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN MEETS INTERPRETER
PAGES 28-29
Let’s answer several questions about this scene:
Who does Interpreter represent?





1 Cor 2:7-16
2 Cor 4:6
1 John 2:27
John 14:26
John 16:13
What is the significance of Christian’s meeting Interpreter after he had
gone through the Wicket Gate?


Ps 25:9, 12, 14 – God instructs those who fear Him.
1 Cor 2:14
40
What does Interpreter’s house represent?
The Church






Eph 1:22-23
Eph 2:19-22
Eph 3:20-21
1 Cor 1:1-2
1 Cor 3:16-17
1 Tim 3:15
What does Interpreter show Christian?
General answer - Seven Excellent Things
Why does Interpreter show these to Christian?
To help Christian on his journey – important truths for Christians to know.
THE SEVEN EXCELLENT THINGS
I.
THE FIRST EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN - THE MAN IN
THE PICTURE (29, 30)
Several facts about this man:
A. His Identity - Who does the Man in the Picture represent?





Acts 14:23
1 Peter 5:1-5
Acts 20:28
1 Thess 5:12-13
Hebrews 13:3, 7, 17
Significance: First thing this new believer is taught is how to recognize
a godly elder or pastor; emphasizing the importance of being under the
leadership and ministry of the right kind of shepherds. Mention –
reasons later.
B. His Characteristics or Description – how can recognize the pastors
or elders you should choose for ministry to you.


Intense, serious looking - 1 Tim 3:2 – Not a joker.
Eyes looking heavenward - Phil 3:20; 2 Cor 5:9; Colossians 3:1-2 – No
fear of man, concerned with pleasing God, not man.
41





Best of books in his hand, not on shelf, uses constantly - Acts 20:32
Speaks the law of truth, not fables, not speculations, truth is a law,
written on lips, trustworthy - 2 Timothy 2:15; John 17:17; Acts 20:20;
Acts 20:27-32; 2 Tim 4:1-2.
World is behind his back, values, priorities, standards - 1 John 2:15-17;
Romans 12:2
Pleads with men to be reconciled with God - 2 Cor 5:11-20
Crown of gold over his head – crown = authority - Titus 2:15, gold =
valuable - 2 Tim 4:7-8
42
C. The functions or responsibilities of the Man in the Picture.



Beget children – can evangelize – burden for bringing people to Christ
– concern for outreach – missions – 1 Cor 4:15; Matt 28:19
Nourish and feed new Christians – Gal 4:19; 1 Pet 5:1-2; Acts 20:28;
Eph 4:11-12.
Know, expound & explain the hidden things in the word of life – have a
deep knowledge of Scripture and be able to communicate it clearly




Be an example - disregard & despise the things of this world





Phil 2:14-16
Titus 1:9-11 – hold fast the faithful Word, able to exhort sound
doctrine and refute false doctrine.
1 Tim 3:2 – Overseers must be able to teach.
1 Tim 6:9-11 – To Timothy - the love of money is the root of all evil
– flee from things such as these… And then pursue good things.
1 Pet 5:2 – shepherd flock with eagerness
Col 3:1-2
1 John 2:14-16
Guide and counsel pilgrims through difficult places






Heb 13:17 – Watch over the flock
Acts 20:28 – be on guard for all the flock
1 Pet 5:1-3
Acts 20:31
Ephesians 4:12
Psalm 23.
D. The importance of knowing these facts about elders or pastors in a
church.
Importance is emphasized by the fact that Bunyan says we should pay careful
attention to what he has just said and that we should continue to keep this
description in mind.
1. Knowing these facts about elders and pastors is important because
only men who fit these descriptions have been authorized by Lord to
carry out these ministries; all others are impostors.
2. Is important because you will need to be fed and only such men are
capable of giving you the right kind of nourishment that will feed your
soul.
43
3. Is important because only such men will be good examples of what
you as a believer should be – 1 Tim 4:12 – Be an example of the flock,
don’t let anyone look down on you because of your age (he was at
least 30). People would rather follow what we do not what we say.
4. Is important because there are many pretenders – men “who will
pretend to lead you the right way”, but who “in reality” will lead you on
a path that “will lead to death.” (21) In Bible – many warnings about
false teachers – Acts 20:28-31; 2 Peter 2:1-21 – some teachers come
secretly to introduce false doctrines; Jude 1:1-23; 3 John 1:9-10; 1
John 4, etc.
5. It’s important because only men like these are able to be trustworthy
guides for you during the difficult times you inevitably will experience.
(30)
II.
THE SECOND EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN - ONE
SERVANT SWEEPING THE PARLOR, AND A SECOND SERVANT
SPRINKLING WATER ON THE DUST.
A. The parlor in this picture represents:
Man’s polluted heart that has never been cleansed by the sweet grace of the
Gospel.


Jer 17:9 – heart is deceitful
Rom 3:9-18 – no-one is righteous
B. The dust in this scene represents:
Man’s sinful thoughts, desires and actions which flow from his polluted heart.




Mark 7:21-23
Mark 3:9-18
Titus 3:3
Prov 4:23
C. The sweeper in this scene represents:
God’s law arousing the heart’s corruption



Romans 3:20
Romans 5:20
Romans 7:12
D. The second person in this scene sprinkling water on the dust
represents:
44
The virtuous evangelist spreading the gospel







Romans 1:16,17
Romans 3:24-26
Romans 5:20
Romans 8:1-3
Ephesians 5:26
Acts 15:1-9
Galatians 3:10-13
E. What is the Christian life message that Bunyan wants us to learn
through this scene?
The law and the gospel are essential for true salvation. The law is the
instrument that the Holy Spirit uses to prepare the sinner’s heart to receive
the good news of the gospel.



Galatians 2:19 – killed through the law to live through God
Galatians 3:24 – law is a tutor – serves a purpose to lead us to Christ to
be justified through faith
Romans 3:20
Through this scene Bunyan is teaching us the biblical truth that the law doesn’t
cleanse, but rather that when used by the Holy Spirit, it functions as an x-ray
machine that can reveal the hidden depths of our sinfulness; it can function as a
scalpel that can cut and probe, but it cannot heal; it can function as a stick that
stirs up the sediment in a seemingly clear container of water, but it can’t get rid of
the sediment; it can function in a diagnostic capacity, but it cannot provide the
remedy for the problem.
Bunyan wants us to know that the law can exhort, discover, uncover, arouse,
stimulate, forbid. It can condemn and convict, but it has no ability to vanquish sin
and produce righteousness.
Only the Gospel can do that, hence the need for the sweeper and the sprinkler.
Both are important and necessary.
What specific functions does the law perform for unbelievers?
1. Shows us more about God
2. Helps us by serving as a tutor - -we don’t possess any natural goodness
of our own – teaches us that we are unable to live a life that will satisfy
God’s standards



Galatians 3:24
James 2:10
Romans 3:9
45

Romans 3:23
3. Humbles us and brings us to the end of our own self righteousness



Romans 7:7
Galatians 2:19
Romans 3:20
4. Teaches us How Thankful We Should Be to Christ for keeping the law
perfectly for us


Romans 8:1-3
Romans 10:3
5. Becomes the guide to show us how we should live our lives and express
our love for God and other people – should be done out of gratitude for
God’s immense goodness to us in Christ.
BOOKS: The dual role of the law and the Gospel
John Murray - Principles of Conduct - 3.3
Edward Reynolds – The Sinfulness of Sin - 3.4
III. THE THIRD EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN - TWO
CHILDREN PLAYING - PASSION & PATIENCE
A. Who do these children represent? P. 31 –”These two boys are
symbols.”
1. Passion - Professing Christians who must have everything now –
person who allows his feelings, his desires, his appetites to control him
– knows little or nothing of self denial, self control – worldly/sensual







James 1:8 – unstable in all his ways
Luke 15:12 – the prodigal son who wanted his inheritance before
his father died
Psalm 73 (First part) – Saw ungodly people prospering and got
discouraged.
Luke 16:19-31 – Dives – rich man
2 Tim 4:10 – Demas who forsook him
Gen 13 – Lot who chose the fertile part of country
Matt 26 – Judas who betrayed Jesus
2. Patience - Those who seek the things from above - Patience is person
doing what Paul
46







Colossians 3:1-3
2 Cor 5:7 - Patience is the person walking by faith
2 Cor 4:16-18 – Patience described
Rom 8:18
Heb 11:24-26 – Like Moses who gave up his title to Pharaoh’s
riches
Psalm 73 Heb 12:3 – Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before
Him
3. What does Patience involve?
a. A willingness to wait – Psalm 27:14; 37:7 – Rest in the Lord and
wait patiently for him; do not fret.
b. A willingness to wait contentedly
c. A willingness to wait hopefully or expectantly – Isa. 51:5 – they will
wait expectantly
d. A willingness to wait submissively
e. A willingness to wait confidently, with faith
f. A willingness to wait actively
4. P 31-32 - Note what Bunyan says happens to Passion
Ends up with nothing but rags



Matt 6:18
Luke 16, Luke 12 - like rich men
Matt 16:26
Will experience deprivation and agony in future.
5. P 31-32 - Note what happens to Patience
What he waits for is best





1 Peter 1:4
Revelation 14:9-13
Revelation 7:11-17
John 2 – best = last
Proverbs 4:18
When people who primarily lived for what they could get and
experience in this world have nothing, he will still be experiencing
glory

Luke 16:25
47
The glory he experiences there will never wear out Will have what
has lastingly


1 Peter 1:4
Matthew 6:19
B. Why is Passion such a strong influence in our lives?
1. Present things and our fleshly appetites are so compatible.
What that mean? Compatible - suited, get along well; agree with one
another, pleasing to one another. Why? They are tangible, visible;
provide instant, immediate pleasure and satisfaction
2. The things to come and our carnal senses are such strangers.
What does this mean? Don’t know each other well; don’t agree with
one another, are different from one another; stranger = someone who
is usually out of sight, don’t think about, don’t spend enough time with.
3. Other Reasons Why Passion is such a powerful influence.









Rom 12:2
Rom 13:14
Prov 4:23
Gal 5:16 – Walk in the Spirit and you will not indulge the flesh
2 Cor 4:16-18
Col 3:5
Psalm 73
1 John 2:15-17
Psalm 17
C. Situations or circumstances where “passion” gives us the most
difficulty?
1. When eternal perspective is lost
2. When not keeping heart diligently
3. When comparing things others have to what self has (or doesn’t have)
D. 9 Guidelines for developing patience - Galatians 5:22-23
1. Galatians 5:22,23 vs. Galatians 5:19 (KJ) – impatience is a deed of the
flesh, 16 – walk in the spirit; vss. 22,23 – fruit of the Spirit.
48
2. Isa. 28:16 – He that believes will not be in a hurry - “disturbed”; feed
your faith;

Romans 10:17
3. Reflection and Meditation



Psalm 130:5
Romans 15:4
Acts 1:4
4. Prayer





Psalm 25:5
Psalm 40:1
Psalm 69:6
Lamentations 3:25
Revelation 3:10
5. Motivation/Desire


Psalm 69:6
Lamentations 3:25
6. Dedication/Discipline

Psalm 27:14
7. Trials


Romans 5:3
James 1:3
8. Practice – change always = two factored



Hebrews 5:14
1 Timothy 4:7
Ephesians 4:22-24
9. Considering Christ


Hebrews 12:1-4
2 Corinthians 3:18
49
IV.
FOURTH EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN - THE FIRE BY
THE WALL (33)
A. What does the fire represent?
The blaze of grace and love for God in the believer’s heart.


2 Cor 4:6-7
1 Pet 1:6-8
B. Who does the one who casts water on the fire represent?
Satan and his forces that seek to destroy.
C. What does the oil represent?
The grace of God which He sustains. The work of grace within the
believer’s heart.

2 Cor 12:9
D. What does the Man behind the wall represent?
Christ - The Spirit of Christ





Rom 8:9-11
John 6:44
Phil 1:6
John 10:27-28
2 Cor 12:9
E. What doctrinal truth is Bunyan teaching through the Man behind the
wall?
The preservation and perseverance of the saints.





Rom 8:30
John 10:27-29
John 6:37-40
Eph 1:13-14
Phil 1:6
F. What is the essence of this great doctrine?
All who are truly born again will persevere to the end
50











John 6:38 – 40
John 10:27 – 29
John 3:36
John 5:24 – 27
1 John 5:13
Romans 8:30
Ephesians 1:13-14
Philippians 1:6
1 Peter 1:5
2 Timothy 2:19
1 John 2:19
A. John MacArthur – Saved Without a Doubt - Page 143 - 3.5
B. Bunyan’s sermon entitled, “Jesus Christ, The Believer’s Advocate”
3.6
C. The London Confession of Faith (1689) 3.7



Defines the doctrine
Defends the doctrine
Clarifies and qualifies the doctrine
G. Why is it important for the Christian to have a right understanding of
this doctrine?
1. Motivates the believer to action
2. Motivates the believer to obey, resist sin & Satan
3. Minimizes the believer’s temptation to be proud of his perseverance &
victories
4. Encourages the believer to depend on Christ and His grace, not works
righteousness
5. Motivates the believer to give God praise for the victories – Jesus gets
the glory!
V.
FIFTH EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN -THE STATELY
PALACE (33, 34)
A. In this little episode about the Stately Palace, Bunyan may have two
things in mind.
1. May be referring to the Local church - see chapter 5 where the church
is compared to a Beautiful Palace. Also inclined to think that Bunyan is
thinking of the church because of what he wrote in his Discourse on
the Church - writes in glowing terms about its’ beauty.
2. May be referring to Heaven

Revelation 21:10-25
51

Revelation 22:1-5 - where description of the beauty of heaven
3. May have both things in mind because these are the two places where
God dwells in a special way






Ephesians 2:19 -22
1 Cor. 3:16 – as a church they are a temple of God
John 14:2-3
Rev 21:3 – God dwells among His people
Rev 22:3-4
Isa 66:1
B. Whichever it is or perhaps both we can learn some valuable lessons
from the man who fought his way into the stately palace.
1. Important for the Christian to think and meditate on the value of being
part of the church and on what God has for us in heaven while we are
on earth




Church of England was the only one that was recognised. This church is
represented by the men with swords. Oppositions to making a declaration
of faith.
Rev 21:1-4
John MacArthur quote - 3.8a
Alcorn quote - 3.8b
2. Many people may have a superficial desire to be part of a solid bible
preaching church and also a superficial desire to go to heaven, but…

Luke 13:24
3. Fear of man deters some from becoming Christians, from becoming
part of a biblical Church



Prov 29:25
John 7:12-13
John 19:38
4. Entrance to a solid local church may involve opposition (did for Bunyan
and others, still does today for many people. Also, entrance into
heaven is obtained through conflict.



Acts 14:22
2 Tim 3:12
Phil 1:29
52

1 Tim 6:10-12
5. The opposition and conflict may be fierce and lengthy.


Eph 6:10-18
2 Cor 10:3-5
6. Certainly teaches that the Christian life is not one of passive
resignation.

VI.
J. C. Ryle quote - 3.9
SIXTH EXCELLENT THING THAT CHRISTIAN WAS SHOWN - THE
MAN IN THE IRON CAGE (34 – 36)
A. What does the Man in the Iron Cage represent?

One who professed Christ and was thought by others to be a
Christian
A person who was seized by sin through:





Unfaithfulness
Failure to watch and be sober
Flirting with temptation
Grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit
B. Who do the commentators say that the Man in the Iron Cage is?


Barry Horner - 3.11 – John Bunyan could have been writing about
John Child, or Francis Spira
John MacArthur - 3.12 - William Pope
C. The facts of this account:
1. We know that Bunyan is not teaching that a believer can lose his
salvation. We know this by:


The account given in the “Fire by the Wall” – preservation of the
saints
The account given in many other writings by Bunyan – Paul’s
Departure and Crown - 3.13
2. Most of what is said in this account is said by the man in the iron
cage.

He Professed Christ – Matt 7:21ff / James 1
53







Uses words “I thought” twice
Tells what was true in his own eyes
Tells what he was in the eyes of others
Uses words “I” or “me” 43 times
Gives his own evaluation of his situation
Man centered person
Acknowledges that he has hardened his own heart
3. Purpose of the story

Balanced description of the two primary ways that God motivates
His children
2 Corinthians 5:10-14 (The two hedgerows on the side of the road)
 We must all appear before Christ to account for his deeds, so
fear the Lord
 The Love of God controls us because of what He has done for
us, so do things out of gratefulness.

Bunyan is doing exactly as Paul did
Acts 27:1-13; 14-31 – Warned the men not to sail the ship in the
storm, but they went ahead anyway. Then he warned them to stay
on board because of danger. He also promised them that if they
stay they will be saved.

Bunyan follows the example of God
Hebrews 3:7-13
Hebrews 6:1-12
1. Verses 1-3: Note pronouns used – “us”, “we” – exhorting to go
on – not turn back.
2. Verses 9-12:
 He calls them “beloved” – v. 9
 Pronouns used – “we”, “you”, “your”
 What is said about the people called beloved – convinced of
better things of you – things accompanying salvation – are
showing love – are diligently laboring – are ministering
3. Verses 4-8:
 Pronouns are different – not “we” or “you”, but “they” or
“them”
 They have fallen away, not we.
 Uses a number of descriptive details –
54








V. 4 – “Enlightened” – given information
V. 4 – Have “tasted” - not swallowed or digested
V. 4 – Have “been made partakers” – externally,
associates, companions
V. 5 – Have tasted the good Word of God – also tasted of
the powers – present when Word was preached – saw
miracles – 2:4
V. 6 – Had fallen away parapipto – actually fallen beyond
- have apostasized – I Timothy 1:19; 4:1; 2 Peter 2 –
have denied the Lord – knew way of righteousness – now
repudiated – became worse than has been
V. 6 – hardened – unconcerned about spiritual
things…Romans 1:21; I Thess. 2:14 – 16 – A. W. Pink not referring to what God can do – comes a time when
you do what Matt. 7:6 – what Jesus told disciples – Matt.
10
V. 6 had repudiated Christ – brazen – openly shaming
Christ – not merely indifferent – were antagonistic –
deliberate choice – rejected his atonement
V. 7 & 8 – living lives that were worthless and destructive
and harmful to others – were like thorns and thistles
4. Look again at verses 4-8 and note carefully what the text does not
say about these people:









Doesn’t say they received the truth;
Actually drank or ate of heavenly gift;
That they had been united to Christ;
That they had been born of the Spirit;
Doesn’t merely say that the fell into sin – says that they have fallen
beyond
Doesn’t merely say that they were struggling with doubts – that they
were confused – uncertain –
Doesn’t say they ate the Word…
Doesn’t merely say they were neutral about Christ
Doesn’t merely say they like certain weeds - they like thorns and
thistles – hurt and injure
5. What is the purpose of these verses? Believe is same purpose
that Bunyan had in mind when included story about man in the
iron cage in The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Point not to prove that those who are truly saved can lose their
salvation
55


To teach us that it is possible to hang around spiritual things and
even give some external evidence of interest in spiritual things and
still not be a Christian at all - Judas; Matt. 7:21-23
To teach us that it is possible that those who play around with
spiritual things but never wholeheartedly commit themselves to
Christ may end up being the greatest enemies of Christ.
2 Peter 2:20-22 – it would have been better if they hadn’t heard it in the
first place


To teach us the importance of perseverance and that perseverance
is one of the evidences of real salvation. Christ and his work is
always the basis of our salvation, but the subjective grounds for our
assurance of salvation is the fact that we do persevere and abide in
Christ.
A.A. Hodge put it this way - p. 239 3.14
And now before we move on to the 7th and last Excellent thing that
Christian was shown in the house of the Interpreter I want to do a little
review and expanded teaching on what the Bible teaches about the
doctrine of perseverance that Bunyan was certainly trying to emphasize in
this man in the iron cage episode.
The Doctrine of the Preservation and Perseverance of the Saints:
1. The Bible teaches that all who are truly born again will persevere
until the end.










John 6:38-40
John 10:27-29
John 3:36
John 5:24-27
1 John 5:13
Romans 8;30
Eph 1:13-14
1 Pet 1:5
2 Tim 2:19
1 John 2:19
2. Only those who persevere have truly been born again




1 Peter 1:5
John 8:31-32
Col 1:22-23
Heb 3:12-14
56
3. Those who fall away may give many external signs of conversion












Matt 26:22
Mark 14:19
Luke 22:23
John 13:22
John 6:64, 70
Gal 2:4
2 Cor 11:26
John 15:1-6
2 Cor 11:5
Matt 7:15-23
Heb 6:4-8
Matt 3:8-10
4. Those who are truly born again evidence the new birth through:
a. A continuing trust in Christ




Col 1:23
John 3;16
Heb 3:14
Heb 6:12
b. A changed life, bearing God honoring fruit in their lives









Rom 8:14-16
Matt 7:16-20
John 15:4-7
Gal 5:22-23
1 John 2:23-24
1 John 2:4-10
1 John 3:7, 9, 10, 14, 24; 4:7; 5:18
James 2:17-18
James 3:17-18
c. Unfeigned humility



Galatians 6:14
1 Cor. 15:10
Matthew 5:3
d. Increased diligence in the practice of holiness
57


Hebrews 13:14
2 Peter 1:9
e. Candid self examination and a desire to be searched and
corrected by God


2 Cor 13 – Examine yourself to see if you’re in the faith
Psalm 139:23-24
f. Constant aspirations after more intimate fellowship with God


1 John 3:2-3 – When he appears we shall be like him, so we purify
ourselves
Psalm 42
g. Sincere love of the brethren

1 John 3:14
5. Concluding Clarifying Statements:




VII.
The doctrine of preservation and perseverance of the saints means
that all those who are born again will be kept by God’s power and
will persevere in the faith until the end of their lives, and that only
those who persevere in the faith until the end of their lives have
truly been born again.
MacArthur 3.15
John Murray - 3.16
The doctrine of the perseverance and preservation of the saints
does not mean that everyone who professes Christ and is accepted
into the church as a believer is secure for all eternity (John 8:31,32)
(Colossians 1:21-23) (Mark 4:5,6,16,17) (Hebrews 6:5,6) (2 Peter
2:20-22); nor does it mean that every person is secure irrespective
of the extent to which he sins and backslides (1 John 3:3) (1 Peter
1:4,5) (Philippians 3:14,15) (Romans 8:28-30).
THE SEVENTH EXCELLENT THING CHRISTIAN IS SHOWN - THE
MAN WITH THE TERRIFYING DREAM. (36 – 38)
A. In this scene Christian was taken into a room:
1. Where he saw a man getting out of bed.
2. Saw that the man was trembling
3. When he asked the man why he was trembling, the man told him about
a dream he had during the night.
58
4. Man told him that in his dream he saw the sky getting completely
black. In his dream the thunder roared and the lightning flashed so
that he was filled with dread. Also saw the clouds moving at an
incredible speed; heard a great trumpet blast and he saw a man sitting
on a cloud accompanied by a multitude of angels. Saw the heavens
aflame and heard a voice saying, Arise you dead and come to
judgment.
5. Said that at that point in his dream he saw the rocks slit, the graves
open – dead coming forth. Saw some going to heaven and others
trying to hide.
6. Saw Christ commanding the angels to cast the chaff and tares into the
burning lake and gather the wheat into the barn.
7. 7. Then man said that he saw the Man seated on the cloud open the
book – saw great crowds stand before him saw a bottomless pit – saw
many caught away to be with this man and he was left behind – looked
for a place to hide but couldn’t find any. Tried to hide from the Man on
the cloud, but couldn’t find any place and couldn’t escape his gaze.
Said that as the Man gazed on him his sins came to his mind and his
conscience accused him.
8. 8. When Christian asked him why he was so afraid, the man with the
dream said that what frightened him was the thought that judgment day
had come and he wasn’t prepared and that when the angels gathered
some he was left behind. Also frightened by several other things: one,
he got a sight of hell opening at his feet and his conscience continued
to bother him and the Judge kept his eye on him and his face was full
of indignation.
9. At that point Interpreter asked Christian if he had paid close
attention to all these things he had been shown. To which Christian
answered – Yes and it has filled me with hope and fear. Then he
exhorted him to keep all these things in mind and allow them to be a
goad in his sides to prod him forward. Then Interpreter encouraged
him by the reminder of the presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort and
guide Him.
B. In this dream the man was terrified by several things:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The judgment had come and he was unprepared.
The angels gathered the wheat and he was left behind.
The pit of hell was at his feet.
His conscience was bothering him.
Christ continued to look at him with a displeased look.
C. Review some Christian life lessons we may learn from this last
scene:
59
1. Need to remember that he day of judgment is coming - believers
will be separated from unbelievers



Rev 20:11-15
Heb 9:27
John 5:28-29
2. That God knows who are His and who are not

2 Tim 2:9
3. That all preparation for the coming of Christ must be done before
He comes


2 Cor 6:2
Luke 16 – Lazarus
4. That the thought of judgment day is a powerful tool - used
frequently in Scripture



Acts 10:42
John 5:21-24
Rom 14:1-23
5. That it will be a fearful thing to stand in Christ’s presence
unprepared


Heb 10:31
2 Thess 1:6-9
6. That God may use various means to make people think of the
Biblical truth of judgment

Luke 13:1-4 – Story of the fall of the Tower of Siloam
7. That the means by which to reach man’s conscience is through
Biblical truth.
60
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER FOUR
MAIN SCENES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
CHRISTIAN LOSES HIS BURDEN
CHRISTIAN IS MINISTERED TO BY THE SHINING ONES
CHRISTIAN MEETS FALSE CHRISTIANS ON THE WAY
CHRISTIAN COMES TO THE HILL CALLED DIFFICULTY
CHRISTIAN ARRIVES AT THE PLEASANT ARBOR
CHRISTIAN MEETS TWO MEN WHO HAVE TURNED BACK
CHRISTIAN BECOMES AFRAID AND REALIZES HE HAS LOST HIS
SCROLL
61
8. CHRISTIAN FACES LIONS ON THE WAY
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 1 – WHERE CHRISTIAN LOSES HIS BURDEN
Important to note where he lost his burden – at the cross; came to cross
and his burden of sin fell off and rolled into empty tomb – emphasizing the
importance of the death and resurrection of Christ for our deliverance from
the guilt and burden of sin. At this point, some very perceptive person may
say, “What’s going on here? Thought he was saved in chapter 3 when he
came through the gate. Why then does he still have his burden? Is Bunyan
mixed up? When was this man saved?”
1. Pages 233 & 235 of sequel = conversion of Christiana and children “graciously admit us by this Gate into the way that leads to the Celestial
City.” “What ! Has she now become a pilgrim who abhorred that life?
Christiana answered, Yes.” Also what is said on page 263 of the sequel. 4.1, 2
2. Pages 32 - 33 – Christian’s words to Hypocrisy and Formalist - Since you
didn’t come in by the door, you will not be saved… (because) you didn’t
come in at the gate.”
3. Teaching in the House of Interpreter – I Cor. 2:14 - godly pastor, fire by
the wall, Passion and Patience, man in iron cage; words on page 21
indicate that the teaching he received in the house of the Interpreter from
the interpreter is the kind of teaching that was intended for someone who
was already converted.
4. What happened to Christian was not the experience of Faithful in Ch. 7.
5. Nor was it the experience of Hopeful – Ch. 15.
From this we may conclude that Bunyan was not making the conversion
experience of Christian a template for every Christian. From this we may
conclude that it would be wrong for us to conclude that Bunyan wanted us
to think that Christian’s experience was to be regarded as normative.
Actually, what Bunyan was doing was using what Christian experienced to
describe what some people experience at the beginning of their Christian
lives. Indeed, from what we read in Bunyan’s autobiography what we have
here is a description of Bunyan’s own experience. But it certainly isn’t the
experience of every Christian in the early stages of their conversion.
But you say, if that is true, why then doesn’t his burden roll away until this
chapter?
1. As I said, this reflects Bunyan’s own experience - sought the lord and
gave some evidence, yet… Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.
2. The Burden on his back represents his conviction of sin – not sin itself –
objectively the guilt of his sin was removed when came to Christ and
62
through Christ in chapter 3, but subjectively he did not experience an
inward sense of relief from the guilt of that sin until he came to a fuller
understanding of the atonement of Christ, until he came to a fuller
understanding of the completeness of Christ’s work on the cross of
Calvary. Salvation and the assurance of salvation are not always
experienced simultaneously.
This is a common problem with Counselees.
Feels the comfort of it – feels pardon in the blood of Christ.
Guilt of his sins is taken off his conscience
What should we learn from this scene?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Importance of clear teaching.
Importance of being patient with people.
Beware of making your own salvation experience a paradigm.
Some Christians are bothered by doubts and confusion more than others
Some people who struggle with doubts and confusion end up being very
strong and useful Christians.
Correct doctrine has important experiential consequences; incorrect
doctrine produces serious experiential difficulties.
Young Christians often have an erroneous or deficient understanding of
important doctrines.
People that struggle with a sense of guilt; that lack of assurance of
forgiveness are often people who don’t understand the meaning of the
cross.
The importance of understanding the role that God’s grace plays in the
whole of the Christian life.
A FULLER DISCUSSION OF SCENE 1 OF CHAPTER 4
IN THIS SCENE CHRISTIAN COMES TO A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF
TWO THINGS:
1. A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK THAT CHRIST DID FOR
US ON THE CROSS
2. A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SAVED BY
THE GRACE OF GOD. CAME TO A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF
THE TRUTH OF MANY VERSES OF SCRIPTURE SUCH AS
EPHESIANS 1:6, 7; ROMANS 4:24, 25 AND EPHESIANS 2:1-9.
THESE AND MANY OTHER VERSES TEACH THAT ALL OF OUR SALVATION,
FROM BEGINNING TO THE END, IS OF AND BY GRACE.
When it comes to the role that grace plays in the Christian life many people
including Christian prior to chapter 4 are confused about the meaning of salvation
by grace.
63
Basically professing Christians hold to 3 views of the Christian life with only third
being biblically correct
Some hold to the erroneous view that:
/___________________/___________________/___________
Our Justification Christian Life based
Glorification
based on grace & works
on works
based on works
Others hold to the view that
/___________________/___________________/___________
Our Justification Christian Life based
Glorification
based on grace
on works
based on grace
Others hold to the biblically correct view that
/______________________/___________________/______________
Our Justification
Christian Life based Glorification
based on grace ALONE
on grace ALONE based on grace ALONE
Prior to Chapter 4 Christian had a misunderstanding of what it means to be
saved by grace. In the light of what he learned in chapter 2 after his encounter
with Mr.. Worldly Wiseman and the corrective teaching of Evangelist I believe he
understood that salvation was by grace, but he lacked a full understanding of the
meaning of salvation by grace and this misunderstanding was a serious matter
for him.
This is true because when it comes to the Christian life, there is no more
important doctrine than the doctrine of grace. We know that because:
1. Word grace = more than 200 times in Bible
2. Concept of grace is emphasized throughout the Bible – O.T. and N.T. First in Genesis 6:8 and last in Revelation 22:21 – has only ever been
one way of salvation – Romans 4:1-9
3. 1 Peter 5:10 - describes our God as the God of all grace
4. Ephesians 2:5-8 emphasizes the importance of grace by telling us that we
are saved by grace
5. Hebrews 4:16 – emphasizes the importance of grace by telling us that
God’s throne is a throne of grace
6. Hebrews 10:29 – emphasizes the importance of grace by telling us that
the Holy Spirit = Spirit of grace
7. John 1:14 – emphasizes the importance of grace by telling us that Christ
is full of grace
8. Acts 20:24,32 emphasizes the importance of grace by telling us that the
Gospel we preach and believe is the Gospel of grace;
9. Romans 3:24 emphasizes the importance of grace by telling us that we
are justified by grace
64
10. Romans 5:2- emphasizes the importance of grace by telling us that we
stand by grace
11. Titus 2:11 – emphasizes the importance of grace by telling us that we are
taught by grace
12. 1 Peter 5:10 emphasizes the importance of grace by telling us that we are
perfected by grace
SO THE BIBLE CLEARLY TEACHES THAT WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE
ALONE.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN WHEN IT SAYS WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE
ALONE?
FROM WHAT WE’VE ALREADY NOTED IN CHAPTERS 1 TO 3 I BELIEVE
THAT WHEN WE BEGIN CHAPTER 4 CHRISTIAN ALREADY KNEW THAT
SALVATION WAS BY GRACE, BUT HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THAT MEANT
WAS LIMITED. AND WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BEGINNING OF CHAPTER 4
WAS THAT HE CAME TO A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT
SALVATION BY GRACE REALLY MEANS.
WHAT CHRISTIAN NEEDED AS WE COME TO CHAPTER 4 WAS A FULLER
UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT I CALL THE 3 C’S OF GOD’S GRACE. WHAT
ARE THOSE 3 C’S?
I.
II.
III.
CHRISTIAN NEEDED A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF THE
CONCEPT OF GOD’S GRACE - OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SAVED BY
GRACE ALONE
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SAVED BY GRACE ALONE
CHRSTIAN NEEDED A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF THE
CONSEQUENCES OF GOD’S GRACE
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SAVED BY GRACE ALONE
CHRISTIAN NEEDED A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF THE
CHANNEL OF GOD’S GRACE
Amazing Grace
I.
FIRST NEEDED TO HAVE A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT
THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF GRACE MEANS – NEEDED TO KNOW
THAT TO BE SAVED BY GRACE MEANS AT LEAST 4 THINGS:
A. NEEDED TO KNOW THAT SALVATION BY GRACE ALONE MEANS
THAT GOD DOESN’T SAVE US BECAUSE HE SEES SOMETHING
GOOD IN US - Psalm 58:3; Matt 15:19; Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:1018; Eccl 9:3; Gen 6:5; Luke 18:11; 1 Corinthians 4:7
65
B. NEEDED TO HAVE A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACT
THAT SALVATION BY GRACE ALONE MEANS THAT GOD
DOESN’T SAVE US BECAUSE OF ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE OR
EVER WILL DO

Luke 18:12; Titus 3:5-6; Isa 64:6; Romans 3:20
Look at several passages that describe the attitude we should have
about our salvation:




In Matthew 20:1-16 - Jesus tells a story about a certain vineyard
owner that illustrates a great truth about salvation by grace.
A second passage that describes the attitude we should have
about our good works is found in Luke 17:10 - After done all can unprofitable
Luke 7:1-10 – Centurion’s servant = sick. Verses 4 and 5 – the
unbiblical attitude of the elders - came & said - He is worthy - he
built our synagogue - he loves our nation - deserves you heal his
servant. Verses 6 and 7 the biblical attitude of the centurion – I am
not worthy for you to come under my roof. Which attitude do most
people have? Which attitude is most reflective of you?
And then I want to mention one more passage that clearly
describes the attitude we should have about the part that our good
works plays in our salvation is – Romans 11:6 – “If it (salvation) is
by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is
no longer grace.”
Jerry Bridges was right on target when he wrote: “To the degree that
you are clinging to any vestiges of self-righteousness or are putting
any confidence in your own spiritual attainments, to that degree you
are not living by the grace of God in your life. Grace and good works
are mutually exclusive. We cannot stand… with one foot on grace and
the other on our works of merit. If you are trusting to any degree in
your own morality or religious attainments … you need to seriously
consider if you are truly a Christian.”
C. NEEDED TO HAVE A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACT
THAT SALVATION BY GRACE ALONE MEANS THAT GOD GIVES
US SOMETHING WE DON’T DESERVE – UNMERITED FAVOR
In that same book, Jerry Bridges has also written, “Because of the
influence of our culture, we begin to be as demanding of our “right”
before God as we are toward people. It is bad enough…to have the
attitude ‘The world owes me something just because I am’, but to have
the attitude that God owes me something is exceedingly dangerous to
spiritual health. It will ruin our relationship with God, nullify our
66
effectiveness in ministry, and … turn us bitter and resentful. Unlike our
government, or school, or family, or employer, God will not give in to
our sense or rights or respond to pressure tactics. We never win in the
battle of rights with God.”
D. NEEDED TO HAVE A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACT
THAT SALVATION BY GRACE ALONE MEANS THAT GOD NOT
ONLY GIVES US WHAT WE DON’T DESERVE, IT ALSO INVOLVES
GOD GIVING US THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE DO DESERVE.
GRACE ISN’T MERELY GOD DECIDING TO BLESS US EVEN
THOUGH WE’VE DONE NOTHING TO DESERVE THAT BLESSING.
IT IS GOD GIVING US HIS BLESSINGS EVEN THOUGH WE
DESERVE HIS CURSES. >









Romans 3:10-20 describes our condition in terms of pervasive and
total depravity; we were not merely partially depraved, but
pervasively depraved; we were not just partially unable to keep all
of God’s requirements; we were totally unable to properly keep any
of God’s requirements (James 2:10); we were not merely neutral in
terms of God; we were rebels against God with no righteousness
or goodness of our own; we were without understanding; without
any fear or respect for God; passage indicates that not only didn’t
we seek God or want God, we were actually opposed to God.
Romans 8:7 - describes our pre-salvation condition this way. It says
we had minds that were not merely neutral to the God of the Bible;
rather we had minds that were hostile to the God of the Bible.
Romans 5:10 - by nature we are enemies of
God
Romans 5:9 - tells us we don’t deserve the blessings of God, rather
what we deserve is the wrath of God
Galatians 3:10 & 13 - we were under the curse of God and
deservedly so because we did not keep his law
Romans 8:7 - describes our pre-salvation condition this way. It says
we had minds that were not merely neutral to the God of the Bible;
rather we had minds that were hostile to the God of the Bible.
Romans 5:10 - by nature we are enemies of
God
Romans 5:9 - tells us we don’t deserve the blessings of God, rather
what we deserve is the wrath of God
Galatians 3:10 & 13 - we were under the curse of God and
deservedly so because we did not keep his law
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 2 – WHERE CHRISTIAN MEETS THREE SHINING ONES
Who or What are these Shining Ones?


Pages 50-51 - Battle With Apollyon
Pages 123 - Disciplining Christian
67


Pages 145-146 - Preparation For Death
Pages 147-149- At Time Of Death
Why are they represented as Shining Ones?



Matthew 28:2-4 - Mary Magdalene - angel whose appearance was like
lightning - clothing = white as snow.
Luke 24:4-5 - women came to tomb - saw two beings dressed in dazzling
clothing
Acts 10:30 - Cornelius explaining to Peter
HERE BUNYAN INTRODUCES US TO THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS IN THE
CHRISTIAN LIFE
1. Until 15 or 20 years ago not much was being said about angels.
 Among Christians and non-Christians
 Theology books
 Seminary classes
2. Now – situation is different
 Movies
 Television programs - Touched by an angel
 Books
3. Problem = much of what is being said or written about angels is
erroneous; in movies, television programs, books – angels doing
some rather bizarre and strange things.
 Much of what is being said is the figment of someone’s imagination;
has no biblical basis.
 Tragedy = hear more about angels from people outside the church who
don’t believe the Bible than do from people who claim to believe the
Bible.
4. This is unfortunate because –
 Bible has much to say about angels – mentioned 300 times in the 66
books of the Bible
 Mentioned numerous times in the first book of the Bible – Genesis 3:24
(Adam and Eve); 16:10 (Hagar); 18:2 (Abraham visited by three
angels); 19:1-15 – Lot visited by some angels; 21:17; 22:11; 22;15;
24:7; 24:40; 28:12; 31:11;32:1; 48:16
 Mentioned numerous times in other O.T. books – about 20 times in
each books of the books of Judges and Zechariah
 Same in N.T. – Matt. = at least 20 references; Luke more than 20; Acts
at least 20; Hebrews =12; Revelation = several references in almost
every chapter; last chapter – 22:6, 8, 16
68
5. Before look at what Bible actually teaches about angels, note 2
interesting facts:
 Way Bible presents its teachings about angels is different from the way
the Bible teaches about many other doctrines. Many doctrines come to
us by way of progressive revelation. Not so – about angels – some of
clearest teachings are found in the O.T.
 Angels had a prominent role to play in the coming of Christ, the earthly
life and ministry of Christ, in the present ministry of Christ and in the
future coming of Christ.
 Birth =Matt. 1:20, 24; 2:13, 19; Luke 1:11,13,18,19,26,28,30,34,35,38;
Luke 2:9,13,15,21
 Earthly life = Matt. 4:11; Mark 1:13; Luke 22:39-43; Matt. 28:2; John
20:11,12
 Present ministry = Acts 5:17-19; 8:26 (Philip); 10:3, 7, 22 (Cornelius);
12:7,8,9 (Peter); 27:23 (Paul); Heb. 1:14; 13:2
 Second coming =Matt. 13:41, 49; 16:27; 24:31; Mark 8:38; 13:27; 2
Thess. 1:7
3 IMPORTANT BIBLICAL TRUTHS ABOUT ANGELS
 Their Number
 Their Nature
 Their Ministry
A. The Number of Angels






Psalm 68:17 - myriads
2 Kings 6:8-17 – mountains filled with
Luke 2:13 – a multitude
Matthew 26:53 – 12 legions (72,000)
Revelation 5:11 – myriads of myriads
Hebrews 12:22 - myriads
B. The Nature of Angels







CREATED - Psalm 148:2-5; Col 1:16
USUALLY INVISIBLE - Col 1:16; 2 Kings 6:17
NOT GLORIFIED MEN - Heb 2:16; Rev 5:8-14; Luke 20:27-36
ADAPTABLE - Gen 3, 18, 19; Exodus 3; Psalm 68:17; Isaiah 6; Dan
10:5-6; Heb 13:2; Zech 1:10-12; 2:1-3
PRIVILEGED - Matt 18:10; Rev 5:11; Rev 7:11; Isaiah 6; Matt 24:36; 1
Thess 4:13ff.
PERSONAL - Gen 18:2; Gen 19:2; Psalm 33:5; Psalm 35:6; Zech
1:12-14; 1 Pet 1:12; Psalm 103:20
HOLY - Matt 25:31; Mark 8:38; Rev 14:10
69



GLORIOUS - Dan 10; Luke 2:8-9; Matt 28:2; Rev 19 & 22
POWERFUL - 2 Pet 2:11; Col 1:16; Rev 18:21; Psalm 103:20 – excel
in strength
SUBORDINATE - Eph 1:21; 1 Pet 3:22; John 1:43-51; Psalm 103:20
C. The Ministry of Angels
GENERAL:
 Psalm 103:20 – Angels: bless the Lord – Do what the lord wants them
to do
 Matt 6:10
 Heb 1:14 – ministering spirits
SPECIFIC:
 WORSHIP - Isaiah 6; Rev 5
 PREPARE THE WAY, GUIDE - Gen 24:7
 HINDER - Num 22:22
 PROTECT - Exodus 23:20-23; Psalm 34:7; Psalm 91:11; 2 Kings 6:817; 2 Kings 18:13-18; 19:8-37; Dan 6:22
 PROVIDE - 1 Kings 19:5-8 - Elijah
 MINISTER; GUARD - Matt 4:11; Luke 22:43 - garden of Gethsemane angel appeared and strengthened him.
 DELIVER - Acts 5:19; Acts 12:8-11
 HAVE A SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE CHURCH; OBSERVE GOD’S
PEOPLE - 1 Tim 5:21; 1 Cor 4:9; Rev 2 & 3
 SPECIAL MINISTRIES AT TIME OF DEATH - Luke 16:22 - Lazarus;
Elijah
 EXECUTIONERS OF GOD’S WRATH - Matt 13:39-42 - angels sent to
gather unbelievers and throw them into the lake of fire; 13:47-50 =
same - Angels will come and take the wicked from among the
righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire.
Sometime ago Andree Seu wrote an article for World magazine about angels that
was entitled Dust Off the Angels. (4.6)
WHAT DIFFERENCE SHOULD THESE TRUTHS ABOUT ANGELS MAKE IN
OUR LIVES? WHAT RELEVANCE DOES ALL THIS HAVE FOR US?
1. If the glorious, intelligent, powerful angels believe God’s Word, obey it –
never argue, contradict it, change the Word, we should do likewise.
2. If men fell on their faces when angels appeared, how much more glorious
is the God who made the angels.
3. If the angels who have never sinned, constantly worship God, how much
more should we.
4. Since angels are holy beings who have never sinned, how gracious it is of
our God to send His Son to redeem us and to give us a place closer to His
throne than the Holy angels!
70
5. The angels who are greater than we are worship Christ ought to help us to
understand more fully how great our Lord Jesus Christ really is.
6. Since the angels who are such glorious beings gladly do whatever they
are asked to do (even menial tasks) how more should we be willing to do
whatever Christ asks us to do.
7. Since the angels are prevent us from doing things (Balaam), we should
not get upset when obstacles keep us from doing some things we want to
do.
8. Since God sends His angels to minister to us, we ought to be humbly
expecting help from the angles in the time of need. Psalm 91:11 is true
9. Since the angels are not God, but created beings, it is wrong to worship
them, nor can they forgive sin.
10. Since the angels are usually invisible and since there are myriads of
myriads of them there may be many angels around us and we don’t even
know about it.
11. Since angels are highly privileged beings and since in some ways we will
be like them we can learn something about our future by observing what
they are like and the privileges they now experience.
12. Since the angels are adaptable beings we may be ministered to by the
angels and never even know it.
Bunyan wants us to know about the ministry of angels – that’s why he
included this account at this point and at many other places in his book.
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN MEETS 5 DIFFERENT PEOPLE.


In some ways, they are all alike – they all profess to be Christians
In other ways, as we shall see, they are different – they have different ways of
thinking about Christianity.
They can be divided into 2 groups:


GROUP 1 – SIMPLE, SLOTH AND PRESUMPTION
GROUP 2 = FORMALITY AND HYPOCRISY
NOTE SOME FACTS ABOUT - GROUP 1 - SIMPLE, SLOTH, PRESUMPTION
– PAGE 31






MET THEM AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL
A LITTLE OFF THE WAY
FAST ASLEEP
FETTERS ON FEET
LIEING DOWN
HAD CERTAIN BELIEFS
71
ALEXANDER WHITE’S COMMENTS ABOUT GROUP 1 – Characters in
Pilgrim’s Progress - 4.7
CHARLES SPURGEON’S COMMENTS ABOUT GROUP 1 – 4. 8 p. 92 –
Pictures from Pilgrim’s Progress
Look at the belief system of each of these characters and see what kind of
people these characters represent.
SIMPLE’S BELIEFS:
“I DON’T SEE ANY DANGER.”
SPIRITUALLY IGNORANT, DULL, NAÏVE.










1 THESSALONIANS 5:2-3
PROVERBS 1:20-22, 25, 29, 32;
Proverbs 7:6-7
Prov 8:5-11
Prov 9:1-6
Prov 9:13, 18
Prov 14:15-18
Prov 22:3
Prov 27:12
ALEXANDER WHITE’S COMMENTS – 4. 8 - PAGES 114-116
SLOTH’S BELIEFS:
“I JUST WANT TO SLEEP A LITTLE LONGER.”
SPIRITUALLY LAZY, LETHARGIC, IRRESPONSIBLE.









Rev 3:1-6
Prov 6:6-11
Prov 10:26
Prov12:27
Prov15:19
Prov 19:24
Prov 21:27
Prov 22:13
ALEXANDER WHITE’S COMMENTS – 4.9 PAGES 116-118
PRESUMPTION’S BELIEFS
“EVERY BARREL MUST STAND ON ITS OWN BOTTOM.”
SPIRITUALLY HAUGHTY, ARROGANT, INSOLENT, PROUDLY SELF
CONFIDENT.
72






Rev 3:14-21
Num 15:30-31
Deut 17:9-13
Psa 19:13
Prov 13:10
ALEXANDER WHITE’S COMMENTS – 4.10 PAGES 118-121
GROUP 2 - PAGES 31 - 33 – FORMALITY AND HYPOCRISY
SEVERAL FACTS ABOUT THESE TWO PEOPLE:
1. CAME TUMBLING OVER THE WALL – DIDN’T COME THROUGH THE
GATE
 Matt 7:13-14
 John 10:9
2. QUICKLY CAUGHT UP - SPURGEON – 4.11
3. CAME FROM THE LAND OF VAIN GLORY – glory in things that are of
no value before God




Prov. 25:27
Jeremiah 2:11-13
Romans 1:23
Phil. 3:19
4. WERE GOING TO MOUNT ZION TO RECEIVE PRAISE (HEBREWS
12:21 = CHURCH & HEAVEN) NOT GOING TO MOUNT ZION TO GIVE
PRAISE – 1 COR 10:31; PSALM 115:1; 107:2,8,15; 1 Timothy 1:7;
Ephesians 3:21; Revelation 4:9-11; 5:9-13
5. THEY WERE UNWILLINGTO DO SEVERAL THINGS:
a. Receive instruction, admonition or counsel - Psalm 141:5;
Hebrews 3:13; Prov 1:29-30; 5:12
b. Admit they had any need – Galatians 6:3
c. Examine themselves – 2 Cor. 13:5
d. Make any substantial changes
6. HAD CONVINCED THEMSELVES THAT THEY HAD GOOD REASONS
FOR NOT COMING BY WAY OF THE WICKET GATE. GAVE 4
REASONS ON PAGES 32:


POPULAR OPINION – IS TOO DIFFICULT, REQUIRES TOO MUCH
EFFORT, NOT NECESSARY
WASN’T WHAT MOST OF THE CHURCHES SAID WAS THE WAY THAT
PEOPLE BECAME CHRISTIANS
73


ANTIQUITY – HISTORY – FOR 1000’S OF YEARS PEOPLE HAVE
BECOME CHRISTIANS WITHOUT HUMBLING THEMSELVES,
SORROWING OVER THEIR SINS, REPENTING, THINKING THAT
THEIR ONLY HOPE WAS IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST AND THAT
THEIR WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WERE AS FILTHY RAGS.
HOW YOU BECOME A CHRISTIAN ISN’T IMPORTANT – WHAT IS
REALLY IMPORTANT T IS THAT YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN AND LIVE
LIKE A CHRISTIAN – HOW YOU LIVE IS WHAT REALLY MATTERS –
WE ARE JUST AS MORAL AS YOU ARE
7. NOTE WHAT BUNYAN SAYS THEY BASED THEIR CONVICTIONS
ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ON; WHAT THEIR AUTHORITY WAS
FOR BELIEVING WHAT THEY BELIEVED.



P. 32 - THEIR OWN VAIN IMAGINATIONS – MADE SENSE TO
THEM – SEEMED REASONABLE AND RIGHT TO THEM – PROV.
14:12
P. 32 – THE EXAMPLES AND IDEAS OF OTHER PEOPLE – “THEY
COULD PRODUCE TESTIMONY THAT WOULD BEAR WITNESS TO
THE CORRECTNESS OF THEIR APPROACH.
NOT – ISAIAH 8:19,20; PSALM 119:128; JOHN 17:17
8. WHO DO FORMALITY AND HYPOCRISY REPRESENT? WHAT ARE
THEIR SPECIFIC APPROACHES TO CHRISTIANITY? WHAT IS THEIR
RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION?
FORMALITY’S RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION - RELIGIOUS PERFORMER






2 TIMOTHY 3:5
PHILIPPIANS 3:5-6
GALATIANS 1:13-14
LUKE 18:9-14
SPURGEON – (4:12)
HORNER – (4.13)
HYPOCRISY’S RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION - RELIGIOUS PRETENDER



MATTHEW 6:2-5
MATTHEW 23:1-33
SPURGEON – (4.14) - PAGES 95-96
9. NOTE THE 4 QUESTIONS CHRISTIAN ASKED THEM AND THE
ANSWERS THEY GAVE – CHRISTIAN HAS LEARNED MUCH FROM
HIS ENCOUNTER WITH PLIABLE IN CH 1
74




P. 31 - WHERE HAVE YOU COME FROM AND WHERE ARE YOU
GOING? Spurgeon – (4:15) - pages 96 –98
P. 32 – WHY DIDN’T YOU COME BY WAY OF THE GATE?
Spurgeon - (4:16) -pages 98-100
P. 32 – SINCE GOD HAS SAID YOU SHOULD COME THROUGH
THE GATE, ISN’T WHAT YOU’RE DOING A TRESSPASS AGAINST
GOD? Spurgeon – (4.17) -pages 100-102
P. 32 – will your practice stand up in God’s court? Spurgeon – (4.18) pages 103-105
10. FORMALITY AND HYPOCRISY ASSERTED THAT THEY WERE NO
DIFFERENT FROM CHRISTIAN. WASN’T TRUE. HOW WERE THEY
DIFFERENT?








They had not yielded to the will of the lord
They had not received the coat of Christ’s righteousness – didn’t have
mark of forehead – scroll in their hand.
They were different in heart, affection and will
They were directed by reason and consensus
They boasted of their own righteousness >
They were motivated and controlled by a desire of self gratification, by
what pleases them.
They were idolaters, worshipping and serving themselves rather than
Christ…
After discussing these ways in which Formality and Hypocrisy differ
from Christian Bunyan goes on to describe one other way in which
they differ from Christian. Concerning this Spurgeon says - 4.19 - p.
108, 109
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 4 – THE HILL OF DIFFICULTY
BUNYAN MENTIONS TWO THINGS THAT CHRISTIAN SAW AT THE
BOTTOM OF THE HILL OF DIFFICULTY:

SAW 3 PATHWAYS - 2 LEVEL - DANGER & DESTRUCTION, 1
STRAIGHT UP A STEEP HILL – DIFFICULTY.

SAW A SPRING OF FRESH WATER - ISAIAH 43:1-3, 49;10, 11;
HEBREWS 4:16, 2 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11; 9:8
MENTION SOME LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE HILL OF
DIFFICULTY:

HILL EXERIENCES ARE GREAT REVEALERS OF OUR TRUE
SPIRITUAL CONDITION - PROV. 24:10 I PETER 1:6-8; JAMES 1:2 5;
75





GOD OFTEN PREPARES US AHEAD OF TIME FOR THE
DIFFICULTIES WE WILL FACE IN THE FUTURE - CHRISTIAN WAS
MINISTERED TO BY ANGELS, ETC. SEE THIS ILLUSTRATED
LATER IN THE BOOK AS CHRISTIAN CONTINUES ON HIS
CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE - ISAIAH 49:10, 11
GOD USES HILL EXPERIENCES TO BRING US BACK TO REALITY
- CHRISTIAN HAD JUST RECENTLY HAD THRILLING
EXPERIENCES WHEN BURDEN ROLLED AWAY - MINISTERED TO
BY ANGELS, ETC. HILL EXPERIENCES ARE TO BE EXPECTED PRESENT EVIL WORLD; 1 Peter 4:12 – Don’t be surprised! James
1:2 – Count it all joy!
GOD USES HILL EXPERIENCES TO PREPARE US TO MINISTER
TO OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES - 2 COR
1:3-5; DIANA’S LETTER - 4.20
GOD ALLOWS YOUNG BELIEVERS TO BE CHALLENGED - WHICH
IS WHAT CHRISTIAN WAS
NOT EVERYONE WHO CLAIMS TO BE A CHRISTIAN REALLY IS HYPOCRISY, FORMALITY DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY
WEREN’T BY WHAT THEY DID WHEN THEY WERE CONFRONTED
WITH THE HILL OF DIFFICULTY
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 5 – THE PLEASANT ARBOR
THE LOCATION OF THE PLEASANT ARBOR - HALF WAY UP THE HILL
WHAT DOES THE PLEASANT ARBOR REPRESENT IN THE CHRISTIAN
LIFE?
Times of pleasantness in life that God brings.
NOTICE THE THREE THINGS CHRISTIAN DID WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE
PLEASANT ARBOR
1. Slowed down and rested





Matt 11:28
Mark 6:31
Psalm 46:10
Psalm 23:3
Psalm 37:7
2. Reviewed his Scroll
Blessings he had in Christ including assurance of Salvation and
forgiveness
76



2 Tim 1:7
Romans 8:16, 26
2 Peter 1:4
3. THOUGHT ABOUT HOW HIS RAGS HAD BEEN REMOVED AND HOW
HE WAS NOW DRESSED IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST



EPHESIANS 1:6,7
ROMANS 3:24
COLOSSIANS 1:13-14
LET’S NOTICE SOME OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO CHRISTIAN AT
THE PLEASANT ARBOR:



EXPERIENCED A DIFFERENT KIND OF TEMPTATION
BECAME DROUSY AND FELL ASLEEP
AWAKENED BY A MESSENGER AND SOUNDLY REBUKED
OUGHT TO BE ASKING, WHAT EXPERIENCES DOES THIS REPRESENT IN
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?





TIMES WHEN WE BECOME LAZY AND NEGLECTFUL
TIMES WHEN WE PRESUME ON OUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
TIMES WHEN WE BECOME SELF SATISFIED
TIMES WHEN WE STAND STILL AND STOP FIGHTING
TIMES WHEN WE BECOME OVERLY CONFIDENT AND SECURE
WE KNOW THAT WHAT CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCED HERE IS A REAL AND
PRESENT DANGER FOR ALL CHRISTIANS - PAGE 46. KNOW THAT FROM
THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MANY WARNINGS IN SCRIPTURE ABOUT
THE DANGER OF GOING TO SLEEP:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
PROVERBS 6:9-11
PROVERBS 24:30-34
REVELATION 3:1-3
1 PETER 5:8
EPHESIANS 5:14
ROMANS 13:11
1 THESSALONIANS 5:6-8
REVELATION 15:16
WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT PLEASANT ARBOR EXPERIENCES MAY BE
HARMFUL TO OUR SPIRITUAL WELL BEING:


WERE IN DEUTERONOMY 8:7-9
DEUTERONOMY 8:10-19
77


PSALM 107:4-27
PROVERBS 30:7-9
PAGE 34 - CHRISTIAN IS AWAKENED AND GETS BACK ON TRACK, BUT
HE LEAVES SOMETHING BEHIND.

WHAT DID HE LEAVE BEHIND?
His Scroll

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN HE LOST?
His closeness with God, assurance of salvation, spiritual fervor.

WHAT DOES THIS REPRESENT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?
When we relax and think things are going well and take it easy.


JUDGES 16:18-21
HOSEA 7:8-9
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 6 – THE TWO MEN WHO TURNED BACK
WHO WERE THESE MEN?
Timorous and Mistrust
WHAT WERE THEIR NAMES?
DESCENDANTS OF MEN MENTIONED IN:



NUMBERS 13:25-14:4
1 TIMOTHY 1:19-20
2 TIMOTHY 1:15
WHAT DID THEY TELL CHRISTIAN?

Danger is ahead in the form of two lions.
WHAT DID THESE TWO LIONS REPRESENT FOR CHRISTIAN?
IN GENERAL - PSALM 34:10 – those who frighten, mistreat, would attack.
MORE SPECIFICALLY - CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY

Spurgeon – 4. 21 -page 143 – 146
78

Fear of the king and the Church of England caused many to turn back, but
not Bunyan.
WHAT ABOUT THE LIONS OF OUR DAY?

For Christians in some parts of the World – World Magazine – “taking on
the Thugs” - 4.22.

For Christians in many countries such as the USA, Western European
countries, some parts of Africa and South America.
CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSE TO THIS MESSAGE ABOUT LIONS:
1. Admitted he was scared
2. Refused to turn back
3. He took control of his thoughts and made himself think biblically


2 Cor 10:3-5
John 6:60-69
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 7 – CHRISTIAN REALIZES HE LOST HIS SCROLL AND
SEEKS TO RECOVER IT.
FOUR THINGS CHRISTIAN DID WHEN HE REALIZED HE HAD LOST HIS
SCROLL:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Did some hard thinking
Asked God for forgiveness
Grieved over his foolishness and sin
Made every effort to retrieve his scroll


REVELATION 2:1-5
REVELATION 3:1-4
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM CHRISTIAN’S LOSS OF HIS
ASSURANCE
1. Past sins and failure often have present consequences
2. Moving on in the present often required dealing properly with the sins of
the path
3. Sins of omission are as serious as sins of commission
4. Lack of diligence in the Christian life may require us to go back over
territory we have previously traversed.


MATTHEW 14:13-21
MATTHEW 15:32-34
79
5. Recovering the spiritual glow may take some time and effort
CHAPTER 4/SCENE 8 – FACING THE LIONS ON THE WAY
CHRISTIAN’S INITIAL RESPONSE TO THE ACTUAL CONFRONTATION
WITH THE LION’S WAS EXTREME FEAR
WATCHFUL COMES TO THE RESCUE - THE IDENTITY OF WATCHFUL PAGE 38 AND 108
WATCHFUL’S METHOD OF COUNSELING FEARFUL CHRISTIAN
1. ASKED HIM A SIMPLE QUESTION - ARE YOU SO WEAK AND TIMID?
CONTAINED A GENTLE REBUKE - ALSO AN EXPLANATION OF WHY
HE WAS FEARFUL. NOT CIRCUMSTANCES.
2. EXPLAINED WHY HE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID





ISAIAH 41:10
ISAIAH 43:1-3
PSALM 23.4
JOSHUA 1:9
DEUTERONOMY 31:8
3. EXPLAINED WHY THE LIONS WERE PLACED THERE - TEST OF
FAITH





JAMES 1:2-5
JAMES 1:12
1 PETER 1:6-7
JOB 23:10
2 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11
4. TOLD HIM WHAT TO DO - GAVE SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS - KEEP TO
MIDDLE OF PATH
5. GAVE HIM ECOURAGEMENT = LIONS ARE CHAINED - REMINDED OF
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY/CONTROL OVER SATAN AND ALL OF HIS
FORCES; ALSO ASSURED IF WAS OBEDIENT AND DID WHAT WAS
RIGHT HE WOULD SUFFER IRREPARABLE HARM - PSALM 90:1 - 11;
PSALM 121:1 - 8, ESP. V. 7; ETC.
80
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER FIVE
THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL
MAIN SCENES
1. CHRISTIAN COMES TO THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL - PAGE 55
2. CHRISTIAN IS INTRODUCED TO AND BRIEFLY INTERVIEWED BY
FAMILY MEMBERS - PAGE 55, 56 (Local church and membership)
3. CHRISTIAN IS ACCEPTED INTO THE FAMILY - PAGE 56
4. PAGES 56 - 64 - SIX THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO CHRISTIAN
WHEN HE JOINED A LOCAL CHURCH
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
He is discipled by Piety, Prudence and Charity
He has dinner with the family
He visits the Room Called Peace
He is taken to the Study
He is taken to the Armory
He is given a glimpse of the Delectable Mountains -
5. LAST SCENE IN CHAPTER - CHRISTIAN DESCENDS INTO THE
VALLEY OF HUMILIATION - PAGES 64 - 65
4. Overall Issues About The Palace Beautiful in scene 1 of this chapter
a. The identity of the Palace Beautiful - mentioned on pages 33 - 34, 49, 55 65, 158 - 162
b. The importance of becoming a family member of the Palace Beautiful
c. The purpose of the Palace Beautiful in the life of a Christian
d. A description of those who should be given the privilege of being a family
member of the Palace Beautiful
e. The process of becoming a member of the Palace Beautiful
f. What should happen when we go to the palace beautiful
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN COMES TO THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL
81
5. Three Specific Facts About The Palace Beautiful/The Church - Page 55
a. Fact # 1 = It’s Builder – Lord of the Hill


Matt 16:18
1 Tim 3:15
b. Fact #2 = It’s Members - Pilgrims





1 Cor 1:1-2
Matt 16:15
1 Thess 1:1-7
Acts 2:37, 47; 5:14; 4:4
2 Thess 1:1-3
c. Fact # 3 = It’s Function or Purposes
1. To worship and glorify God 

Eph 3:21
Phil 1:11
2. To evangelize 


Matt 28:19
Acts 1:8
1 Thess 1:8
3. For the relief and security of pilgrims; to show hospitality to pilgrims - to
edify and build up Christians in the faith







Acts 2:44-47; 4:23; 20:28-31
Eph 4:11-16
Rom 12:13; 15:1-3
1 Thess 5:12-14
1 Cor 12:25-26
1 Pet 5:1-2
Heb 3:13; 10:24-25; 13:3, 17.
6. Bunyan’s View Of The Importance Of The Local Church In The Life Of A
Believer:
82
a. Would have disagreed with the view that some present day professing
Christians have toward the local church - 5.1 - Pages 1-4 of Life In The
Father’s House. “Jesus Yes, Church no”
b. Would have agreed with the view that some of the great Christian leaders
of the past had toward the local church - 5.2 - Pages 5 & 6 of Life In The
Father’s House.
c. Would have agreed with the view that the Apostle Paul presents in 1
Timothy 3:15 - Pages 7-17 of Life In The Father’s House.
d. Paul’s view of the church
1. The Household (family) of God



Eph 2:19-22
1 Tim 3:4-5, 12
1 Cor 3:16-17
2. The Church of the Living God


Origin
Ownership
3. The Pillar of Truth – support, display

Judges 16:19-20
4. Ground or Foundation of the Truth - seat, bulwark, breakwater Provides Stability and Permanence and Protection; Defends the
Truth








Acts 20:28-30
2 Tim 1:13-14
2 Tim 2:14-18
Phil 1:7
1 Tim 4:13
1 Tim 6:20-21
Titus 1:5-14
Jude 3-4
e. Bunyan would have been in total agreement with Robert Saucy who
wrote this about the importance of the church in God’s plan – 5.3 - p. 1617
f. We know he would have agreed with these views because of what he
wrote in Chapter 5 and because of what he wrote in a long poem about
the local church. Poem is 13 pages long - in poem discusses the builder of
the church, the beauty of the church, the ministries of the church, the
strength of the church, the delightfulness of the church, the way members
83
should be received into the church, the head or governors of the church,
and the elders and deacons of the church.
7. The order in which Bunyan arranged the events in Christian’s life
indicates Bunyan’s conviction that every believer should become a
member of a local church.



Chapter 3 - Comes through the gate and spends time in the house of the
Interpreter
Chapter 4 - Comes to the cross - gains assurance of salvation, meets
false Christians, the Hill of Difficulty
Chapter 5 - Comes to church and seeks membership in the church
8. Reasons why church membership is a requirement for every believer
(LIFE IN THE FATHER’S HOUSE - CHAPTER 2; also To be or Not To Be
A Church Member; That is the Question). Bunyan, I am convinced, from
reading his writings would agree with all of these reasons. Church
membership is a biblical requirement for every Christian because:
1. The biblical command for commitment to other believers requires church
membership.
2. The way the Bible describes the relationship of Christians to their elders
requires church membership.
3. Church membership is a way of clarifying the difference between believers
and unbelievers
4. Church membership is essential for the orderly administration of the
church
5. Church membership promotes involvement and a sense of responsibility
to the people who are members
6. Church membership provides an opportunity to educate people about the
nature and distinctives of the church
7. Church membership makes a person’s commitment to Christ a public
affair – some people are more excited about boy scouts than their
church!!! Association with the church.
8. Church membership challenges and calls the church to fulfill its biblical
responsibilities to its members
9. Church membership helps the church discern who should be given
ministry opportunities – Who gets to serve in the church, test testimony,
doctrinal differences, commit to serving that person.
10. Church membership puts us in an accountability relationship with other
believers
11. Church membership helps the church and its members make difficult
decisions about the use of its time and resources
12. Church membership fulfills the directives of several passages in Scripture
that make church membership a requirement
84



1 Cor 5:1-5, 13
1 Tim 1:18-20
Matt 18:15-22
9. Pages 55 - 61 - We have an Overview of the Process of Church
Membership used in time of Bunyan:
a. P. 55 - When seeks church membership he is given instructions about the
church and interviewed by Watchful who is identified as one of the elders
of the church in ch. 12 – p. 109. Heb. 13:17
b. P. 56 - Interviewed by Discretion
c. P. 56 - Briefly interviewed by Piety, Prudence and Charity
d. P. 56 - Welcomed into church membership
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN INTERVIEWED BY THE FAMILY
10. Let’s take a more detailed look at the process of church membership Page 55 - 56 – First He is Interviewed By Watchful…
a. Explains the general purpose and function of the Palace - mentioned
previously
b. Elicits a testimony from Christian by asking him several questions –
testimony of faith
Q: Where did you come from?
A: City of Destruction
Q: Where are you going?
A: Mount Zion - Hebrews 12:22,23
The local church is the place where God changes lives.



Where we grow and are nurtured
Where we serve and are served
Counseling room is just preparation to get you back on the field to
play.
“2 places to get water”
1. Dig a well – the narrow approach – counseling – take a slice of a
persons life and adjust and fix it
85
2. Lift the water level – broad approach – the church – raise maturity
through involvement in the church.
Church is the place where church takes place
Acts 2:41 – Church Membership – Somebody kept a list of names!!!
Q: What is your name?
A: Christian - Was Graceless


Race of Japheth - Gentile
Tents of Shem - godly son of Noah - Rom 11:11-32; Gen 9:27 (line
of Israel came)
Q: Why did you come so late?
A: Acknowledges his wretchedness


Reviews how he fell asleep at the Pleasant Arbor and lost his scroll
Wasted time and had to go back and recover his scroll
11. Watchful then introduces Christian to Discretion who also interviews
him – believed in the purity of the church – Prov. 15:22; 11:14
Page 56 – Brief description of the Interview with Discretion




Principle = Proverbs 11:14; 15:22
The name of this interviewer (Discretion) = The ability to discern truth
and error; the ability to make wise and responsible decisions based
upon solid facts and evidence.
P. 56 - Discretion investigates according to the house rule
P. 56 mentions that Discretion investigates with greater detail
 Goes over some of the same territory as watchful
 Asks what he had seen and what happened to him thus far in
his Christian pilgrimage
Page 56 also has Christian’s Response to This Interview:



Christian indicates that he understands the purpose and function
of the church
Christian indicates that he understands the importance of the
church in the lives of Christians
Indicates that he has a strong desire to become a part of the
church
86
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN IS ACCEPTED INTO THE FAMILY
Page 56 – Bunyan describes what happened after these initial interviews:



Discretion smiles and begins to cry
Discretion introduces him to several other members of the church who
briefly talk with him
Christian is formally welcomed into church membership and is reminded of
the purpose of the church – for the relief and security of pilgrims.
Pages 58 - 64 Bunyan describes 6 things that Happened To Christian When
He became a member of a local Church.
1. He was discipled by more mature believers
2. 2. He was invited to join other family members at dinner communion
3. 3. He was taken to the Room Called Peace
4. 4. He was taken to the Study
5. 5. He was taken to the Armory
6. 6. He was taken to the Delectable Mountains
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 4 – CHRISTIAN IS DISCIPLED
1. Break down scene 4 - begin - PAGES 56 - 61 where Christian Is Enrolled
In A Process Of Discipleship With Three Very Mature Believers – before
consider process answer two important questions about discipleship.
1. What is a Disciple?


Matt 28:19
Luke 6:40
2. How are disciples made?


Through the public preaching and teaching of the Word
(Matthew 28:19)
Through the private ministry of the Word and association with
godly people who provide godly models






Luke 6:40
Mark 3:14
John 13:15
Acts 4:13
1 Thessalonians 1:5-6
Philippians 4:9
87
PAGES 56 - 58 – told that Christian is first discipled by Piety - Greek =
Eusebius


Devoutness, Loyalty, Respectfulness, Reverence, Faithfulness, Godliness
– Bridges’ & Law’s definition
A very important quality for Christians



Piety and other disciplers use Question and Answer Method
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Mentioned 15 times in Paul’s Epistles (1 Tim 2:1,2,10; 3:16; 4:7,8; 5:4;
6:3-6; 2 Tim 3:5,12; Titus 1:1; 2:11,12)
Mentioned several times in Peter’s second Epistle (2 Pet 1:3-5,7; 3:11)
What first moved you to begin to seek Christ?
How did you happen to leave your country to come this way?
Didn’t you pass by the House of the Interpreter?
Did the Man with a Terrifying Dream tell you about his dream?
Was that all you saw at the Interpreter’s house?
What else did you see as you traveled on the way?
You saw more than this didn’t you?
What type of questions did Piety ask Christian?
Factual, historical, easy to answer

What did Piety learn about Christian through the answers he gave?
1. That Christian was deeply concerned about God’s hatred of and
judgment on sin.
2. That Christian was deeply concerned of God’s sovereignty in the
events leading to salvation - He left the City of Destruction because “It
was God’s will.”
3. That Christian was deeply affected by several things that he learned at
the House of the Interpreter.




Fire By The Wall
Man In The Iron Cage
Man With The Terrifying Dream
Man Who Saw A Stately Palace
4. That Christian had a tremendous desire to have more of God’s truth
explained to him.
5. That Christian was convinced that man’s only hope of deliverance from
the guilt and corruption of sin was the atonement that Jesus Christ
made for sinners at Calvary.
88
6. That Christian was already developing the ability to discern true
Christianity from false Christianity.
7. That Christian had a sense of responsibility to warn and rebuke people
who had a false sense of security or assurance.
8. That Christian had discovered that Christians will inevitably face
difficulties in their Christian lives.
9. That Christian had recognized his own inability to live the Christian life
without the help of God and other Christians.
10. That Christian deeply appreciated the way God had preserved him and
the way he had been received into the local church.
PAGES 58-59 – Next Bunyan tells us that Christian Is Discipled By
Prudence

An Important Biblical Quality - Old Testament









An Important Biblical Quality - New Testament






1 Tim 3:2 (Sophron)
Mark 5:15
1 Tim 2:9, 15
Rom 12:3
Titus 2:2, 5-6
What then is Prudence? What does it involve?









Prov 12:16
Prov 3:16
Prov 14:8, 15-17
Prov 15:5
Prov 18:15
Prov 19:14
Prov 22:3
Prov 27:12
Being in control of yourself - Opposite of impulsiveness
Being sensible - Opposite of senselessness
Making wise decisions - Exercising good judgment
Being willing to listen
Making decisions on the basis of facts
Making judgments according to principles
Self control during tough times
Thinking ahead; Anticipating consequences
Examples of Prudence
89








Barnabas – Acts 11:19-26
Paul – Acts 16:1-3
Aquilla and Priscilla – Acts 18:24-26
Paul – 2 Cor 8:16-21
Moses – Hebrews 11:24-26
Joseph – Gen 39
Example of a man that lacked prudence - Prov 7:6-23
Why is Prudence Such an Important Quality for the Christian?

Without this quality, the Christian will:




Be easily led astray
Be greatly misunderstood
Not be respected
Notice the kind of Questions Prudence Asked Christian:
1. What do you think of your former manner of life?
2. Do your thoughts of your former manner of life cause you to waiver?
3. Do you ever experience freedom from the internal struggle with carnal,
worldly thoughts?
4. When you experience victory, what is most helpful to you?
5. What is it that motivates you to press on in the Christian life toward
heaven?
6. What makes you so eager to reach Mount Zion?

How did the questions of Prudence differ from the questions that
Piety asked? (More probing)

How would you characterize the kind of questions that Prudence
asked? (Focused on internal, thoughts, motives, desires, internal
struggles responses)

Why did Prudence press these kinds of questions on Christian in her
discipleship efforts? (Prov. 23:7)

What did her questions encourage Christian to do?
PAGES 59 - 61 – 3rd Discipler by the name of Charity spends time with
Christian

Bunyan knows and wants us to know that Charity (love) is a very
important quality in the Christian life. We know that love is a very
90
important Biblical Quality from the fact that the Hebrew words for
Love appear more than 500 times in the Old Testament.







Also know that it is a very important We know that love is a very
important Biblical Quality from the fact that the Greek words for Love
appear more than 370 times in the New Testament.












1 Tim 1:5
Rom 8:28
Col 3:12-14
1 Cor 8:3, 13
1 Peter 1:8, 22
1 Peter 2 :17
James 1:12
1 John 3 and 4
Matt 22:37-40
Luke 10:25-37
John 13:34-35
What is involved in showing love biblically?









Deut 6:4-5
Lev 19:18
Exodus 20:6
Deut 10:12
Deut 11:1
Deut 30:6
Love is doing the 12 things mentioned in Leviticus 19:9-18
Love is a person living out 1 Cor 13:4-8
Love is the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Love is Jesus (John 3:16; Rom 5:8)
Love is the husband (Eph 5:25-27)
Love is Piety, Prudence and Charity coming to Christian and discipling
him
Love is Christian reaching out to his family
Love is Christian warning Simply, Slothful, Presumption, Formality and
Hypocrisy
Note the Specific Questions Charity Asked Christian & his answers
on pages 59 - 61:
1. Do you have a family?

Wife and 4 children
91
2. Why didn’t you bring your family along?

Wanted to, but they were opposed to my coming
3. Shouldn’t you have talked to them and warned them?

I did, they seemed to think that I was joking and they wouldn’t
believe me
4. Did you pray for your family that they might repent?

Yes, and with great love and emotion. My wife and children were
very dear to me.
5. Did you convey your own sorrowful concern for their safety?

Yes, over and over again. I know they could see the alarm on my
face as well as my tears. But none of this could convince them to
come with me.
6. What reasons did your family give for not journeying with you?

My wife was afraid of losing this world and my children were
enjoying the foolish pleasures of youth. So for one reason or
another they left me wander in my anxious condition alone.
7. Did your ungodly manner of life weaken your ability to persuade them
to go with you? Were there vain or ungodly things in your life that may
have been a stumbling block to them?


You’re right I cannot commend my life for I am conscious of many
failings. I know that a man’s own actions can overpower whatever
persuasive ability he may have to convince others for their own
good. Yet I can honestly say that I tried to be very careful not to be
a negative example…But for this they told me I was too exacting,
that I denied things in which they saw no evil. No, I think I can
safely say that if they were hindered by me, it was because of my
great care not to sin against God and my neighbor.
Besides asking questions, note one other thing that Charity did on
page 61 in response to Christian’s statement about the fact that his
family and others had rejected his witness about Christ to them and
a actually chided and rebuked him.
92

At this point, Charity encouraged him by saying that Cain hated his
brother because his deeds were evil and his brother’s were
righteous. And if your wife and children were offended with you for
your righteousness it was their fault and you are not responsible for
their rejection of Christ.

What we can learn from this episode is that love for our brethren
should be manifested by giving encouragement as well as probing
for failures and sin. Love will cause us to probe to make sure we
have accurate information, but we should also encourage.

We can also learn from this that when we are encouraging people
who may be discouraged we should when we are discipling people
we should use biblical examples and truth.

Notice how the questions of Charity differed from the questions that
Piety and Prudence asked. (Relationships; love for neighbor; family)

How would you characterize the kind of questions that Charity
asked? (Both closed and open ended)

Why did Charity press these kinds of questions on Christian in her
discipleship efforts? (Wanted him and us to know that being a
Christian isn’t merely a matter of believing the right things.)

What did her questions encourage Christian to do?


Challenged to think, evaluate, examine himself.
What learn about discipling or counseling from this section?
1. Importance of discussion, use questions and answer method; gather
data, don’t assume.
2. Investigate and teach on factual and experiential issues.
3. Deal with heart issues – probe, promote self examination, get them to
think, be courageous, confront, also encourage.
NOW TO PAGES 61 - 67 WHERE BUNYAN DESCRIBES SEVERAL OTHER
THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO CHRISTIAN WHEN HE BECAME A MEMBER
OF A LOCAL CHURCH
2. In addition to being discipled Bunyan indicates that when Christian
joined the church he was Invited To Dinner (P. 61) Several questions:

What does the supper represent? General + Specific.
93





Hebrews 10:24-25
1 Thess 5:11
Luke 22:14-20
1 Cor 11:23-29
What do the pre-supper conversations indicate?

Christians talk to one another, enjoy having fellowship.
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 5 – CHRISTIAN JOINS WITH OTHER FAMILY
MEMBERS TO REMEMBER THE LORD’S DEATH
PAGE 61

When they met for supper, what is the main topic of conversation?



What does this incident indicate about Bunyan’s perspective on the
Lord’s Supper?



General Topic – talked about the Lord of the Hill
More specifically –what He had done, why he established the local
church, cross, his defeat of Satan, about his great love for pilgrims, his
victory etc.
Anti-Sacramental View
A Memorial Meal
Bunyan knew the teaching of 1 Corinthians 11:23-32. Would have
agreed that the Lord’s supper was intended to remind us of 9
Things:
1. Christ suffered a painful death - (V 24) - Isaiah 52:14 - 53:5
2. Died a substitutionary death - (V 24) - 1 John 3:18; Eph 1:7; Matt
20:28; 1 Pet 2:24
3. If a person is to enjoy the benefits of Christ’s death, Christ must be
appropriated - (v24-26)
4. If a person is to enjoy the benefits of Christ’s death, Christ must be
personally appropriated - (1 Cor 11:17-29)
5. If a person is to enjoy the benefits of Christ’s death, Christ must be
continually appropriated - (v25-26) - John 7:37-39; 3:36; 8:12; 6:35
6. Remind us of the equality and unity that exists among believers - (1
Cor 10:16-18; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11)
7. Remind us of the continuing efficacy of the Lord’s death - (v26) - (Rom
1:8; 1 Cor 2:1; Heb 9:12,24-26; 10:14) >
8. Remind us of the purpose of His death - (v27-31) - (1 Pet 3:18; Gal
3:13; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Pet 2:24)
94
9. Remind us that He is alive and coming again - (v23-26)
Bunyan would have disagreed with anyone who believes that partaking of
the Lord’s supper is the means of salvation; that at the Lord’s supper the
bread actually becomes the body of Our Lord and the blood actually
becomes the blood of Jesus. Instead he would have joined with those
who believe that the Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated by those who have
already been saved by grace alone through faith alone through Christ
alone.
He would have agreed that the Lord’s supper is to be celebrated regularly
as a constant reminder of what Christ has done for us.
He would have agreed that the Lord’s supper is an important aspect of the
Christian life.
He would have agreed that the Lord’s supper is to be celebrated should
be celebrated regularly as a reminder.
He would have agreed that the Lord’s supper is to be celebrated as a
reminder of the grace of God and our own sin and need of forgiveness.
*He would have agreed that the Lord’s supper is to be celebrated as a
constant reminder of the willingness of God to forgive sinners.
He would have agreed that as we celebrate the Lord’s supper we should
examine ourselves to make sure that we are not harboring unconfessed
sin in our lives.
3. P. 62 - Bunyan tells us about another thing that happened to Christian
when he joined the church - was taken to the room called peace.
1. Bunyan knows that many people want to experience peace and they
will use methods that people use to find peace; knows that because
he himself had tried to find peace in various ways.
2. So it is today - people try to find peace through drugs, Eastern
religions, Stress management clinics and seminars, Good works,
Legalism, philanthropic activities
3. But while men may seek to find peace in many different ways, real
peace can be and peace should be a hallmark of every Christian for
several reasons:





Godlike trait – God is called the God of peace 6 times in Scripture
Jesus – lord and prince of peace
Is a fruit of the Spirit
Gospel = Gospel of peace
Romans 14:17
95



Romans 8:6.
Church should be a place where people who are experiencing peace
meet for worship, instruction and fellowship.
Church should be a haven where we are helped to be people who
experience three kinds of peace - (mention later).
4. Several facts about this room that Bunyan calls peace:





Large upper room – abundant peace
Had a window - vision
Was open toward the sunrise
Went to bed and slept until sunrise
When he woke up, he sang a song of thanksgiving and praise
5. Previously I mentioned that the church should be promoting three
kinds of peace with people.
a. Most importantly = Peace with God - initially and continuously




Col 1:21
Rom 5:8
Rom 8:7
Eph 2:3,11-12
Rom 5:1 – we have peace with God through Christ! We were at war with God at
every level before we were saved.
Rom 8:1 – no condemnationRom 8:38-39 – no created thing can interfere with
that. That brings peace!!! It is unbreakable, unbending love for us
1 John 4:17-19 – we can have confidence in Christ on the day of Judgement.
Perfect love casts out all fear, because that kind of fear comes from judgement.
We love because he first loved us. Christ’s righteousness is unblemished,
perfect, without failures. He forgives us, and wants us to have assurance and
peace.
b. Peace of God within ourselves






Isaiah 57:20-21
Rom 3:17
Phil 4:7
John 14:27
Ps 3:5
Psa 4:8
96

Acts 12:1-9
Peace of mind/heart
Rom 15:13 – fill you with all joy and peace in believing – assurance of salvation
should have results in your life
Phil 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, with thanksgiving bring your requests to God.
Pray like you trust God, that He can answer. A person who trusts God might
pray differently than someone who doesn’t. Praying continually and repeatedly
may be a sign of a lack of trust. Prayer can be used as sanctified worry! We
sometimes forget to be full of thanksgiving too! He is In charge, knows, is
sovereign. There is a peace of mind that should typify Christians God is not
cruel!!! Don’t act as if he is and you need to beg!
c. Peace with other people







Titus 3:3
Rom 3:13-17
Col 3:15
Eph 4:3
1 Pet 1:22
Matt 5:9
Heb 12:14
4. Page 62 - 4th thing that happened to Christian when went to church Christian Is Taken To The Study
1. What does this incident indicate about the church in particular and
the Christian life in general?










Eph 4:11
Acts 2:42
Acts 13:1
Acts 20:20
Rom 12;7
1 Cor 12:28
Gal 6:6
1 Tim 2:7
2 Tim 3:16
Ezra 7:10
97





2 Tim 2:15
2 Tim 2:7
Ps 1:2
Josh 1:8
James 1:21-25
Rom 15:13-14 – acknowledges the knowledge that the Romans have.
Christian life is wrapped up in info
Jer 9 – don’t boast in knowledge, but the understanding and knowledge of
God – Theology Proper.
Brings Christian maturity.
Christ is called “teacher”.
Study is a place where people are taught.
Matt 5 – Jesus took his disciples aside to teach them.
All Christians should love to gain knowledge. A distinguishing mark.
Never diminish the place of knowledge just because some people abuse it
and become spiritually proud. Knowledge is fuel for the fire of your walk.
Deut 6:5-7 – Moses says to Love the Lord, be on your heart, on your mind,
teach them diligently to your sons
Prov 1:22 – fools hate knowledge
Proverbs tells you to seek and find
Hosea 4:6 – my people are destroyed for a lack of it.
2 Pet 3:18 – grow in knowledge of God
2 Tim 2:15
2. Bunyan tells us what Christian was taught when he came to church
1. Records of great antiquity







1 Pet 1:10-12
2 Tim 3:16
2 Pet 1:20-21
Heb 1:1-3
Luke 24:44-45
2 Tim 4:2
Jude 3
2. Goes on to tell us more details of what He was taught




Christ
What Christ had done for His people
The lives and deeds of godly people
God’s grace and mercy
98


Important historical facts
God’s plan for the future
3. Now this fact that the church is to have study tells us that the church
should not be primarily a place where people are entertained, but a
place where people are challenged to think; where people are involved
in doing some serious learning. Learning will involve being taught solid
theology; where people are taught the truths about God - His
character, His attributes; about man learning will involve doing what
Matthew 28:19 says; Learning will involve doing what 2 Timothy 3:16 &
17 says - Will involve teaching people how to live - how to properly
relate to God; to man; how to communicate, etc.
5. Page 62 - 63 - 5th thing - Christian Is Taken To The Armory.
1. What is the Armory?
Place where military equipment is kept; place where military personnel are
trained.
2. What does the Armory represent in the Christian life?
Church – one of the churches purpose.
3. Are many passages that teach this warfare concept in the Christian
life







2 Cor 10:3-4
2 Tim 2:3-4
1 Tim 6:12
Eph 6:10-18
1 Pet 5:8-11
Many hymns do the same - Soldiers of Christ Arise - Stand Up Stand
Up for Jesus (5.5)
In her commentary on this scene in Pilgrim’s Progress Maureen
Bradley has written – (5.6)
4. Why is it so important for us to keep this warfare concept of the
Christian life in mind? (More about this warfare concept in the next
chapter, but for now just a few verses about this warfare concept.)
a. 2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:3,4,14 -schemes
b. Ephesians 6:18 – Why? Ephesians 6:11,12
c. 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 2:1,2; Genesis 3:1-6; Acts 20:28-31 enemy
constantly active, subtle
d. Hebrews 3:12 – anyone of us can fall
99
e. Matt 13:24-25 –while sleep enemy - tares
f. Judges 16:18-20 - Delilah – Samson - sleeping
5. Christian was shown five things in the Armory
a. Shown the many different kinds of equipment the Lord has provided for
Christians - Ephesians 6:10-19 – classic passage (Notes)






The Girdle of Truth
The Breastplate of Righteousness
The Sandals of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
The Shield of Faith
The Helmet of Salvation
The Sword of the Spirit
b. b. Shown the abundance of this equipment
c. c. Shown the superiority of this equipment
d. Shown the instruments that God’s servants in the past used to do
wonderful things





Moses’ rod – Ex. 4:1 – 5, 17, 20; 7:8 – 12
Jael’s hammer and nail – Judges 4:17 – 22
Gideon’s pitcher’s, trumpets, lamps – Judges 7:16
Samson’s jawbone – Judges 15:14
David’s sling and stone – I Samuel 17:38 – 51
e. Shown the sword of the Lord with which the Lord will overpower
Satan when He comes again

2 Thessalonians 2:8 – then that lawless one will be revealed whom
the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end
by the appearance of His coming.

Revelation 19:11-21 – And from His mouth comes a sharp sword
so that with it He will smite the nations; and He will rule them with a
rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God.
6. Why was Christian shown these things in the Armory?
a. Romans 15:4 – to encourage
b. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 – as a reminder that God’s way of battling is
different – does it so He gets the glory
c. 2 Corinthians 10:3 – we don’t war according to the flesh – but weapons
are divinely powerful
100
d. Isaiah 55:7 – our thoughts and ways different
e. Psalm 96:7-13 – Victory is assured – he is coming – he will judge the
nations
f. Psalm 98:7-9 – same
7. Before we leave the armory – note several encouraging things about
this armor that Bunyan describes.
a. It is entirely sufficient to meet every challenge – has provided all kinds
of equipment – full armor
b. It will never wear out
c. God has an abundance of armor – enough to equip all of God’s people
d. This armor has been thoroughly tried and tested by many of God’s
people in the past and has proven itself to be completely trustworthy
and adequate
e. All of the armor that he was shown has this in common – it is all
seemingly insignificant – a stick in the hands of Moses, a jawbone Samson
f. All of the armor was used by relatively insignificant people – weren’t
great warriors – weren’t trained in best military schools – latest
methods of military strategy
g. Though the armor seemed ridiculous, almost laughable in the eyes of
men, it was all very successful – it got the job done and God got the
glory.
6. Brings us to Page 64 – 6th Thing that Happened to Christian When He
went to Church - He Is Taken To The Delectable Mountains
1. What do the Delectable Mountains represent in the Christian life?
a. Pages 45 (5.7),157 -158 (5.8), 180 - 182 (Pilgrims Progress)
b. Psalm 34:4 – times when we seek – he answers - delivers
c. Psalm 40:1-3 – we wait – He inclines – hears – brings us up – set our
feet – puts new song – makes our footsteps firm…
d. 1 Kings 18 – Mt. Carmel experience
e. Luke 24 – Emmaus road experience
f. Psalm 73:25-28 – times when it seems that God has taken hold of us
with His right hand – when the counsel of God becomes extremely
clear to us – when God seems so very near..
g. Psalm 84:1 - How lovely are your dwelling places O Lord of Hosts
h. Psalm 116:1-19 (Esp. V 12) – when we become unusually aware of all
of God’s benefits to us
2. Page 64 - “If The Weather Is Clear”
a. Some days in the Christian life when the weather is clear
101
Some days in the Christian life when heaven seems to come down and
fill our soul – when we can almost see Emmanuel’s land – when God
seems so real – when sun is shining brightly in our spiritual world –
when read Bible and heart burns within us – pray and… when d=come
to church and… when witness and…
b. However, are some days in the Christian life when the weather
isn’t clear.




Joseph Symonds described it this way –p. 1 – Cause and Cure of a
Deserted Soul - 5.9
May be days when we feel like Job 19:25; may be days when like
Job in Job 13:24 –Why are you hiding your face and considering
me to be your enemy ; 23:3,4 – Oh that I knew where I might find
Him.
May be days when we are inclined to say with the Psalmist - Psalm
10:1 – Why do you stand afar off; Why do you hide yourself in times
of trouble?
Psalm 42 and 43
3. Why is it that Christians don’t always reside on the Delectable
Mountains, and can’t always see Emmanuel’s Land; why is it that
God seems to sometimes hide His face from us?
a. Isaiah 59:1-15; 57:17-19; 33:13-17a; Psalm 66:18; John 14:21-23 –
unconfessed sin
b. Deuteronomy 4:29,20; Psalm 27:8; 2 Chronicles 15:1-2; Jeremiah
29:13 – cause us to seek Him with all our hearts – William Bridges –
(5.10) - page 31
c. 1 Timothy 5:5 – to teach us to put our trust in Him and stir us up to
pray with passion. Bridges – p. 32…
d. Psalm 103:1-2 – to cause us to sincerely appreciate his blessings
rather than take them for granted – (5.11) - Bridges – P. 32 & 33
e. 2 Corinthians 5:7; Psalm 16:1-4 – because we are so prone to walk by
sight rather than by faith – we are so much like Passion in chapter 3.
Bridges – 35 - 37
f. Job 2:3-7 – because God allows Satan to buffet us so that we can be a
witness for Him and to test our commitment to Him – whether we serve
Him for the benefits or because He is worthy.
g. 2 Chronicles 32:30-31 – God left Hezekiah alone to test him that he
might know all that was in his heart.
h. Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:29-30 – to make us aware that we have
grieved the Holy Spirit and need to repent.
i. To help us to see how weak and frail and inadequate we are apart
from His Divine assistance; to help us to see that we have no reason to
102
trust in ourselves or lean to our own understanding; to help us to see
that without Him we are nothing, have noting and can do nothing; that
He is the vine and we are only the branches – John 15. Joseph
Symonds – 88ff.
4. Note also the purpose of the Delectable Mountains on page 64 “they thought that seeing these mountains would encourage him.”




2 Cor 4:8-18
Isaiah 40:31
Psalm 27:14
Luke 24:18ff
5. Note the important statement with which this section closes, “The
Shepherds who live there will be able to point it out to you.”



Chapter 12 - pages 108 - 112 - Whole chapter is about the
Delectable Mountains and Shepherds
Here and there, Bunyan makes it clear that it is the responsibility of the
Shepherds to take their people to the Delectable Mountains.
Also makes it clear that where you are most likely to have a Delectable
Mountain experience - in church.
CHAPTER 5/SCENE 6 – CHRISTIAN GOES DOWN INTO THE VALLEY OF
HUMILIATION
PAGES 64 - 65
1. What Does The Valley Of Humiliation Represent?


Deut 8
2 Cor 12
a. What Job experienced when his so called friends accused and
attacked him
b. Abraham - Pharaoh - Genesis 12
c. Joseph - Genesis 37 (brothers) & 39 (Potiphar’s wife)
d. Moses - Numbers 11 & 14
e. David - 2 Samuel 12
f. Jeremiah - Throughout whole book
g. Peter and John - Acts 4 & 5
h. Paul - 2 Corinthians
2. Bunyan knew human nature well:
103
a. Knew that by nature we are so prone to be proud and so adverse to being
humble.
b. Bunyan also knew:





Mark 7:23 - Pride is what naturally comes out of our sinful hearts.
Romans 1:30 - Indicates it is sinfully natural for us to be arrogant.
2 Timothy 3:2 - By nature we are boastful and arrogant.
1 Timothy 3:6 - Warns us against being conceited.
1 Corinthians 4:6, 18-19 - Rebukes believers for being arrogant.
3. The Purpose Of These Valley Experiences:
a. 1 Peter 1:3-7 – to test and improve our faith
b. 1 Peter 5:10,11; James 1:2-4 – to test our faith, produce endurance, make
us mature and complete
c. 2 Corinthians 12:8, 9 – to destroy the wrong kind of boasting
d. 2 Corinthians 12:7 – to keep us from exalting ourselves
4. Bunyan Had A Biblical Perspective On The Sinfulness, Seriousness And
Destructiveness Of Pride






Proverbs 15:25 - God will destroy the house
Proverbs 16:5,18 - An abomination to God; Goes before destruction
Proverbs 29:23 - A man’s pride will bring him low
Isaiah 2:11; 5:15; 13:11 - Proud look; Abased
Ezekiel 16:48,49 - Most serious sin of Sodom
Daniel 4:28-37; 5:18-29 - Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar
5. Bunyan also Had A Biblical Perspective On The Importance And Value
Of True Humility













Proverbs 15:33 - Before honor
Proverbs 16:19 - Better to be of humble spirit with the lowly than to divide
the spoil with the proud
Proverbs 18:12 - Humility is before honor
Proverbs 22:4 - Humility is rewarded with good things
Proverbs 29:23 - Humble man will obtain honor
Isaiah 57:15 - God dwells with the humble
2 Chronicles 7:14 - God will hear
Matthew 18:4 - Greatest in the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 23:12 - Humble will be exalted
Ephesians 4:1-2 - Part of worthy walk
Colossians 3:12 - Should be clothed with
1 Peter 5:5-6 - Clothed with; God helps
James 4:6,10 - God gives grace, commands us to humble ourselves
104
6. Because Bunyan Knew How God Hates Pride And Values Humility And
Because He Knew Our Propensity To Be Proud, He Includes Christian’s
Journey Down Into The Valley Of Humiliation As A Part Of His
Description Of The Christian Life.
a. Bunyan knew that the Valley of Humiliation experience is a very common
and very necessary one for Christians.
b. Knew this from a study of the Bible
c. Also from his own life and his observation of other Christians
d. In fact, Bunyan is so convinced that the Valley of Humiliation is par for the
course for Christians that he not only has Christian going through this
valley:


Later chapter 7 (p. 91- 94) Bunyan tells us that Faithful went through
this valley.
Later in sequel (Christiana) pages 302-308 - He tells us that Christiana
and Mercy and the children went through this valley also.
e. What Bunyan wants us to learn through all of these instances is that God
is so concerned about destroying pride and developing humility in the lives
of His people that all of us will periodically have to go through this valley.
f. What is this humility that God wants us to develop as we go through this
valley and how will it manifest itself?

Definition of its opposite, pride: pride consists in attributing to ourselves
and demanding for ourselves the honor, prerogatives, rights, privileges
and power due to God alone; it is the very root and essence of sin;
pride is the idolatry of self; pride is an attempt to ungod God and
establish myself in his place; pride is to have the Master’s mindset.
General Definition of humility: Humility consists in an attitude wherein we
recognize our own insignificance and unworthiness before God and
attribute to Him the supreme honor, praise, prerogatives, rights, privileges,
worship, devotion, authority, submission and obedience that He alone
deserves combined with the natural, habitual tendency to think and behave
in a manner that appropriately expresses this attitude; humility is the
recognition that it is of Him and through and to Him that all things are.
Some quotes about pride and humility from:





S. Lewis - 5.12,
Thomas Watson - 5.14
Charles Spurgeon - 5.15
K. Chesterton - 5.16
Richard Hooker - 5.17
105
NOW HAVING DEFINED TRUE HUMILITY, I WANT TO DISCUSS WHAT I’M
CALLING THE DISPLAY OF TRUE HUMILITY. I.E., WHAT WILL A TRULY
HUMBLE PERSON LOOK LIKE. A TRULY HUMBLE PERSON WILL:




heartily and freely confess his insignificance before God - 1 Cor
15:8,9; 2 Cor 3:5
freely confess his sinfulness and acknowledge that he is unworthy
and undeserving of God’s mercy - 1 Tim 1:15; Psalm 51; Luke 18:13
be distrustful of himself and to depend only on God 2 Cor 1:9-11
renounce all the glory and good he has done and give all the glory to
God - Psalm 115:1; 1 Cor 4:7; 15:10; Deut 8:17,18
A Truly Humble Person will:















Submit himself wholly to God’s will even if it is difficult to do or
accept - Psalm 119:128; Gen 22
Be respectful of and responsive to God’s Word - Isaiah 66:1-2; 2
Kings 22:8-13; Acts 10:30-33
Be subject to the providence and daily disposal of God - Matt 5:5;
Matt 11:20-26; Phil 4:10ff.
Delight in worshipping and praising God - Rev 4:10-11
Be continuously seeking God in prayer - Psalm 10:4; 2 Chron 7:14
Consider serving Christ in any capacity as a privilege for which he is
not worthy or deserving - Ex 3:11; 4:13; Isaiah 6:5; 2 Cor 2:16; Tim
1:12-17
Be willing to let God know some things that he doesn’t know - Deut
2:29; Job 23:1-5; Job 38:1-39:40; 40:3-5; 42:1-6
Not be selfishly ambitious and greedy of honor among and over
other people - James 3:14-16; Jeremiah 45:5; 3 John 10-11; Romans
12:16
Not be ostentatious around people - I Corinthians 13:4-5
Not be arrogant and assuming in his behavior - Philippians 2:3
Not be scornful and contemptuous in his behavior toward other
people - Romans 12:16; 12:10; Ephesians 4:29-30; Colossians 4:6
Not be willful and stubborn in his behavior toward others. 2 Peter
2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:23; Romans 12:19; 1 Corinthians 6:7; Matthew
5:40,41
not level those who are over him down to himself - Romans 13:7;
Titus 3:1; Hebrews 13:17
Not be defensive and unwilling to confess his faults to others Matthew 7:2-5; James 5:16; Psalm 51
Will be willing to accept instruction and reproofs and correction
from others - Psalm 141:5; Galatians 2:11-15; Acts 18:24-26
106







Be willing to submit himself to other people - Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter
5:5-6
Be willing to sacrificially serve other people - Mark 10:45; John 13:117; Luke 12:37; Philippians 2:5-30
Be glad to honor others and being glad when others are honored
above himself - Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:4
Be willing to listen rather than talk - Proverbs 12:15; James 1:19;
Proverbs 10:8,11
be willing to seek and follow good counsel - Proverbs 12:15; 1-2; 9:78
practice a lifestyle of truthfulness even if it is cause for personal
shame or embarrassment- Psalm 119:69; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs
6:16-19
be Christlike in his attitude and life - Philippians 2:5
Summary characteristics of true humility versus pride. How they differ
in terms of self, others and consequences. (5.18)
The Development of Humility and the Demolition of Pride - The Means God
Uses
Discuss 9 things God uses to diminish our pride and increase our humility:
1. God begins the process with the new birth - Psalm 10:2-4; Psalm 73:3, 6;
Mark 7:21-23; 1 John 2:16; Colossians 3:12
2. Key factor = work of the Holy Spirit - Galatians 5:19-23 versus 5:22-23;
Romans 8:2; 8:13
3. His Word - 2 Timothy 3:16; Nehemiah 8:5-9; Isaiah 66:1-2
4. Hard experiences; puts us in situations that are beyond our control; brings
various afflictions on us - Deuteronomy 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 11 and 12;
Daniel 4:29-37
5. Other godly people who are more gifted and godly and dedicated and
wiser and effective and more mature that we are - I Corinthians 15:9;
Ephesians 3:8
6. Allows other people to rebuke and criticize us - 2 Corinthians 12
7. Allows others to misunderstand and misrepresent us; to impute motives to
us that are not accurate - 2 Corinthians 1 and 12; 1 Thessalonians 1 and 2
8. Our own personal failure and sin - we blow it, make mistakes, say and do
embarrassing things, forget to do things we should have done - Psalm 32,
51; 1 Timothy 1:15-17
9. Satanic opposition - 2 Corinthians 12:7
Want to Discuss 19 Things We Can Do to Diminish Our Pride and Increase
Our Humility
107
1. Think about the greatness and holiness of God in comparison to your
natural and moral insignificance - Isaiah 6:1-5; Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah
40:12-31; Jeremiah 10:6,-10; Job 38:1-41:34; Psalm 8:1-4
2. Think about the fact that this great and awesome God hates the proud and
loves the humble - Proverbs 6:16-19; Prov 8:13
3. Meditate on the way Christ humbled himself to humble and exalt you Philippians 2:5-9; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Matthew 26:36-42; Isaiah 53:1-6
4. Think seriously on the humility of the most eminent believers while they
were here on earth - Genesis 41:16; 1 Samuel 18:18-23; 24:14; 26:20; 1
Chronicles 17:16-27; 2 Chronicles 34:27; Jeremiah 10:23-24; Joshua
5:13-15; Daniel 8:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:8-9; 9:19; Ephesians 3:8; 1
Timothy 1:12-17; Galatians 6:14; Revelation 1:9-17
5. Consider the example of humility among the holy angels - Isaiah 6:1-3;
Revelation 5:11-14
6. Carefully reflect on the humility of believers who are now in heaven Revelation 4:9-11; 5:8-10; 11:15-17
7. Think about the great imperfections and weakness of your faith, your
character, your behavior, your motives, your duties and your service; think
of how frequently and grievously you sin and fail Christ in your Christian
life - 1 John 1:8,9; 1 Timothy 1:15; Romans 7:18-24
8. Think about the fact that because you are a sinner you deserve to
experience God’s judgment and wrath, even hell itself - Galatians 3:10;
Ephesians 2:3; Romans 6:23; Colossians 3:5-6
9. Spend time thinking about the day of judgment and the endless misery the
proud will experience - Hebrews 9:27; Proverbs 16:18; Luke 16:19-31
10. Reflect on the pride of Satan and the other unclean spirits (demons) and
remember what pride has brought them - 1 Timothy 3:6; Jude 6; 2 Peter
2:4
11. Remember that if you possess or have accomplished anything to be proud
of, you have it or have done it because God has given or done it for you:
any position, wealth, authority, beauty, heritage, learning, wisdom,
success you possess or have accomplished is because of the goodness
of God - 1 Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17; Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs
10:22; Psalm 75:4-6
12. Think about the sad effects of pride in the world around you - Proverbs
6:16-19; 11:2; 13:10; Psalm 10:2; 73:6; 3 John 9; Esther 6:1-14
13. Spend time with humble people and as much as possible avoid the
company of proud, arrogant, haughty people - Proverbs 13:20; 14:7-8;
22:24,25
14. Think about how you dislike the pride you see in others - Galatians 6:7;
Proverbs 11:2; 6:16-19; Psalm 73:6-9
15. Think about how you admire and respect and are drawn to humble people
- Proverbs 15:33; 18:12; 22:4; Galatians 6:7
16. Memorize and meditate on the blessings God promises to the humble and
the warnings He gives to the proud - Luke 14:11; I Peter 5:5,6; James 4:6;
108
Proverbs 16:18; 15:33; 22:4; 29:23; Psalm 9:12; 10:17; 69:32; 138:6;
Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 5:3; 18:2-4; Luke 1:52
17. Reflect on the manifestations of pride we have previously discussed and
identify the ones you are most prone to display; then put 1 John 1:9 and
Proverbs 28:13 into practice whenever these expressions of pride are
manifested in your life.
18. Pray that God the Holy Spirit will produce and sustain humility in you Galatians 5:22,23; James 4:2
19. Practice thinking humble thoughts and acting in humble ways - 1 Timothy
4:7; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 5:14
As we conclude our study of Chapter 5, I want to draw your attention to a
few interesting details about Christian’s descent into the Valley of
Humiliation
1. Page 65 – Bunyan indicates that going down into the valley of humiliation
can be treacherous and difficult and distressing. Why?
2. Also indicates that people often slip on the way down. What does that
mean? What do they slip into? Numbers 11:1-10; Deuteronomy 1:26-34;
Psalm 106:24-25; 1 Corinthians 10:7-10; Matthew 13:20-22
3. Tells us that as Christian went down, he lost his footing once or twice.
What does this mean?
4. Also informs us that Discretion, Piety, Charity and Prudence accompanied
him down the hill. What is Bunyan teaching through this little detail?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-11; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25; Galatians 6:1-2; Philippians
4:2-3; Jude 22-23; James 5:19-20; 1 John 5:16; Romans 15:1-2.
What Should Be Our Response to This Teaching on Pride and Humility?
Two prayers adapted from the book “The Valley of the Vision”, a book of
Puritan prayers.
1. Self Deprecation – (5.19)
O LORD,
My every sense, member, faculty, affection, is a snare to me,
I can scarce open my eyes but I envy those above me, or despise those
below.
I all too often covet honor and riches of the mighty,
and am proud and unmerciful to the rags of others;
If I behold beauty it is a bait to lust, or see deformity, it stirs up loathing
and disdain;
How soon do slanders, vain jests, and wanton speeches creep into my
heart!
Am I attractive?
What fuel for pride!
109
Am I deformed? What an occasion for complaining and self pity!
Am I gifted? How I lust after applause!
Am I unlearned? How I despise what I do not have!
Am I in authority? How prone I am to abuse my trust, make will my law,
exclude others’ enjoyments, serve my own interests and policy!
Am I inferior? How much I grudge the pre-eminence of others!
Am I rich? How exalted I become!
You know that all these are snares because of my corruption's, and that
my greatest snare is myself.
I bewail that my understanding is so dull,
my thoughts are so trifling, my affections are so lukewarm,
my expressions are so uninspired, my life is so unbecoming;
Yet what can you expect of dust but levity, of corruption but defilement?
Keep me ever mindful of my natural state, but let me not forget my
heavenly title, or the grace that can deal with every sin.
2. Paradoxes
O changeless God,
Under the conviction of your Spirit I learn that
the more I do, the worse I am,
the more I know, the less I know,
the more holiness I have, the more sinful I am,
the more I love, the more there is to love.
O wretched man that I am!
O Lord, I have a wild heart, and cannot stand before you;
I am like a bird before a man.
How little I love your truth and ways! I neglect prayer,
by thinking I have prayed enough and earnestly,
by knowing you have saved my soul.
Of all hypocrites, grant that I may not be an evangelical hypocrite, who
sins more safely because grace abounds,
who tells his lusts that Christ’s blood ignores them, who reasons that
God cannot cast him into hell regardless of how he lives for he is
saved, who loves evangelical preaching, churches, Christians, but lives
an unholy, profane life.
My mind is a bucket without a bottom, with no spiritual understanding, too
little desire for the Lord’s Day,
ever learning but so often not grasping the truth, always at the gospelwell but never holding water.
My conscience is all too often without power of decision or
resolution. My heart is all too often without affection, and full of leaks.
My memory has so little retention, so I forget easily the lessons learned,
and your truths seep away.
Give me a broken heart that yet carries home the water of grace.
110
REVIEW – CHAPTER 1-5
CHRISTIAN LIFE ISSUES DEALT WITH IN CHAPTERS 1 TO 5 OF THE
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.
SO FAR WE’VE RECEIVED INSTRUCTION ABOUT:





















The nature of true conversion, i.e., what is involved in becoming a
Christian
Unbiblical concepts of how to become a Christian and what it means
to be a Christian
True versus false evangelism
Good counsel versus bad counsel
How to recognize a true pastor
The role of the moral law and grace in the Christian’s life
The importance of living by biblical principle rather than feelings
The preservation and perseverance of the Saints
The reality and nature of opposition in the Christian life
The importance of true hope and true fear in the Christian life
The central role that the cross plays throughout the Christian life
The central role that the grace of God plays throughout the Christian
life
The role that angels play in the Christian life
The importance and nature of good counsel in the Christian life
How to face and overcome destructive fear
Why we lose our assurance of salvation and what to do to recover it
The importance of continuing alertness and watchfulness in the
Christian life
How to distinguish between true and false Christianity
The function and importance of the church in the life of a Christian
The importance and process of church membership
What the church should do for its’ members:
 disciple them
 help them to experience peace
 educate them and teach them how and what to study
 equip them for battle
 take them to the delectable mountains
 prepare them to go down into the valley of humiliation
 help them to develop the character quality of humility
NOW MOVE ON TO CONSIDER AS MANY OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ISSUES
THAT WE CAN THAT ARE PRESENTED IN THE REMAINING CHAPTERS.
WE’LL DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN BUT IF HAD TIME AS WE LOOKED AT
CHAPTERS 6 TO 17 WE WOULD FIND BUNYAN GIVING US BIBLICAL
INSTRUCTION ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS: :
111

























The reality and nature of spiritual warfare and how to be an
overcomer in this inevitable battle
How to get through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
How to overcome discouragement and perplexity in the Christian life
The seductive and treacherous nature of this world through which all
Christians must pass
The importance and nature of true fellowship in the Christian life,
how Christians should relate to one another
The danger of deep and abiding relationships with ungodly people
How to face and overcome some very common and yet powerful
kinds of temptation
The relationship between faith and works in the Christian life
How Christians should counsel one another The centrality of Christ
in the life of a Christian
The foundational role of God’s Word in the life of a Christian
The true nature of the Gospel in the Christian life as the believer’s
justifying ground and basis for sanctifying assurance
The nature and necessity of progressive sanctification
The Christian’s relationship to the world
How to be a good witness for Christ in the midst of this ungodly
world
How to handle the good, pleasant, easy times in the Christian life
Why we get depressed and how it affects us and how to overcome it
Lordship versus non-Lordship Christianity
The importance and nature of the justification and sanctification that
are both necessary for entrance into heaven
The serious consequences that sin and disobedience have in the life
of a Christian What happens to disobedient, unrepentant Christians
The way that true faith differs from counterfeit faith, little faith from
no faith
The role and function of pastors/elders in the life of a Christian
The true nature of the Christian life from its beginning with
regeneration to its completion in heaven
How to respond to your own sin and the sin of others against you
The manner in which some people who call themselves Christians
erroneously view the Christian life
The role that thoughts of heaven should have in the Christian life;
what Christians experience at the time of their death; what will
happen to Christians at the time of death and immediately after
death.
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER SIX
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
112
(PAGES 47 - 51)
Now to a study the Christian life issues presented in Chapter 6 of Pilgrim’s
Progress pages 47 - 55. Chapter may be divided into two main sections:
Part 1 – pages 71 - 76 – Christians encounter with Apollyon in the valley of
Humiliation: discusses issue of Spiritual Warfare
Part 2 – pages 76 -82 - Christian going through the Valley of the Shadow of
Death
CHAPTER 6/SECTION 1 – THE VALLEY OF HUMILIATION
Now section 1 – pages 71 - 76 – important issue of spiritual warfare.
Interesting that Bunyan includes an account about spiritual warfare in his
description of the Christian life. I’m sure he does so for a number of
reasons:



IT’S A REALITY - 1 TIMOTHY 6:12; 2 TIMOTHY 2:3-4; 4:7; 2
CORINTHIANS 10:3-5; EPHESIANS 6:10-18; 1 PETER 2:11; 5:8 – (6.1)
INEVITABLE - JOHN 15:20; EPHESIANS 6:10-12; I PETER 5:8; I PETER
4:12
MUCH CONFUSION - 2 CORINTHIANS 2:11; (6.2); 6:3
AS WE LOOK AT THIS SECTION, I WANT YOU TO NOTE WITH ME 6
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SPIRITUAL WARFARE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
THE IDENTITY OF OUR ENEMY
THE PURPOSES OR INTENTIONS OF OUR ENEMY
THE TACTICS OF OUR ENEMY
THE EXTENSIVENESS OF OUR ENEMIES ABILITY - WHAT OUR
ENEMY CAN DO
5. THE LIMITATIONS OF OUR ENEMY - WHAT OUR ENEMY CAN’T DO
6. OUR WEAPONS FOR OVERCOMING OUR ENEMY - HOW TO
OVERCOME OUR ENEMY
1. THE IDENTITY OF OUR ENEMY
A. BIBLE – WE HAVE A THREEFOLD ENEMY
1. The Flesh (Not Satan!) - Our human, sinful weaknesses – a lot of
things are blamed on Satan that are because of our flesh}


1 Peter 2:11
Galatians 5:16-19, 24
113
2. The World






Galatians 4:3
Gal 6:14
Ephesians 2:2
Colossians 2:8
1 John 2:15-17
James 1:27
3. Satan and his demon cohorts






1 Peter 5:8
Ephesians 6:10-12
Ephesians 4:26
2 Timothy 2:26
2 Corinthians 4:4
2 Cor 11:12
B. HOW DO WE KNOW WHICH OF THESE THREE ENEMIES WE ARE
STRUGGLING AGAINST?
1. James 3:13-15
2. Ephesians 2:2,3; 6:12; I John 5:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4
Quote – (6.4)
C. PAGE 61 - IDENTIFIES OUR ENEMY AS APOLLYON REVELATION 9:1-11
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
V. 11 - a king
V. 3-10 - over hideous creatures who torment men
V. 1-2; 20:1-3; Luke 8:31; Romans 10:7 - over the abyss
V. 1 - has been given a key; Revelation 1:18; 2:1-3; 9:3-5
V. 11, 3-10 - destructive, ruthless and violent, vindictive
2. THE PURPOSES OR INTENTIONS OF OUR ENEMY
A. AS DESCRIBED ON PAGES 71-76 OF PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Page 72 - to bring him back under his authority
Page 72 - to get him to go back to serving him
Page 72 - to get him to return again to his service
Page 72 - to get him to turn away from Christ and back to him and
his former way of life
114
5. Page 72 - to get him to distrust the goodness, love and power of
Christ
6. Page 472, 73 - to demean Christ and win the victory over Him
7. Page 73 - to destroy his soul
8. Page 73 - to possess and control him
B. BUNYAN WHO KNOWS SCRIPTURE WELL IS, OF COURSE,
BASING HIS DESCRIPTION OF SATAN’S PURPOSES ON THE
BIBLE
1. 1 Peter 5:8 - devour; 1 Corinthians 15:54; Hebrews 10:29 overwhelm, drown
2. Ephesians 6:10-14 - defeat, debilitate and dominate - cause us to
fall, cooperate, compromise, instability, cease resisting, opposing
3. 2 Timothy 2:14 - make us useless, ruin - destroy
4. 2 Timothy 2:26 - ensnare, control, dominate and direct us
5. John 8:44 - dominate, deceive, direct
6. 1 Timothy 4:1 - deceive, direct, dominate, turn us away from the
truth
7. 2 Peter 2:1 - deceive, direct, dominate, turn us away from Christ
and the truth
8. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 - make him our god, worship and serve him,
allow him to reign
3. THE TACTICS OF OUR ENEMY
A. AS DESCRIBED IN THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
1. Pages 72, 73 – tried to intimidate Christian by making threats of the
harm and suffering he could inflict if he chose to do so; method =
intimidation; appeals to Christians’ desire for comfort, pleasure,
safety, freedom from danger and difficulties
2. Pages 72, 73 - accused Christian of being a traitor - challenges
Christian’s change of allegiance; method = accusation; appeals to
Christian’s conscience, sense of fairness, loyalty
3. Page 73 - enticed Christian to return by making promises of
improved wages/rewards; you’ll be much better off if you turn from
Christ, promises increased satisfaction; method = enticement,
manipulation, appeals to desire for comfort and success.
4. Page 73 - reminded him of the example of others who have turned
back; method = peer pressure “the herd principle”; influence and
examples of others; lessen the seriousness of turning away from
Christ
5. Page 73 - belittled Christian by means of mockery and ridicule and
by accusing him of being out of touch with reality; method = shame,
115
stupidity, foolishness; appealed to his desire for respect and
approval
6. Page 73 - tries to discourage him by reminding him of the fate that
others who followed Christ have suffered; Christ’s servants come to
a dreadful end; method = fear of suffering and danger; biased, lop
sided teaching; appeals to his desire for comfort, safety, uses
unbalanced, short sighted teaching
7. Page 73 - tries to get him to doubt the power, love and goodness of
Christ by reminding him that Christ has allowed many of his
servants to suffer and die while serving Him; method = promote
worldly thinking about the way love should manifest itself, promote
doubts, unbelief, misrepresents of what is true; again appeals to his
desire for comfort, uses unbalanced teaching, lies and deception
8. Page 73 - if you return to me I will treat you much better than Christ
has or ever will treat you; I’ll support you in a way that Christ won’t;
method = again seeks to get him to turn away from Christ by
slandering Christ and then goes on to promise him better support
and superior treatment if he will recommit himself to him; uses
slander and manipulation and false promises; again uses lies,
deception, false teaching
9. Page 73 - told Christian that he can escape all this suffering and
pain if he will only return to him; method = enticement, worldly,
freedom from difficulty and pain; uses lies, false doctrine - Proverbs
13:15
10. Page 73 - boasted to Christian about the magnanimous way he
treats his servants; method = exaggeration of worldly advantages;
promises pleasure, worldly comfort, prosperity
11. Page 73 – brought Christian’s past and present sins and failures to
his attention; describes Christian’s previous unfaithfulness
(Revelation 12:10-11 - accuser of the brethren); method = shame,
sense of guilt and failure; appeals to his conscience




Slough of Despond
Mr. Worldly Wiseman and Mr. Legality
Sleep at Pleasant Arbor
Continually tempted to be proud of attainments
Satan – Hebrew – “Accuser”
What do you do when your flesh reminds you of significant sin failures in
your past.
1. Have I actually repented of that? If yes…
2. Praise and thank God for his forgiveness – Christ is great!
116
An example - Ps 103:
v1-3 – He pardons our iniquities so bless Him!
v8-10 – He treated Christ according to our iniquities, not us.
v11 – God has taken away our sin
v14 – He himself knows our frame and is mindful that we are dust. He
knows we are not strong enough to carry our guilt. No condemnation left!
So be thankful.
Even though there are consequences to our sin, we are completely
forgiven.
2 Cor 10:3-6 –
1. Disbelief of Satan and his demons. Non-supernaturalists
2. Believe and are unhealthily interested, consumed with them.
The Churches that teach “Deliverance Ministry” seem to have become a fan
of him – points to them for everything.
No biblical evidence that believers can be demon possessed. “No room”
for him if you’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
The Bible doesn’t give us details about the demons because he doesn’t
want us to know, He’s protecting us.
Dan 10:20-21 – Referring to spiritual beings – Daniel is ignorant before the
Angel came, just as ignorant after. Has no involvement in the battle.
Ignorance is bliss. Be grateful that the Scripture is vague about it!
What if you do encounter one?
1. Don’t Christianize the occult practices of the World to “get rid of a
demon”
2. 2 Cor 10:3-6
3. Preach the Gospel – it is the power of God for Salvation! Pray for
them.
4. Put on the armor of God.
You don’t accomplish anything even if you could cast out a demon.
They’re still going to hell.
2 Peter 2:11 – context of false teachers, God will punish them
V10-12 - reviling angelic majesties
Jude 8-11 – revile angelic majesties, revile the things they do not
understand, “woe to them”
James 1:13-16 – Enticed by his own lust. Stop being deceived – it’s your
own sinfulness!!!
Mark 9 – We don’t have to do what Jesus and the disciples do. Eg. Walk on
water, heal…
117
12. Pages 74-75 – tries to get him to turn back by turning up the
intensity and ferocity of his attack as he erupts into a fierce rage
and begins to hurl flaming arrows at Christian; method = again
uses the weapon of fear and intimidation




Threatens to destroy him
Openly and violently attacks him
Wrestles with him and throws him forcefully to the ground
Seeks to annihilate him
B. AGAIN, I SAY, BUNYAN WHO KNOWS SCRIPTURE WELL IS
BASING HIS DESCRIPTION OF SATAN’S METHODS ON WHAT
THE BIBLE SAYS
1. LOOK FIRST AT THE BIBLE’S GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF
SATAN’S METHODS


Eph 6:11; 2 Cor 6:11 – Schemes – methodia
Eph 4:14; 2 Corinthians 11:3, 14 -trickery, craftiness, deceitful
scheming
2. MORE SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF SATAN’S METHODS




Romans 1:25; John 8:44b; Genesis 3:1-7; 1 Corinthians 10:13;
Deuteronomy 32:16,17; Psalm 106:35-37; 1 Corinthians 1:10;
Genesis 3:1-7 - lies - lies to ch. 2 - Mr. Worldly Wiseman and
about - ch. 9 -Vanity Fair
John 8:44a; Acts 4:1-3, 16-21; 5:33-40; 7:54-60; 8:1; 12:1,2;
13:49-50; 14:19; 22-24; etc. - murder, physical violence,
persecution, brutality. *Ch. 9 - Vanity Fair; Ch. 11 - Giant
Despair; 6.5a & 5b; Many books describe physical persecution Foxes Book of Martyrs, Christian Martyrs in China; Hudson
Taylor’s biography
1 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel
28:11-17; Romans 12:3; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; Proverbs 8:13 & 16:5;
Proverbs 13:2 & 10; James 4:6; 3 John 9 - engineers
circumstances that tempt us to be conceited, overestimate our
abilities; again appeals to our desire for respect, success,
comfort, control, approval, popularity; ch. 1 & 2 of PP.
1 Peter 5:6-8; Matthew 13:22 & Luke 8:13; Luke 10:41; Luke
21:34; Genesis 12:11-19; Exodus 32:32-34; Numbers 13:28, 3133; John 12:42,43; Matthew 26:69-74; Galatians 2;11-14 engineers situations that tempt us to become proud, anxious,
dissatisfied; appeals to our desire for worldly success, pleasure,
comfort, respect, material possessions and control - Later
118









chapter 10 - Mr. By Ends; ch. 9 - Vanity Fair; chapter 11 Demas, 14 - Mr. Flatterer
2 Corinthians 1:9-11 - encourages self trust, self confidence,
spirit of self sufficiency, autonomy - Ch. 11 - By Path Meadow
2 Corinthians 2:6-11 - uses the rejection, harsh treatment,
unforgiveness of other people; appeals to our desire for
acceptance, approval, belonging - Ch. 1; Ch. 9 - Vanity Fair 118, 119
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - seeks to lead us astray by promoting
ungodly, unbiblical, autonomous thinking; promoting the
adoption of worldly standards
2 Corinthians 11:3-15; I Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Acts 28:2931 - uses false unbiblical teachers and teachings about Christ,
the Gospel, about Satan, about life in general – (6.6)
2 Corinthians 12:5, 9, 10 - uses the accusations, insults,
misrepresentations, misunderstandings, persecution and
difficulties that come at us from other people, also physical
problems and obstacles and hindrances that come from our
environment
Matthew 4:1-11 - appeals to our natural appetites; uses flattery
& manipulation; distortions of Scripture; promotes worldly ideas
about how to succeed, how to gain respect, power, control,
possessions
1 Timothy 6:20, 21 - uses worldly discussions where ungodly
concepts are presented in what seems to be an intelligent
manner; where arguments and ideas that contradict biblical truth
are presented by learned people in what appears to be such a
convincing way; uses deception
Job 2:11; Job 4:1-5:27; Job 8:1-22; Job 11:1-20; Matthew
16:21-23; Galatians 2:11-13 - tempts us through close friends
and associates; peer pressure, desire to be liked, to belong, to
be accepted; to please people, to be popular
Job 2:9; Matthew 10:21-22; Luke 2:41-49; Mark 3:31-35; John
7:1-6 - tempts us through our relatives - Ch. 1, Ch. 5; again but
even more powerful he tempts us to compromise, to turn from
Christ through our desire to be accepted, to please people, to
belong, to be respected
4. THE EXTENSIVENESS OF OUR ENEMIES ABILITY - WHAT OUR
ENEMY CAN DO
A. Page 74 - “went on for more than half a day”
1. Genesis 3:1-7
2. Job chapter 2 through 37
3. Luke 4:1-13
119
4. 1 Peter 5:8
5. Ephesians 6:10-13
B. Page 74 - “hideous to look at”
1. He was covered with scales like a fish - well protected - difficult to
penetrate - Job 41:15-17
2. He had wings like a dragon - swiftness of movement plus power Revelation 12:3-17
3. He had feet like a bear - surprise element plus
4. Fire and smoke came belching up within his belly - inflict pain,
ability to devour and destroy, hurt and harm and cause irritation Job 41:20-21
5. His mouth was like the mouth of a lion - roar causes fear, powerful
and destructive, vicious - Revelation 13:2
C. Page 74 - he threw flaming arrows at Christian that were as thick
as hail
1. Arrows - Ephesians 6:16
2. Flaming arrows - Ephesians 6:16
3. Thick as hail - inescapable, unavoidable
D. Page 74 - combat was fierce, in spite of his valiant resistance
Christian was wounded and grew weaker and weaker
1.
2.
3.
4.
Wounded in his head – thoughts
Wounded in his hands - service and ministry
Wounded in his feet - behavior and conduct
Grew weaker and weaker - spiritual strength diminished, faith in
love, love for God, zeal for God, courage, dedication and
determination, weary and tired, discouraged, fearful
E. Why does Bunyan call our attention to the extensiveness of
Satan’s power?
1. To inform us - 2 Corinthians 2:11; John 8:32
2. To encourage us to be prepared, to stay on the alert - 1 Peter 5:8
3. To encourage to realize that we are doing battle with a clever,
subtle, formidable and vicious foe and that therefore we must not to
take this matter of spiritual warfare lightly


2 Corinthians 11:14 - may array himself as an angel of light;
Genesis 3:5; Matthew 4:8-10
But in reality, he is - 1 Peter 5:8; John 8:44; 10:1
120
Satan’s Tactics:
1. Satan deceives and teaches false doctrine. Theological error.
2 Cor 11:2- first and greatest effort is to deceive.
Rev 12:9
So… Teach accurately to counteract!
2. Splitting relationships to split the church.
2 Cor 2:5-11 – Paul is encouraging them to forgive the repentant man. He
tries to encourage bitterness, lack of forgiveness
Eph 4:26-27 – Don’t let the sun go down on your anger – or you give the Devil
a place
So… Forgive quickly and fully
3. Encourage selfish ambition and pride
James 3:13-16
They love chaos
So… Think Humbly
4. Tempt with opportunities to sin
Cant cause us to sin.
Matt 4, Matt 16 – Jesus tempted
Luke 23 – Peter.
1 Cor 7 – sexual sin
So… Respond biblically to temptation
5. Encourages doubt in the mind of a believer
Eph 6
So… Believe unwavering
6. Remove the gospel from unbelievers
So… Pray 1 Tim 2:4
7. Hinder ministry generally
1 Peter 5:8ff – resist him - be on the alert, firm in your faith!
So… Trust bravely
5. THE LIMITATIONS OF OUR ENEMY - WHAT OUR ENEMY CAN’T DO
A. CAN ONLY DO WHAT GOD ALLOWS HIM TO DO
121
6. Must remember what Satan and all the unclean spirits; they aren’t
omnipotent, etc.
7. What they are - Satan is a created being who is under the control of
God - John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Jesus demonstrated that while He
was on earth…
8. Scripture clearly teaches that Satan can only do what God allows
him to do





Job 1:7-2:7
2 Corinthians 12:7 - “given”
Revelation 9:4,5,10 - told what they should not do; what they
were not permitted to do, five months
1 John 5:18
Jude 6 - “kept on chains”
B. CAN ONLY DO CERTAIN KINDS OF THINGS WITH BELIEVERS
1. Ecclesiastes 9:3 - 2 kinds of evil – (6.7)
2. Job 1 and 2 – (6.8)
C. CAN ONLY DO WHAT GOD WILL OVERRULE FOR HIS OWN
GLORY AND THE ULTIMATE GOOD OF HIS PEOPLE - Romans
8:28; Ephesians 4:1; (6.8 - 6.10)
6. OUR WEAPONS FOR OVERCOMING OUR ENEMY - HOW TO
OVERCOME OUR ENEMY
A. As we look at this description of spiritual warfare we are
immediately struck by the fact that Bunyan’s concept of spiritual
warfare is quite different from the view of some contemporary
Christians.
1. Some professing Christians teach that the cause of many of our
more serious behavioral and attitudinal problems = direct demonic
possession or control
2. They also teach that the method for overcoming these serious
behavioral and attitudinal problems = demonic exorcism, EMM
3. Quote from Power Encounters by David Powlison – (6.11)
B. Note what we learn from this section about how Christian
overcame Satan in the Spiritual Warfare battle. Point = this is
what we must do to win this battle also.
1. Christian overcame Apollyon because he recalled biblical truth
– “no armor for his back”
122
2. Christian overcame Apollyon because he resolved to stand his
ground and move forward no matter what.
3. Christian overcame Apollyon because he realized that living
in accordance with Satan’s wishes was hard and would
ultimately bring eternal destruction.
4. Christian overcame Apollyon because he was proactive in his
resistance to Satan’s manipulative devices rather than passive
5. Christian realized that to turn away from Christ after
confessing Him as Lord would make him a traitor and a
coward.
6. Christian overcame Apollyon because he reflected on the fact
that his former obedience to Satan was due to his lack of
spiritual understanding
7. Christian overcame Apollyon because he realized that only
Christ could set him free from the penalty and power of sin.
8. Christian overcame Apollyon because he really liked the
benefits that Christ gives to the person who surrenders
himself to Him.
9. Christian overcame Apollyon by telling Satan to stop trying to
persuade him to turn from Christ and by openly declaring to
himself and everyone else his intention to serve and follow
Christ
10. Christian overcame Apollyon because he had an
understanding of the purposes of God for allowing his
children to experience hardship and difficulties.
11. Christian overcame Apollyon because he realized that the
sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the
glories of heaven; he realized that the sufferings of this
present time are only for a brief time; that the best is yet to
come.
12. Christian overcame Apollyon by confession of sin and
repentance for his sin; by reflecting on the mercy and grace of
God; by remembering that salvation is not by works but by
grace.
13. Christian overcame Apollyon by using Shield of Faith/Prayer –
Ephesians 6:16; I John 5:4 –(6.11-6.12)
14. Christian overcame Apollyon by skillfully using Sword of the
Spirit – Ephesians 6:17
15. Christian overcame Apollyon by recovering his confidence in
God’s Word when he temporarily lost it and then using it again
in His battle with Satan.
16. Christian overcame Apollyon because it is the Sovereign will
of God that he should overcome – “as God would have it”.
17. Christian overcame Apollyon by reflecting on and claiming the
promises of God
123
18. Christian overcame Apollyon by continuing to resist him and
respond to him with biblical truth
19. Christian overcame Apollyon because by continuing to be
proactive and aggressive in his response to Satan’s methods.
“Christian attacked…”
20. Christian overcame Apollyon by refusing to give up; by being
alert to and aware of Satan’s devices. “Christian attacked
again” – one of the key concepts = resist – Ephesians 6:13;
James 4; 7; I Peter 5:8-11; (6.13)
21. Christian overcame Apollyon by the power and strength of
Christ – “I will give thanks to the One who has delivered me
out of the lion’s mouth, to him who has helped me against
Apollyon.” 2nd key concept = trust or dependence
22. Christian overcame Apollyon because he practiced biblical
thinking; he did what Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5;
Psalm 1:2; Psalm 17:4 - says we must do. Did what Christ did
in Matt. 4.
CHAPTER 6/SECTION 2 – HE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
In chapter 6 of “The Pilgrim’s Progress”, Bunyan really talks about two
valley experiences that Christians encounter as they go through life. For
most of chapter 5 - Christian was having some mountain top experiences,
but Bunyan knew from Scripture and personal and ministerial experience
that as long as we are in this world we will also have some valley
experiences.
1. Valley # 1 – The one we’ve already considered on pages 71-76: The
Valley of Humiliation where he had a serious battle with Satan.
2. On pages 76 through 82 we read of a second Valley through which we
must go - calls it the Valley of The Shadow of Death
Valley of “Deep Darkness” not “Shadow of Death”
Describes very deep, dark, painful trials.
2 cor 4
Begin by noting the general facts that Bunyan gives us about this valley on
pages 76 - 82.



necessary to go through
described by Jeremiah
no one except a real Christian is able to pass through
124














causes some who profess to be Christians to turn back
is a solitary place
is a land of deserts and pits
is a land of drought and the shadow of death
is a land where no one lives
is a land where no one except a Christian is able to pass through
a place where people turn their backs on the Christian life and try to get
OTHERS to do so also
a place that is pitch black
a place where people often experience depression and confusion
a place that is dreadful and in complete chaos
a place that is bordered by a very dangerous quagmire on the left and a
deep ditch on the right
the pathway that leads through this valley is so narrow that Christian could
have easily fallen off into the quagmire on the left or the ditch on the right
a place where people become confused and disoriented
the mouth to hell is about half way through the valley
This valley that Bunyan is talking about here is mentioned in several places
in Scripture:






Psa 23:4
Isa 9:1-4
Isa 50:10
Psa 44:19
Jer 2:5-6
Psa 107:10-14
What does this valley represent in the life






of a
Christian?
Isa 50:10
Psa 44:4-25 – esp v4-8, 19, 15, 23, 24
2 Cor 4:8-9
Job 23:1-9
1 Pet 1:6
James 1:2
What does the ditch on the right and the quagmire on the left represent?


Ditch – Error of human teachings - Matthew 15:12-14; Luke 6:39
Quagmire – Temptation - Numbers 13:31-42; Galatians 6:1
To get through this valley on pages 76 - 82 Bunyan says Christian did
several things:
125



















went on his way with his sword drawn
continued in prayer - Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Luke 18:1
sought God’s help through various kinds of prayer – “all prayer” –
Ephesians 6:18; Psalm 50:15; 116:3-4; Psalm 34:46
he remembered his past deliverances and victories - Psalm 103:1-6;
Psalm 77:11-20
he resolved to go on in spite of intense opposition
enthusiastically declared his intention to trust God and move forward –
cried out vehemently - did what Psalmist did 56:3 ; Psalm 34:1-3; Psalm
57:7; Deuteronomy 7:17-19; Nehemiah 4:7-8
determined that he would rely on God’s strength – chose to believe that
God’s strength was enough
he chose to believe that God would make a way of escape – I
Corinthians 10:13
determined not to allow his feelings to control him – “traveled in a
disconsolate condition for a long time” – “he thought he would be
torn to pieces or trampled down”
he took charge of his thinking – “began to think of his options” – 2
Cor. 10:3-5
he was encouraged by a man’s voice somewhere ahead of him –
“realized that others who feared God were in this valley also.”
he was encouraged by what the man was saying – man was quoting
Psalm 23:4
he chose to believe God’s Word rather than his own feelings or
interpretations – “He reasoned, ‘Even though I can’t feel His
presence…why wouldn’t He be with me here too’”?
he was encouraged by the thought of having fellowship with another
believer who had gone through the same valley successfully – “ he
hoped that if he could catch up with someone, he would then have
company.”
he made a sincere effort to find someone who was further ahead in
the Christian life with whom he could have meaningful fellowship –
“he ventured on, calling out to whoever was ahead.”
he persevered in obedience to God’s Word until the darkness began
to recede and confusion began to disappear – “Before long it was
daybreak and Christian rejoiced.”
he looked back on what he had experienced and tried to learn
lessons that would be helpful for him in the future
he sought to interpret what had occurred through the lens of
Scripture – “he could see …things ... according to what is written…”
…he could now view them clearly in the light of day.”
he recognized that God deserved all the credit for his continuance in
obedience during this difficult time and gave God the glory.
“Christian said, ‘He lighted my way before me and I walked safely
through the darkness.’” Psalm 115:1
126


he made use of what he had learned as he moved on to face other
trials in his life – “In this light he was able to make it to the end of the
Valley. …Christian was able to pass by there with such little danger.
… Christian held his peace .. And went by unharmed…”
“Then Christian sang, ‘Oh, world of wonders (I can say no less) that I
should be preserved in the distress that I have met with here! Oh
blessed be the hand that from it delivered me…I might have been
caught, entangled, and cast down: but since I live, let Jesus wear the
crown.””
Remembered past deliverances
Become good historians
Accounts in and outside the Bible
Accounts in our and other people’s lives.
Psalm 22:4-5 – In you our fathers trusted.
2 Cor 3:5 – take every thought captive
When people are drowning spiritually they do all the wrong things!!!
Stop reading their Bibles, praying…
Like a drowning person does all the wrong things.
Don’t run away from fellowship, the Bible, prayer.
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER SEVEN
TEMPTATION AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Overview of main events in Chapter 7
1. Christian and Faithful meet
2. Faithful shares some information with Christian about his part in Faithful's
conversion and about one of Christian's former acquaintances
3. Faithful tells Christian about some of the temptations he has experienced in
his Christian life
4. Christian briefly tells Faithful about his trials
CHAPTER 7/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN CAME TO A LITTLE HILL
This little hill is Bunyan’s way of telling us that Christian has experienced some
spiritual growth through what has transpired in his life during the last six
chapters. At this point he has learned that some lessons from his slough of
despond experience, form his encounter with Mr. Worldly Wiseman, from the
counsel of Evangelist, from his involvement in the church and from his recent
experience in the valley of humiliation and the valley of the shadow of death.
127
Think =very significant occurred after events of chapter 6. Lesson - Psalm
119:67, 71 – (7.1)
Bunyan tells us that as Christian was ascending this little hill he saw Faithful
who was a younger Christian ahead of him. By the fact that Faithful was ahead of
him Bunyan wants us to know that though Faithful was a newer Christian he had
grown more rapidly than Christian. And based on the fact that Bunyan connected
Matthew 19:3 with this account we may learn the lesson that spiritual maturity is
not necessarily connected to the length of time that a person has been a
Christian.
Bunyan tells us that when Christian saw Faithful ahead of him he asked him to
wait until he caught up. By the fact that Faithful refused to slow down we may
learn the lesson that we should never do what some people do in their Christian
lives: they allow the negligence or lack of zeal or growth of others to become an
excuse for them becoming negligent. I.E., they allow the fact that others are not
as enthusiastic about spiritual things - others are not as interested in Bible Study
or prayer to hinder them. In other words, they slow down and wait for others to
catch up. Bunyan wants us to know we shouldn’t slow down with the hope that
others will catch up allow to cause us to slow down in our Christian lives.
Bunyan tells us that when Faithful refused to slow down, Christian determined to
put all his strength into catching up meaning, of course, that Faithful devotion and
dedication and zeal for Christ had a positive effect on Christian. In this Faithful
was doing what Hebrews 10:24 says we should do for one another.
From this we may also learn that spiritual growth doesn’t just happen
automatically. We may learn that spiritual growth happens because we do the 1
Timothy 4:7 thing; that if we want to grow spiritually we must do the 1 Peter 2:2
thing; must also do the Eph. 4:15 thing.
Well, Christian was challenged by Faithful’s example and as a result he picked
up the pace of his Christian life which probably means that he did more spiritual
exercises for the purpose of godliness and he began to do more Bible study and
memorization and meditation and speaking the truth to others.
When Christian did this Bunyan tells us an interesting thing happened; he caught
up and actually passed Faithful.
And then he tells us that when Christian passed Faithful which may mean he
memorized more Bible verses, knew more theology, was more involved in
ministry he smiled proudly and gloated and suddenly stumbled and fell.
I find it extremely interesting and challenging that this fall took place after
Christian had been taken down into the valley of humiliation at the end of chapter
5 and after he had discovered his own weakness in his encounters with Apollyon
128
and in the valley of the shadow of death in Chapter 6. Yet, after all of that, here
he is becoming proud again. Lesson = warning 1 Cor. 10:12
When Christian fell into sin, Bunyan indicates he was unable to get up without
the help of another Christian. Bunyan wants us to know the importance of
counseling. Wants us to know the importance of Christians doing the Galatians
6:1 - 3 thing. Says Christian was unable to get up - probably needed Faithful to
rebuke and instruct and correct and encourage him which Faithful did and so
Christian was recovered because Faithful was willing to get involved.
Then Bunyan tells us that when that happened these two Christians went on
together in brotherly love. When this happened they experienced the truth of
Psalm 133:1 - is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity. What
Bunyan is teaching here and in many other places in the book is the crucial
importance of having close Christian friendships if we are to grow and flourish in
our walk with Christ in this world.
At this point (page 86) the two spend time together discussing a variety of things.
Here have a picture of the way Christians ought to relate to one another and
encourage one another.
For one thing, Faithful expresses his appreciation for Christian - tells him how
much he had wanted to spend time with Christian; tells him that he had wanted to
have Christian fellowship but was unable to find it and therefore had been
traveling alone.
Went on to tell Christian how his interest in spiritual things had affected others in
his hometown.
Went on to tell Christian how his conversion had personally affected him. This, of
course, was news that Christian had previously not known.
Bunyan wants us to know that people are watching us and are being affected by
us whether we know it or not. Also teaching us that when someone has a positive
influence on us or someone else we ought to encourage them by telling them.
After that Faithful shared news about what had happened to Pliable after he
turned away from Christ.
Then at this point Bunyan says that Christian asks Faithful to share what has
been going on in his life since he became interested in spiritual things. And it is at
this point where Faithful begins to open up and tell him about some of the
temptations he has experienced since he came to Christ. And for the most of the
rest of the chapter Faithful and Christian discuss some of the ways that
Christians will be tempted and how to overcome these temptations.
Why does he do this? Does this because Bunyan knows the issues that
Christians face as they live the Christian life? Bunyan is in tune with real life.
129
Bunyan knows that doctrine is important, but he also knows that Christians need
help in knowing how to live for Christ in the real world.
So on pages 87 - 97 Bunyan uses the life of Faithful to describe 5 of the
most severe kinds of temptation that many Christians experience to help
us to understand and overcome these temptations and any other
temptations we may experience.
What were the names of these five very common temptations that Bunyan
describes in this chapter?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Wanton
The Old Man
Moses
Discontent
Shame
1. Temptation #1 - Wanton
What is meant by the temptation of Wanton?
Faithful mentions she had desires - she wanted something.
In the discussion, Faithful she wants to tempt us to gratify and satisfy our
carnal and fleshly desires.
Wanton – “Lust”, strong desire, doing what you want when you want to; wild,
uncontrolled living}
What would be a Bible word for this temptation?
Lust. Wanton is described in:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1 Pet 2:11
Gal 5:16
Eph 2:3
James 1:14-15
1 John 2:15-17
According to Bunyan Wanton used (6) methods or strategies that Wanton
to tempt Faithful and she uses the same strategies with us today. What
were and are her strategies?
1. Faithful mentions that “she made every effort to allure … me”- tried to lure
him, to entice him by charm or attraction, to make herself and what she
wanted him to do attractive and appealing to him
130
2. Faithful mentions that “she made every effort to ensnare … me”- tried to
get him to succumb to her desires by covering over the consequences of
yielding to her desires, by hiding the trap and showing only the attractive
bait; she hides her real motives and pretends to be concerned about his
welfare (Job 17:8,9; Psalm 64:5; Psalm 140:5; Proverbs 1:17
3. She tried to entice and allure him with a seductive tongue” - tried to lead
him astray by persuasive words, by the kind of speech that makes
something or someone attractive and appealing.
4. Faithful states that she tried to allure him by pressuring him severely.


Pressured - she was pushy, forceful, determined - may have used
different kinds of pressure - social, financial, emotional, intellectual
Severely - extreme, unusual, continuous, unrelenting
5. Faithful states that she tried to allure him by promising him all kinds of
pleasure and contentment.




If you yield to me, I guarantee that you’ll be glad you did. I guarantee
that something good is going to happen.
I guarantee you will experience “pleasure” - you will experience that
which pleases you, makes you happy, is delightful to you.
I guarantee you will experience “contentment” - you will experience
satisfaction, fulfillment.
I guarantee you will experience “all kinds of…”
6. Faithful mentions that she tried to entice him “by her seductive looks.”


May be referring to the way she looked at him - Genesis 39:7;
Proverbs 6:13; 20:8; 22:9; 28:22; 30:13; Song of Solomon 1:15; 4:1;
6:5
May be referring to the way she looked to him - Esther 1:11; Genesis
26:6-8; 2 Samuel 11:2; Job 31:1; Matthew 5:28; I John 2:15,16
On what two Bible passages may Bunyan have been building his
description of this Wanton temptation? Which Bible passages depict or
illustrate this Wanton temptation in a very vivid and dramatic fashion?
Hint = both of them are in the Old Testament.
1. Know he has the Genesis 39 account of Joseph and Mrs. Potiphar in mind
because he mentions it.
2. Also know he has the passage in Proverbs 7:6-27 in mind because he
uses some of the very language that is found in that passage.
Proverbs 7:6-27 - The saga of seduction
131








Verses 6 & 7 = Wanton is most successful in luring us into sin when we
are naïve, not thinking properly, lacking in common sense, not mentally
alert; when we fail to understand the power Wanton has, the strategies
she uses and the harm that yielding to her will cause.
Verse 8 - Wanton is most successful in luring us into sin when we
foolishly and naively put ourselves in a situation where she is able to
display herself; in a situation where she can look at us in a seductive way
and we can look at her in such a way that our fleshly lusts are aroused
and inflamed.
Verse 9 - Wanton is most successful in luring us into sin when we
foolishly and naively put ourselves in places and situations where she can
display her attractions when we are alone and away from the protective
influence of godly people; places when we are most apt to think that no
one will ever know what we did, when we are most apt to think we can sin
without being discovered or suffer any consequences.
Verse 10, 16 - Wanton tries to lure and entice us to sin by charm or
attraction, she works hard at making herself and what she wants us to do
attractive and appealing to us; she tries to make us feel special, tries to
convince us that we are the very persons she’s been looking for. She
seeks to lure us by the way she dresses and the way she acts. She uses
the feel of certain fabrics, the smell of certain fragrances, the romantic
appeal of certain kinds of music to break down resistance and encourage
compliance.
Verses 11 & 12 - Wanton lurks by every corner, she presents herself as
always available, always ready to have a good time; she is outgoing and
very forceful and very persistent, she is very active, the life of the party
kind of person, very clever and aggressive, she laughs and jokes and
presents herself as a fun person to be around, she knows what she wants
and goes after it, but she is so cunning that she goes after what she wants
in such a way that she doesn’t initially turn us off or offend us.
Verse 13 - she puts severe pressure on us and uses every possible trick
in the book to convince us to join her in sinful activities; she doesn’t give
up easily, she is bold and very determined in her attempts to get us to
succumb, she won’t take no for an answer. If at first she doesn’t succeed,
she just tries and tries and tries again.
Verses 21, 15, 14 - she tries to entice and allure us with a seductive
tongue; she uses every kind of persuasive speech known to man, she tells
us what they want to hear, she tickles our ears, she especially is very
skillful at using all kinds of flattery, she uses an abundance of sweet talk,
she gives excessive compliments to build us up, to butter us up, to reduce
our resistance, to make us feel special and desirable (verse 21, 15); she
will even resort to using god talk, religious jargon as a means of disarming
us and reducing our resistance to sin (verse 14).
Verses 16 - 18 - she seeks to entice people by promising them all kinds of
pleasure and contentment - “Let us drink our fill”, “let us delight ourselves”.
“What I want you to do will fill you with pleasure and contentment. I
132



guarantee you that you will experience an incredible sense of satisfaction
if you do what I want you to do.”
Verses 18-20 - she tries to get people to succumb to her desires by
covering over the consequences of yielding to her desires, by hiding the
painful, destructive trap and showing only the attractive bait; she hides her
real motives and pretends to be concerned about their welfare. She
carefully avoids ever saying anything about the short or long term
consequences of yielding to fleshly lusts.
Verse 18 - she uses euphemisms to deflect people from the awfulness of
sin make it seem very appropriate and desirable; instead of calling sex
outside of marriage adultery she renames it and calls it being filled with
love; instead of calling petting and fondling someone other than your
marriage partner immorality she calls it delighting ourselves.
Verses 22-27 - she carefully avoids ever saying anything about the short
or long term consequences of yielding to fleshly lusts. She never talks
about the effect of immorality on our relationship with God or if we’re
married the effect on our marriage or family or on our conscience or on
our testimony or on our reputation or on our occupations or on our
finances or on our health or on our minds.
4 Principles to protect from Sexual Sin
1. Remember you divine accountability
Prov 5:20-21 – “A man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord”
2. Maintain human accountability
Prov 5:12-13 – “did not listen”
3. Consider the Consequences
Prov 6:27-29 – “hot coals” will burn
Prov 5:6 – “does not ponder the path of life…”
4. Do not go near the door of Sexual Temptation
Prov 5:7-8 – “Keep your way far from her”, “Do not go near the door of her
house”
You can avoid a lot of sin just by avoiding it!!!
Prov 7: How someone walks open eyed into sin.
The Characters: Foolish young man and seductive young woman.
Has an aim to his walking – marching quickly.
Not quite planning to stop, but intent is to wander by just to see what
happens. Making himself available to be lured in.
Going at a time when no-one will see and won’t get caught.
133
V25 – “do not let your heart (imagination) turn aside to her ways” your
thinking and daydreams – emotional or physical sides.
V10 – Woman “dressed as a harlot” – look and see – “up it, down it or through
it, then toss it”. We’re not better if we’re only one click above the world.
Honor your husband and God by saving your body for your husband.
V13 – “siezes and kisses him”
V22-23 – “follows her as an ox to the slaughter… until an arrow pierces his
liver”
Questions that arise from The Pilgrim Progress account of Faithful’s
temptation by Wanton on pages 87 & 88
1. According to Bunyan, how did Faithful respond to the Wanton
temptation?
Christian - “It is good you escaped her.”
Christian - “Thank God you escaped her snares.”
Faithful - “ I didn’t defile myself; I went on my way.”
2. According to Bunyan, what did Faithful do to escape from or
overcome the Wanton temptation?
a. In the moment of temptation, he remembered and reflected on what
God’s Word said about it; he made himself think biblically, he
compared what Wanton was saying with what Scripture said about
immorality - Matthew 4:1-11; Isaiah 8:19,20; Psalm 119:128, 104, 105;
Psalm 19:9b
b. He knew God’s Word, He had previously studied God’s Word, had
memorized God’s Word





Psa 119:9-11
Psa 1:1-2
Josh 1:8
Prov 2:1-27
Prov 7:1-5
c. Recognized that if he yielded to Wanton he would have been defiling
himself; recognized that what she wanted him to do was sin;
recognized that what she wanted him to do was serious; it was
debasing, would make him unclean and impure; knew the value of a
clean life, a clean conscience, recognized the value of holiness and
purity.

Reminds us of Joseph in Genesis 39:7-9
134
d. He had decided what he didn’t want and what he did want.











What he didn’t want was to be enticed, didn’t want to be defiled.
What he did want was to be godly, to have a clean heart, a clean
conscience, to please God.
Truth is = we do what we do because we want what we want. All
behavior is desire or heart driven.
Proverbs 4:23; 6:25 = don’t desire her in your heart = keeping the
heart = reason for and antidote to immorality.
Why did Eve do what she did in Genesis 3? (See verse 6)
Why do people fight and quarrel with other people? James 4:13
Why did David do what he did with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11?
Verses 1-3.
Why did the Israelites commit immorality and grumble and
complain in the wilderness? 1 Corinthians 10:6
Why are people enticed and carried away by sin? James 1:14
Why did Joseph refuse Potiphar’s wife’s invitation in Genesis
39?
Why did Faithful overcome Wanton’s temptation?
e. He shut his eyes - refused to allow himself to do the things that would
stir up his lusts and make it more difficult to resist temptation.








Rom 13:14
2 Sam 11:1-3
Prov 4:14-15, 24-27
Gen 39:10
Prov 5:7-8
Prov 19:27 (KJV)
Matt 5:28-30
Job 31:1
f. He went on his way.






Stopped focusing on her
Walked away from her
Focused on what God wanted him to do
Busied himself doing what God wanted him to do
1 Tim 6:11
2 Tim 2:22
2. Temptation #2 - The Old Man
135
1. Where did this temptation occur?
The Hill of Difficulty
2. What may we learn about the Christian life from the fact that this
temptation occurred at this place?
See Mark 4:16-17; 2 Timothy 4:16 - all deserted me (When?); Luke 22:5462 - Peter and little servant girl
3. Who or What is this Old Man temptation?
Page 87 in Pilgrims Progress - Eph. 4:22







Eph 4:22, 17-21
Rom 6:6
Rom 7:15, 18-24
Col 3:8-9
Gal 5:16
Rom 5;12-15
1 Cor 15:22, 45
4. What methods does the Old Man use to tempt us?
1. Page 88 - very aged man. (What is the significance of this little detail?)
2. Page 88 - asked me who I was and where I was going. (What is the
significance of this little detail?)
3. Page 88 - “You look like an honest fellow.” What one biblical word
would describe the temptation method the Old Man was using at this
point?







Job 17:5
Job 23:21-22
1 Thess 2:5
Psalm 5:9; 12:2-3; 36:2; 29:5
Mark 10:17-20
Prov 20:19; 26:28; 29:5
Luke 16:14-15
What is flattery?
Flattery = to praise excessively especially from a motive of self interest;
to portray too favorably; a pleasing self deception
136
Bible contains many warnings against the danger of flattering or
deceiving ourselves.







Prov 12:15; 16:2; 21:2
Titus 3:3
Rom 12:3, 16
1 John 1:8
Gal 6:3, 9
1 Cor 3:18; 6:9; 8:2; 15:33
2 Tim 3:13
4. P. 88 - “be content to live with me”


Old Man = Be friends, part of family, compromise, coexist
Bible = Romans 8:13; 6:1-17; Galatians 5:24; Ephesians 4:17-22;
Colossians 3:5-9
5. Page 88 - “lived in town of deceit”








Eph 4:22
2 Tim 3:13
Heb 3:13
1 Tim 6:9-10
Jam 1:14-16
Gen 3:1-5
Rom 7:11
Titus 3:3
6. Page 88-89 - “be content to live with me for the wages I will give you”,
“his wages would be to inherit all that he had”.


Old man = promises to give him wages
God = Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5,6; Romans 6:23; 3:24
7. Page 88 - Old Man tells him that if he will be content to live with him,
he will experience “all the delicacies of the world.”


Job 21:7-13 - worldly success, worldly fame, popularity, respect,
power, prestige, etc.
Delicacies of world = all that most people live for; all that most
people think will bring real joy and meaning and satisfaction to life.
8. Bible makes it clear that the delicacies of the world can be very
attractive and appealing.
137







Heb 11:25
Job 21:12-13
Psa 73;3
Luke 12:16-19
Prov 20:17
Luke 16:19
Prov 9:17
Old Man’s delicacies bring only temporary satisfaction.




















Heb 11:25
Prov 20:17
Prov 23:29-35
Gen 4
Gen 12
Gen 13
Gen 27
Josh 7
2 Sam 11
Job 21:23-25
1 Tim 6:9-10
Acts 5
Psalm 73:18-20
Job 20:5:29
Isaiah 47:8-11
Luke 16
Rom 2:5-6
Jam 5:5-6, 1-3
Eccl 1:12-2:11
Job 21:13b, 23-25
9. Page 88 - Old Man = suggested that Faithful should marry his three
daughters.


Identity - I John 2:15-17
Marry = form permanent relationship with
10. Page 89 - Old man = wanted Faithful to live with him “as long as he
himself lived”.
Rom 7:24-25
Eph 4:22
Col 3:9-10
2 Sam 11
Gal 2
138
Resistance to Temptation # 2
1. The what of his response
At first inclined to go with him, but then (the 4 R’s):
a.
b.
c.
d.
Remembered
Resisted
Rebuked
Renounced
2. The why of his response
a.
b.
c.
d.
Didn’t trust own insight or feelings
Turned to Scripture
As did, God burned the truth
As did, realized the seriousness - John 8:44; Romans 7:23
Bottom of page 89 - The Old man’s response to Faithful’s refusal
1. Insulted and threatened
2. Took hold of his flesh and gave him a sharp jerk backwards
3. Temptation #3 - Moses
1. Notice where this temptation took place.


Half way up the hill
Near where the arbor stands
2. When this temptation occurred.



Not at beginning of climb, but when he was becoming weary from
climbing the hill of difficulty
Matthew 4:1-3 – after Jesus had hungered for forty days
1 Kings 19:1-10
3. What is the essence of this Moses temptation?
 John 1:17 and 7:19
 Galatians 3:10-13
Gal 3:1-3, 13 – Began by grace but go back to the Law? Christ redeemed us
from the curse of the law
“I’m now responsible to maintain my salvation”}
139


Hebrews 10:28
Romans 7:7-11
4. Notice the effect this Moses Temptation had on Faithful. Page 89 - 90





Stumbled backwards
Knocked out cold – lay at his feet as one dead
Rom 7:9-11
Rom 3:19-20b
Gal 3:10
5. Notice what it was that enabled Faithful to escape the Moses
temptation – was the message of the Gospel; He was delivered by
the truth of:




Gal 3:13
Rom 8:1
Rom 10:3
Heb 9:28
Delivered by The truth of the Gospel
Phil 3:9 – I want to be found in Christ
Graph
|_______________________
|
|
___
|
/
\
________
|-____/
|
/
|
\___/
|_______________________
Christ’s righteousness
Our righteousness.
“I need to work really hard to keep God happy with me”
Fear, uncertainty, lack of assurance is the result.
When God gives love, it works!
When God gives forgiveness, it works!
Wallowing in the shame, cultivating condemnation of your sin does not
please God. Run to the cross.
140
Romans 3:19-26 - describes the Gospel message that delivered Faithful
and will deliver us from the Moses temptation
1. Verses 19-21 - No one is declared righteous before God by
observing the law (James 2:10; Galatians 3:10)
2. Verses 21 - There is a righteousness from God that is apart from
the law
3. Verses 22-23 - This righteousness is available to everyone on the
same basis, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
4. Verse 24 - All who put their faith in Jesus Christ are justified
(declared righteous) freely (as a gift) by God’s grace (Romans 6:23;
8:1, 31, 33)
5. Verse 24 - This justification is through the redemption that came by
Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:7; I Corinthians 1:30)
6. Verse 25 - God presented Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement (a
propitiation) through faith in His blood
4. Temptation #4 - Discontent
1. Where Faithful was when he experienced this temptation.


Bottom of page 90 - in the Valley of Humility
Compare the previous description of this valley on bottom of page 64 65
2. The nature or essence of this temptation.








Luke 3:14
1 Tim 6:8
Heb 13;5
Phil 4:11
2 Cor 9:8
2 Cor 12:9-10
Prov 30:15-16
Phil 4:12
3. Notice what several passages of Scripture indicate happens to
professing Christians when they yield to the temptation to become
discontented.






1 Corinthians 10:6-12
Numbers 11:1-34
Exodus 15:22-17:7
Job 6, 10
Luke 10:38-42
2 Timothy 4:10
141


3 John 9-10
1 Timothy 6:10; Matthew 6:24
Why do professing Christians become discontented?
1. Circumstantial, superficial reason - bottom of page 91 - “valley was
entirely without honor” - times when a person lacks what the world and
even he may consider to be honorable, valuable, pleasant, pleasant,
etc.
2. Real reason for discontentment - page 91 – indicates that
discontentment is caused by the fear of offending the sensibilities of
many friends, including Pride, Arrogance, Self Conceit, Worldly Glory
and others who would be very upset with me if I were to make a fool of
myself …”
So according to Bunyan, Pride, arrogance, self conceit, desire for
worldly glory is the primary cause of Discontentment and, of course,
that is in keeping with the teaching of I John 2:16 which says that the
three primary things that motivate us are the lust of the flesh, the lust of
the eyes and the pride of life. I.E., because we are proud and think we
deserve more than we’re getting we become discontented.
Discontent must be replaced by thankfulness. Deals with 90% of a
man’s sins.
“Thankfulness pushups” – open the silverware drawer, say thank you
for this fork, and each one after that…!!!}
Because we are proud, conceited; because we seek and think we
deserve worldly glory; because we have ungodly desires, unbiblical
values, we are idolaters who worship ourselves and created things we
become discontented.





Esther 5:1-14 – Haman was discontented. Why?
1 Corinthians 10:4-11 and Numbers 11:1-6, 31-34 – Israelites were
discontented … had greedy desires
Luke 15:11ff – prodigal son – elder son
3 John 9, 10 - Diotrophes
James 4:1-3 – asks question - answers
How did Faithful escape the temptation to become discontented? Page
91
1. Remembered that he had already disowned his former perspectives
on self and life and his former purposes for living
142
2. Reflected on what the Bible has to say about pride, fame, wealth,
success, respect, popularity - Proverbs 15:33; 16:18; 11:2; 18:12;
29:23
3. Compared what God said with what others were saying and drew the
conclusion that Discontentment had misrepresented the Valley of
Humility. Prov. 15:33- humility comes before honor. Prov. 16:18
4. Took action and aggressively resisted the kind of thinking that
promotes discontentment - “I told him”, “I said to him”
5. Chose to think about and believe what God said about what is really
important in life than what others might say - Romans 3:4; Isaiah
8:19,20; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:97
6. Reflected on the fact that difficulties have a good purpose - 2
Corinthians 12:7, 10; James 1:2-4; Job 23:10
7. Committed himself to the long distance view of things - “I would
rather go though this valley to receive what the wise count as honor
(as valuable, worthwhile, etc.) than to choose what you consider to
be worthy of affection.” Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 4:16-18
5. Temptation #5 - Shame
1. The nature or essence of the Shame temptation. Bible speaks
of this temptation in numerous places:










Genesis 2:25
Exodus 32:25
Psalm 25:2
Psalm 35:4,26
Proverbs 3:35
Isaiah 30:5
Jeremiah 3:3; 6:15
Romans 1:27
2 Corinthians 4:2
Hebrews 12:1-2
Specifically shame about Christ and the Gospel – Romans 1:16 –
“I’m not ashamed”}
2. According to the dictionary = shame is a painful emotion
caused by a consciousness of guilt, shortcoming or
impropriety; something that brings sorrow, censure or
reproach; something that embarrasses; a painful emotion that
is caused by anything we consider to be degrading, unworthy,
immodest, improper or indecent
3. According to Bunyan – page 91 - 92 - Shame wants to discredit
the faith, to cause us to be embarrassed about
143
4. Shame wants to make us ashamed of or embarrassed about
all that is good – page 92
5. Page 91 - Bunyan makes an interesting statement Shame
bearing the wrong name.; “ he seems wrongly named.” “Of all
those whom I have met on my pilgrimage, he, I believe, most
bears the wrong name. After a little debate, others have
backed off, but not so with this boldfaced Shame.”
Page 93 - “He is so bold to follow us in the streets and to
attempt to make us ashamed before all that is good.”
Page 93 – “This Shame was a bold and persistent villain
indeed. I could hardly shake him off. He kept haunting me and
whispering in my ear.”
6. Pages 92 and 93 Bunyan describes some of the arguments
that Shame brings against Biblical Christianity.
“He said it was a pitiful, low, cowardly thing for a man to give
heed to religion”
“He said that a tender conscience was unmanly.”
“For a man to be careful about his words would tie him down
and rob him of the adventurous liberty to which the truly
daring spirits of the times were accustomed..”
“Such a person would be the laughingstock of our present day
society.”
“few of the truly powerful, rich or wise men and women were
ever of this persuasion…of those of my persuasion none had
ever been powerful, wealthy or wise…”
Use the misty fog of Jargon. No longer a fight between true
and false, but it’s “unmanly”, not modern…}
“pilgrims are ignorant, especially in their understanding of the
natural sciences.”
“He said it was a shame to sit whining and mourning under
conviction from the message of a sermon.”
144
“He thought it was a shame for me to ask my neighbor for
forgiveness for petty faults or to make restitution where I have
taken advantage of someone.”
“religion separates a man from those who are great… and
makes him a member and friend to the lowbrows…”
7. Page 92 - 94 describes what happens to professing Christians
when they succumb to the temptation of Shame.





“he was so convincing that I felt myself blushing. I felt like his
point of view had beaten me.”
They become ashamed of all that is good.
They cease to be valiant for the truth for truth upon the earth.
They fall away from the faith and cease to be vigilant.
They stop obeying the heavenly call and become self centered
8. When we turn to Scripture we find numerous examples of the
impact that Shame can have on us.









Romans 1:16 - causes people to be ashamed of or
embarrassed about the Gospel - ashamed to speak clearly
Matthew 26:69-74 - caused Peter to deny that he had been with
Jesus; that he even knew Jesus; to curse and swear
Mark 8:38 - causes people to be ashamed of Jesus and His
words
2 Corinthians 4:2 - causes people to hide the truth, to deny what
is true, to lie, deceive
Galatians 2:11-21 - causes people to withdraw and avoid certain
people, to refuse to associate with certain people and to want to
associate with others
2 Timothy 1:8-16 - to be ashamed of preaching God’s Word and
proclaiming it boldly; causes people to be ashamed of people
who do stand for the truth; causes people to avoid doing
anything that might bring hardship; causes people to be timid
around other people; causes people to act in selfish and
cowardly ways
Philippians 1:20 - is contrasted with boldness, hope
2 Kings 2:15-18 - causes people to yield to peer pressure and
do what they think is useless and untrue (Elisha)
Exodus 32:1-25 - caused Aaron to do something that was
clearly a violation of Scripture; caused him to yield to the sinful
desires of others; causes people to act in ways that are contrary
to what they claim to believe
145
9. Because Bunyan knew the Scriptures and was in touch with
human experience he knew that the temptation to be ashamed
of Christ can be a powerful temptation.
Bunyan Knew that when tempted to be ashamed Acts 4:13 =
unusual response; knew that what Peter did in Galatians 2:1114 = more usual.
10. Why is the Shame temptation so powerful in the lives of
professing Christians?






Proverbs 29:25 - fear of man more than fear God
Proverbs 28:1 - wickedness causes men to lack boldness or
courage
Genesis 2:25 (no sin so no shame) and 3:10 - I was afraid
(ashamed) and hid - result of sin
Matthew 10:28 - again - fear what man can do more than what
God can do - more concerned abou body that they are their
soul; shortsighted
John 12:42,43 - many did not confess him lest they be put out of
the synagogue - they loved the approval of men more than the
approval of God
1 John 2:15-17 - love the world more than love God
11. So the temptation to yield to Shame is powerful, but Bunyan
tells us that in spite of its power Faithful did successfully
resist it.
How did Faithful overcome the temptation to be ashamed?
Note several important words:
1. Page 92 - began to consider how what is highly valued among
men is detestable in God’s sight – I thought – what I’m hearing
is unbiblical – is telling me nothing of what God says.. I thought
about the fact that on judgment day we will be judged according
to the standard of the Almighty. - took charge of thinking – 2
Cor. 10:3-4
2. Page 92 - I determined that what God says is best even though
all the world is against it. Became proactive, took charge, made
a decision or resolution.
3. Page 92 - I realized that it is God who sets forth this faith of our.
I saw that a tender conscience is esteemed by God and that,
according to God, those who make themselves fools for the
Kingdom of heaven are really the wisest and that the poor man
who loves Christ is far richer than the greatest man who hates
Him.
146
4. Page 93 - I commanded Shame to go away and recognized that
Shame was really an enemy of his salvation.
5. Page 92 - 93 - He recognized that if he was ashamed he would
lose out on the blessing of God.
6. Page 93 - When Shame did not give up – continued to haunt
him – told him in no uncertain terms that his efforts would be in
vain and that he gloried in the things of which Shame tried to
make him ashamed.
7. Page 93 - Began to sing a song that would remind him of
biblical truths and encourage him to continue to resist the
temptation to be ashamed and to be bold in standing up for the
truth.
8. Page 94 - Cried out to God for help – sought the Lord for
courage and strength to be valiant for the truth on the earth.
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER EIGHT
MAIN CHRISTIAN LIFE ISSUES: CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP; HYPOCRISY
AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF FAITH AND WORKS
OVERVIEW
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The importance and nature of good Christian fellowship
The nature of saving faith
How to spot a hypocrite
How to counsel a hypocrite
The relationship of faith and works in the Christian life
CHAPTER 8/SCENE 1 – HOW FAITHFUL MET AND BEGAN A DISCUSSION
WITH A MAN CALLED TALKATIVE
A. Note What Bunyan says about this man on pages 99 to 101:
1. Off to one side of them and walking at a distance beside them.
What does this little detail indicate about this man?

APPEARED to believe many of the same things he did, not everything
he said was heretical.
2. A tall man and handsome from a distance; not so handsome
up close.
What does the fact that he was a tall man indicate about this man?
147

Had some position, easily recognized, stood out amongst other people,
knew more scripture than the average. Abilities and talents
What does the fact that he was handsome indicate about this man?

Made a good impression, admirable qualities, wasn’t ashamed to talk
about spiritual matters.
What does the fact that he was handsome from a distance indicate about
this man?

Suggesting that when you got to know him he was not as impressive
as he first throught. Very superficial, all pretend, a picture of the Sun
as opposed to the Sun itself. First impression was the wrong
impression
3. Loved to talk
B. Page 99 - Talkative gives us a general description of what he liked to talk
about.



“good things with you or anyone else”
“the things of God”
“things more essential or things circumstantial - provided that it be for our
edification”
C. Page 100 - he gives us a more specific description of what he liked to
talk about.



“history, or the mystery of things, or … about miracles, wonders, or
signs…”
“the futility of earthly things and the benefit of things above”
“things in Heaven or things on earth; things moral or things spiritual; things
sacred or things secular; things past or things to come; things foreign, or
things at home”
D. Pages 99 to 101 we have a record of some of Talkative’s conversation.
As we listen in we can learn something about Talkative and his interests as
we listen in on his conversation.




Page 99 we hear Talkative saying - “to tell you the truth, there are only a
few who …”
Page 100 - “That’s what I said.”
Page 100 - “so few people understand …”
Page 100 - “I know that very well.”
148

Page 100 - “I could give you a hundred Scriptures …”
What do these statements suggest about Talkative’s attitude?
Responds in a defensive way – shows he thought he knew anything, didn’t want
to seem like Faithful could teach everything to him
Talkative even quotes Scripture, but boasts that he could give 100 Scriptures on
the topic.
We must not jump to conclusions about him, but there are signs that he is
spiritually prideful. Thinks more highly of himself.
E. Same pages (99, 100) we have a record of Faithful’s initial response to
Talkative.
First, Faithful begins to collect data.
Faithful is establishing a relationship with Talkative, not addressing deficiencies.
Asks for permission to add something to what Talkative says
Must profit spiritually from discussion
Eph 4:29 – for edification



Initial response = Page 99 - “Come on then, let’s go on together …”
Page 100 - “All this is true, and I’m glad to hear these things from you.”
Page 100 - “What an admirable companion we’ve got!”
How would you characterize Faithful’s initial response to Talkative?
F. Bunyan, being the wise pastor and counselor that he is, has included
this account to teach us something about the Christian life; more
particularly he wants to teach us something about the importance of
discernment; about the kind of people with whom we should associate on a
deeper level. Bunyan knows tat when it comes to the matter of deep
fellowship we must avoid two dangers:
1. The danger of being overly suspicious and judgmental of everyone
who is not a part of your little group 


Romans 14:1
Luke 9:49-52
Acts 9:26-31
2. The danger of being gullible and naïve




Proverbs 14:15-16 – prudent man considers his steps
Matthew 7:15-21 – examine their fruit, get to know them.
Titus 1:9-11 James 2:17ff – faith without works is dead, useless
149



2 Peter 2:1ff – secretly introduce herecies
Jude 3 and 4 – they creep in to the churches, deny Jesus. Woe to
them. Cause division
Revelation 2:2 – put them to the test, find them to be false
G. Pages 101 through 102 Bunyan tells us that Christian had an opinion
about Talkative that was quite different from the opinion of Faithful.


Page 100- Christian believed Talkative was a deceiver
P. 100 - he was a very skillful deceiver who could deceive almost anyone
who doesn’t know him well.
H. Christian, being the older Christian, takes this as an opportunity to teach
Faithful about the nature of hypocrisy; mentions 13 biblically based
characteristics of hypocrisy: teaching Faithful and us how to recognize
hypocrisy. Makes it clear to Faithful that he had not made a snap judgment,
but that he had good reason for thinking that Talkative was not a true
believer, but a hypocrite.
1. Talkative is guilty of putting on his best image away from home. “He puts
on his best image away from home, but at home he is ugly enough….A
saint abroad and a devil at home. He is so unyielding, insolent and
unreasonable…His house is as devoid of true religion as the white of an
egg is of flavor….I have observed him at home and abroad, and I know
what I say about him is true.


Matthew 6:2ff
1 Timothy 5:4
2. He is ready for any kind of companionship – “This man is ready for any
companionship and for any conversation.”
Willing to have anyone as a friend to discuss with.



Psalm 26:4-5
Psalm 1:1
Psalm 139:21,22
3. He’ll talk about anything –”As he talks with you now, so will he talk
when he is in the tavern.”




Psalm 19:14 – words of my mouth be acceptable in your sight
Psalm 41:3
James 1:26 –
Col 4:6 – seasoned with salt
150
4. He has an inordinate lack of self control. “the more alcohol he has in
his brain, the more of these things he has in his mouth.”





Galatians 5:22-23 – fruit of the Spirit
1 Corinthians 9:23
Ephesians 5:18
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Galatians 5:19-21
5. He doesn’t pray – “He talks about prayer, but he knows only how to
talk…”



Matthew 6:9
Zechariah 12:10
Romans 8:15
6. He talks about repentance, but doesn’t repent – “He talks about
repentance, faith …, but he knows only how to talk about them. He
neither prays nor shows any sign of repentance from sin.”






Matthew 3:1-8
Mark 1:15
Luke 13:1-3
Acts 2:27,38
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 – sorrowful to the point of repentance. Lives
changed.
Revelation 2:5, 16, 21 and 3:3, 19 – calls churches to repent
7. He talks about the new birth, but his life doesn’t demonstrate that he
has experienced it. “He is the very stain, reproach, and shame of
religion.”




1 John 3:14
1 John 3:9
1 John 4:7
1 John 5:1, 4, 18
8. He talks about faith, but his life doesn’t demonstrate that he really
believes. “It is apparent that true faith has no place in his heart, in
his house or in his way of living… Why, a poor beast, in his own
way, serves God better than he.”


James 2:17ff
Romans 1:5 – Obedience to the faith is saving faith
151



2 Corinthians 4:13 – what we believe is manifested in our speech
Mark 2:1-5
Hebrews 11:1-34
9. He is engaged in ungodly business practices - “Those who have any
dealings with him say that it is better dealing with a pagan than with
him, that a pagan would deal more fairly than he. This man… if given
the chance will manipulate, deceive, defraud, and take advantage of
them.”





Colossians 3:22-4:1
Timothy 6:1-4 – let all regard their masters with honour
Titus 2:9-10 – be subject
Proverbs 11:3
Proverbs 20:10, 23; 19:1
10. He mocks and belittles others who are serious about their sins - calls
them blockheads or fools. “If he finds in any of them a ‘foolish fear of
danger’ (for this is what he calls a tender conscience), he calls them
fools or blockheads and he won’t employ them much or recommend
them to others.”




Matthew 5:22 - guilty
Leviticus 19:16 – don’t curse, make fun of or ridicule a blind man…
Psalm 15:3 – the godly don’t slander
Jeremiah 6:27-30
11. He is guilty of causing many to fall – “by his wicked example he has
caused many to stumble and fall, and if God doesn’t prevent it, he
will be the ruin of many. He is bringing up his sons to follow in his
footsteps.””



Matthew 18:7 – woe to him that makes another stumble
Romans 16:17-18 – turn away from them
2 Peter 2:1-2 -
12. He is an embarrassment to real Christians – “good people are
ashamed of him; they are unable to call him brother or friend. Even
his name called out among them causes them embarrassment.”



Philippians 3:17-19
Galatians 5:12
1 Corinthians 5:11 – put them out of the church, don’t have association
with them.
152
13. He has been the reason that many unbelievers have lost all respect
for Christianity -”he has caused many to stumble and to fall”




Romans 2:24 – apply truth to yourself first
Ezekiel 36:16-21
2 Peter 2:2
Matthew 5:16
I. Christian goes into such great detail about the hypocrisy of Talkative for
some good reasons.
1. To promote discernment
2. To warn



2 Peter 2:1-2
Acts 20:28-31
2 Corinthians 11:3-4,13-15
J. When come to pages 103 and 104 Bunyan calls our attention to two very
important Christian life issues:
1. Gossip, slander, speaking negatively about people.
a. Bible contains many warnings against gossip and slander.






Psalm 15:3
Psalm 50:16-21
Proverbs 20:19
Ephesians 4:31
Colossians 3:8
James 4:11
b. Bible also indicates that there are times when we should talk in
negative ways about people









Ephesians 5:11
1 Timothy 5:20
Philippians 3:18-19
Galatians 2:11-16 – rebuke Peter
1 Timothy 1:19-20 2 Timothy 2:16-18
2 Timothy 4:10 - Demas
2 Timothy 4:14 - Alexander
Revelation 2:2
153





Revelation 2:6
Revelation 2:14
Revelation 2:14
2 Peter 2:1ff
3 John 9-10
2. The matter of believing and receiving evil reports about people.
a. Bible Indicates that there are times when it is very wrong to
receive evil reports.






Psalm 15:3
Exodus 23:1
Proverbs 17:4
Proverbs 14:15
Proverbs 20:19
1 Corinthians 13:5,7
b. Same Bible indicates that there are times when it is appropriate
for us to receive evil reports.









Matthew 23
Galatians 2:11-16
Philippians 3:17-19
I Timothy 1:19,20
2 Timothy 1:15
2 Timothy 2:17
2 Peter 2
Jude
3 John 9 and 10
K. Leads us to ask two other questions: (1) when is it proper, even wise
and good to speak in a negative way about people and (2) when is it proper,
even wise and good, to receive and believe negative things about others?
1. When is it right to say something negative about a person?
a. Page 103 - personal knowledge
b. Pages 103 - have known for a long while
c. Page 103 - has solid evidence, not speculation, not hear say
d. Page 103 - has evidence to prove everything – from my knowledge I
can prove him guilty
154
e. Page 103 - confirmed by godly people – good people are ashamed of
him
f. Pages 103 – public evidence – sins are well known by many
g. Pages 103 - 104 - motivated by a genuine concern for other people


Ephesians 4:29
Colossians 4:6
2. When is it proper, even wise and good to receive and believe
negative things about others?
a. Pages 103, 104 - person speaking is truly a godly person
b. Pages 103, 104 - person speaking is speaking as a Christian should


Colossians 4:6
Ephesians 4:15, 29
c. Pages 103, 104 - person speaking is not a bitter, resentful complaining
person
d. Pages 103, 104 - person speaking really has the facts
e. Pages 103, 104 - person speaking has a positive purpose
f. Followed Matt 18 principles.
L. Pages 103 and 104 Christian and Faithful are discussing one of the most
important issues in the Christian life: the relationship between faith and
works in the Christian life. In doing so, they answer several important
questions about faith and works in the Christian life.
1. What is the nature of saving faith?
2. What is the role of works in the Christian life?
3. How do the two relate to one another?
M. Several important statements about the relationship between faith and
works in the Christian life, are given on pages 103 and 104:
1. Page 103 - “words and deeds are two different things … they are …
as diverse as the soul and the body …”
155
2. “Talkative … thinks hearing and speaking, in and of themselves, will
make him a good Christian …”
a. Bible indicates that hearing is an important part of the Christian
life





Romans 10:17
Luke 11:28
Revelation 1:3
Ephesians 1:13
Galatians 3:2-5
b. Speaking is an important aspect of the Christian life








Romans 10:9
Matthew 12:37
Mark 8:38
Mark 16:15ff
Luke 6:41
Acts 1:8
Acts 8:2-4
James 1:26-27
c. But hearing and speaking are not enough




Matthew 7:21-23
James 2:14; 1:27
Galatians 3:2,5
Page 103 – “on the day of judgment, all people will be judged by
their fruit. … The end of the world is compared to a harvest and you
know that those who do the harvesting care about nothing but the
fruit.”




John 5:28-29
Revelation 20:12-13
Revelation 2:23
Romans 2:1-10
N. Was Bunyan teaching salvation by works? Answer found in the whole
context of the whole book. Answer found on:
1. Page 103 - “deeds which don’t arise from faith are of no value at all.”
2. Chapter 2 - where he followed the counsel of Mr.. Worldly Wiseman
156
3. Chapter 3 - room filled dust scene – is the Gospel not our efforts
4. Chapter 4 - came to cross – was what Christ did on the cross – not our
works that brought peace
5. Chapter 7 - Moses temptation
6. Later in Chapter 15 - Hopeful’s testimony
7. Bunyan believed Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-8 and so should we.
O. This section warns us against two erroneous ideas about the Christian
life that must be avoided:
1. Justification without works: faith = justification without works
2. Justification by works; faith and works = justification
3. Bible and Bunyan teach - true faith = justification and works.



Saved by a faith in Christ that works.
Saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, but not by a
faith that is alone.
Titus 2:11-14
P. Pages 105 to 109 -Faithful returns to Talkative and begins another
discussion with him.
1. From this discussion we can learn much about:
1. Counseling - In effect, that’s what Faithful us doing with Talkative.
2. How to have edifying conversations with other people
3. The subject of assurance of salvation or what really happens when a
person becomes a Christian.
Q. On pages 105 - 108 we can learn much about how to promote an edifying
conversation with someone else by observing the method Faithful used
with Talkative. What was that method?
He uses seven well designed questions:
1. Page 105- “How is it going?”
2. Page 105 - “How does the saving grace of God manifest itself when it is in
one’s heart?”
157
3. Page 106- “What is the second thing by which you could prove a work of
grace in the heart?”
4. Page 106 - “Why don’t you propose another sign of how this work of grace
shows itself in the life?”
5. Page 107 - “Will you allow me to give you my proof (evidence)?”
6. Page 108 - “Have you truly experienced this first work of grace?
7. Page 108 “… are your life and conduct consistent with that experience?
...does your religion stand on the power of word and tongue, but not on
the power of actions and truth?
8. What is your general impression of the questions Faithful asked?
Let’s consider the seven questions in detail and the discussions they
promoted in more detail:
1. Question 1: “How is it going now?”



“Well, thank you. But I thought that by now we would have enjoyed a
great deal of conversation.”
In his answer Talkative seems to be somewhat annoyed. He seems to
be blaming Faithful for the lack of meaningful conversation. In fact the
two parts of his answer seem contradictory. On the one hand he says
things are going well and on the other hand he says they aren’t going
well. Without actually saying it, he indicates that he’s not very pleased
with what has been happening.
Faithful’s response is conciliatory and non defensive. Instead of
saying, “Well whose fault is it that we haven’t talked more”, he says in
a conciliatory manner, “Well if you want, we can talk now.” And then
the takes control of the situation so that the conversation is directed in
a wholesome manner. He says, Now let me pose a question for
discussion.
2. Question 2: ‘How do you think the saving grace of God reveals itself
when it is in one’s heart?’





In other words, Faithful is asking him, ‘How do you think a person can
know that he really is saved?
To which Talkative responds, “Well, first, where the grace of God is in
the heart, it causes a great outcry against sin. And second…”
At this point Faithful in effect responds by saying, “I think it might be
better to say that if a person has really been saved.”
At this point Faithful in effect responds by saying, “I think it might be
better to say that if a person has really been saved that person will not
just cry out against sin, but he will abhor sin.”
Faithful said this because he knew something about the life style of
talkative from his previous discussion with Christian. And by this he
meant that it’s one thing to go through the motions of saying that you
158








are against sin and it’s another thing to actually hate the sin you are
crying out against. Here Faithful is doing what any good counselor or
preacher is doing. He has gathered data (Proverbs 18:13) and now he
is going to judiciously use the data to make his teaching applicable to
the person he is counseling. He knows that Talkative can talk well, but
that he doesn’t walk well and so he directs the conversation toward the
needs of Talkative.
Now by this statement about the difference between crying out against
sin and abhorring sin, Faithful meant that it’s one thing to go through
the motions of saying that you are against sin and it’s another thing to
actually hate the sin you are crying out against.
Then, at this point, Faithful again does what good counselors will do:
he uses three illustrations to explain the difference between abhorring
sin and crying out against it:
 First, he uses the biblical illustration of a preacher who preaches
against sin in the pulpit and then indulges in the sin he preached at
in his life and home.
 Second he uses the illustration of Potiphar’s wife who ….
 Third he uses the illustration of a mother with a child who when the
child is behaving badly may call the child ugly names and then later
when the child is behaving well, picks that same child up and hugs
and kisses the child.
At this point in the conversation Talkative gets the point that Faithful is
trying to make and then indicates that he thinks Faithful is being picky
and making a big deal out of nothing. “… you are trying to trap me.”
In his response Talkative is a representative of thousands who say
they are opposed to evil in general, but who don’t want to talk about
their own sin; they moan and groan about the sin of government
officials, but don’t moan and groan about their own sin; they are speak
out against the selfishness they see in others, but don’t hate the
selfishness in their own lives; this man is a representative of thousands
of professing Christians who believe you can take Jesus as your
Savior but reject His Lordship in the details of your life and still be a
Christian.
Note how Faithful handled Talkative’s objection. Didn’t defend himself didn’t get into an argument - didn’t attack.
In his response Faithful is an example of someone who was heeding
the admonition of Proverbs 26:4,5 - “Don’t answer a fool according to
his folly, lest you be like him. Do answer a fool as his folly deserves,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
In his answer Faithful obeyed verse 4 in that he avoided answering
Talkative in an argumentative, scornful, angry, insulting, defensive, self
righteous, demeaning, humiliating and abusive manner which would
accomplish nothing and make Faithful just as wrong as Talkative.
And in his answer Faithful also practiced Proverbs 26:5 and answered
him in a wise rather foolish way; he answered him without vindication,
159

without defensiveness, without harshness, without maliciousness,
without unnecessary and unhelpful repetition; he answered him by
confidently saying, “No, I’m not trying to trap you” and then dropping
that issue. He avoided doing what people sometimes do when
someone accuses them of doing something. They spend a lot of time
and words in explaining why what the other person says is not true and
usually accomplish nothing. Faithful knew that the accusation wasn’t
true; he knew that his motive was not to trap Talkative and so he didn’t
waste time by trying to convince Talkative that his evaluation was
wrong.
Then notice the next thing that Faithful did, he moved on to ask him
another question that was built on what Talkative had previously begun
to say.
3. Question 3: “You mentioned that there was a second thing that
would be true of a person who was truly saved. What was that
second thing by which you would prove a work of grace in the
heart?”



To which Talkative responded, “Great knowledge of Gospel mysteries”
by which he meant that a person could know he was saved if he knew
a lot about the Bible and had a head packed full of great theology that
most people don’t know. The fact that he used the word mysteries
indicates that he thought that the fact that someone knew things and
could explain deep theological issues would mean that he certainly
was a Christian. Notice that in his responsive Talkative never quoted
Scripture or appealed to Scripture.
In his response to Talkative, Faithful answered wisely in that
everything he said was based on Scripture so that if Talkative
disagreed he would be disagreeing with God and not just with Faithful.
Plus he knew that if Talkative would ever be convinced it would be
God’s Word that God would use to change him. In this response
Faithful did what every biblical counselor should do. His answer was
clearly based on Scripture: first it was based on I Corinthians 8:1 - 3 Knowledge may puff up, but love builds up; second on I Corinthians
13:2 - without love a knowledge of the deep mysteries of God is worth
nothing; and third on John 13:17 where Jesus said, “Of you know
these things, you will be blessed if you do them. And then having
quoted Scripture, Faithful went on to explain their meaning and apply
them and to explain the difference between speculative knowledge and
biblical knowledge. >
In his response to Talkative, Faithful basically said that:
a. The Bible teaches that non Christians may have great gospel
knowledge - I Corinthians 8:1,2; 13:1,2
b. The Bible teaches that there are two kinds of knowledge, “There is
knowledge, and there is knowledge.” (page 106)
160
c. Faithful lived during the time of the Puritans and was himself a
Puritan. The puritans were people who were concerned about pure
doctrine, but they were equally concerned about pure lives. For
them,because of what the Scriptures taught, purity of doctrine must
always be joined together with holiness of life or your doctrine
wasn’t pure. They understood sound doctrine in the way Paul
spoke of sound doctrine in Titus 2:1, “Speak the things that are
fitting for sound doctrine.” And then in verses 2 - 10 goes on to talk
about how Christians should live.
d. Why did Talkative and other Puritan Christians believe in and
emphasize purity of life as well as purity of doctrine. Answer:
because that’s what the Bible taught. They knew this is what the
Bible taught in verses such as:










Luke 11:28 - hear and do (keep)
Matthew 21:28-32 - true faith and love for God are manifested in
actually doing what God says and not just knowing what God
says and saying you want to do it.
1 John 2:3-4 - By this we know that we have come to know Him,
if we keep his commandments. The one who says I know Him
and doesn’t keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is
not in him.
1 John 4:20 - If someone says ‘I love God and doesn’t love…
1 John 5:3 - This is the love of God that we keep …
Matthew 7:21-23 - Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will
enter…but he who does the will of my Father …
Galatians 5:6 - In Christ Jesus the only thing that proves
anything is faith working through love
James 1:22 - be doers of the Word and not hearers only,
deceiving yourselves
James 1:2 - Pure and undefiled religion (real religion) before our
God and Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their
distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
At this point, even though Faithful had only quoted and explained
biblical truth, Talkative imputed evil motives to Faithful and accused
him of trying to trap him. So rather than defend himself and getting into
a situation where he would violate Proverbs 26:4, Faithful decided to
ask Talkative another question.
4. Question 4: “Why don’t you propose another sign of how this work
of grace shows itself in the life?” (Page 106)

When Talkative refuses to answer Faithful then asks him for
permission to present his answer to the question about how you can
know that you or someone else is really saved (a Christian).
161









Previously Faithful had explained from Scripture why a deep
speculative knowledge of Scripture is not a solid basis for having
assurance of salvation, he now asks permission to give a positive
answer.
When Talkative grants Faithful permission to give his answer, Faithful
explains what he believes is a biblically basis for believing that God
has really saved a person.
Faithful begins by saying that when God saves a person, that person
will be personally convicted of his own sinfulness.
In particular, Faithful says that he will not only be convicted of his own
sins (of what he has done), but of the sinfulness of his own nature (of
what he is) and of the sin of unbelief.
In the margin, Bunyan indicates that Faithful is basing his view that real
salvation on such verses as John 16:8-9, Acts 2:37, Psalm 38:18;
Jeremiah 31:19 and Romans 7:24.
Furthermore, because Faithful knows and believes the truths of Acts
4:12; Galatians 2:16; 1 Timothy 4:10 he asserts that when God saves
a person that person will recognize that his only hope of salvation is
through the mercy of God by faith in Jesus Christ which means that he
will recognize that Jesus Christ is the only Savior and he will believe in
Jesus Christ and agree with and submit to Christ for eternal life.
Still further, because he knows and believes the truths of Matthew 5:6,
Faithful says that when God saves a person he will hunger and thirst
after Christ and righteousness and desire to know Him better and to
serve Him in this world.
Still further because Faithful knows and believes the truths of Romans
10:9, 10. Faithful says that when God saves a person he will want to
confess his faith in Christ to others.
And then based on the teaching of Scripture such as Matthew 5:1-10;
Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16 and Romans 6:19 Faithful went to say
that when God saves a person he will put in him a desire to live a life of
holiness in his own heart and life, in his family and in the world.
That was a summary of the most important things that Faithful
said to Talkative about what happens when God saves a person.
It’s also a summary of why many people who call themselves
Christians have a false assurance of salvation. Faithful based his
views on Scripture, but many there are who base their views of
salvation on their own opinion of what seems right to them or on
tradition of their churches or on the ideas of other men.

Neither Faithful, nor Bunyan believed that real Christians are sinlessly
perfect. They knew from the Bible and personal experience that real
Christians may struggle and fail in many ways, but they also knew from
the Bible and personal experience that real Christians will be
concerned about their sin; they also knew that real Christians will be
162




concerned about their heart sins, about their ungodly motives and
desires, about wrong thoughts.
They knew from the Bible and personal experience that real Christians
will constantly recognize their need of Christ as Savior; that real
Christians will trust, love and obey Jesus, that real Christians will love
the cross, that real Christians will confess their sins and believe in
Christ and submit to Him as Lord of their lives.
Faithful, Christian and Bunyan knew from the Bible and personal
experience that real Christians will need the help of others for
counseling as is evident from this whole book that John Bunyan wrote.
In this book you will find real Christians struggling and sometimes
falling. In this book you will find real Christians turning to others for
counseling and being willing to receive that counsel. You will also find
real Christians persevering and striving for holiness not to be saved,
but because they are saved, because they have been recipients of the
marvelous grace of God available to them in Jesus Christ.
That was the biblical message that Faithful brought to Talkative and
then having brought those biblical truths to him, Faithful did what every
biblical counselor should do as he gives counsel to his counselees. He
pressed the truth home by asking Talkative another question.
5. Question 5: “Have you truly experienced this first work of grace? “…
are your life and conduct consistent with that experience? ...does
your religion stand on the power of word and tongue, but not on the
power of actions and truth?




And according to Bunyan Talkative gave him the response that none of
us want to get, but sometimes will get to our biblical counsel.
Basically he said, “You are talking about something that I don’t want to
talk about. You are talking a bout experience and conscience and God.
You are appealing to God for justification of what you believe and I
don’t want to do that. I don’t want and never intended to have this kind
of discussion. And I am not going to answer your questions and don’t
think I am under any obligation to do so. And, by the way, who do you
think you are to teach me? You are not my judge and I won’t allow you
to be. So, just get out of my face and leave me alone. And, by the way,
why did you ask me the questions you asked me anyway?
That’s the way he responded to Faithful even though everything
Faithful said he said with kindness, without any rancor, without yelling
and shouting. This is the way he responded even though everything
Faithful said was based on Scripture and not on Faithful’s own ideas.
Pages 108, 109 - Bunyan tells us how Faithful responded to Mr..
Talkatives question about why he said what he did and asked what he
asked.
163
a. Basically he told him that he had said what he said and asked the
questions in an attempt to help him to see that he didn’t have real
faith, but only a notional faith.
b. Basically he told him that he had said what he said and asked the
questions in an attempt to help him to see that he had an all talk but
no walk approach to Christianity.
c. Basically he told him that he had said what he said and asked the
questions in an attempt to help him to see that his life was odious to
biblical Christianity.
d. Basically he told him that he had said what he said and asked the
questions in an attempt to help him to see that the life he was living
was a disgrace and shame to the body of Christ.


Page 109 - Bunyan tells us that Mr.. Talkative responded to Faithful’s
explanation by attacking Faithful’s character. He accuses him of
listening to gossip, of being a faultfinder, of being an unpleasant and
depressed man, a man who is not worthy of my company or
conversation - so goodbye. I’m out of here.
That Talkative responded to Faithful’s counsel in this way shouldn’t
surprise us, because this is the way many responded to the counsel of
the perfect counselor, even our Lord Jesus Christ.






John 1:10-11
Luke 4:16 - he went into the synagogue in his own home town and
opened the Bible and taught them from the Word and Bible says in
v. 28 that when He did that “all in the synagogue were filled with
rage… and they rose up and cast him out of the city.”
John 15:18-24 - If the persecuted me, they will persecute you; if
they kept my word, they will keep yours. But all these things they
will do to you for my Name’s sake. If I had not come and spoken to
them… they would have no excuse for their sin. But now they have
both seen and hated me and My Father because they do not know
the One who sent me.
Praise God, not everyone rejected the counsel of the Perfect Son of
God and not everyone rejected the counsel of Faithful or Christian or
Bunyan, but some did. And praise God, not everyone will reject our
biblical counsel, but let’s be realistic and let’s not be surprised when
that happens - some will.
That was a lesson that Faithful had to learn and that’s a lesson we
need to learn as well. It isn’t within our ability and it isn’t our
responsibility to make men accept the counsel we give. We must
remember the truth of I Cor. 3:5
Our responsibility is to do what Faithful did - We must make sure we
know what is going on in the lives of the people we counsel; we must
make sure we know the truth and present that truth in the most clear
164
and accurate and winsome and applicable way, but then we must trust
God to bless that truth to the hearts and lives of those whom we
counsel.
Did Faithful reprove Mr. Talkative this way because he was upset and
wanted to slam him? Did he do it out of malice? What were his reasons for
reproving him the way he did?
1. No, I don’t think Faithful reproved him this may out of malice. I believe he
did this way as a last attempt to get him to repent and change. He did it
this way for sake of Talkative - Page 109 - “may happen he will think of it
again.” Page 109 - perhaps through this reproof people like Talkative
“would … be forced to become more obedient to the faith.”
2. No, I don’t think Faithful reproved him this way out of malice. I believe he
did this way for sake of unbelievers - page 109 - he has caused religion to
stink in the nostrils of many; “The fact that such people are welcomed into
the fellowship of the godly is a confusing mystery to those in the world.”
3. No, I don’t think Faithful reproved him this way out of malice. I believe he
did what he did out of love for other believers. Talkative had been the
cause of deep grief in the hearts of sincere believers. (page 109)
4. No, I don’t think Faithful reproved him this way out of malice. I believe he
did this way for so that he would stop pretending and either get right or
quit pretending and leave the church. (Page 109) Perhaps “the fellowship
of the saints would be too hot for their comfort.”
What Faithful did here was exactly what many verses tell us to do when a
professing Christian is sinning.







Ephesians 5:11
Titus 2:15
Matthew 18:15
Luke 17:3
Galatians 6:1-3
1 Corinthians 5:1-8
2 Timothy 3:1-5
On what basis could Faithful reprove Talkative in this way? What dangers
and erroneous practices must be avoided in reproving people, in doing
what Faithful and Christian did in this chapter?
1. When we rebuke we should only do it if we are sure we have the facts Proverbs 18:2, 13
2. We should do it gently and compassionately and out of love - Philippians
3:18; Ephesians 4:15; Revelation 3:19
3. When we reprove we may have to do it for the purpose of warning,
protection - 2 Timothy 4:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:1
165
4. When we reprove someone we should do it only if what the person is doing
is a sin - Luke 17:3
5. Reproving should not be the major focus or factor in our relationships with
people - Philippians 4:8; Colossians 4:6
6. When we reprove should make sure we can honestly say we are doing it
with a positive purpose - Ephesians 4:29
7. When we reprove should make sure that the sin for which we are reproving
is really a pattern in that person’s life - Galatians 6:1; Luke 17:3
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER NINE
CHRISTIAN LIFE ISSUES – FORMAL & INFORMAL COUNSELING IN THE
CHRISTIAN LIFE – PAGES 113 - 128
Main Christian Life Issues dealt with in Chapter 9:
1. The Importance of Informal and Formal Biblical Counsel in the Christian Life
- Pages 113 – 115
2. The Christian’s Experience in the Town of Vanity Fair - Pages 115 - 126
CHAPTER 9/ SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND FAITHFUL WERE GOING
THROUGH A WILDERNESS
What does this place represent in the Christian life?





Page 1 of PP = “the wilderness of this world”
Matthew 4:1
Psalm 63:1,2
Psalm 16:11
Page 113
In particular, what helped them to get through this wilderness experience
without too much trouble, I.e., without falling into despair, without giving
up on the Christian life, without looking for unbiblical, quick fix,
spectacular solutions?
2 Main things:
1. Entered into informal, edifying Christian fellowship with each other Hebrews 10:24,25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
2. Received formal biblical counsel, instruction and encouragement from
Evangelist - 2 Timothy 4:2-5; Ephesians 4:11,12; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Acts
20:28-31; Hebrews 13:17.
166
In particular, what did Christian and Faithful talk about that made the
wilderness experience less tedious?
Page 113 - “what they had seen on the way.”
What helpful biblical practices were they





engaged in at this point?
1 Thessalonians 5:11 and Colossians 3:16
Deuteronomy 8:2
Nehemiah 9:17
Psalm 77:1-20
Psalm 103:1-5
EVANGELIST ARRIVES
What was the role that Evangelist played in the life of Christian on the two
former occasions?


Chapter 1 - did what we could call precounseling, instruction, teaching
Chapter 2 - did what we could call reproving and remedial counseling,
admonishing
What kind of counseling did he do at this point? What specific things did
he do to minister to Christian and Faithful at this point?








Middle of page 113 - greeted them warmly - extended friendship; Romans
16:16; I Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; I Peter 5:14; I
Thessalonians 5:26
Bottom of page 113 - showed an interest in what had happened in their
lives since the last time they met. Asked questions.
Bottom of page 113 - showed appreciation for them and actually
commended them - encouragement - 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 1:8;
Philippians 1:3ff.; Romans 16:1ff.
Page 113 - told them how their perseverance had been such an
encouragement to him
Page 113, 114 - exhorted, instructed, challenged and even warned them.
1 Timothy 4:6, 13; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:15
Page 114 - respectfully listened to and then proceeded to answer their
questions – “What dangers might lie ahead and how to best resist them
and overcome them.”
Middle of page 114- prepared them for what would happen to them in the
near future by reminding them of certain biblical facts
Bottom of page 114 & 115 - instructed and encouraged and exhorted them
about how to respond to the persecution and mistreatment they will
receive.
167
Note also how Christian and Faithful ministered to Evangelist










Page 113 – used word friend - 2 times
Page 113 - Invited his company and ministry
Page 113 - expressed appreciation for him
Page 113 - gladly answered his questions
Page 114 - thanked him for his exhortation
Page 114 - asked him for more teaching
Page 114 - recognized his value - “that they could be strengthened”
through his ministry; perceived “that he was a prophet.”
Page 114 - again asked him to give them more instruction
Pages 113 - 115 - listened carefully and responded positively to his
instruction
Did what Bible says Christians ought to do for and be to their pastors



1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Hebrews 13:7,17
LIFH – pages 62-69
CHAPTER 9/SCENE 2 – VANITY FAIR
After this time of fellowship and encouragement with Evangelist, Bunyan
says that they came to a place called Vanity Fair where we’re going to be
taught several more important lessons about the Christian life on pages
115 - 126.
What does the city of Vanity Fair represent?
3. See hints in words used in the first and second paragraph on page 115 “as superficial as vanity”, “meaningless vanity”, “worthless vanity”
4. Also learn what it represents from the description of its founders on page
116 - “Apollyon”, “Beelzebub” and “Legion”



Mark 3:22
Mark 5:1-9
Revelation 9:11
5. Learn what it represents through the meaning of the words used to identify
the town
a. Vanity – Used 30 times in Ecclesiastes:


Eccl 1:2
Eccl 1:14
168











Eccl 2:1
Eccl 2:11
Eccl 2:15
Eccl 2:17
Eccl 2:26
Eccl 4:4
Eccl 4:16
Eccl 6:9
Eccl 8:10
Eccl 12:8
Vanity - anything vain or worthless; synonym for emptiness, that which is
frothy, unsatisfying, unsubstantial, useless, meaningless, unproductive,
having no real worth or value, no useful result.
b. Fair



Fair = dictionary - (1) a carnival or bazaar; (2) a competitive exhibition of
farm, household and manufactured products, with various amusements
and displays.
A fair is a place whose primary purpose for existence is to entertain or
amuse or to bring pleasure.
Cheryl Ford describes Vanity Fair this way – The City of Destruction in it’s
most sensual state
So, Vanity Fair represents:




The world system under Satan’s control in which we as Christians live
The pleasures the world has to offer
The pleasures the world has to offer that don’t really provide lasting
satisfaction
The pleasures the world has to offer are meaningless and worthless from
an eternal perspective
Page 116 – we find a general statement where Bunyan mentions that “all
kinds of merchandise” are sold in Vanity Fair. What idea is being
suggested by the phrase “all kinds of merchandise”?
1. Satan is very creative - 2 Corinthians 11:3 - “the serpent beguiled or
deceived Eve through his subtlety or craftiness”; Ephesians 4:14 “cunning craftiness” or “trickery” and “craftiness in deceitful scheming”.
2. Satan uses many different things to tempt us - he recognizes that people
are different; one person will be attracted and find amusement and
pleasure in one kind of merchandise and another will find entertainment in
another.
169
3. If we aren’t attracted by one of his wares, he will try to get us to buy
another of his wares.


Matthew 4:1-13
1 John 2:15-17
In this section, Bunyan makes two very interesting statements that
illustrate the truth about Satan’s creativity and cunning craftiness:
1. On page 116 he mentions that in Vanity Fair you will find “all sorts (of
enjoyments) to suit one’s preferences.”
2. On pages 116 and 117 he states that in Vanity Fair there are different
rows and streets at the fair “named by countries and kingdoms”?
What is Bunyan getting at by these statements?
1. The statement about merchandise to “suit one’s preferences” simply
reinforces what we’ve just said.
2. And the statement about merchandise for different countries and nations
also broadens the same idea.


Some behaviors may be acceptable in one country, but not
acceptable in another country and vice versa. Public nudity on
beaches; having a mistress may be an acceptable practice in one
culture and not in another; child abuse, wife beating,
homosexuality, prostitution, etc.
Among people who are wealthy, they may be tempted to be self
indulgent, selfish in the use of their wealth; among the poor jealous or envious.
After giving us this general description of what is offered in Vanity Fair,
Bunyan describes these wares more specifically on page 116.

Houses, lands, jobs, position, kingdoms, wives, children, masters,
servants, souls, silver and gold, lusts, pleasures, whores, prostitutes,
adultery, false witnessing, stealing, etc.
Would you agree that all of the things Bunyan describes should always be
described as “vanity”? Do you think that all of the things described on
page 116 are necessarily “worthless vanity”? Are all of these things wrong
in and of themselves?
No. Some of the things described on page 116 are wrong in and of themselves
and some are not inherently sinful; some are inherently sinful and dangerous and
some are inherently harmless and even desirable.
170




1 Timothy 6:17 – richly all things to enjoy
Job 1:1-3 – Job was the richest man alive, but also blameless.
Proverbs 10:22 – the blessing of the Lord makes a person rich
1 Timothy 4:1-3 calls the idea that denying yourself certain legitimate
things makes you spiritual a “doctrine of demons.”
Why then does Bunyan describe all of these things as “worthless vanity”?
What must be true of something for it to be included in the category of
“worthless vanity”? When does something deserve to be called worthless
vanity?
When one or more of the following is true.
1. When it is something that is clearly forbidden by Scripture - see list on
page 116.



Ephesians 5:3-10
Romans 1:24-32
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
2. When it is pursued in wrong way - deceptive trickery, cheating, thieves,
etc.


Proverbs 19:1
Proverbs 20:17
3. When it is desired for the wrong reason



James 4:3
1 Corinthians 10:31
Colossians 3:17
4. When it takes control and becomes your main focus in life, when it
controls and masters you – see word “lusts” on page 114. If you can’t be
happy without it, it has mastered you.



1 Corinthians 6:12 – some things are lawful, but not profitable
Luke 12:13-21
Luke 18:18-30
Dr. David Powlison quote from The Coming Evangelical Crisis - pages 210-216
(2)
Note one more interesting statement found on page 116 - “… the way to the
celestial city passes right through this town and he who would like to
171
bypass this town … would have to leave the world altogether” and “Now
Christian and Faithful would have to go through this fair…”
Why is it necessary for Christians to pass through Vanity Fair?
1. Remind us of how God faithfully provides for us - Matthew 5:13-16; John
15:20-24; 1 Peter 2:11-12; Ephesians 5:11-14.
2. Humble us - 1 Peter 1:5-6; James 1:2-12; Proverbs 24:10; Deuteronomy
8:1-6; Psalm 119:67, 71.
CHAPTER 9/SCENE 3 – FACING MISTREATMENT, INJUSTICE AND
PERSECUTION
Let’s notice the kind of treatment they received as they were going through
in Vanity Fair.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Some began mocking them and taunting them and discrediting them
Called on others to beat them up
Interrogated them - treated like criminals, bad people
Accused them of being troublemakers and crazy people (madmen) mentally unbalanced
5. Beat them and smeared with dirt - accused of things that they had not
done
6. Held them responsible for disturbing the peace and causing trouble in
Vanity Fair
7. Made a public spectacle of them - put them on display before the people
at Vanity Fair
8. Were made the subject of jokes - laughed at them
9. Some who were more observant and less prejudiced actually defended
them
10. Some said that the world would be a much better place without them
11. Had restrictions put on them by authorities - “feet were locked in chains”
12. Some accused them of being bad citizens
13. Some accused them of ruining the economic situation of Vanity Fair, being
bad for business
14. Some accused them of being disrespectful to people in authority and to
common men and of being law breakers
15. Some accused them of saying that the religions different from their own
were false and that the followers of these other religions would be damned
and needed to be converted.
16. Some accused them of being opposed to the values that the people of
Vanity Fair have always considered to be most important
17. Some said they were worthy of death and that they should be killed in the
most painful way - hanging was too good for them.
18. Finally, Faithful was condemned to be put to death and Christian was
remanded back to prison for a time until he was able to escape.
172
Why were these men mistreated, oppressed and persecuted? What did they
do to create such a commotion?
1. The Ultimate Reason – The Sinfulness of Man’s Heart






Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful
John 3:20 – they love darkness
Romans 3:10-18
John 15:20-24
Romans 8:6-7
1 Peter 4:1-6
Note names of their chief enemies - Lord Hategood, Envy,
Superstition, Talebearer (Flattery, Gossip), Mr. Malice, Mr. Love
Lust, Mr. Live Loose; Mr. Enmity, Mr. Cruelty, Mr. Implacable
2. Page 81 - tells us that there were several reasons why they created
such a commotion. What were the reasons that Bunyan mentions?
a. Their clothing offended the well dressed people in Vanity Fair. What
were they dressed in that was so offensive to the people in Vanity
Fair?
The righteousness of Jesus Christ





Isaiah 61:10
Romans 13:14
Ephesians 4:22-24
Colossians 3:12-14
1 Peter 5:5
b. Their speech was different; they spoke a different language; people
couldn’t understand them.










Content, manner, purpose
Corinthians 2:17 - we speak in Christ
2 Corinthians 12:19 - we speak before God in Christ
Colossians 4:3,4 - we speak about Christ
Acts 4:20
Acts 8:1- 4
I Thessalonians 2:2 - bold in our God to speak the Gospel
Colossians 4:6
Ephesians 4:15; 25, 29
Ephesians 5:12 - certain things won’t speak about
173

Ephesians 5:20
c. They were different in their values and priorities; many of the things
that the people of Vanity Fair considered most important did not
occupy the same importance to them; some of the things that the
people of Vanity Fair thought were legitimate and proper, they didn’t
think were of any value at all. In fact they thought they were
worthless and dangerous.










Matthew 6:33
Philippians 1:20, 21
Colossians 3:1-3
Hebrews 11:24-26
I Corinthians 10:31-33
Philippians 3:3-14
Jeremiah 9:23,24
Jeremiah 45:5,6
Luke 9:23,24
Cheryl Ford’s comments – (4)
How did Christian and Faithful respond to this mistreatment and
persecution?
1. In general, we can say that they did what the Bible says we ought to
do when mistreated.










Matthew 5:44
1 Corinthians 4:12
Romans 12:14
1 Peter 3:9
1 Peter 2:15
Romans 12:17-21
Did what Jesus did in 1 Peter 2:23
Did what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did in Daniel 3:16-18
Did what Steven did in Acts 7:54-8:1
Did what Paul did in Acts 22, 24 and 26
2. Bunyan indicates that they did not panic, nor counterattack, but
calmly stated the truth and used it as an opportunity to exalt Christ.


Conducted themselves meekly and wisely and patiently in the face
of all the deep, personal disgrace heaped on them.
Faithful’s response.
Why were they able to respond in this way?
174
1. They called to mind the Scriptural teaching and exhortations and warnings
they had heard from their friend Evangelist on pages 83. They used the
Scripture to interpret what was happening to them biblically rather than
their own understanding or insight or even the understanding or insight of
others. They put everything that was happening into biblical perspective.
2. They realized that what was happening to them was not a mistake - was
exactly what God said would happen; also had a purpose - Romans 8:28;
James 1:2-5; see page 83- “They responded with such meekness that it
won to their side … some of those at the fair.” See also first paragraph on
page 89 - Hopeful, a citizen of Vanity Fair was won to Christ through their
example.
3. They comforted and reassured one another - 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11;
Hebrews 10:24,25; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
4. They committed themselves to God - Psalm 37:5; 1 Peter 5:7
5. They found comfort and strength in their knowledge of Who and What God
is - they believed that He is all-wise; they believed that He is sovereign,
that “He rules over all things” and “they contentedly waited for the further
unfolding of His will and purpose.”
CHAPTER 9/SCENE 4 – THE JURY RETURNS A VERDICT
Then the jury went out to deliberate. Their names were Mr. Blind-man, Mr. Nogood, Mr. Malice, Mr. Love-lust, Mr. Live-loose, Mr. Heady, Mr. High-mind, Mr.
Enmity, Mr. Liar, Mr. Cruelty, Mr. Hate-light and Mr. Implacable. All of these
expressed their opinions in the jury room and then agreed to return a unanimous
verdict of guilty. First, Mr. Blind-man, the head juror, spoke and said, “I see
clearly that this man is a heretic.” Then Mr. No-good said, Away with such a man
from the earth.”
“Yes,” said Mr. Malice, “for I hate the very looks of him.” Then Mr. Love-lust
added, “I could never endure him.” “Nor I,” said Mr. Live-loose, “for he would
always be condemning my ways.” “Hang him, hang him,” demanded Mr. Heady.
“He is a miserable bum,” said Mr. High-mind. “My heart swells with anger against
him,” said Mr. Enmity. “He is a worthless person,” said Mr. Liar. “Hanging is too
good for him,” snarled Mr. Cruelty.
“Let’s put him out of the way,” suggested Mr. Hate-light. Then Mr. Implacable
said, “If all the world were offered me for reconciling with this man, I would be
unable to. Therefore, let us immediately recommend the death penalty.”
Chapter concludes with a section on Faithful’s Martyrdom and Departure.
Reads like this:
And so they did. Faithful was condemned to be put to death by the most cruel
means that they could invent.
175
Faithful, so brave in what you’ve done and said,
Judge, witnesses, and jury have instead
Of overcoming you, only shown their rage
When they’re dead, you’ll live from age to age.
So they brought him out to do with him according to their law.
First, they whipped and beat him; then they cut him with knives and swords; after
that they stoned him with stones; and last of all, they burned him to ashes at the
stake. Thus Faithful came to the end of his earthly life. Then I saw that behind
the crowd stood a chariot driven by horses and waiting for Faithful, who, as soon
as his enemies had finished with him, was ushered inside. With the sound of a
trumpet, he was immediately carried up through the clouds-the nearest way to
the Celestial Gate. As for Christian, he was given a temporary delay and was
ordered back to prison where he remained for a time.
But He who overrules all things, having power over their rage in His hand, made
it possible for Christian to escape. After Christian had escaped, he went on his
way singing,
“Well, Faithful, you have faithfully professed
Your Lord, by whom you will surely be blessed;
When faithless ones with all their vain delights,
Are crying out under their hellish plights,
Sing, Faithful, sing, for your name will survive,
For though they killed you, you are yet alive!”
Faithful is Martyred And Christian Spared
See the same things in:



Hebrews 11:32-34 - Different Experiences
Acts 12:1-8 - James & Peter
John 21:18-22
What may we learn from the fact that Faithful was martyred and Christian
was spared?


God has different ways in which He will glorify Himself through His
children. (Taking them home, or delivering them)
God delivers Christians from persecution in different ways.
Page 87 - Bunyan indicates that sometime after Faithful’s martyrdom,
Christian escaped from prison and then went on his way singing.
176
Why do you think Christian was able to go on singing in spite of the terrible
ordeal he and Faithful had experienced?
1. Recalled the counsel of Evangelist
2. They really believed Romans 8:28 – that what was happening to them was
not a mistake – had a purpose
3. They comforted and reassured one another
4. They committed themselves to God.
5. They believed that God was Sovereign, all wise
6. They really believed Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:8
Since Bunyan raises the issue of Christian persecution in this chapter and
since the Bible indicates that in one way or another true Christians will
experience it, let’s turn in our Bibles to a passage that focuses on this
subject and learn some important lessons about it. Revelation 2:8-11
Notice the suffering they endured.
1. Verse 9 and 10 - Christian suffering
a. Wasn’t 1 Peter 4:15 kind of suffering
b. Was 1 Peter 4:12-14, 16 kind of suffering
c. Was John 15:18-25 kind of suffering
2. Verses 9 & 10 - Different kinds of suffering
a. Economically
b. Socially
c. Physically
II. THE ENCOURAGING TRUTHS THEY RECEIVED
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Verse 8 - First and Last
Verse 8 - Was dead and am now alive
Verse 9 - I know
Verse 9 - You are rich
Verses 10 and 11 - Crown of life
These were some of the truths that enabled Faithful and Christian to
respond to their mistreatment in the way they did and these are the truths
when believed that will strengthen and keep us as we go through our
Vanity Fair and experience the mistreatments and injustices of our world.
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER TEN
MAIN SCENES:
177
1. HOPEFUL JOINS CHRISTIAN
2. ENCOUNTER WITH MR. BY-ENDS AND HIS FRIENDS
3. THEY EVALUATE CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL
CHAPTER 10/SCENE 1 – HOPEFUL JOINS CHRISTIAN
Now I saw in my dream that Christian did not have to go very far by himself. He
was joined by one whose name was Hopeful, being made so by observing the
examples of Christian and Faithful in what they said and did during their
sufferings at the fair. The two of them entered into a covenant with one another,
vowing to be companions. So following the death of one who died bearing
testimony to the truth, another was raised up out of his ashes to be a companion
with Christian in his pilgrimage. And Hopeful related to Christian that before long
many more people from the fair would set out to follow them.
WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT BY THE ARRIVAL OF HOPEFUL? – Page 89
6. The importance of Christian fellowship - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Hebrew
10:24,25
7. The importance of hope in the Christian life - 1 of the big three - I
Corinthians 13:13; I Thessalonians 1:3; 5:8; Colossians 1:4,5





1 Peter 1:3
Hebrews 6:18,19
1 Thessalonians 1:3; 5:8
2 Corinthians 3:12
Romans 5:3;12:12
3. That God knows what we need and if we are faithful he will surprise us in
filling that need in unexpected ways. Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:32; Job 42:1016
4. That God often uses the way we respond to difficulties as a powerful witness
to others.



1 Peter 3:15
Acts 7:58; Galatians 1:13
Romans 5:3-5
WHY WAS THIS MAN CALLED HOPEFUL?
1. Because he was a man who was filled with hope.
2. Because he was a man who really believed the promises of God. Romans
15:4
178
3. He really believed. Romans 8:28; John 16:33; Ephesians 1:11; Psalm
115:3; Daniel 4:34,35; Psalm 103:19; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20.
ON PAGE 89 IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH, IT IS STATED THAT CHRISTIAN
AND HOPEFUL ENTERED INTO A COVENANT WITH EACH OTHER. WHAT
DOES IT MEAN TO MAKE A COVENANT? WHAT OTHER WORDS COULD
BE USED AS SYNONYMS FOR A COVENANT?
By definition a covenant is a formal, binding, solemn agreement between two or
more people for the performance of certain actions. It involves taking an oath,
making promises, making a contract, making pledges, taking vows, making a
treaty, making commitments.





Genesis 26:26-29 - Abimelech and Isaac
Joshua 9:15-20
Malachi 2:14 - marriage
1 Samuel 18:3
1 Samuel 20:3-17
WHAT ADVANTAGES DO COVENANTS BRING?




Brings a note of commitment
Lays out parameters
Emphasizes seriousness
Shows who you can count on
IN WHAT AREAS DO CHRISTIANS MAKE COVENANTS TODAY?











Marriage
Parents to Children
Children to parents
Church membership
Child Dedecation
Friendships
Business Contracts
House and Car Purchases
Commit to fulfill obligations to the Church Membership
Fulfill Marriage Vows
Fulfill “one-another” commandments and responsibilities in Scripture
HOW DO MANY PEOPLE TODAY SEEM TO REGARD THE COVENANTS
THEY HAVE MADE?

Not like leaders of Israelites - Joshua 9:15-20
179

Not like David and Jonathan - I Samuel 20:3-17
HOW DOES GOD REGARD THE MAKING AND BREAKING OF A
COVENANT?





Deuteronomy 29:24-25 – Experiencing judgement because they
forsook the Covenant of the Lord
Psalm 15:4
Proverbs 6:1-5
Proverbs 20:25
Ecclesiastes 5:4-6
CHAPTER 10/SCENE 2 – THE PILGRIMS MEET MR. BY-ENDS AND HIS
FRIENDS
Not too long after they left the fair, I saw that they overtook one who had been
traveling ahead of them. They asked him, “Where are you from, sir? And how far
are you traveling this way?” He answered that he had come from the town of
Fair-speech and that he was on his way to the Celestial City.
“From Fair-speech?” asked Christian. “Are there good folks living there?”
“Yes, I certainly think so,” he answered.
“Tell me, sir, what may I call you?” asked Christian.
“Oh, I am a stranger to you, as you are to me. If you are going to be traveling this
way, I will be glad to have your company, but if not, I will have to be content.”
“This town of Fair-speech,” Christian said, “I have heard of it, as I recall, people
say it’s a wealthy place.”
“Yes, I assure you that it is, and I have many rich relatives there.”
“Who are your relatives there, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Well, almost the whole town. Let’s see, some of the more notable ones are Lord
Turn-about, Lord Time-server, and Lord Fair-speech (from whose ancestors the
town first took its name); also, there are Mr. Smooth-man, Mr. Facing-bothways,
and Mr. Any-thing. Our pastor, Rev. Two-tongues, is my mother’s own brother.
To tell you the truth, I have now become a gentleman of high standing, even
though my great-grandfather was only a boatman - looking one way and rowing
another. Actually, I received most of my estate from those of the same
occupation.”
“Well, almost the whole town. Let’s see, some of the more notable ones are Lord
Turn-about, Lord Time-server, and Lord Fair-speech (from whose ancestors the
town first took its name); also, there are Mr. Smooth-man, Mr. Facing-bothways,
and Mr. Any-thing. Our pastor, Rev. Two-tongues, is my mother’s own brother.
To tell you the truth, I have now become a gentleman of high standing, even
though my great-grandfather was only a boatman - looking one way and rowing
another. Actually, I received most of my estate from those of the same
occupation.”
180
“Are you a married man?” asked Christian.
By-ends smiled proudly. “Yes, and my wife is a very fine and virtuous woman
who is also the daughter of such a woman. She is Lady Feigning’s daughter and
so comes from a very honorable and prestigious family. She has acquired such a
high degree of poise and sophistication that she knows precisely how to conduct
herself with both prince and peasant alike.”
WHAT KIND OF A MAN WAS MR. BY- ENDS?






Proud, Sophisticated, Self Sufficient, Politically Correct, Deceitful,
Hypocrite, False Professors
From Fair Speech - rationalizes and mitigates the seriousness and
consequences of sin, focuses on a perversion of God’s grace to the
exclusion of His holiness and justice and judgments and wrath.
Married to Lady Feigning’s daughter
Wealthy place
Rich relatives
Thinks he was on his way to heaven
Mr. BY-ENDS RELIGION
“It is true, our faith differs in some respects from those of the stricter sort, but only
in a couple of minor points. First, we go with the flow; we never strive against the
wind or current. Second, we are always more zealous for religion when it is
refined and elegant - wearing silver slippers, so to speak. We love to walk boldly
in the streets with religion when the sun is shining upon it and people are
applauding it.”
After hearing this, Christian stepped aside to talk to his friend Hopeful. “It dawns
on me that this man may be Mr. By-Ends from Fair-speech. If it is, we have in our
company as tricky and deceitful a person as lives in all these parts.”
“Well, ask him,” said Hopeful. “I don’t think he will be ashamed of his name.”
So Christian returned to him again and said, “Sir, in listening to you talk about
yourself and your views, if I am not mistaken, I have a pretty good idea who you
are. Are you Mr. By-Ends of Fair-speech?”
After hearing this, Christian stepped aside to talk to his friend Hopeful. “It dawns
on me that this man may be Mr. By-Ends from Fair-speech. If it is, we have in our
company as tricky and deceitful a person as lives in all these parts.”
“Well, ask him,” said Hopeful. “I don’t think he will be ashamed of his name.”
So Christian returned to him again and said, “Sir, in listening to you talk about
yourself and your views, if I am not mistaken, I have a pretty good idea who you
are. Are you Mr. By-Ends of Fair-speech?”
After hearing this, Christian stepped aside to talk to his friend Hopeful. “It dawns
on me that this man may be Mr. By-Ends from Fair-speech. If it is, we have in our
181
company as tricky and deceitful a person as lives in all these parts.”
“Well, ask him,” said Hopeful. “I don’t think he will be ashamed of his name.”
So Christian returned to him again and said, “Sir, in listening to you talk about
yourself and your views, if I am not mistaken, I have a pretty good idea who you
are. Are you Mr. By-Ends of Fair-speech?”
After hearing this, Christian stepped aside to talk to his friend Hopeful. “It dawns
on me that this man may be Mr. By-Ends from Fair-speech. If it is, we have in our
company as tricky and deceitful a person as lives in all these parts.”
“Well, ask him,” said Hopeful. “I don’t think he will be ashamed of his name.”
So Christian returned to him again and said, “Sir, in listening to you talk about
yourself and your views, if I am not mistaken, I have a pretty good idea who you
are. Are you Mr. By-Ends of Fair-speech?”
“That is not my name, but yes, it is a nick-name that was given to me by some
who cannot stand me. I must be content to bear it as a reproach as other good
people have had to before me.”
“But did you ever give anyone good reason to call you by this name?”
“Never, never! The most I ever did to give reason for calling me this name was
that I have always had the good luck to be able to adjust my views to the present
trends of the times.”
“Whenever I have had a chance to gain, I have employed this ability, and if I
have prospered in this way, let me count it a blessing. But don’t let those who are
malicious burden me with their scorn.”
“I thought you were the man I had heard of,” Christian responded. “Let me tell
you what I think; I fear this name is more appropriate for you than you are willing
for us to believe.”
WHAT KIND OF RELIGION DID HE HAVE? WHAT ARE HIS TWO GOALS?
WHAT TWO THINGS DOES HE TRY TO DO AT THE SAME TIME? WHAT
DOES HIS NAME IMPLY HE IS TRYING TO DO? WHAT IS HIS WORLD
VIEW?
1. Go with the flow vs. persecution and contempt
2. Refined and elegant life (silver slippers) vs. rags and physical hardship
(doesn’t want the Smyrna kind of religion)
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SUCH A PERSON?




James 1:8
James 4:4,8 – friend of the world is an enemy of God
Matt 6:24 Josh 24:15 – as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord
182
“Well,” said By-ends, “I cannot help what you think. You will find me a good
traveling companion if you allow me to continue walking with you.”
“If you travel with us,” said Christian, “you will have to go against the wind and
current, and I believe this is contrary to your belief. You must also embrace this
faith, not only when it wears silver slippers, but also when it is dressed in rags.
You must stand by it when it is cast into prison as well as when it parades
triumphantly through the streets and receives applause.”
“But you shouldn’t impose your views on me, nor lord it over my faith,” responded
By-ends.
“Allow me to walk in my liberty and at the same time continue on with you.”
“No,” said Christian. “Unless you intend to do what I have presented to you, as
we intend to do, we won’t be traveling another step together.”
Then By-ends said, “I will never desert my old principles; not only are they
harmless, but they are also very profitable for me. If I cannot go with you, I must
continue on as before and go by myself until someone comes along who will
enjoy my company.”
Now I saw in my dream that Christian and Hopeful left him and went on ahead,
keeping their distance from him. After awhile, one of them happened to look back
and saw three men following Mr. By-ends. As they caught up with him, they
greeted each other warmly. Their names were Mr. Hold-the-world, Mr. Moneylove and Mr. Save-all. Mr. By-ends had known all of them previously. In their
younger years they had been schoolmates and had been taught by Mr. Graspman.
He was a teacher from the town of Love-gain, a center of commercialism in the
northern County of Coveting. This teacher had trained them well in the art of
getting ahead by whatever means, whether by violence, cheating, flattery, lying,
or by putting on an external appearance of religion. These four had excelled to
such a degree in their teacher’s art that each of them could have run such a
school by himself.
This Section illustrates:






Amos 3:3 – must agree if you are to walk together
1 John 2:19
1 Cor 11:19
Gal 5:13
Eph 5:6-11
2 Tim 3:1-5 – avoid men like these
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CONVICTIONS THAT MR. BY-ENDS AND HIS
FRIENDS HAD ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL AND RELIGION IN PARTICULAR?
1. Should adjust your views to the present trends of the time – Seeker
sensitive, user friendly religion
2. Should not let malicious people burden me with their scorn.
183
3. Should not allow anything to stand in the way of me making a financial
gain.
4. User friendly kind of religion; it should make people feel good; don’t let
anything stand in your way of getting ahead.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 – Preach the Gospel at all times, but some will not
endure sound doctrines, will turn aside.
5. Get ahead materially
CHAPTER 10/SCENE 3 – THEY EVALUATE CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL
After they had greeted one another, Mr. Money-love asked Mr. By-ends, “Who
are they on the road ahead of us?” For Christian and Hopeful were still within
view.
Mr. By-ends replied, “They are men from a
distant country who are, in their own way, going on a pilgrimage.”
“Too bad! Why didn’t they wait so that we could enjoy their company?” asked Mr.
Money-love. “After all, aren’t we all going on a pilgrimage?”
“True to their headstrong manner,” replied Mr. By-ends, “They have concluded
that it is their duty to rush forward on their journey no matter what the weather; I,
on the other hand, am for waiting for favorable wind and current. They are risking
all for God at the snap of a finger; I am for taking advantage of every opportunity
to secure my life and estate. They are for holding to their ideas even though all
the world would be against them; I, however, am for religion insofar as the times,
conditions, and my safety allow it. They are for religion when walking in rags and
abuse; I am for it when it walks in silver slipper, in sunshine, and with applause.”
THIS SECTION ILLUSTRATES




Religious hypocrites are united against believers
Some sinners are more greedy than others
Real believers will be accused to be legalists by the liberals
Some are more skilled at teaching people to be greedy and wicked than
others
“At this, Mr. Hold-the-world spoke up. “Ah, yes, Mr. By-ends, hold to your
position. In my opinion, whoever has the freedom to keep what he possesses but
is unwise enough to lose it is a fool! Let us be wise as serpents. Make hay when
the sun shines. And can’t you see how the bee lies still all winter but rouses
herself again only when she can enjoy her gain? Sometimes God sends rain and
sometimes sunshine; if they are such fools as to go through the rain, let us be
content to take the good weather along with us. As for me, I like that religion best
that will favor the security of God’s good blessings to us.
Can anyone who listens to the dictates of common sense imagine that God, who
has bestowed on us the good things of this life, does not want us to keep them
for His sake? Abraham and Solomon grew rich through their religion, and even
184
Job says that a good man shall ‘lay up gold as dust.’ But these great men differ
from those two ahead of us if they are as you have described them.”
“I think we all agree concerning this matter, so there is no need to discuss it any
further,” concluded Mr. Save-all.
Mr. Money-love agreed. “No, we need not waste any more words over this
matter. For he who believes neither Scripture nor reason - and we have both on
our side - neither knows his own liberty nor seeks his own safety.”
HOW DID MR. BY ENDS AND HIS FRIENDS MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT
WHAT WAS RIGHT AND WRONG? HOW DID THEY USE THE SCRIPTURE?
IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, WHAT WAS THEIR FINAL AUTHORITY? PAGES
122-127
1. Getting ahead by whatever means they can and/or by religious pretense.
2. Right is whatever suits us; whatever is meaningful and fulfilling to us. Use
your common sense.
3. Used Scripture in a proof text manner; selectively, practiced eisegesis.
A Question From Mr. By-ends:
“My brothers,” said Mr. By-ends, “as you know, we are all going on a pilgrimage,
and for a positive diversion from unpleasant things, allow me to propose this
question: Suppose a person - a minister, a businessman, or other - should have
an opportunity to get the good blessings of this life. However, the only way he
can attain them, it seems, is to become extraordinarily zealous in certain religious
matters that he previously had shown no interest in. Can he still be an honest
man while taking advantage of this means to achieve his end?”
At this, Mr. Money-love quickly replied, “I can see your purpose in asking this
question, and if you gentlemen will permit me, I will propose a suitable answer.
First of all, I would like to speak to your question as it concerns the minister.
Suppose a minister, a worthy person, has received very little compensation but
has set his sights on a much higher standard of living. Suddenly he has the
opportunity of getting it - but by being more studious, by preaching more
frequently and zealously, and by altering some of his principles in order to
accommodate the disposition of his listeners. As far as I am concerned, I see no
reason why a man may not do this, and even a great deal more, provided he has
a calling from God. He is still a man of integrity, and here are my reasons why:
“First, no one can argue the legality of his desire for greater compensation, and
God Himself has set before him the opportunity to improve his lot. So, then, he
may get it if he can do so without any question of conscience.
“Second, his desire for more money makes him more studious, and thus a better
teacher and a more zealous preacher. He has therefore greatly improved himself
and is a better man for it - and this is obviously in accordance with the will and
purpose of God.”
185
“Third, his accommodation to the dissenting opinions of his people by yielding
some of his principles in order to serve them will exemplify a self-denying spirit
and a gentle yet winning demeanor. Thus he will demonstrate that he is all the
more fit to fulfill the obligations of ministry.
“Fourth, I will conclude by saying that a minister who exchanges a little for much
should not be judged as covetous for doing so. Rather, since he has improved
his lot in life and, in so doing, has also improved his level of competence in his
work, then let him be viewed as one who diligently pursues his calling and makes
the most of every opportunity that has been given him to do good.”
“And now to the second part of the question, concerning the businessman you
mentioned. Let’s suppose his business has been meager in this world, but by
becoming religious, his market may improve dramatically. He may be able to get
a rich wife or more numerous and perhaps wealthier customers. I am of the
opinion that there is no reason why this could not be legitimately done, and this is
why: First, to become religious is commendable, regardless of the means by
which a person does so. Second, there is nothing wrong with getting a rich wife
or more and better customers. Another way of looking at it is that the one who
receives these blessings by becoming religious gets good things from good
people by becoming good himself. So here we have a good wife, good
customers, and a good livelihood - all by becoming religious - and that is good!
My conclusion, then, is that it is a very good and profitable objective to become a
devout person for the purpose of receiving all these benefits.”
WHAT RATIONALIZATIONS DID MR. BY-ENDS AND FRIENDS GIVE FOR
THEIR LIFE STYLE?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
End justifies the means
It is right to do wrong to do right
Minister’s desire for more money will make him more studious
Yielding to desires of people will exemplify a self denying spirit
A minister who exchanges little for much should not be judged as
covetous because in seeking to get ahead he has become more
competent.
6. If becoming religious helps you become wealthy, that’s good because it
made you religious. Becomes good through seeking good things. How
then can you say that it is a bad thing to use religion to get ahead?
Christian Answers His Question:
“Mr. Money-love’s answer to Mr. By-end’s question was well received and highly
applauded by all of his companions. They heartily endorsed all of his conclusions
and thought them to be extremely insightful and profitable. The thought occurred
to them that no one would be able to refute these arguments. And because
Christian and Hopeful were still within earshot, and in light of their earlier
opposition to Mr. By-ends, they all decided to quickly catch up with Christian and
186
Hopeful in order to present the same question to them. So they called after the
two until they stopped and waited for them.
Meanwhile, as they were walking to meet them, it was decided that old Mr. Holdthe-world would pose the question to them instead of Mr. By-ends. They didn’t
want Christian and Hopeful’s answer to be influenced by the heat of controversy
kindled between them and Mr. By-ends at their earlier parting.
The group caught up with the two, and after a friendly greeting, Mr. Hold-theworld posed the question to Christian and his friend, inviting them to answer it if
they could.
This was Christian’s reply, “Even a baby in the faith can answer ten thousand
such questions. For it is wrong to follow Christ for loaves and fish - as it is - how
much an abomination it is to use Him and religion as a means to get and enjoy
the world! Only pagans, hypocrites, devils, witches, and sorcerers are of such an
opinion. Let me explain:
“First, let me tell you about pagans. Hamor and Shechem wanted Jacob’s
daughter and his cattle as well, but they saw that there was no way to obtain
them except by being circumcised. They told their friends, ‘If every male among
us is circumcised as they are, won’t all their cattle, money, and everything of
theirs become ours?’ In seeking to obtain daughters and cattle, they used religion
as a pretense to get what they wanted. You can read the whole story.”
“Then there are the hypocritical Pharisees. They were of this same faith. Long,
impressive prayers were their pretense, but their intent was to cheat widows out
of their houses. God will judge them with greater damnation.”
“Third, there are the devils of which Judas was one; he was also of this religion.
He was religious so that he could carry the common purse, hoping that he might
possess what was inside. But he was lost, cast off, the very son of perdition.”
“Then, fourth, are the witches and sorcerers. Simon was of this religion, for he
desired to receive the Holy Spirit only for the money he hoped to gain with His
power. Peter sentenced him accordingly.”
“Fifth, I cannot help but believe that the person who takes up religion in order to
gain the world will also throw it away just as quickly in order to gain the world.
Judas, for example, hoped to gain the world by embracing the faith, but he
subsequently sold his faith - as well as his Master - for the same purpose.
Therefore, to answer this question affirmatively, as I perceive you have done,
and to say that such a motive can be viewed as acceptable and authentic faith,
seems to me to be pagan, hypocritical, and devilish. If you adhere to this
position, your reward will be according to your works.”
187
At this they just stood staring at each other! No one knew how to answer
Christian, so there was a prolonged silence between them. Hopeful was pleased
with the soundness of Christian’s reply, but Mr. By-ends and his friends lagged
behind in order to keep a good distance between Christian and Hopeful and
themselves. Christian said to his brother, “If these men cannot stand before mere
mortals, how will they stand before God? And if they are silenced by mere
earthen vessels, what will they do when they are rebuked by the One whose
tongue is a consuming fire?”
HOW DID CHRISTIAN ANSWER MR BY-ENDS AND HIS FRIENDS?
With Scripture!
1. It is wrong to follow Christ for the loaves and fish He can provide.
2. This is a pagan, not Christian perspective - Genesis 34 -Hamor and
Shechem were willing to be circumcised to get Jacob's daughter
3. Used the illustration of the Pharisees whom Jesus condemned- Luke
20:46-47
4. Used the illustration of Judas - Matthew 26 and 27
5. Used the illustration of Simon the Sorcerer - Acts 8:19-22
6. Person who comes to religion for these reasons will leave when he
doesn’t get what he wants - 2 Timothy 4:10, Judas; 2 Peter 2:1-3; I
Timothy 6:3-5
What are some biblical examples of people who were the predecessors of
Mr. By-Ends and His friends?
1. Balaam - Numbers 22; 2 Peter 2:15,16; Jude 10 & 11
2. People in church at Pergamos - Revelation 2:12-17
The Compromising Church - soft in the area of practical Christian living
I. Verse 13 - lived where Satan’s throne was.
II. Verse 13 - where many Christians were holding fast
III. Verses 14 and 15 - Not true of all
IV. Verse 14 - Holding whole church responsible - didn’t do what Christian did in
Pilgrim’s Progress chapter 10.
3. People in church at Thyatira - Revelation 2:18 – 29
I. Verse 20 - Jezebel was a teacher - in leadership
II. Verse 20 - Tolerated her

IDENTIFY SOME OF THE CONVICTIONS THAT MR. BY-ENDS AND HIS
FRIENDS HAD ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL AND RELIGION IN
PARTICULAR?
188

HOW DID MR. BY ENDS AND HIS FRIENDS MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT
WHAT WAS RIGHT AND WRONG? HOW DID THEY USE THE
SCRIPTURE? IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, WHAT WAS THEIR FINAL
AUTHORITY? - PAGES 90 - 92

WHAT RATIONALIZATIONS DID MR. BY-ENDS AND FRIENDS GIVE FOR
THEIR LIFE STYLE? P. 93 & 94

WHAT WAS THEIR VIEW OF HOPEFUL AND CHRISTIAN AND THEIR
TYPE OF CHRISTIANITY? HOW DO THEY DESCRIBE THEM? WHAT
WAS THEIR EVALUATION OF CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL?

IDENTIFY SOME BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO WERE THE
PREDECESSORS OF MR. BY-END AND HIS FRIENDS.

DOES MR. BY-ENDS HAVE ANY DESCENDANTS ALIVE TODAY?
WHERE MIGHT THESE DESCENDANTS BE FOUND? HOW WOULD
(DOES) THE FACT THAT A PERSON IS ONE OF HIS DESCENDANTS
MANIFEST ITSELF TODAY?

WHAT MAKES THEIR REASONING SO APPEALING? ARE YOU EVER
TEMPTED TO THINK LIKE MR. BY-ENDS OR ONE OF HIS FRIENDS?
WHEN?

WHAT CAN WE DO TO AVOID THEIR WAY OF THINKING AND THEIR
LIFE STYLE?

WHAT BIBLICAL REASONS DOES CHRISTIAN GIVE FOR REJECTING
THEIR VIEWS OF CHRISTIANITY? SEE PAGES 94-95
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER ELEVEN
VARIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE EXPERIENCES – PAGES 141 – 156
6 SCENES
1. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARRIVE AT THE PLAIN CALLED EASE Pages 141 - 143
2. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO AN OLD MONUMENT: THE
PILLAR OF LOT’S WIFE - Pages 143 - 145
3. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO A PLEASANT RIVER - THE
RIVER OF GOD – Page 145
4. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARE TEMPTED TO LEAVE THE ROUGH
WAY – Page 146
189
5. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ENTER BY-PATH MEADOW - Pages 146 148
6. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ENCOUNTER GIANT DESPAIR AND
ESCAPE FROM HIM- Pages 148 - 153
CHAPTER 11/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO THE PLAIN
CALLED EASE.
Several facts about this place –
1. Is a plain - level spot
2. Is a lovely plain - attractive and desirable
3. Called ease - set at ease - ease the pain - Take your ease - times of
relief - experience comfort, related to the word easy - times when
things are going rather easily for us; when we are freed from
discomfort, difficulty, persecution, load is lightened. Freedom from
temptation, hardship, pressure.





Israelites - Deuteronomy 8:7-10
Paul - Philippians 4:12 - prosperity, abundance
Jesus and disciples - Mark 6:31 - to a lonely place and rest for awhile
Jesus and His disciples - Matthew 17:1-13
Jesus - Luke 19:28-38 - triumphal entry
4. Is a small plain - quickly pass through it





Acts 14:22 - much tribulation
John 16:33 - shall have tribulation
2 Timothy 3:12 - will suffer persecution
Life of Paul - 2 Corinthians 4:7-11
Life of Jesus
NOTE WHAT HAPPENED TO CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL AS THEY WERE
GOING THROUGH THE PLAIN CALLED EASE
Came to a little hill called Lucre at the far side of the plain.
LET’S IDENTIFY WHAT THIS HILL CALLED LUCRE REPRESENTS
1. KJV = uses the word in 1 Timothy 3:3 and 8 - not greedy of filthy lucre;
NASV. = V. 3 -free from the love of money - v. 8 - not to be fond of sordid
gain; 1 Peter 5:2 - should serve voluntarily and not for the sake of filthy
lucre (KJV) - not for sordid gain (NASV)
190
2. Describing the temptation to become too interested in making money, too
focused on materialism - like the man in Luke 12:15-21; I Timothy 6:9,10
3. Note Bunyan describes this hill as a little hill - page 141.
WHEN BUNYAN CALLS THIS A LITTLE HILL HE’S TRYING TO CONVEY
THE IDEA THAT:
1. This temptation to be concerned about making money seems harmless;
seems relatively acceptable. Doesn’t seem to be nearly not as bad or
serious as many other sins. Don’t think of materialism in the same way
we do other sins.
2. This temptation to focus on making money is not very easily
recognized; can be disguised or justified by a legitimate desire to take
care of family, etc.
3. Bunyan knows his Bible and he knows human beings:
a. He knows that though the desire for material things may seem to be a little
hill, it is really a prevalent and powerful and destructive temptation.
b. Bunyan knows this from studying his Bible:
 He knows what 1 Timothy 6:9-11 says about the desire for money those who love money fall into temptation and snares- come under the
control of many foolish and harmful desires- are plunged into ruin and
destruction- become involved in all sorts of evil- wander away- pierce
themselves- many a pang.
 2 Peter 2:1-3 - those who love money will exploit people to get it
 Deuteronomy 8:10-16 - when people have it, they are often tempted to
forget God-become proud -Proverbs 30:8,9 - forget God
 Proverbs 18:11 - wealth - strong city - becomes a high wall for them
 Jeremiah 22:13-17 - misuse others, inconsiderate, unjust, unrighteous
, selfish life style
 Ezekiel 28:4-5 - become proud, arrogant
 Amos 6:1-6 - superiority, violence, wasteful, entertainment oriented,
selfish, uncompassionate
 Micah 6:11-12 - violent, deceitful, treacherous
 1 Timothy 6:17 - trust in riches, become high minded
WHO WAS DEMAS AND WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HIM?
Demas is mentioned three times in Scripture:
1. Colossians 4:14 - sends greetings
2. Philemon 23 and 24 - fellow worker
191
3. 2 Timothy 4:10 – having loved this present world has deserted me and
gone to Thessalonica.
WHAT DOES DEMAS TRY TO GET HOPEFUL AND CHRISTIAN TO DO?
1. To turn aside from the straight and narrow way, to adopt the religious
views and concerns of Mr. By-ends. Claimed to be one of their brothers 141.
2. To get them to think that focusing on making money was not dangerous to
the Christian life; tried to minimize the power of this temptation.
3. To get them to think that we could do what Jesus said you can’t do in
Matthew 6:24.
4. To get them to focus on doing what Jesus said we should not focus on Matthew 6:19-21.
Page 142 Bunyan indicates that Christian and Hopeful did not succumb to
the enticements of Demas.
WHAT WAS IT THAT KEPT CHRISTIAN FROM SUCCUMBING TO THE
ENTICEMENT OF DEMAS? P. 141 – 142
1. Remembered what Scripture said about Demas
2. Recognized the seriousness of materialism - those who follow Demas’
example will suffer a similar condemnation.
3. Realized that Jesus Christ would know if they made an idol out of
money.
4. Thought of the day when they would stand in the immediate presence
of Christ and give an account of themselves.
5. Realized that if they focused too much on the value of money they
would be ashamed when they stand before Him; - 1 John 2:28
6. Remembered what the Scripture says about two other people who did
what Demas did:


Gehazi Elisha’s servant – given leprosy - 2 Kings 5:15-27
Judas - Matthew 26:14-15; 27:1-6
CHAPTER 11/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO AN OLD
MONUMENT: THE PILLAR OF LOT’S WIFE
Pages 143 - 145
1. An Old Monument 
Definition - “ lasting evidence, reminder, or example of someone
notable or great”
192

Washington, DC a number of monuments - Washington or Lincoln; so
here is RSA
2. Luke 17:32 - Lot’s wife is to be a reminder or example of something to us;
I Corinthians 10:11
WHAT DOES JESUS WANT US TO BE REMINDED OF BY THE STORY OF
LOT’S WIFE?


Genesis 19:1-26, especially verses 17 to 26 – she wanted to go back in
her heart.
Luke 17:22-33 – you must first suffer and endure, remember Lot’s wife.
WHAT LESSONS SHOULD WE LEARN FROM THE STORY OF LOT’S WIFE?
1. Seriousness of covetousness - page 142 2. God wants us to learn from the bad things that happen to others because
of their disobedience so that we will not follow their example - page 142 3. We may escape one judgment and be overtaken by another - page 142.
4. Remember that God hates all sin - page 142.
5. Remember that God wants us to obey him completely - Genesis 19:17
6. Remember that God wants us to be zealous and fervent in our obedience
to Him - Genesis 19:17,22; Luke 17:22-33
7. Remember that God wants heart obedience, not just external obedienceGenesis 19:26
8. Remember that God wants us to see sin for what it is and hate it for what
it is - 2 Peter 2:7,8
9. Remember that the way we respond to God’s warnings against sin and
the examples of God’s judgment reveals the condition of our hearts - page
143 .



Mark 7:20-21
Acts 8:21
Luke 6:43-45
10. Remember that God wants us to see sin for what it is and hate it for
what it is - 2 Peter 2:7,8
11. Remember that when we come to Christ we must be willing to give
up everything for His sake - Luke 17:32, 33; Luke 14:26,27; Luke
9:23,24
CHAPTER 11/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO THE RIVER
OF GOD
PAGES 145
193
1. Came to a river – abundance of water - Psalm 46:4; Psalm 65:9-10
2. Of God - Psalm 65:9 – He is the source = Revelation 22:1; John 7:37-39
3. Psalm 46: 4 - River that makes glad - Bunyan = pleasant river
a. Some rivers we face in life are dangerous and destructive and
debilitating
 Isaiah 43:1,2 –
 Pages 146 and 147 –
b. This river is pleasant
c. See context of Psalm 46:4 - verses 2,3,6,9 – divides into streams, various
ways in which God refreshes His people.
d. Revelation 22:1-2 – the water of life, from the throne of God, makes those
who have access to it to be constantly fruitful
e. Jeremiah 17:7-8 – What happens to people when they have a river.
f. Page 145 has a description of what happened to them when they came to
this river - They were revitalized, comforted, find rest.
4. Psalm 46:4 - This river makes glad the city of God – Passages that
describe this city.





Psalm 48:1-3
Psalm 87:1-3
Psalm 101:8
Isaiah 60:14
Hebrews 11:22,23; Revelation 3:12; 22:10ff
5. Psalm 46:4 - This river of God that makes glad the city divides into
streams – different ways that the Lord refreshes us





Meditation on the Word - Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 119:25, 28, 50
Prayer - Isaiah 40:31
The Lord’s day - Exodus 23:12 and 31:14-17
Church meetings - Psalm 20:2
Different people act to refresh another’s spirit - 1 Cor 16:18; 2 Cor 7:5-7,
13; Acts 28:15; 2 Tim 1:15,16; Philemon 7
CHAPTER 11/SCENE 4 – TEMPTED TO TRAVEL IN BY-PATH MEADOW
Pages 146 - 153 Bunyan describes for us a time when Christian and
Hopeful have an encounter with the Giant Despair. As we look at this
account I believe we can learn much about a Biblical approach to the
problem of Depression and Despair. In particular, as we look at this
account I want us to answer 3 Questions:
SLIDE 30
194
I. When did they come into the clutches of Giant Despair?
A. Happened when they turned aside to walk in By – Path Meadow.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Meadow – easier, more pleasant, less demanding
By path – page 146 – a bit off the way…
Way that others were traveling – was a man ahead of them.
Bunyan wants us to know that there are many paths out there for
us to travel.
 Some are obviously wrong and dangerous paths – sins of
commission.
 Others - not so obviously wrong – seem to be running
parallel. Sins of omission like not trusting, worried,
discontent, unthankful, selfish, lack self control,
 Jesus in Matthew 7:13,14
 Matthew 4:1-13
 2 Peter 2:1-3
 Proverbs 14:12
 Proverbs 12:15
B. Important to note when they were tempted to travel in By-path
Meadow
1. After they had just experienced a time of great spiritual blessing Matthew 3:13-4:13
2. At a time when the River and the way parted for a time - Psalm
42,43,63
3. The way from the River was rough - Numbers 21:4; 32:7-9
4. Their feet were already sore
5. They were becoming discouraged and discontented with their present
situation - 1 Corinthians 10:10-12
6. They allowed their desire for a better, easier way to control them; their
desire became a demand; when they began to think of their wants as
needs. It becomes an idol in our lives.
7. They began to trust their own judgment and to lean to their own
understanding, rather than Scripture - Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 14:15
8. When one of them was willing to follow the counsel of the other even
though no Scriptural basis was given for doing what they were about to
do - middle of Page 146; Romans 14:23
9. When they became overly confident in their spiritual abilities and
discernment - Page 146.
 Isaiah 2:22 – cease trusting in man
 Jeremiah 17:5-6 – cursed is the man who trusts in man
 Proverbs 28:6 – better is the poor who walks in his integrity
10. When they became focused on themselves rather than on God
195


Matthew 16:26 – what will it profit a man if he loses his soul
Luke 9:23-24 – deny yourself
C. Note what happened to them when they began to travel in By – Path
Meadow.
1. When they first entered By-path meadow they experienced some pleasure
and relief - Psalm 73:3-5; Proverbs 9:12: Proverbs 20:17.
2. Became more confident that they had made the right decision; allowed
signs and experience and pleasant feelings to justify their decision to
leave the rough path; See page 146.
3. However, Bunyan tells us that as they proceeded in By-Path Meadow
night time overtook them and they began to have some unpleasant
experiences:
a. Grew very dark – Isaiah 50:10
b. Lost sight of Vain Confidence eventually they heard him fall into a deep
pit
c. Became insecure and confused - didn’t know where they were or what
to do
d. Began to wonder if they had made a horrible mistake
e. Began to wish that they had never turned aside to By-path Meadow; to
wish that they were back on the straight and narrow way.
f. Began to understand the the value of walking in faith and obedience
even if the way gets rough.
g. Became more firmly aware of the importance of trusting God and
obeying His Word rather than your own judgment or opinion.
h. Hopeful learned the painful lesson that you should not put your implicit
trust in anyone, even an older, more mature and godly Christian, other
than Christ.
 Acts 17:11
 Isaiah 2:22
 1 Corinthians 11:1 – follow me AS I follow Christ.
 Psalm 146:3-7 - Don’t trust in princes or in mortal man
 Jeremiah 17:5
4. When they began to realize that they had made a serious mistake,
Bunyan tells us that Hopeful admonished and gently rebuked
Christian for misleading him.
a. Could look at this as an attempt on the part of Hopeful to excuse self Romans 14:10-12 – every man will give account of himself before God
b. Or could look on this as an attempt to warn Christian - Galatians 6:1;
Luke 17:3
196
5. At this point on page 147, Bunyan tells us that Christian is convicted
of his wrong doing and does what we should do when we have
misled other people:
a. Expresses his sorrow over being a bad example and misleading
Hopeful.
b. Asks for forgiveness - Matthew 5:23,24.
c. Also mentions that he had not done it with evil intent
 1 Timothy 1:13
 Psalm 19:12-13 – cleanse me from secret sins
 Luke 12:42-43
6. When Christian does asks for forgiveness, Hopeful does what every
Christian should do when others ask for forgiveness. See page 147.




Luke 17:3
Ephesians 4:31-32
Colossians 3:13
Romans 8:28
7. Following this, we have an interesting little episode where Christian
and Hopeful discuss who should take the leadership at this point.
a. Christian volunteers to take the lead in case there is danger in going
back - Page 147.
b. Hopeful refuses to allow him to do this because he may lead them
astray again because of his sorrow - Page 147.
c. What biblical principle do we see operating here?



Romans 12:10
Philippians 2:3-4
Philippians 2:19ff
8. Page 147, Bunyan tells us they heard a voice saying that they should
return to the way from which they had departed. Two things:
a. Bunyan didn’t believe in extra-biblical revelations - speaking
figuratively.
b. Voice told him to return to the biblical way.
9. Page 148, Bunyan tells us that several things happened at this point:
a. Going back was very dangerous.
b. Did make an effort to go back.
197
c. As they attempted to go back, the waters were so high that they almost
drowned 9 or 10 times.
d. They decided that they couldn’t get back that night.
e. They found a little shelter and decided to stay there until daybreak.
10. What does this little shelter represent?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Represents a less than biblical attempt to try to deal with their sin.
Represents all band aid attempts.
Represent what David did in Psalm 32:3-4
Might represent comparing yourself with others who seem to have
done far worse things.
e. Might represent trying to compensate for refined sins by your good
deeds.
II. Why did they come into the clutches of Giant Despair?
On pages 148, Bunyan tells us that while they were sleeping in their little
shelter, they were captured by the Giant Despair.
WHAT CHRISTIAN LIFE EXPERIENCE DOES GIANT DESPAIR
REPRESENT?
1. Represents the kind of despair and depression that a person may
experience when he is under conviction of sin and doesn’t deal with
his sins in a biblical way.






David - Psalm 32:3,4
Judas - Matthew 27:1-5
Christian - chapter 1, pages 1 and 2, 6 - slough of despond
Christian - chapter 2 – page 13
Man in Iron Cage - chapter 3 – pages 35- 36
Christian and Hopeful - chapter 11 - Page 148
2. Note - Bunyan describes this experience as Giant Despair - same
kind as:




David had - Psalm 32:3-4 – Wayne Mack - “Out of the Blues” - 11.1.
Man in Iron Cage had - 11.2 - Chapter 3, p.35
Woman I counseled had – “Out of the Blues” - 11.3
In “Out of the Blues” I write this about Christian and Hopeful’s
depression - 11.4 (22 - 23)
WHAT WERE THE CAUSES OF THEIR DEPRESSION? P. 147 - 149- 2 kinds:
a. The secondary or circumstantial or contributing factors, not causes!
(P 147-150)
198
a. Lost their confidence in themselves
b. Lack of necessities of life for a lengthy period of time - food and water
c. Uncertainty about what would become of them and no one to ask for
information
d. Physical abuse
e. Verbal abuse, mockery and ridicule
f. Physical disabilities, fatigue, weakness, physical exhaustion
g. They were far away from family/friends
h. Extreme pain from the beatings they received
i. Someone advised them that there was no hope of their situation ever
changing
j. Someone advised them that the only solution to their problems was
death
k. Someone provided the materials that they could use in committing
suicide
l. Someone painted a bleak picture of their future
m. Someone with power threatened them with horrible abuse in the future
n. All of this happened continuously and over a period of time
b. Some might think that what we’ve described thus far are the causes
of their depression. Not so – what we’ve discussed thus far are
merely the secondary or circumstantial causes; real reasons for their
depression lie elsewhere. Ultimately they became depressed
because :
a. They had chosen to depart from the way of faith in God and
obedience to God to enter By-path Meadow
b. They had sinned and were aware of their sin - “they knew they
were guilty”
c. They tried to deal with their sin in a sub biblical way
d. They were perplexed and confused about what to do – either didn’t
know the Word or didn’t turn to it
e. They were struggling with doubts about and distrust in God – didn’t
resist doubts or feed their faith
f. They thought that there was no way of escape - their situation was
hopeless - that they would have to live the rest of their lives in
bondage to despair – overlooked I Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 2:14; Romans
8:37; I Peter 1:3
g. They had focused on their problems, difficulties rather than who
and what their God was, His commands and promises
h. They had forgotten that Satan’s power was limited – Job 12; Col.
2:14, 15
i. Christian had forgotten that the death doesn’t end it all – Heb. 9:27
j. Christian was not remembering the Sovereignty of God – Dan.
4:34,35; Matt. 19:26; Jer. 32:17
199
k. Christian was forgetting his past victories and deliverances – Psalm
103:1 - 3
l. 12). Pages 152 - they had neglected their times of prayer – Psalm
50:15
m. They were thinking wrongly about themselves and about how to
solve their problems
n. They were failing to do what Philippians 4:8 and 2 Cor. 10:3 -5 tell
us to do if we are to experience victory
III. How did they escape from the clutches of Giant Despair?
NOTICE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THEIR ESCAPE?
1. First factor = the counsel of Hopeful - pages 150 and 151. 8 reasons
why their situation wasn’t hopeless.
Page 151 - Remember God’s command - shall not kill.
Page 151 - Remember that death doesn’t end it all
Page 151 - Remember God is in control
Page 150 - 151 - Remember that God has the ability to deliver us
Page 150, 151 - Remember that God may deliver us in a number of
different ways
f. Remember how you’ve valiantly faced and resolved big problems
previously
g. Remember that God has delivered other depressed people from the
clutches of Giant Despair
h. Hopeful was fulfilling an important ministry for Christian in which all of
us should be involved, the ministry of counseling or discipling.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.






Romans 15:14
Galatians 6:1, 2
1 Thessalonians 5:14
Hebrews 3:13,14
Hebrews 10:24,25
James 5:19,20
WHAT HINDERS CHRISTIANS TODAY FROM DOING WHAT
HOPEFUL DID FOR CHRISTIAN?
Not too good.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN IF CHRISTIANS TOOK THIS
MINISTRY SERIOUSLY AND ACTUALLY DID WHAT HOPEFUL DID?
Wouldn’t fall into dispair
200
WHAT MUST CHRISTIANS DO TO BE BETTER ABLE TO COUNSEL
EFFECTIVELY? WHY WAS HOPEFUL ABLE TO COUNSEL SO
EFFECTIVELY?
Come to GSM!!!
2. Second factor involved in their escape from the Giant Despair - page
106 - began to pray and continued in prayer.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Psalm 50:15
2 Chronicles 7:14
2 Chronicles 20 - Jehosophat
Acts 12:1ff - early church
James 1:2-7; 4:3; 5:13-18
Psalm 63, 42,43
3. Third factor involved in their escape from the Giant Despair - page
106 - remembrance and utilization of the promises of God.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
2 Peter 1:3-4
Psalm 50:15
1 Thess 1:3, 10, 11
1 John 1:7-9
1 Cor 10:13
1 John 2:1-2
Rom 8:28-29
Rom 3:24-25
James 1:2-5
Romans 5:21
Romans 8:1, 39
Psalm 55:22
2 Cor 9:8
ON PAGE 106, BUNYAN MENTIONS THAT TO BE DELIVERED FROM
THE GIANT DESPAIR THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH 3 GATES AND
THAT ONE OF THESE GATES WAS EXTREMELY STUBBORN. WHAT
WAS HE SUGGESTING ABOUT DELIVERANCE FROM DEPRESSION
BY THIS DESCRIPTION?
“Out of the Blues” - p. 76 -77





Not an instant fix
Can take a while to escape
God’s timetable is different to ours
Sanctification is a lifetime process
Must be patient with the people we counsel.
201
4. Fourth factor involved in overcoming the Giant Despair and
remaining out of his clutches is suggested on page 153 and 154 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Acts 20:35
2 Corinthians 1:3-11
1 Cor 15:58
Galatians 6:7 - 10
Luke 6:38
Prov 11:24-26
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER TWELVE
TIME WITH THE SHEPHERDS PAGES 157-163
1. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARRIVE AT THE DELECTABLE
MOUNTAINS - PAGE 157
2. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL SPEND TIME WITH THE SHEPHERDS AT
THE DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS - PAGES 157 TO 161
CHAPTER 12/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARRIVE AT THE
DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS
Page 157 - 158
1. Note carefully Bunyan’s description of these mountains:
a. Belong to the Lord of the Hill
b. Place where there are gardens, orchards, vineyards and fountains of
water
c. Place where Shepherds feed their flocks
d. Are Emmanuel’s Land
e. Are within sight of the Celestial City
f. Inhabited by the Lord’s sheep, by people for whom Christ died
2. Having noted the details of Bunyan’s description of these Delectable
Mountains, what do you think they represent in the Christian life?
a. Church belongs to the Lord of the Hill - Matthew 16:18
b. Church is a place where there are gardens, orchards, vineyards and
fountains of water - refreshment, nourishment, enrichment, beauty,
cleansing, rest
c. Church is a place where Shepherds feed their flocks - I Peter 5:2,3; Acts
20:28; Ezekiel 34:1-8
202
d. Church is Emmanuel’s Land e. Church is within sight of the Celestial City - when in church - Hebrews
12:22-24; Revelation 4:1-11; 5:8-14
f. Church is inhabited by the Lord’s sheep, by people for whom Christ died John 10:11-18, 27-29; Psalm 100:3; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:24-25
3. Considering what had just happened to Christian and Hopeful at the
end of the previous chapter, what is Bunyan teaching about the
Christian life from this episode?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Prov 24:16
2 Cor 4:10
Psa 51:12, John 21:15ff
Importance and value of the church
Christians need shepherds
Place of recovery, encouragement for believers. Local church is the
place where change takes place. Prov 24:17 – place where we get back
on our feet}
4. In Chapter 5, page 64, Bunyan mentions another time when Christian
visited the Delectable mountatins; are some similarities; also some
important differences
Chapter 5
Saw at a distance and was
encouraged
Chapter 12
Now is at the Delectable
Mountains and eats and drinks
freely of what is available
203
What truth about the Christian life may Bunyan be teaching here?
1. Older you get in the Christian life, the more you appreciate the ministry of
the church
2. Older you get in the Christian life, the more you recognize your need of
the church and what it has to offer.
Higher level of participation. The older your get in your Christian life,
the more you appreciate it, need it desperately, need the opp to serve.
Church is life, then see what else you can fit in! Not just be committed
to, but enjoy the church}
CHAPTER 12/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL SPEND TIME WITH
THE SHEPHERDS AND ARE MINISTERED TO BY THEM
Pages 158 - 161
Who do these Shepherds represent?
Pastors and Elders - Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2; Ephesians 4:11
1 Peter 5:1-2 - Fellow elder, but also witness of Christ.
3 Key Roles
Elder – not based on age but spiritual maturity and wisdom. Has to do
with Character.
Shepherd – figurative language for the elder’s duty.
Overseer – the elder’s duty, looking over the flock, leadership.}
BY WHAT OTHER BIBLICAL NAMES ARE THESE SHEPHERDS/PASTORS
CALLED?




1 Timothy 3:1
Titus 1:5
Acts 20:17
1 Peter 5:1
NOTE THE NAMES OF THE FOUR SHEPHERDS? PAGE 158.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Knowledge
Experience
Watchful
Sincerity
More than one is important!
204
Work together as a team
Acts 14:22-23, Phil 1:1 – elders (plural)
James 5:1, Titus 1:5 –
One finger on your hand it’s not so easy!
Qualifications – 1 Tim 3, Titus 1
1 Tim 5:17 – rule (stand in front of) well so pay them well! Work hard at
preaching and teaching
1 Thess 5:12 – appreciate those who work hard over you, give you instruction
(implies biblical counseling on an individual level). An elder’s hobby is the
Church!!!
Ruling vs Preaching
Servant leadership - Ruling
1. Keep watch over, must give an account - Heb 13:17
2. Involves prayer as a leadership responsibility - Acts 6:4
3. Oversight over specific ministries. Acts 21:17-19 - Paul reported every 1.5-2
years to Antioch and Jerusalem Church.
4. Identify and train new leaders - 1 Tim 4:14, 2 Tim 2:2
5. Oversee the money and how it is used - Acts 11 – Paul and Barnabas hear the
church in Jerusalem has lots of poor, sends it to the elders of the church
Servant leadership - Preaching
1. Determine doctrinal views - Acts 15
2. Proclamation of that Doctrine –
3. Provide protection against false teachers
4. Provide consultation – 1 Thess 5:12
5. Teach by imitation – Heb 13:7
WHY DID BUNYAN GIVE THESE PASTORS THESE NAMES? BELIEVED
THAT THE LIVES OF PASTORS MUST BE CHARACTERIZED BY THESE 4
QUALITIES.
1. Knowledge - being acquainted or familiar with or having an
understanding of or possessing information about certain facts and
conditions.



Prov 10:14
Prov 13:16
Prov 14:7
205















Prov 15:2
Prov 15:7
Prov 19:2
Prov 20:15
Prov 22:17 – apply your heart unto God’s knowledge
Prov 23:12
Proverbs 24:4 - man who has knowledge has a constructive influence,
builds houses and fills rooms with precious and pleasant treasure
Prov 24:5
Romans 15:14 - those who are full of knowledge are competent to counsel
2 Cor 2:14
2 Corinthians 6:4-6 - having and teaching knowledge is important if the
ministry is not to be discredited
2 Cor 11:6
2 Timothy 3:2 - apt to teach - must know what and how to teach
2 Tim 4:2
Titus 1:9-11 - know the truth so well that he is able to recognize and refute
error
2 Cor 11:6 – Unskilled in speech, but still has something to say
Titus 1:9 – Holding fast to the faithful word. They must have knowledge to share
so that they can exhort in sound doctrine, refute those who contradict.
2 Tests
•
Confident that if you have to teach, you can produce a useful,
accurate, clear, message for the congregation.
•
Must be able to turn to 4 or 5 passages off the top of your head to
refute false truth.
2. Experience - “a practical knowledge or skill derived from direct
observation of or participation in certain events or activities”.






1 Timothy 3:6 - not a novice, a new convert
I Timothy 3:2-7 - must be a person who is an example of what it means to
be: a good husband, being temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable,
self controlled, gentle, a person who is free from materialism, a person
who is in control of his words and actions and thoughts and desires, a
good manager of his family, humble, a person who has a good reputation
with those who outside the church
1 Timothy 4:7 1 Timothy 4:12 - a person whose life is an example, a model of the
believer in various areas of life
Philippians 3:10 1 Corinthians 11:1 - person who can say, “Follow me as I follow Christ”
206


Philippians 4:9 1 Thessalonians 1:5 - you know what manner of men we proved to be
among you
Experience helps!!! That’s why elders are usually older.
1 Cor 11:1 – follow me as I follow Christ
Ian Murray counsels business men because he has so much experience in
it from working with Sasol
Phil 4:8-9 – what you have heard, and seen in me, practice these things.
1 thess 1;5 – “what manner of men are among you” Not just life, but
christian experience
3. Watchful - to be vigilant, alert, attentive, aware of what is going on,
means to be discerning, perceptive, on guard, observant














Matthew 24:4 - Watch so that you won’t be deceived
Matthew 24:42 & 25:13 Matthew 26:13 - Watch so that you don’t enter into temptation
Mark 4:24 - Watch what you listen to
Luke 12:15 Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16 - Watch over yourselves
Acts 20:28 and Hebrews 13:17 Acts 20:28 and Titus 1:9-11- Watch out for false teachers and false
teaching
Hebrews 3:12 - Watch out for yourself lest you develop an evil,
unbelieving heart and fall away from the living God
Hebrews 3:13 I Peter 4:7 and Colossians 4:2 - Watch unto prayer
I Peter 5:8 - Watch out for the Devil
2 Peter 3:17 Revelation 3:2 - Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain
4. Sincerity - person who is real, genuine, honest, person of integrity,
serious, reliable, trustworthy, practices what he preaches, pure, free
from hypocrisy, sham and pretense, wholehearted, earnest

Biblical examples of insincere teachers:
207



2 Peter 2:1-2 Philippians 1:17 - Paul - those who preach Christ insincerely
Biblical examples of sincere teachers:






2 Corinthians 1:12 - we serve Christ with godly sincerity and
simplicity
2 Corinthians 2:17 –
2 Corinthians 4:2 - we commend ourselves to every man’s
conscience by refusing to hide things and by openly manifesting
the truth
2 Corinthians 6:11 1 Thessalonians 2:5,6,10 - you know we never came to you with
flattering speech or with a pretext for greed
Philippians 1:10 - should be sincere and without offense
Pastors must be sincere in their love for God, sincere in the way they
live, sincere in their devotion to their wives and families, sincere in
their love for the truth, sincere in their love for people, sincere in
their speech, sincere in their motivations
NOTE THAT BUNYAN MENTIONS THAT THERE WERE FOUR MEN
FUNCTIONING AS SHEPHERDS ON THE DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS. ? =
WHAT DOES THIS FACT INDICATE ABOUT BUNYAN’S VIEW OF CHURCH
LEADERSHIP?
Must be more than one!
WHERE DID BUNYAN GET THIS IDEA ABOUT THE PLURALITY OF
LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH?





Acts 12:23
Acts 20:17
Phil 1:1
Titus 1:5
1 Peter 5:1
IN THIS CHAPTER WE CAN LEARN SOMETHING OF BUNYAN’S CONCEPT
OF WHAT PASTORS WHOULD DO AND HOW THEY SHOULD DO IT.
1. Page 157 - 158 - they answered their questions
2. Page 157 - The Shepherds showed a personal interest in them and
tried to become acquainted with them. Did this by asking them some
questions:
208


Also by inviting them to spend some time with them so that they “might
get better acquainted…”
Hebrews 13:17; John 10:14; Ezekiel 34:4-8; Psalm 23:5
3. Page 157-158 - The Shepherds fed them.


“The Shepherds … took them by the hand … and served them a
meal”.
John 21:17; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:42; Acts 11:25-26; 1 Timothy 3:2,
4:13 and 5:17-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Ezekiel 34:2-3; Psalm 23:1-5
4. Page 158 - The Shepherds extended hospitality to them.






“The Lord of these Mountains has given us charge that we’re ‘not to
forget to entertain strangers’. Therefore everything of this place is set
before you.”
“The Shepherds … took them by the hand, led them to their tents …
Then they said, “We would like you to stay here for awhile that we
might get better acquainted…”
1 Timothy 3:2
Acts 20: 35-36
Job 31:16-22, 32
Matthew 25:37-46
5. Pages 157-158 - The Shepherds protected them from danger by
giving them several warnings





Acts 20:17; 28-31
Isaiah 56:9-57:1
John 10:1-16
Titus 1:9-11
2 Peter 2:1-3
Note the nature of the three warnings the Shepherds gave them 1. Pages 158-159 - took them to a mountain called error
Bunyan speaks of error as a Mountain =

Emphasizes the seriousness of doctrinal error - not just a mound or
bump in road - a subject frequently dealt with in the Bible - Romans
16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 15; Galatians 1:8-9; Colossians 1 and 2; 1 and
2 Thessalonians; 1 and 2 Timothy 2:15-18; Titus 1:9-11; Hebrews;
James; 1 and 2 Peter; 1-3 John, Jude 4-13, Revelation 2 and 3 - letter
to Ephesus, Pergamos and Thyatira
209
Philetus and Hymaneas - 2 Tim 2 – according to the resurrection}

This Mountain is a very dangerous Mountain - page 159 - 2 Timothy
2:15-18; Titus 1:11; Revelation 2:12 -27; Galatians1:8,9; 2 Peter 3:16;
2 John 9; Jude 4-13

This Mountain is very steep on the farthest side - page 158.
2 Corinthians 11:3, 13, 15; 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 4, 12, 16; Revelation 2:2
2. Pages 159 - taken to a Mountain called Caution - warning against the
danger of allowing your desire to avoid difficulty and pain to divert
you away from the path of obedience to Christ into By-path Meadow pages 146 and 147.

Sometimes as in the case of the Mountain of Error, people are diverted
away from Christ by false teachers and false teaching.
Same as the meadow. Luke 8 – parable of the sower – seed fell among thorns –
choked with worries, riches and pleasures. Not believers.}








Sometimes they are diverted away from Christ by their own desires
and feelings.
Sometimes they are led astray by a failure to make the Bible rather
than their own feelings and judgments and opinions their standard for
faith and practice.
Sometimes they are led astray by carelessness, by a failure to think
biblically about all the issues of life.
Bible - I Peter 1:13; 2 Corinthians 10:5
Must refuse to do what Abraham did in Genesis 12
Must choose to do what Psalmist did in Psalm 119:128
Must choose to do what Daniel did in Daniel 1 and 6
What Jesus did in Matthew 4:1-13; Matthew 26:36-46
3. Page 160 - the Shepherds took them to the bottom of the Mountain
where they were shown a door in the side of a hill.



When they looked through the door, they saw that it was very
dark and smoky and they heard the sound of a roaring fire and
the eerie cries of people suffering.
Then the Shepherds explain to them what the door at the foot of
the Mountain represents
Then the Shepherds give 4 examples to illustrate this truth:

Esau - Genesis 25:29-34 - Hebrews 13:15-17.
210




Judas - Mark 3:13-19; John 13:21-26; yet - Matthew 26:14-16;
47-49 Alexander - 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Timothy 4:14-15 Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11 -
What were the lessons the Shepherds wanted Christian and
Hopeful to learn from this scene?


Mark 13:13; I John 2:19; Hebrews 12:2; John 10:28-29
Person may appear to be genuine and may be very involved in
spiritual activities for a considerable period of time and not be
a real Christian at all.
Hebrews 6, 10 - two warning passages.
Enlightened… then fallen away
Did they lose their salvation? Context determines meaning. Kind of
person that is being discussed is seen from Ch3:12 to beginning Ch 4
3V12 - evil and unbelieving heart
3V14-17 – those in the exodus who were involved in a very high level in
God’s work, saw miracles
3V19 – don’t enter rest because of unbelief
4v1-2 – come short, not united by faith in those who heard.




The fact that others who appeared to be zealous Christians
have apostasized should prevent us from becoming
complacent and careless motivate in our own Christian walk
and motivate us to be diligent and zealous in our own lives - 1
Corinthians 10:6-12.
Christians need to think about and be reminded of the fact that
hell is a real place where there is real suffering throughout
their Christian lives - e.g., the practice of Jesus - Matthew 5:22,
29 & 30, 10:28; 18:9; 23:22; Luke 16:23.
Psalm 27:1; Psalm 46:1; 2 Timothy 4:17; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1
Peter 1:5.
Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 34:6; Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11
4. Pages 161 - Bunyan tells us about one other thing that the
Shepherds did for Christian and Hopeful - they encouraged them.
Glimpse of the city before them
Col 3:1-2 – keep seeking the things above
211
A Pastor’s job on a Sunday is to lift congregation’s eyes above the
mundane things of life to give you a sense of the greater goal in life –
glories of Christ…
Look forward to heaven. Try to become acquainted with it! Set your
mind on things above.
Rev 22:3 – no more sorrow…
Rev 21:4-5
Reading the recipe is not as much fun as eating the cake, but look at the
picture and start drooling for it!!!






The Shepherds encouraged them by taking them to the top of a high
Hill called Clear.
On the top of that hill, they gave them a telescope like perspective
glass through which they were able to catch a glimpse of the glory that
lay before them.
Bunyan did this because he knows his Bible and he knows human
beings.
1 Peter - written to and for suffering saints - note how it begin = 1 Peter
1:3-6
2 Corinthians 4:7-14; yet verse 16; why and how - 4:17-5:8
Romans 8:16-17
5. In this chapter Bunyan is describing several very important ways in
which Christians are motivated to diligence and perseverance.




Motivated by clear instruction and counsel
Motivated by godly fellowship with mature Christians - the Shepherds
Motivated by warnings about the terrible consequences of
complacency, carelessness, disobedience and hypocrisy - Hill called
Error, Mountain called Caution, Door to Hell in the side of the Mountain
Motivated by glimpse of the glory that lies before them in heaven Mountain called clear - the telescope like perspective glass
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHRISTIAN’S & HOPEFUL’S ENCOUNTERS WITH A VARIETY OF
INDIVIDUALS- PAGES 165 - 177
1. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL MEET IGNORANCE - Pages 113
212
2. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL SEE A MAN BEING CARRIED AWAY Page 114
3. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT LITTLEFAITH - Pages 114 - 120
CHAPTER 13/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL MEET IGNORANCE
Bunyan’s description of this man on page 113
1. Came from the Country of conceit 






Proverbs 18:11
Proverbs 28:11
Proverbs 26:5
Proverbs 26:12
Proverbs 26:16
Romans 11:25 – wise in your own eyes
Romans 12:16 – haughty in his mind
What idea is Bunyan suggesting by the fact that he came from the country
of Conceit?
How did this man’s apparent entrance into the Christian life differ from
Christian’s entrance as described in earlier part of the book?
Christian:
Burden on his back
Dresses in rags
Trembling
Had been reading the Bible
Slough of despair
Convinced he could not keep the law
Burden fell off when he came to the
cross
Ignorance:
No mention
No mention
Lively
No mention
No mention
Thought had kept the law
Never entered his mind
No mention
What was the primary concern of Christian for wanting to become a
Christian and what was the primary concern of Ignorance?
1. Christian was concerned about his guilt and wanted forgiveness of
sin; Ignorance wanted to go to the Celestial City.
2. Page 113 - Bunyan mentions that Ignorance joined Christian and
Hopeful from a crooked lane that joined the way that Christian and
Hopeful were traveling - What hadn’t he done that Christian and
Hopeful had done? Psalm 125:5; Matthew 7:13,14
3. Bunyan mentions that Ignorance was a very lively young man
 What idea is being conveyed by this little detail?
213

Galatians 1:13,14; Romans 10:2,3; Matthew 23:15 – will
traverse land and see to make one proselyte
4. Bunyan tells us that this man’s name was Ignorance.
Why was this man called Ignorance? Of what was he ignorant?
a. Ignorant of how to know you are in a right relationship with God
- “I am always engaging in positive mental activities”.
b. Ignorant of the deceitfulness and depravity of his own heart Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 28:26.
c. Ignorant of the role the Word of God should play in our thoughts
and judgments - didn’t know the truth of Isaiah 8:20; Psalm
119:105, 89; John 17: 17.
d. Ignorant of Who and What God is.
e. Ignorant of his sinfulness, of his need for Christ, of how a
person becomes right with God or is justified before God, of the
role Christ plays in our salvation.
f. Ignorant of the powerful motivation to holiness and godliness
salvation by grace provides for true believers.
g. Ignorant of the fact that salvation is of the Lord - didn’t know the
truth of John 1:13; Romans 9:16; Jonah 2:9; John 6:44.
h. Christian summarizes some of the things that this man is
ignorant of - of what justifying righteousness is; of a way to
obtain God’s forgiveness and salvation; of the true effects of
saving faith - of what happens when a person truly believes on
Christ = he bows and surrenders his heart to God in Christ and
begins to love God’s Name, God’s Word, God’s ways and God’s
people.
What do you notice about the way that Christian and Hopeful counseled
Ignorance in both of these instances?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Used many questions - Proverbs 18:13; 23
Asked questions progressively
Asked questions that were relevant
Asked questions that were probing
Asked questions that made Ignorance think
Asked many questions that were open ended
Asked questions that forced Ignorance to give new information
Based what they taught on the information Ignorance gave them teaching was very relevant
9. Included instruction, exhortation and warning
10. Method of teaching was very direct and even confrontive
How did Ignorance respond to the counsel of Christian and Hopeful?
1. Why should I believe or listen to you because I don’t know you?
214
2. You believe what you want to believe and that’s OK with me and I’ll
believe what I want to believe and that should be OK with you
3. Your way of salvation seems awfully involved and difficult
4. Very few people have any awareness of what you say about the way of
salvation
5. What’s more, no one even cares to know
6. We’re very happy with our beliefs - “fine, pleasant, green lane”
7. You’re going too fast for me; you go on ahead, I must stay behind a while I’m not ready to join you, removed himself from them.



Many in Bunyan’s time responded this way to the truth - showed
some interest in religion - wanted a religion that made them feel
good about themselves, that was not too demanding. But they
didn’t want the religion of the Bible.
Many in time of Christ - wanted some religion, but didn’t want the
religion of the Bible.
So in our time.
Why do you think Christian and Hopeful chose to use the counseling
approach they used with Ignorance?




Proverbs 26:4,5,12
1 Thessalonians 5:14
Proverbs 14:7
Titus 3:9-11
CHAPTER 13/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL SEE A MAN BEING
CARRIED AWAY
PAGE 114
Happened in a dark lane - place where there wasn’t much light. What does
the darkness represent? What does the light represent?
How does this man differ from Ignorance?
Ignorance = ignorant of the truth, had flat out rejected the truth; this man knew
the truth, had made a profession of faith and then turns away from it.
1.
2.
3.
4.
This man is described in Matthew 12:43-45
Also in 2 Peter 2:1,17-22
Also 1 John 2:18,19
Page 114 - significant detail about this man -“Self indulgent professor, and
damnable apostate.”
5. This man is described in Jude 4
215
6. This man was like the people Jesus described in Revelation 2:14
(Pergamum) and 2:20 (Thyatira)
CHAPTER 13/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL DISCUSS THE ISSUE
OF LITTLE-FAITH
PAGES 114 - 120
Details about this man:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lived in the town of Sincere.
Was a good man - mentioned twice.
Was going on a pilgrimage as Christian and Hopeful were.
Sat down and slept at the entrance of the narrow way right along side the
entrance to the broad way.
When he awoke from his sleep, three big bruisers approached him with
the intention of stealing his money.
To get his money they threatened him and demanded that he give them
his wallet.
They then beat him and one of them thrust his hand into his pocket and
stole his wallet.
Having done this, they stood watching him while he almost bled to death,
but when they heard someone coming whom they thought was Great
Grace, they ran off and left Little Faith to take care of himself.
Little Faith finally managed to get up and go on his way.
What idea is Bunyan suggesting by the fact that Little Faith came from the
town of Sincere?





Joshua 24:14
2 Corinthians 1:12
Ephesians 6:24
Philippians 1:10
Titus 2:7 – example of good deeds
? = Why do you think Bunyan included this account of Little Faith right
after the story of Mr.Turn away?
They are different, counsel them differently
How is Little Faith different from Mr. Turn Away?
Proverbs 24:16 – falls and gets up again
Whom does this man Little Faith represent?
216











Matt 6:25 - 34 – do not be anxious, symptom of men of little faith
Matt 8:23-26 – disciples fearing, panicking because of the storm on the
lake
Matt 14:22-31 – Peter starts sinking in the water
Matt 16:1-12 – disciples concerned about material things – having enough
food. Focussed on physical things that we miss the spiritual things
Matt 17:20 Matt 21:21 1 Thess 3:10
2 Thess 1:3
Rom 8:16-20
Acts 6:5,8
Acts 11:24
What happens in this episode that indicates the smallness of his faith?










So intimidated by the persecution that he slowed down and stopped to
sleep
Stopped moving forward in his Christian walk
Became timid and experienced some doubts
Slowed down by a sense of guilt
Paralysed with fear, instead of running with endurance
Personal threats stopped him from fighting the fight.
Didn’t let the Word of God direct him
Ceased to be brave and courageous for the truth
Hid his light under a bushel
Robbed – of joy, peace, hopefulness, security, sense of meaning and
value, sense of approval by God...
What things are connected to faith?












Hopefulness is connected to faith – 1 Peter 1:21, 1 Thess 1:3, 1 Pet 1:7.
Little faith means little hope
Loving is connected to faith – Eph 1:5, Col 1:4. Little faith means little
love.
Stands firm is connected to faith – 1 Cor 16:13; 2 Cor 1:24; Col 1:23
Overcoming the world is connected to faith – 1 John 5:4
Strength, power is connected to faith – Acts 3:16; Matt 21:21
Clean heart – Rom 11;20; 1 Tim 1:19
Victory over satan – 1 Peter 5:9; Rev 12:10
Answered prayer
Fearlessness
Doubtlessness – Matt 14:31
Producing good works – James 2:14-18
Boldness
217








Confidence –
A Blessing to his family
Wisdom and understanding
Joyful
Worship
Holiness
Humblness
Awareness of blessing…
What evidences do you see in this account that demonstrates the
genuineness of his faith?

Note the various evidences of his genuine, though Little Faith, on pages
156-162; also study and note how little faith is different from Mr. Turnaway who really had no faith.
Bunyan tells us that it was after Little Faith had fallen asleep that these
three bruisers came to rob him.
What other instances of the danger of going to sleep in the Christian life
are found in this book?
1. Simple, Sloth and Presumption - ch. 4, pages 31 - 32
2. Christian himself at the Pleasant Arbor - ch. 4, pages 34 & 35
3. Christian and Hopeful in Bypath Meadow at the little shelter - ch. 11, page
102
What happened in each of these instances when people went to sleep?
What Christian life experience is Bunyan describing by this going to sleep
experience?
1. Simple, Sloth and Presumption - people who have a minimal interest in
religion, but are not aware of the seriousness of their situation - they are
still bound to their sins and are not even aware of this fact. They think they
are fine - don’t see any danger - don’t want to be disturbed - Proverbs 6:9,
10; 22:3
2. Christian at the Pleasant Arbor - lose enthusiasm, alertness, relax, desire
to take it easy, back off on Christian responsibilities - Ephesians 5:14.
3. Christian & Hopeful at the little shelter in By-path Meadow - willingness to
stop short of full obedience to Christ - to use weariness and tiredness as
an excuse for not doing everything they can do to clear up matters with
God - adopting unbiblical ways of dealing with a conviction of sin, a guilty
conscience - Proverbs 28:13; Hosea 5:13-6:6, 14:1-4
218
4. Little Faith - sleep represents his failure to fervently and consistently guard
his heart, to be vigilant, to use the “means of grace” - to become lazy in
applying himself to the means that God has ordained to give us courage,
strengthen our faith and keep our consciences clear before God. Proverbs
24:30-34; I Thessalonians 5:6-8
Page 115 - Bunyan mentions that the names of the three big bruisers
Little Faith encountered were Faint-Heart, Mistrust and Guilt
What is Bunyan telling us about Little Faith’s problems at this point?
What was Little Faith experiencing as a result or evidence of his little
faith?
1. Faint Heart - discouragement, lack of boldness, courage, weariness,
lack of energy, enthusiasm, fear, timidity, spiritual weakness - I
Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Luke 18:1; Romans 15:1
2. Mistrust - doubt, questioning God, lack of certainty about God’s
goodness, faithfulness, love, mercy, grace, worry, power, ability, etc.
Matthew 6:25-32; Mark 4:35-40
3. Guilt - conviction of sin, sense of condemnation, thoughts that God is
angry with me, lack of a sense of forgiveness, what David experienced
in Psalm 32:3,4 and Psalm 38
On page 115, Bunyan says they grabbed little faith's spending money.
What does his spending money represent? What did they take from
Little Faith?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Courage and boldness before men and God
Joy
Peace
Hopefulness
Confidence
Comfort
Eph 1:3 - but Little Faith isn’t constantly aware of how blessed he really
Eph 3:15-21 - Christ does dwell … but ...
James 2:5 - rich in faith - but Little Faith doesn’t constantly realize how
rich he is ...
10. Rom 8:28 - but little Faith …
11. Romans 8:32 - but Little Faith ...
12. Romans 8:39 - but Little Faith ...
13. Heb 4:16 - but Little Faith …
14. 2 Cor 9:8 - but Little Faith …
15. Phil 1:6 - but Little Faith …
16. Phil 4:19 - but Little Faith …
219
17. Heb 13:5,6 - but Little Faith …
18. 1 John 1:9 -2:2 - but Little Faith …
19. 1 Cor 10:13 - but Little Faith …
20. Isaiah 41:10 - but Little Faith …
21. 2 Peter 1:3 - but Little Faith ...
On pages 115 & 16 Bunyan tells us that though these big bruisers were
able to steal most of his spending money, there were two things they
couldn’t do: (1). they weren't able to steal all of his spending money; (2).
they weren’t able to steal his jewels.
What does Bunyan mean by the fact that they didn’t steal all his spending
money?
What are these jewels they couldn’t steal from him?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Eternal life
His desire for God and interest in spiritual things
His heavenly inheritance
The salvation of his soul
The watch care of God over Him
The faithfulness of God to Him
The certainty of God’s promises on His behalf
The removal of condemnation through the death of Christ - his acceptance
in the beloved
9. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in his life
10. Christ’s intercessory work on his behalf in heaven
11. John 10:28,29
12. 2 Corinthians 1:18-21
13. 1 Peter 1:3-5
14. Philippians 1:6
15. Hebrews 13:5,6
16. 2 Timothy 2:11-13
17. 1 Corinthians 10:13
18. Hebrews 4:14,15
19. Hebrews 7:25
20. John 14:16-18
Page 115 Bunyan makes the statement that “It was the providence of God
more than his own endeavor that saved the certificate.”
What great, comforting Bible truth is Bunyan teaching through this
statement?


Jonah 2:9
1 Pet 1:5
220





John 10:28-29
John 6:37-40
John 17:11-12
John 18:8-9
Rom 8:35-39
On page 115 Bunyan tells us that the thieves took off when they thought
great grace was coming.
Whom does great grace represent?
1. Hebrews 11:33-34 - believers who conquered ...
2. Galatians 6:1,2 - Brethren, if a man be caught in any trespass, you who
are spiritual, restore such a one … Bear one another’s burdens ...
3. Rom 15:1,2 - We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those
without strength
4. 1 Thess 5:14 - help the weak
5. Psalm 20:1 - The Lord strengthen you out of Zion
6. Luke 22:32 - When you are converted, strengthen your brethren
7. 1 John 2:12-14 - I have written to you young men because you are
strong...
8. Strong in faith, courage, love, knowledge, etc.
What lessons about the Christian life do you think Bunyan is teaching
through this discussion of Great Grace?
1. Our responsibility to others - Romans 15:1-2; Galatians 6:1,2
2. Our need of the ministry of others - Hebrews 3:12,13; Galatians 6:3
3. Have limitations – Make skillful use of God’s Word, put the sword down
and we are done!
4. Give the glory to God – it’s not us, but the power of the Word and the
Spirit
5. Recognize our limitations, don’t flatter yourself with pride
Bunyan tells us about Little Faith's response to this encounter with these
three big bruisers.
What was his response?
1. He was in dismay over the loss of the subjective benefits of his salvation.
2. Forgot about the jewels that the bruisers were not able to steal.
3. When he did think about the jewels he still had, he would quickly be
overwhelmed by the thought of the loss of his spending money.
4. Spent most of his remaining time mourning and complaining bitterly
repeating over and over the awful details of the robbery and beatings he
had experienced.
221
What lessons do you think Bunyan wants us to learn from Little Faith's
response to this episode?
1. Importance of doing what Philippians 3:12 and 13 tell us to do.
2. Awful consequences of not doing what Philippians 4:8 tell us to do – dwell
on true, lovely, just… things.
3. Serious consequences of focusing on and living by our subjective feelings
rather than focusing on and living by the objective Word of God. Isaiah
8:20; Psalm 1:3.
On pages 116 - 117 Hopeful demonstrates some erroneous thinking about
Little Faith.
What error did he make?
1. Excessively sympathetic, justified wrong doing.
2. Defended himself and Little Faith by misusing Scripture about Esau.
How did Christian respond to Hopeful's errors?
1. Gave him a gentle rebuke - told him that he was talking like someone who
was not thinking clearly.
2. Asked some questions to get him thinking.
3. Explained why Little Faith didn’t sell his jewels.
4. Explained why the illustration of what Esau did didn’t fit the case of Little
Faith.
How did Hopeful respond to Christian's instructions and admonitions?

Resented the rebuke that Christian gave him - Proverbs 15:10;
Proverbs 27:5 & 6; Psalm 141:5; Proverbs 9:7-12
What lessons may we learn about the Christian life from this episode?
a. Giving people the kind of sympathy that makes sin seem acceptable,
inevitable and unavoidable is dangerous.
b. The best of men can make mistakes - Hopeful was used of God in
Chapter 11 to counsel Christian and keep him from adding sin to sin, but
here ...
c. 1 Corinthians 10:12; Psalm 20:7; Isaiah 2:22
d. Galatians 6:1 & 2; James 5:19,20
e. Peter in Acts 2-5 and then Peter in Galatians 2
f. Abraham and David
On pages 117 - 119 Hopeful demonstrates some more erroneous thinking.
222
What was the nature of his erroneous thinking?
5. Minimized the power of discouragement, doubt and guilt.
6. Seemed to look down on Little Faith and implied that if he had been in
Little Faith’s place he would have done differently.
Again, see Christian coming to the rescue and doing some counseling.
What counsel (instruction & admonition) did Christian give to Hopeful to
correct his erroneous thinking at this point?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Easy to criticize someone when you’re not in their situation.
You probably wouldn’t have done any better if you were in his situation.
These three bruisers are empowered by Satan.
Gave personal testimony of his encounter with these three villains indicates that even though he was clothed with good armor, he found it
difficult to stand firm. He did, but it was difficult.
On pages 119 - 120, Christian tells us how we should respond to the news
of other Christians who have suffered losses in the Christian life; tells us
one thing we shouldn’t do and two things we should do.
What does Bunyan say we shouldn’t we do and what does he say we
should do?
4. Page 119 tells us what we shouldn’t do - “let us never desire to
meet with an enemy, nor boast as if we could do better than
another when we hear of their failings.”
5. Then two things we should do:
a. Make sure we are fully equipped with the shield of faith. Quotes
Ephesians 6:16. I John 5:4.
b. Desire a convoy of the King’s forces to accompany us for our
protection. Petition the King Himself to go with us. David Psalm 23:4; Moses - Exodus 33:15
What specific applications will you make from chapter 13 for your own
Christian life?
1. Any from their encounter with Ignorance?
2. Any from their encounter with Mr. Turn Away?
3. Any from their discussion of Little Faith?
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER FOURTEEN
223
CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARE CONFRONTED BY A NUMBER OF
DIFFICULT CHALLENGES
7. SCENE 1 - CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL GET TANGLED IN A NET - P.
122
8. SCENE 2 - CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH
A SHINING ONE - P. 123
9. SCENE 3 - CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL MEET AN ATHEIST - P. 123 125
10. SCENE 4 - CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO THE ENCHANTED
GROUND - P. 125 - 126
CHAPTER 14/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL GET TANGLED IN A
NET
BUNYAN BEGINS THIS CHAPTER BY TELLING US THAT AFTER CHRISTIAN
AND HOPEFUL HAD ENCOUNTERED IGNORANCE AND HAD SEEN MR.
TURN AWAY BEING DRAGGED AWAY AND HAD HAD A DISCUSSION
ABOUT LITTLE FAITH THEY TRAVELLED ON AND WERE SOON CAUGHT IN
A NET.
WHAT DOES THE NET IN THIS SCENE REPRESENT IN THE CHRISTIAN
LIFE?




Gal 6:1
Prov 5:22
Prov 19:19
Sinful pattern or habit in your life
HOW DID THEY GET CAUGHT IN THIS NET?
1. “So they traveled on with Ignorance following along behind them.” –
travelled with the wrong kind of people.









John 8:32
Romans 1:13
Rom 11:25
1 Corinthians 10:1;12:1
2 Corinthians 1:8
1 Thessalonians 4:18
2 Peter 3:8
2 Corinthians 2:11b
Psalm 73:22
2. “...they came to a place where another way joined the way that they were
on, and both ways seemed to lie as straight as the way they were supposed
224
to go. They were confused, unsure which of the two to take, so they
stopped there, wondering what to do.
WHAT DIDN’T THEY DO THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE?











Isaiah 8:20
Psalm 119:105
Psalm 1:1-3
James 1:5
Proverbs 3:5,6
Proverbs 15:22
Hebrews 13:17 – turn to pastors or elders to watch over you
1 Thessalonians 5:12 Turn to the Word
Turn to godly people
Page 122 - “the Shepherds gave them written instructions to guide them
on their way…. Told them to beware of the flatterer.”
3. “As they were thinking, a man wearing a robe approached them and
asked why they were standing there. They told him that they were going to
the Celestial City but were confused as to which of the ways to take.
‘Follow me, I am going there.’”
1. Man was wearing a robe - covered up his real identity.
2. Showed an interest in them - asked them where they were going - Can I
be of help to you?
3. Seemed to be very confident, sure; spoke with authority
4. Said that he was going to the Celestial City - professed to be a believer
4. “Impressed by his appearance, they followed him in the way that joined
the way they had come on.”






2 Corinthians 11:13-14
Matthew 7:15
Acts 20:29-30
1 John 4:1
Revelation 2:2-3
1 Samuel 16:7
5. “they followed him in (1) the way that joined the way they had come on.
(2) That way gradually turned, and by degrees it turned them away from the
City. In a short time their faces were turned in the opposite direction, but
they continued to follow him. (3) Before they realized what was happening,
the man led them into a net.”
225
1. 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; 2 Peter 2:2
2. Lead away from the truth incrementally - move from a new way of looking
at the truth to an outright denial or contradiction of the truth. This man
does what he does so skillfully and subtly that people are not even aware
that they are being turned away.
3. Ephesians 5:6-15; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9
WHY DID CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL FOLLOW THE COUNSEL OF THIS
MAN? WHY DIDN'T THEY RECOGNIZE HIM AS A VILLAIN?
1. What we’ve already noted
2. The method he used to lead them astray - used flattery as one of his main
methods of leading them astray. See Proverbs 29:5
 Flattery is a way of manipulating people to get them to do what you
want them to do; a way of getting them to do what would benefit you,
not them; means that at least initially this man used a positive
approach; avoided anything negative.
 The content of the flattery is not specifically mentioned, but it probably
consisted of commending them for their previous triumphs and
progress; congratulating them for their wisdom and knowledge;
focusing on their strengths, stroking their egos, building up their self
esteem, their sense of self worth, tickling their ears - telling them what
made them feel good about themselves - did what Peter describes in 2
Peter 2:2-3; what Paul describes in 2 Timothy 4:3-4
 Used as a way of manipulating someone to get them to do what he
wants them to. Cause them to lower their guard. Caught in the net of
pride and carelessness.
 Luke 22:47-48 – Judas kissed Jesus – a sign of friendship
WHO DOES THIS MAN REPRESENT IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE?



Anyone who seeks to lead us away from the Christian life described in the
Bible by using an approach that negates anything negative and mainly
emphasizes the positives in human beings.
May represent secular psychologists, “do gooders”, power of positive
thinking people in the world.
May also represent professing Christians (pastors, psychologists, lay
people) who (knowingly or unknowingly) play down the sinfulness of man,
who emphasize the value and worth of man, who encourage people to
blame their bad acts on their environment (past or present), who make
Jesus into a cosmic psychologist (a need meeter) rather than a Savior
from sin and God’s wrath.
HOW DID THEY ESCAPE FROM THE NET?
226
1. Remembered the warnings of the Shepherds about flatterers;
remembered that the Shepherds had told them that flatterers were
deceivers, that they gave false hope and deceitful encouragement.
2. Remembered what the Scripture said about flatterers - Proverbs 29:5
3. Remembered the instructions of the Shepherds (page 122, 123) and
realized that they had not followed them - they had not used their
instructions as a guide - had not done what Bereans had done Acts 17:11;
what God told them to do in Isaiah 8:20
CHAPTER 14/SCENE 2 – GOD SENDS A SHINING ONE TO DISCIPLINE
THEM FOR LISTENING TO THE FLATTERER
“...they noticed a Shining One coming toward them with a whip in his hand.
When he came to where they were, he asked them where they had come
from and how they got there. They answered that they were poor pilgrims
on their way to Zion, but they had been led out of their way by a man
clothed in white who told them to follow him because he was going there
also. Then the Shining One with the whip said, “He is Flatterer, a false
apostle who has transformed himself into an angel of light.” He then tore
the net and let them out, saying to them, “Follow me so that I may lead you
back to the way.”
So he led them back to the way, which they had left to follow the Flatterer.
Then he asked them, “Where did you sleep last night?” “With the
Shepherds on the Delectable Mountains,” they answered. He then asked
them if the Shepherd hadn’t given them a sheet of directions to direct them
on the way. “Yes,” they answered. “But didn’t you pull it out and read it
when you were confused about which way to go? “Where did you sleep
last night?” “With the Shepherds on the Delectable Mountains,” they
answered. He then asked them if the Shepherd hadn’t given them a sheet of
directions to direct them on the way.
WHO WAS THIS SHINING ONE?
An Angel
Pages 30, 145; Matthew 28:1-3
WHAT IS BUNYAN TEACHING US THROUGH THIS EPISODE?



The Angels are ministering spirits
Hebrews 1:14; 13:2 – entertain them without even knowing
Psalm 91:11-13
WHAT MINISTRIES DID THE SHINING ONE PERFORM FOR CHRISTIAN AND
HOPEFUL?
227
4. He asked them questions - made them think, evaluate, learn from their sin
and failure.
5. Explained to them who the Flatterer was.
6. Continued to ask them questions for the purpose of teaching them so that
they would not commit the same sins again and so that they would be
rebuked for their folly.
7. Gave them a whipping “to teach them the right way to walk” - Proverbs
13:24; Hebrews 12:5,6; Romans 2:14,15
HOW DID THE PILGRIMS RESPOND?
1. Thanked him for his ministry
2. Considered what he had done as a kindness - Psalm 141:5
3. Went carefully along the way
4. Composed and sang a song for the purpose of helping others to not do what
they had done - did what David did in Psalm 51 and 32
CHAPTER 14/SCENE 3 – WHERE CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL MEET
ATHEIST
PAGES 123 - 125
FIRST, LET’S NOTE BUNYAN’S DESCRIPTION OF THIS ATHEIST.
1. Had his back toward Zion - Hebrews 12:22-24
2. He asked them where they were going.
3. Used mockery as a technique - “We are going to the Mount Zion. ...At that,
Atheist began to laugh uncontrollably….”
4. Tried to demean their life style (tedious journey) and sow seeds of doubt
about worth of what they are doing - you’re going to end up “with nothing
but your travels for all your pain.” “Ignorant people like you make me
laugh.”
5. Told them that he had thoroughly investigated the Christian life and had
after careful investigation come to the conclusion that Christianity and all it
offers is a myth - that there is no scientific proof for any of it, there is no
such place as heaven. There is not such a place as you dream of in all
this world! When I was at home in my own country, I heard about your
belief, and afterward I decided to pursue it. I have been seeking this City
for twenty years but can find no more of it than I did the first day I set
out….But finding nothing-and I would have if it were there-I’m going back
again and will seek to refresh myself with the things I had formerly cast
away for those vain hopes.”
6. Told them that the only place where you can find satisfaction is in this
world, that any hope beyond the grave is a vain hope - “I had formerly cast
away for those vain hopes.”
228
Bunyan’s point in all this is to teach us not to be surprised or alarmed by the
mockery of people who have rejected the Christian faith. Believe had same thing
in mind that Peter did when he wrote in his first epistle that we shouldn’t be
surprised when other personally malign us and our belief and our way of life. (1
Peter 3:4, 12)
NOTE BUNYAN’S DESCRIPTION OF THEIR RESPONSE TO ATHEIST
1. They recognized that Atheists are also flatterers - page 181
•
•
Psalm 10:4 – they flatter themselves, the pride of their heart
Romans 1:21ff. – profess themselves to be wise
2. They reflected on what it had cost them to listen to the previous flatterer.
3. They followed the counsel of Proverbs 19:27 – Cease my son from listening
to teaching that contradicts what you know is right”; 14:7 – “Leave the
presence of a fool; a person who believes there is no God
4. They reflected on the truth of Scripture about unbelievers - 2 Corinthians 4:4 “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving”
5. They turned away from this man – refused to listen to him anymore – refused
to continue their conversation with him – encouraged one another to go on –
to believe the truth and press on.
Again, Bunyan’s point in all this is to teach us how we should respond to
people who have not only rejected the truth, but who mock the truth and
want to encourage us to do the same. Bunyan is teaching us by this
account that when we meet someone who has not only rejected the truth,
but who is scornful of the truth we should follow the counsel of Psalm 1:1
(shouldn’t walk with him, stand with him or spend time in close association
with him; rather we should follow the counsel of Ephesians 5:11a and
Proverbs 26:4 and Matthew 7:6.
CHAPTER 14/SCENE 4 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL COME TO A PLACE
CALLED THE ENCHANTED GROUND
Bunyan continues - “… they went on till they came into a certain country where
the air naturally tended to cause drowsiness in those unaccustomed to it.
Hopeful’s mind began to grow dull, and he became very sleepy. He then said to
Christian, “I’m getting so drowsy that I can hardly keep my eyes open. Let’s lie
down here and take a short nap.”“… one of the Shepherds warned us to beware
of the Enchanted Ground.”
229
NOTE THE WAY BUNYAN DESCRIBES THE ENCHANTED GROUND.
1. “... a certain country where the air naturally tended to cause drowsiness”
2. Place where people want to “lie down here and take a short nap”
WHAT BBUNYAN MEANT BY THE ENCHANTED GROUND:
3. Is what Paul was referring to I Thessalonians 5:3 - times of peace and
safety.
4. Is described in Deuteronomy 8:7-10
5. Is described in Luke 6:26 - times when “all men speak well of you.”
6. Are those times when we are experiencing a lot of respect, popularity,
success, worldly prosperity; times when we are exempt from trials and
difficulties, times of ease and comfort.
7. Cheryl Ford – that time in later life when we are old and are respected,
feel satisfied etc.
KNOW THAT IS WHAT BUNYAN WAS REFERRING TO BECAUSE PAGE 183
TELLS US THAT WHEN HOPEFUL CAME TO THE ENCHANTED GROUND
HE WANTED TO LIE DOWN AND TAKE A NAP; WANTED TO RELAX , STOP
BEING VIGILANT, PUT IT IN CRUISE AND COAST; WANTED TO STOP
BEING ALERT.
1. 1 Thessalonians 5: 6 Paul says that taking a nap is the opposite of being
sober and alert.
2. Ephesians in 5:11-17 taking a nap (going to sleep) is contrasted with
being wise, making the best use of opportunities, exposing evil.
3. Proverbs 6:6-11 and Proverbs 10:5 – going to sleep is compared to a
failure to fulfill responsibilities, to lacking foresight, foolishness, inviting
poverty.
4. Taking a nap would be comparable to being weary in well doing, to
slacking off in devotional life, in meditation, in prayer, in Christian service
activities, in your efforts to build others up, in your missionary concerns, in
your church involvement, in your giving, etc.
 Roger Sharrock Quote
 Charles Spurgeon Quote
 Barry Horner Quote
PAGES 183-184 BUNYAN TELLS US THAT WHEN CHRISTIAN SAW THAT
HOPEFUL WAS THINKING ABOUT DOING SOMETHING THAT WAS
SPIRITUALLY DANGEROUS HE BEGAN TO COUNSEL HIM.
1. Turned to him and said, “No way. If we sleep here, we may never wake
up.”
2. Christian knew as 1 Thessalonians 5:2 declares that while men sleep
sudden destruction will come upon them.
230
3. Knew as Ephesians 5:16 asserts that we must not sleep because these
are evil days and if we sleep we will lose the opportunity to be a light in the
midst of the darkness of this world
4. Knew as Proverbs 6:9-11 - must not sleep or we will miss opportunities
and become poor.
5. Knew as Proverbs 10:5 - must not sleep or we will be a shameful son.
6. Knew as Romans 13:11 - must not sleep because Christ could come at
any time.
7. Knew as 1 Peter 5:8 – we have an adversary who.
 Cheryl Ford Quote – 14.4
PAGE 183 BUNYAN TELLS US THAT HOPEFUL LISTENED TO THE
COUNSEL OF CHRISTIAN, ADMITTED HIS FAULT AND THEN THE TWO OF
THEM DECIDED THAT INSTEAD OF SLEEPING THEY WOULD DO
SOMETHING THAT WOULD KEEP THEM FROM GOING TO SLEEP.
Christian provided an example of what we should do when we see others
losing their spiritual fervor.




Heb 3:13, 10:24
James 5:20-21
Luke 17:3
Gal 6:1-2
Hopeful’s example of how we should respond when others seek to exhort
and encourage and protect us.

Abraham Piper – (14.5)
After Christian successfully counseled and exhorted Hopeful, Christian
said to his friend Hopeful,
“… to keep the drowsiness of this place from overcoming us, let’s keep talking
about those things that edify our spirits.”
“Indeed, I agree with all my heart,” Hopeful replied. “Where shall we begin?”
asked Christian.
“Where God began with us. But you start the discussion, if you will.”
Drawing some lessons from the experience they had:
Then Christian said, “First, I will sing you this song:
“When the saints grow sleepy, let them come here
And listen how two pilgrims’ words remain clear.
Yes, let them learn from these and become wise,
So to keep open their dull, slumbering eyes.
231
The fellowship of saints, if managed well,
Keeps them awake, in spite of all Hell.”
In this record, Christian:
1. Recognized the truth of Ecclesiastes 4:9.
2. Put Ephesians 4:29 into practice - decided to sing and talk about things
that would edify and minister grace to them.
3. And, of course, what Bunyan is teaching us is that if we want to avoid
becoming weary in well doing; if we want to stay spiritually alert, we must
make sure that regularly we do what Colossians 3:16 b; Hebrews 3:13;
Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tell us to do.
4. Actually when we study chapter 15 we’ll find out what they talked about we’ll find that they talked about how God saved Hopeful – about what he
was like before he became a Christian, about how he became a Christian,
and about the changes God made in His life since he had become a
Christian.
WHAT LESSONS OR CHALLENGES FOR YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE ARE
FOUND IN THIS CHAPTER? HOW CAN YOU APPLY THE TRUTHS FOUND
IN THIS CHAPTER TO YOUR LIFE?
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER FIFTEEN
HOPEFUL’S TESTIMONY
Pages 187-195
CHAPTER 15/SCENE 1 – HOPEFUL’S TESTIMONY
*HOPEFUL BEGINS BY TELLING CHRISTIAN WHAT HE WAS LIKE BEFORE
HE BEGAN HIS PILGRIMAGE - P. 127.
1. He was thoroughly involved in the life style of the citizens of Vanity Fair;
lived like everyone else in Vanity Fair.
2. He was a shallow person living only for what he could see and touch and
feel; he delighted in the things that are seen - didn’t have any interest in
spiritual things.
3. He had a passion for earthly riches - he loved the world and all it had to
offer.
4. He was not at all concerned about God’s commands and found great
pleasure in riotous living, going to wild parties, drinking, swearing, lying,
immorality, Sabbath breaking and many other ungodly things.
5. He had never given serious thought to spiritual matters and had made
every effort to shut his eyes and ears to the Gospel.
6. He had rested all his hopes on what Vanity Fair had to offer.
232
7. A classic example of Psalm 17:14; Luke 12:15-25; Luke 16:19; I John
2:15-17
THEN ON PAGES 187-188 HOPEFUL DESCRIBES SEVERAL THINGS THAT
HAPPENED TO CAUSE HIM TO BECOME SOMEWHAT CONCERNED
ABOUT SPIRITUAL THINGS.
1. Heard from Faithful and Christian that if he continued in the life style he
was then living he would experience spiritual and eternal death - Romans
6:23.
2. Saw the kind of lives that Faithful and Christian lived - mentions the
“righteous living” of Faithful - I Thessalonians 1:2-9.
3. Witnessed the deep commitment of these men to the truths they
proclaimed - were willing to suffer, be persecuted and even die for these
truths.
4. Didn’t immediately come to Christ, but did begin to think about the
things that pertain to God.
5. Faithful and Christian had done what 2 Timothy 4:2; Matthew 5:16a;
Galatians 6:9a; Ecclesiastes 11:1a – preached the gospel
6. Result = Galatians 6:9b; Matthew 5:16b; Ecc. 11:1b – Christian’s
testimony impacted him
IN HIS TESTIMONY, HOPEFUL GOES ON TO DESCRIBE SEVERAL THINGS
THAT HELD HIM BACK FROM COMING TO CHRIST.
1. Mentions some hindrances mentioned on Page 127 •
•
•
•
•
•
•
Didn’t want to see the light
Ignorance of spiritual matters
Enjoyed sinful life style
Didn’t want to part with his sin
Didn’t know how to or want to break off relationships with old friends
- enjoyed their company
Didn’t enjoy being convicted of sins
Didn’t even want to think of his sinfulness for a moment
2. Page 128 – other hindrances
•
•
•
Made some attempts at personal reformation; made efforts to clean
up his own life style and at times he was pleased with the changes
he was making - made “every effort to change his ways”
Fled from overt sins and from his sinful friends
Performed many religious duties - prayed, read religious literature,
wept over sin, told neighbors the truth
6. Pages 128 - 131 – mentions still more hindrances.
233






Initially he was hindered by his own thoughts about and efforts to change
himself
He was held back by pride over and satisfaction with the reforms he had
made in his life.
Later as deep conviction of sin set in:
“I thought He was unwilling to save me.”
Thoughts that it would be presumptuous of me to ask Christ to save me
Ignorance of knowing how to ask Christ to save him - “I didn’t know what
to say when I approached him...”; “I didn’t know what to do.”
DISCUSSION ? = WHICH OF THESE THINGS THAT HINDERED HOPEFUL IN
COMING TO CHRIST HAVE YOU OBSERVED EITHER IN YOUR PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE OR IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS?







1 Tim 6:9-10 – love of money
Mark 10:17-25 – rich young ruler, possessions to give up
John 3:19-21 – men love darkness, don’t want to acknowledge their deeds
are evil
Luke 16:15 – sense of self righteousness
Luke 18:11-12
1 John 2:15-17
1 Peter 4:3-5
DO YOU KNOW OF OTHER THINGS THAT MAY HOLD PEOPLE BACK
FROM COMING TO CHRIST?
Proverbs 29:25
THEN HAVING DESCRIBED THE THINGS THAT HINDERED HI, HE GOES
ON TO GIVE SOME DETAILS OF HOW HE ACTUALLY CAME TO CHRIST.
PAGES 127 - 132.
1. He begins by telling Christian that there was a time in his life when he had
no interest in Christ, he was not at all concerned about his sin, he was
totally committed to a feeling oriented way of life. Page 127
2. He then goes on to tell of how God brought Christian and Faithful into his
life and how they began to talk about the consequences of sin - told him
that the consequence of the things he was doing was death and that on
account of these things, the wrath of God is coming on those who are
disobedient.” They preached to him the truth of Romans 6:21-23;
Ephesians 5:3-6; Colossians 3:5,6. (Page 127 - 128)
3. Next, he informs Christian of how he initially resisted the truth about his
sinfulness and tried to shut his eyes to the truth of God’s Word. He tried to
push all thoughts about the seriousness and consequences of sin out of
his mind. (Page 127)
234
7. But he indicates that in spite of his attempts to put thoughts of his sin out
of his mind, things kept happening that made him think about them again
and then he would experience great turmoil. I.E., “Common events in his
life began to take on sin-related significance.” Pages 127 - 128
8. And what were those things? Well, Hopeful says that the concern about
his sin would be increased if he were to:






meet and talk to a real believer on the street - convicted by the godly
speech and life style of that believer
hear something being read from the Bible because he would be
reminded of the fact - Romans 3:23, 20
have physical problems - when got a headache, toothache he began to
wonder if his pain was an evidence of God’s judgment on him
hear about a neighbor who was sick - he would think that I’m likely to
get sick also because I’m not any better than he is, if it could happen to
him, it will probably happen to me
hear the church bell tolling indicating that someone had died he would
think that one day the bell will toll for me
think of his own death and of the judgment he’d face after death. Page
128
9. Hopeful testifies that as time went by, he became more and more
convicted and concerned as his conscience increasingly bore witness
against him. Romans 2:14,15; John 16:8 (Page 1228)
10. On page 128, Hopeful tells Christian that he tried to salve and silence his
conscience by cleaning up his life - stopped committing some of the sins
he had committed, got rid of some of his former friends and became
frantically involved in religious activities.
11. For awhile this reformation of life helped him to feel better about himself.
But then he would be reminded of certain biblical truths such as Isaiah
64:6; Galatians 2:16 and Luke 17:10 and his burden of sin would return.
(Page 129)
12. On page 129, Hopeful tells how he applied the truth of Scripture about his
sin to himself by using an illustration from the realm of business. He says
he began to think if someone had run up a big bill at a clothing store in the
past and then paid every one of his present bills, the store owner would
still hold him accountable for all his past debts. He then goes on to say
that he realized from that illustration that even if he were able to reform his
ways and begin to live a good life in the present that would not pay off the
debt incurred by his past life. So I would still be under the wrath or God
and doomed to judgment.
13. After mentioning that illustration, Hopeful indicates that he had become
aware that his situation is even worse than that. He states that the longer
he looked at his present good works, the more he recognized that even
his good works were mixed and tainted by his present sin. In fact he says
235
that he recognized that he was presently committing enough sin in one
day to send him to hell. Page 129
14. At this point, Hopeful indicates that he didn’t know what to do about his sin
and so he turned to Faithful for help. And what did Faithful do? He gave
Him the Gospel. He told him that he needed the righteousness of
someone who had not sinned; he told him that neither his own
righteousness nor the righteousness the world has to offer could save him.
He then told him that the only one who had not personally sinned and
could therefore provide that righteousness was the Lord Jesus. He also
told him that the righteousness of Christ was sufficient because He was
the Mighty God and because He had lived a perfect life for sinners and
died in their place as a sacrifice for their sins. He told him that he must
have the righteousness of Jesus imputed to him if he were to be saved.
And he told him that the righteousness of Christ would be credited to him if
would put his trust in Him. Pages 129 - 130
15. On page 129, Hopeful tells us about his initial response to the message of
Faithful about justification in and through Christ. And what was that
response?

Well, his initial response was, “I don’t think Christ will be willing to
save me.”
16. And when Faithful encourages him to go to Him and see, Hopeful
indicates that he was still hesitant because he thought it would be
presumptuous of him to do that.
17. Again Hopeful mentions that he turned to Faithful for counsel. And note
how did Faithful counselled him:





Counselled him from the Bible: told him that the Lord Jesus Himself
had invited sinners to come to Him for salvation. Matthew 11:28-30;
Page 129
Informed him that every word of the Bible was true.
Told him to go to Christ and fall down on his knees and ask God to
reveal the Lord Jesus to Him.
Told him that God is merciful and is very willing to grant forgiveness
to those who come to Him.
Then he told him to pray the sinner’s prayer - Luke 18:13; to
confess his own sinfulness and helplessness; to acknowledge to
God that he realizes his only hope is to be found in Christ and that
without the righteousness of Christ he is lost; to ask God to glorify
His grace by saving Him.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Go to the mercy seat
Ask God for mercy, and for faith in His Son
Confess your sin
Acknowledge your belief in God…
236
5. ?
6. Declare your desire that His glory might be magnified in
saving you.
18. Back to Hopeful’s testimony: on page 192, Hopeful informs Christian that
he followed the counsel of Faithful and began to ask God to reveal Christ
to Him. In fact, he tells him that he did this many times.
19. The on pages 131 and 132, Hopeful makes a very interesting statement.
He says that while he was seeking Christ he became “very sad”. In fact,
he says that he became “sadder… than at any other time in my life.”
WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THIS GREAT SADNESS?
Page 131 and 132 he tells Christian that “This sadness was the result of a
new awareness of the enormity and ugliness of my sin.” He indicates that
he again struggles with the thought that he is too bad to be saved
20. As you read the part of Hopeful’s testimony found on pages 130 to 133
you will notice that there are several references to God revealing Christ to
Hopeful: page 130 (1 time), 131 (2 times); page 132 (1 time).
WHAT DO YOU THINK FAITHFUL AND HOPEFUL MEAN WHEN THEY
TALK ABOUT GOD REVEALING CHRIST UNTO HOPEFUL? WHAT
IDEAS OF SALVATION ARE BEING CONVEYED BY THIS
EXPRESSION?



Clue to what he meant is found in a phrase he uses at the bottom of
page 131 - “I didn’t see Him with my human eyes, but the eyes of my
understanding.”
Hopeful is referring to the truths taught by Galatians 1:13-16; 2
Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 4:17,18; 1:18,19; 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:19
Also explained in his description of what happened to him on pages
131 - 132. There he tells us that God revealed His Son to Him by
making Him aware of the truths of several passages of Scripture. I.E.,
God revealed His Son to Hopeful through giving him an understanding
of certain verses of Scripture. What were those verses?
1. One was Acts 16:31 which told him what to do to be saved.
2. John 6:35 which helped him to understand what it meant to
“believe” (coming to Christ and eating and drinking of Christ are the
same as believing in Christ; pursuing Him with all your heart =
believing in Christ.
3. John 6:37 - if come you will be welcomed
4. 1 Timothy 1:15 - come to Him as the Savior of sinners
5. Romans 10:4 - come to Him as the provider of perfect
righteousness
237
6.
7.
8.
9.

Romans 4:25 - come to Him as the ground of your justification
Revelation 1:5 - come to Him as cleanser of sinners
I Timothy 2:5 - come to Him as Mediator between God & man
Hebrews 7:25 - come to Him as the ever living Intercessor
Another clue to what he meant by revealing Christ to him is found in
several phrases on pages 131 - 132:
1. Page 132 - “At this realization…”
2. Page 132 - “From all these words I gathered that I must look for
righteousness in His (Christ’s) person alone and for satisfaction of
the penalty for my sins through His blood alone.”
3. Page 131 and 132 - I saw (perceived, understood) that what He
had done in obedience to His Father’s law, by submitting to the
penalty therein, was not for Himself but for all who will gratefully
accept it for salvation.”
4. Page 132 - “It became clear to me that the world and all its
standards stand condemned. I saw that God the Father, although
He is just, can legally absolve and justify any sinner who humbly
comes to Him. I was greatly ashamed of the vileness of my former
life, and I felt a strong sense of shame for all my ignorance. I had
been so blind that I had never before considered the glorious
beauty of Jesus Christ.”
21. Note one other factor in Hopeful’s testimony on pages 131 and 132 his response to his new and fuller understanding of the Gospel.



Page 132 - “At this realization tears filled my eyes…”
Page 132 - “By this time my heart was full of joy, my eyes were filled
with tears, and my emotions were overflowing with love for the name,
the people, and the ways of Jesus Christ.”
Page 132 - “I was greatly ashamed of the vileness of my former life,
and I felt a strong sense of shame for all my ignorance. I had been so
blind that I had never before considered the glorious beauty of Jesus
Christ. I suddenly had a compelling love for the holy life and longed to
do something for the praise and honor and glory of the Lord Jesus.
Yes, I now felt that if I had a thousand gallons of blood in my body, I
could have spilled it all for the sake of Jesus, my Lord.”
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HOPEFUL’S RESPONSE TO BEING
SAVED? WHAT WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO SUMMARIZE HIS
RESPONSE?


Page 132 - sorrow - “tears filled my eyes”
Page 132 - shame - “I was greatly ashamed”, “I felt a strong sense of
shame”
238



Page 132 - great joy - “my heart was filled with great joy”
Page 132 - new compelling desires, new motivations and longings - “I
suddenly had a compelling love for the holy life and longed to do
something for the praise and honor and glory of the Lord Jesus.”
Page 132 - surrender, dedication and commitment to serve Christ no
matter what - “Yes, I now felt that if I had a thousand gallons of blood
in my body, I could have spilled it all for the sake of Jesus, my Lord.”
DO YOU THINK THAT EVERYONE WHO BECOMES A CHRISTIAN
MUST GO THROUGH THE SAME EXPERIENCE? IS BUNYAN
PRESENTING HOPEFUL’S TESTIMONY AS THE NORM FOR EVERY
PERSON WHO BECOMES A CHRISTIAN?
WHAT CAN YOU LEARN ABOUT GIVING A TESTIMONY FROM
HOPEFUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS CONVERSION?
DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY OF FAITH; HOW DID YOU COME TO
CHRIST? HOW WAS YOUR SALVATION EXPERIENCE LIKE OR
UNLIKE THE EXPERIENCE OF HOPEFUL?
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHRISTIAN’S AND HOPEFUL’S DISCUSSIONS - PAGES 135 - 143
1. SCENE 1 - THE PILGRIMS DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF HOW A PERSON
IS JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD WITH A MAN NAMED IGNORANCE PAGES 135 THROUGH THE TOP OF 140
2. SCENE 2 - CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL DISCUSS GODLY FEAR PAGE 140 THROUGH TOP OF 141
3. SCENE 3 - CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF
BACKSLIDING AND MR TEMPORARY - BOTTOM OF PAGE 141
THROUGH TOP OF 143
CHAPTER 16/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL DISCUSS THE ISSUE
OF JUSTIFICATION WITH IGNORANCE
It is significant that the man Ignorance is mentioned several times in
Pilgrim’s Progress - Chapters 13, 15, 16 and then again at the end of
Chapter 17
It is evident that he is a very important Character
When we encountered this man in Chapter 13 and when we considered him
in Chapter 16 - Noted that he was not just ignorant, but wilfully ignorant of:
239
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
His own condition
His own need
God’s holiness
God’s righteousness
God’s standards
God’s way of salvation
When we turn to the end of Chapter 17, we find that Bunyan ends the book
with a description of what happened to this man at the end of his life.
•
Apparently Ignorance represented many in his day and also represents
many in our day
WHEN IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT IGNORANT WAS WILLFULLY
IGNORANT AND DIDN’T WANT TO BE INSTRUCTED, CHRISTIAN AND
HOPEFUL PARTED COMPANY AND BEGAN TO DISCUSS WHY PEOPLE
LIKE IGNORANT AREN’T INTERESTED IN COMING TO CHRIST.
What does Christian say is lacking in people like Ignorance?
The Fear of God


Then having identified what such people lack they went on to discuss
this very important biblical issue.
Both the Old and New Testaments make it clear that fear of God is a
desirable and beneficial experience.
Old Testament:








Deut 10:12-13 – He wants us to fear Him, it is essential
Psalm 2:11 – reverence the Lord
Ps 111:10
Ps 112:1 – Blessed
Prov 1:7
Prov 9:10
Eccl 12:13
Jer 32:40
New Testament:





Matthew 10:28
Romans 3:18
Philippians 2:12 – work out salvation with fear and trembling
Hebrews 12:28 – service with fear and awe
1 Peter 1:17 – fear of the Lord
240

Revelation 14:6-7 – angel says “fear God and give Him glory”
BUNYAN, A TREATISE ON THE FEAR OF THE LORD
“I call it (the fear of the Lord) the highest duty, because it is, as I may call it, not
only the duty itself, but, as it were, the salt that seasons every duty. For there is
no duty performed by us that can by any means be accepted of God, if it be not
seasoned with godly fear. Wherefore the apostle says, ‘Let us have grace,
whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews
12:28).” (The Works of John Bunyan, Volume 2)
CHAPTER 16/ SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL DISCUSS GODLY
FEAR
ON PAGES 140 AND 141 BUNYAN DESCRIBES WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A
PERSON FEARS GOD IN THE RIGHT WAY.
How does Bunyan define a right kind of fear of God in Pilgrim’s Progress?

Acknowledgment to Dr. Barry Horner for some of the ideas about
Bunyan’s description of the Fear of the Lord. The rest are from The
Pilgrim’s Progress itself or from his Treatise on the Fear of God.
1. The right kind of fear of God is recognized by what it causes - it causes
a serious regard for sin. See chapter 1; Isaiah 6:1-5.
2. The right kind of fear of God is recognized by what it motivates a
person to do - it motivates a person to turn to Christ, to seek Christ, to
cling to Christ, to embrace Christ.
3. The right kind of fear of God is recognized by what it produces - a soul
that is tender and reverent toward God, toward His Word and His
ways, a soul that hates sin and loves righteousness, a soul that doesn’t
want to do anything to displease or dishonor God, grieve the Holy
Spirit or give God’s enemies any reason to speak scornfully of God
and his kingdom.
In his Treatise on the Fear of God in The Complete Works of John Bunyan,
Volume 2, page 422, Bunyan defines what he means by the fear of the Lord:
“I take this grace of fear to be that which softens and mollifies the heart
and makes it stand in awe of both the mercies of God and the judgments
of God. This is that which retains in the heart that due dread and
reverence of the heavenly Majesty that is fitting to be in and kept in the
heart of sinners. … This is that, therefore, that is … His treasure (Isaiah
33:6), that which makes men excel above all others; it is that which makes
the sinner stand in awe of God, which posture is the most beautiful thing in
us, throughout all the ages.”
241
And then having described the fear of God in general, he then goes on to
describe its’ effects in more detail. On pages 425 to 430, Bunyan lists 14
things that will happen in the life of a person who fears God and gives
numerous Scripture references to support his statements.
1. “There flows from this godly fear a godly reverence for God.”
2. “There flows from this godly fear watchfulness.”
3. “There flows from this godly fear a holy provocation to edify and build up
other believers in the faith.
4. “There flows from this godly fear a desire to worship, obey and serve
God.”
5. “There flows from this godly fear, self denial.”
6. “There flows from this godly fear sincerity and integrity in a person’s walk
before God and men.
7. “There flows from this godly fear compassion and concern for other
believers who have needs and are in distress.”
8. “There flows from this godly fear hearty, fervent and constant prayer.”
9. “There flows from this godly fear a willingness to do what God wants him
to regardless of the inconvenience or difficulty.”
10. “There flows from this godly fear humility of mind.”
11. “There flows from this godly fear hope in the mercy of God.”
12. “There flows from this godly fear a passion for holiness.”
13. “There flows from this godly fear a great delight in the commandments of
God.”
14. “There flows from this godly fear a greater love for God, for God’s people
and for the souls of men.”
So Bunyan makes it crystal clear in his book on the fear of God and also in
The Pilgrim’s Progress that he sees the fear of God as a very important
aspect of the Christian life. And now having taken that little excursion into
his Treatise on the Fear of God, let’s return to The Pilgrim’s Progress.
In the middle of page 204, Hopeful does a very interesting thing. He makes
a brief statement of agreement and then hurries to ask a question that
doesn’t seem to have anything to do with what they’ve been talking about.
“Do you think we’re almost out of the enchanted ground?”
What do you think Hopeful may be trying to do at this point?
He was trying to change the subject. See Christian’s response to his question on
page 204 - “Why? Are you getting tired of this discussion?”

Cheryl Ford - “Hopeful … probably finds this heavy discussion a
somewhat taxing mental exercise…”
242

Barry Horner - “Hopeful has been moved to a point of sensitivity about the
fear of God that made him uncomfortable. He seeks a break to relieve the
pressure, but is not willing to confess his troubled spirit to his companion.”
On page 204 Christian quickly informs him that they are almost out of the
Enchanted Ground, but then says, “Let’s get back to the subject of the fear
of God and discuss the issue of why people stifle the convictions that they
may cause some fear of God in them.”
Hopeful says, “OK and why do you think people stifle these convictions?”
Christian mentions four reasons:
1. They are convinced that fear comes from the Devil
They take out of context:



2 Tim 1:7 – has not given us a heart of fear
Romans 8:15, 33-34 – spirit of adoption, not spirit of fear
1 John 4:18 – no fear in love
However:



Psalm 111:10; 112:1 – fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
Jer 32:40
Deut 10:12-13
2. They are convinced that fear spoils their faith. “The faithful pilgrim is
a jolly pilgrim, radiant and vibrant, not full of melancholy and
trembling. Fear dulls the spirit and dampens witness, but joy and
ecstasy are infectious. God is not a killjoy.” (Horner)
They take out of context:


Neh 8:10
Gal 5:22 – “love, joy, peace…”
However:


Matt 5:4 – blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted
James 4:8-10 –
3. They are convinced that having a confident and positive attitude is
more beneficial. Fear is demeaning, destructive, unmanly and
unworthy of a Christian. It robs a person of his assertiveness and
243
confidence. Can’t really be productive unless you have self
confidence.
However:



Psalm 112, 128
Proverbs 14:26-27
Proverbs 22:4
4. They are convinced that fear detracts from a person’s sense of self
esteem and moral goodness. Fear causes a person to doubt his own
self righteousness. Fear causes a person to lose his his sense of
assurance before God; makes a man miserable and insecure in
terms of his relationship with God.



Psalm 2:11
Prov 14:27
Acts 9:31
In this scene Bunyan does several things:
1. Describes how important the fear of God is in the Christian life.
2. Describes some of the effects of the fear of God.
3. Tells us why men stifle the fear of God in their lives.
However, one thing he doesn’t do in a specific way is describe how the fear
of God is produced and sustained in our lives, but what he doesn’t do here,
he does in his book on the Fear of God. (Pages 423 to 425, Treatise On The
Fear Of God, Volume 2)
1. This godly fear flows from the distinguishing love of God for His elect.
•
Jeremiah 32:40
2. This godly fear flows from a new heart.
•
•
Jeremiah 32:39
Ezekiel 11:19
3. This godly fear flows from a sound impression that the Word of God
makes on our souls. “… without the impress of the Word, there is no fear
of God.”


Deuteronomy 6:1-2; 31:12
Psalm 19:9
244
4. This godly fear flows from faith.


Galatians 3:2
Hebrews 11:7
5. This godly fear flows from genuine repentance for sin.

2 Corinthians 7:10-11
6. This godly fear flows from a sense of the love and kindness of God to the
soul.


Psalm 130:3,4
Jeremiah 33:8-9
7. This godly fear flows from a due consideration of the judgments of God
that are executed in this world.



Psalm 119:120
1 Chronicles 13:12
Deuteronomy 13:11; 21:21; 17:13; 19:20
8. This godly fear flows from a godly remembrance of our former convictions
of sin.

Deuteronomy 4:9-11
9. This godly fear flows from remembering how God answered our prayers
when we were in distress and begged for His mercy.

1 Kings 8:37-40
10. This godly fear flows from a remembrance that God knows the heart and
everything else about us.


Psalm 139:1-14
Luke 16:15
11. This godly fear flows from a sense of the impartial judgment of God on
men and their works

1 Peter 1:17
Quotes from the same book:
245


“The fear of God flows from … a sound impression the Word of God
makes on our souls; for without an impress of the Word, there is no fear of
God. Hence it is said that God gave good laws to Israel so that … they
might learn to fear the Lord their God. For as to the extent a man drinks
good doctrine into his soul, so to that extent he fears God. If he drinks in
much, he fears Him greatly. If he drinks in but little, he fears Him but little.
If he drinks it not at all, He fears Him not at all.”
“Godly fear flows from a sense of the love and kindness of God to the
soul. Where there is no sense of the hope and kindness and mercy of God
by Jesus Christ, there can be none of this fear, but rather wrath and
despair, which produces a fear … that is Devilish; … but godly fear flows
from a sense of hope and mercy from God by Jesus Christ.”
CHAPTER 16/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL DISCUSS THE ISSUE
OF BACKSLIDING AND MR. TEMPORARY - BOTTOM OF PAGE 141
THROUGH 143
Preliminary Remarks:
1. This is the last new character that Bunyan introduces before the end of
Christian’s and Hopeful’s pilgrimage in this world.
2. Barry Horner suggests that in all of the characters Pastor Bunyan has
described he has been drawing on his wide pastoral experience.
3. Probably what Pastor Bunyan has been doing in Chapters 10 to 16 is
illustrating for us the different ways that people respond to the truth of the
Gospel.
a. Chapters 10 to 17 - the response of Hopeful - the good soil of the
parable Jesus told in Matthew 13 and Mark 4. Embraced the truth
and persevered, struggled at times, but in the main was a stalwart
for the faith who became very productive and bore much fruit.
b. Chapter 10 – Mr. By-Ends who wanted a refined kind of religion, a
religion in silver slippers.
c. Chapter 11 - Demas who also made a profession of faith, but then
turned away because he loved what the world had to offer.
d. Chapters 13 and 16 - Ignorance - who willfully ignored the truth of
the Gospel - Matthew 13:7, 22 = thorny soil where impact of the
Word was stifled by impact of the world so that it was unfruitful.
e. Chapter 13 - Mr. Little Faith - genuinely responded to the Gospel,
persevered in the faith, but remained a weak believer - bore some
fruit, but only a little.
f. Chapter 13 - Mr. Turn-back - made a profession of came faith, but
then turned away, became a heretic, an apostate
246
g. Chapter 13 - account of Great Grace who was strong in the Lord had taken unto Him the whole armor of God and was being mightily
used of God in the lives of other believers.
h. Chapter 14 - the response of Atheist - Matthew 13:4,19 = hard,
unreceptive soil.
i. Now in Chapter 16 - Mr. Temporary who made a profession of faith,
but now has backslidden.
4. Details of his story:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Was from the region around Vanity Fair.
Lived in the town of Graceless about two miles from Honesty.
Very impulsive sort of man - feelings oriented.
Neighbour of Mr. Turn-back.
Had once experienced what appeared to be an awakening in his life some insight into his sins and the wages they would bring him.
f. Would often come to Hopeful in tears for counsel.
g. Had resolved to go on pilgrimage.
h. Was known by Christian as well as Hopeful.
i. Had become acquainted with and influenced by Mr. Save-self - Luke
9:23,24 - Barry Horner = encouraged conscience desensitization; Bible
reinterpretation, guilt elimination; self esteem theology, fear suppression,
toleration of error, broadmindedness, look out for number 1 thinking, etc.
j. Began to treat Christian like a stranger - distanced himself from him.
Christian proposes a question: “Why don’t we figure out why he and others
suddenly backslide?
Hopeful’s thoughts about why people backslide:
1. Their consciences are awakened but their attitudes toward sin, self and
God remain changed.
2. Their fear of men overpowers them.

Proverbs 29:25
3. They have a great dislike for the shame that true religion brings.
4. Their dislike for pain and discomfort that comes from conviction of sin
causes them to harden their hearts. They discover that blocking out the
knowledge of the true God and His standards reduces and even
eliminates their discomfort.
Christian provides his perspective on backsliding:
247
5. People backslide because they have never been born again, their minds
and will have never been really changed. He made a profession of faith
because he was emotionally moved, his conscience was bothered and he
wanted to escape judgment, but his profession never went any deeper or
further than that - had never had the experience of.


2 Cor 3:17
1 Thess 1:9-11
6. Explains what happens with people like Mr. Temporary by using the
illustration of a convicted criminal. Fears the punishment, but doesn’t hate
his crime or love righteousness.
On page 143 in the conclusion to this discussion about backsliding,
Hopeful asks Christian to describe the process of backsliding: How does it
happen?
1. Serious thoughts about God, judgment, holiness and death are willfully
abandoned and thoughts about career, entertainment, friendships,
marriage and family, etc. are chosen because they produce comfort and
pleasure.
2. Profitable religious duties are gradually neglected - private prayer, Bible
study, reading of good books, personal discipline, self examination, etc.
3. They begin to shun the company of zealous Christians - may continue at
this point to go to church, but avoid contact with mature individual
Christians or small groups where personal testimonies may be shared and
questions might be asked. If they interact with Christians at all, it is with
those who are less zealous and committed to Christ.
4. Their interest in and attendance at church services begins to diminish;
their involvement wanes; “their attendance becomes spasmodic; their
singing is less enthusiastic; their listening to the preaching lacks
concentration; their loyalty becomes slack; their appreciative spirit is
replaced with murmuring.”
5. They develop a critical spirit toward the godly. “They start nitpicking and
look for faults in other Christians. They find a flaw in them and thereby get
an excuse to cast their faith behind their backs.” They seem to delight in
doing what Matthew 7:2-5 instruct us not to do. They become bitter and
resentful of what is happening in the church and are very resistant to
correction or reproof. Horner says that they “like hounds, … sniff around
for whatever indications, even if ever so slight, of similar hypocrisy that are
to be found in even good pilgrims. On finding such evidence, they snigger
and relax feeling justified.”
6. They begin to prefer the friendship and fellowship of godless people. They
go back to running around with the same crowd they had previously
forsaken. They go back to social activities they once had given up and
even broaden their range of activities in the name of Christian liberty. They
248
begin to do things on Sundays in the place of church attendance that they
previously would not have done. Their conversations take on a much more
worldly focus.
7. They then begin to play with little sins more openly. They claim liberty
under grace and accuse others who may disapprove and not participate of
being legalists. They begin to excuse and rationalize and justify their sins.
8. They become boldly and unashamedly ungodly in their thinking and living.
They claim that they have had intellectual problems with the doctrines of
Christianity for some time. They begin to accuse the church of
brainwashing its’ people and their life style become openly materialistic
and even pagan. Horner - “The menu of the world, though vomited up for
a season, is now re-ingested (2 Peter 2:22).”
What can you do to avoid backsliding of any kind? Do the opposite of what
backsliders do on page 207.



Practice Prov 4:23
2 Cor 10:4-5
Hebrews 3:13-14
8 things that Bunyan taught
1. ?
2. Practice closet prayer, curb ungodly desires, deal with sin quickly – Matt
6:7-13, Ps 139:23-24; 1 John 1:9
3. Spend time with godly Christians
4. Participate in Church, make it a priority
5. Avoid nit-picking – Phil 4:8: Rom 12:10
6. Heed warnings of 1 Cor 15:23 – careful who and what you spend the most
of your time
7. Avoid debating controversial issues – Eph 4:29; 2 Tim 2; 1 Tim 6
8. Never use someone else’s sin as an excuse for your own, don’t minimize
An extra 9th thing:

Think of the Love of God
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE END OF THE JOURNEY - PAGES 211-221
MAIN CHRISTIAN LIFE ISSUES IN CHAPTER 17
1. SCENE 1 - CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARRIVE AT THE COUNTRY
CALLED BEULAH - PAGE 195 THROUGH 197
249
2. SCENE 2 - CHRISTIAN'S AND HOPEFUL'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE
DARK RIVER - PAGE 197 THROUGH 200
3. SCENE 3 - CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARRIVE AT THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE DARK RIVER AND GAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CELESTIAL
CITY - PAGE 200 THROUGH 205
4. SCENE 4 - THE FINAL OUTCOME OF IGNORANCE - PAGE 205
BOTTOM THROUGH 206
CHAPTER 17/SCENE 1 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARRIVE AT THE
COUNTRY CALLED BEULAH
WHAT DOES BEULAH LAND REPRESENT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?
1. Note Bunyan’s description:















Air is sweet and refreshing
Enjoyed some peace and comfort for a time; enjoyed every day they
spent in this place
Saw lovely flowers and heard the continual singing of birds
Place where sun shines night and day
Is beyond the Valley of the Shadow of Death - Chapter 6, pages 69 to
73
Beyond the reach of Giant Despair
Couldn’t so much as catch a glimpse of Doubting Castle
Is on the border of heaven
Here the angels commonly walk
Here the bridegroom renews His covenant and rejoices with His bride
Here they experience an abundance of good things
Here they are within sight of the Celestial City - able to get a wonderful
view of its’ beauty
Here they rejoiced more than they had at any other time in their lives
Here their strength was marvelously restored
Here they talked more in their sleep than they ever had in all their
journey
2. Actual term is taken from Isaiah 62:4; verses 1-12; note context: Zion
= in Hebrews 12:22-23 symbolic of church
Beulah – Hebrew “Married”


Verse 1 - the righteousness of God’s people goes forth like brightness
Verse 2 - the nations and people, even kings see the glory and
righteousness
250








Verse 3 - becomes a crown of beauty
Verse 4 - no longer called forsaken or desolate; called My Delight,
married, the Lord delights in her
Verse 5 - sons will marry Zion
Verse 6 - watchmen are alert and active and vocal
Verse 7 - persistent in prayer
Verse 8 - deliverance and victory over enemies
Verse 9 - enjoying fruit of labor and filled with praise to the Lord
Verses 10-12 - experience the felt presence of God and receive
tremendous blessings from Him
3. Other Scripture



Proverbs 4:18
Psalm 84:5-7
Psalm 92:12-15
4. Conclusion – times when heaven is in the soul before the soul is in
heaven
CHAPTER 17/SCENE 2 – CHRISTIAN'S AND HOPEFUL'S EXPERIENCE
WITH THE DARK RIVER
PAGE 197 THROUGH 200
WHAT DOES THE DARK RIVER REPRESENT?
1. Bunyan’s description of this river:








Flowed between them and the gate to the Celestial City
No bridge for crossing over
River was very deep
Its’ appearance stunned them
Began to lose hope
Could find no escape from the river
Differs in depth for different people
Difference is dependent on the faith of the individual
2. Lessons:
•
•
Can’t be avoided (Hebrews 9:27) – in whole history of mankind have
been only two who didn’t have to go through it – Enoch and Elijah –
“you must go through it or you cannot approach the Gate.”
Can be very deep for some people – is more frightening for some
than for others
251
•
People with strong faith go through the experience of death with less
difficulty than people with weak faith – Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy
4:6b-8; pages 198 to 199 - Christian versus Hopeful
WHAT TROUBLED CHRISTIAN AS HE WENT THROUGH THE DARK RIVER?
1. He lost his senses and didn’t remember any of the blessings and
encouragement he had received on the way.

Psalm 103:1-6
2. He was greatly troubled by the remembrance of his sins both before he
had become and Christian and since.
3. Bottom of page 199 – His mind was focusing on the difficulties he was
experiencing rather than the promises of Scripture and the presence of
Christ.;




Isaiah 43:2
Matt 28:20
Heb 13:5-6
Psalm 23:4
WHAT WAS IT THAT HELPED CHRISTIAN TO GET THROUGH THE
DIFFICULT TIME HE WAS HAVING?
1. Same thing that helped him when he was captured by the Giant Despair
and imprisoned in Doubting Castle – chapter 11, pages 141 to 144
2. “Cheer up, my brother, I can feel the bottom, and it is firm.”
3. “Hopeful … had quite a task keeping his brother’s head above water.
4. “Hopeful … would try to encourage him, saying, ‘Brother, I see the Gate
and men standing by it to receive us.”
5. Hopeful exhorted him, “… you have forgotten the Text where it is said …”;
he turned his attention to Scripture.
6. Hopeful reminded him that what he was going through was only a test
from God to see if he will lean on Him in his time of distress.
7. Hopeful continued to exhort him with assurances that Christ was going to
see him through and make him whole; he directed his attention to Christ.
8. Finally, Christian remembered the promise of God from Isaiah 43:2 and
was greatly encouraged.
CHAPTER 17/SCENE 3 – CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ARRIVE AT THE
OTHER SIDE OF THE DARK RIVER AND GAIN ENTRANCE TO THE
CELESTIAL CITY
252
I. NOTICE ON PAGE 200 WHAT BUNYAN SAYS HAPPENED TO THEM
AFTER THEY GOT THROUGH THE RIVER OF DEATH
A. Pages 200 and 202 - they were met by two shining ones
1. Who were these Shining Ones?






Matthew 28:3
Hebrews 1:14
Luke 16:22
2 Kings 2:9-11
Psalm 68:17
Mark 13:27
2. Note where these “shining ones” met Christian and Hopeful (Page
200) – “Upon the river bank on the other side, they saw the two
Shining Ones … waiting…”


Did not believe in “soul sleep”
Nor did he believe in purgatory
3. Bunyan knew the Scripture well









2 Cor 5:8
Phil 1:21-23
Luke 23:43
Heb 12:23
Rev 6:9-11
Rev 7:9-10
2 Kings 2:111
Matt 17:3
Luke 16:22-25 – not a parable!!! Randy Alcorn quote (17.1)
B. They “left their garments behind them in the River. For though those
garments entered the River with them, the pilgrims came out without
them.”



2 Corinthians 5:1-9 – temporary container for our souls of some sort!
Philippians 4:21
1 Corinthians 15:42-55
C. After death “they moved forward with great agility and speed …. They
went up through the regions of space …” They received new and
enlarged capacities.
253
1. Even in their disembodied state believers in heaven are able to see and
be seen, talk, move, sing, serve, etc.



Revelation 6:9-11
Revelation 7:15
Matthew 17:3
II. MOVING ON TO THE NEXT SECTION, BUNYAN GIVES US A BEAUTIFUL
DESCRIPTION OF WHAT BELIEVERS WILL EXPERIENCE IN HEAVEN.
A. Page 201 – heaven is a place, not just a state of mind.




Isaiah 66:1
Acts 1:9-11
Acts 7:55-56
John 14:1-3
B. Heaven is a place of glorious splendor.




1 Cor 2:9
2 Cor 12:2-4
Eze 1:4-28 – John MacArthur quote (17.2)
Rev 4:1-11 - John MacArthur quote (17.3), Maurice Roberts quote
(17.4), Randy Alcorn quote (17.5)
C. Heaven is a large place – a city, not a village or town.


Rev 21:10-16
John 14:2
D. Heaven is a place where believers will enjoy the company of myriads
of angels.





Heb 12:22
Rev 5:11 – myriads
2 Kings 6:8-23 – angels were there but invisible, and the Elisha prayed
and they became visible
Psalm 91:11-12 – save our lives and we don’t even know it
Psalm 34:7
E. Heaven is a place where believers will enjoy total and complete
satisfaction.
1. Paradise of God - means “walled park”, carefully cultivated garden
full of plants
254



Luke 23:43 – “today you’ll be with me in paradise”
2 Cor 12:2-4
Rev 2:7 – paradise of God
2. Tree of life



Gen 2:9 – access to it
Gen 3:22-24 – were banned from it
Rev 22:14 – will have access to it again
F. Heaven is a place where believers will enjoy the company of just men
made perfect







Heb 12:22-23
Rev 21:27
Join Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets will be there
Friends and loved ones before you will be there
Rom 1:17
Rom 5:1
Rom 8:30
G. Heaven is a place where all of our former troubles will be gone
forever.
1. What we do experience in this world:




Gen 47:9
Job 5:7
Psalm 90:10
John 16:33 – in this world we will have tribulation
2. What we will experience in heaven:



Rev 7:16-17 – no more hunger or thirst, no blistering heat from the
sun…
Rev 21:4 – no more death, sorrow, pain
Rev 14:13 – rest
3. Rest from:
a.
b.
c.
d.
All perplexing doubts and fears
All thoughts of God’s displeasure
All temptations from Satan
All cruel thoughts of God
255
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
All abuses and persecutions
All temptations from the world and own sinful hearts
All sad divisions and unchristian quarrels
All sorrowful hours and sad thoughts
All grief we experience because of Christ rejecters
All personal sufferings
All the trouble and pain
All the sadness that must necessarily accompany our loss of the
sense of God’s presence
H. Heaven is a place where we will be involved in a variety of fulfilling
and satisfying activities.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
You must receive consolation for all your toil – Matthew 6:19
You must receive your treasure
You must receive crowns of gold
You shall perpetually serve Christ with gladness
You shall delight in seeing and hearing the Mighty One
You shall be reunited with friends and relatives
You shall have glory and be equipped to ride out with the King of Glory
You shall sit with Christ and share in His judgment
You will see Christ face to face and reside in his immediate and
continuous presence forever
LOOKING BACK OVER CHRISTIAN'S TRAVELS, WHAT PART OF THE
JOURNEY ARE YOU ON RIGHT NOW? WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR
CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE?
LOOKING BACK OVER CHRISTIAN'S TRAVELS, WHAT PART OF THE
JOURNEY ARE YOU ON RIGHT NOW? WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR
CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE?
WHAT PART OF THIS BOOK WAS MOST HELPFUL OR CHALLENGING TO
YOU, AND WHY?
LIST WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT
DOCTRINAL EMPHASES IN THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THESE AS THE MOST IMPORTANT?
CHAPTER 17/SCENE 4 – THE FINAL OUTCOME OF IGNORANCE
256