Author: Charles Spurgeon

Pastor, seek the lost — God will save them

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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

Conversion is God’s work: it cannot be done without his hand. Without him we can do nothing. Our hand is far too puny for such a work.

Still, there are certain circumstances under which that hand will work, and there are hindrances which will restrain it. Let us think awhile. First, then, if sinners are to be converted we must distinctly aim at it. As a rule, a man does what he tries to do, and not that which is mere by-product. The conversion of sinners is not one of those things which a man is likely to accomplish without intending it. Sometimes in the sovereignty of God a preacher who does not aim at conversion may nevertheless be made useful, for God works as he wills; but largely, and as a rule men do not win souls if they do not eagerly desire to do so. Fishing for men cannot be carried out by throwing in the net anyhow, without caring whether fish be caught or no. Few traders become rich by accident, they generally have to plod and work hard for money: and to be rich in treasures of saved souls you must aim at it and labor for it.

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe living as a peacemaker.

To remain quiet is generally the way to baffle an adversary. Indeed, there is no weapon with which he can wound you. If you will not yield so as to give railing for railing, what is to be done with you?

It is much the same as when a certain duke proclaimed war against a peaceful neighbor who was resolved not to fight. The troops came riding to the town, and found the gates open as on ordinary occasions. The children were playing in the streets, and the blacksmith was at his forge, and the shopkeepers at their counters. And so, pulling up their horses, the soldiers inquired, “Where is the enemy?”

“We don’t know. We are friends.” What was to be done under the circumstances but to ride home?

So it is in life, if you only meet evil with good the bad man’s occupation is gone.

RESOURCE FOR PASTORS

Get a free Bible

Special thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this newsletter.

The CSB was created using optimal equivalence, a translation philosophy that pursues both linguistic precision to the original languages and readability in contemporary English. It’s a faithful translation that you (and your church) won’t be able to put down!

Click here to learn more about the CSB (and request a free CSB Bible).

Pray with Spurgeon: My soul is satisfied in God alone

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

By your grace, we are heirs according to promise and heirs of the promise, and we dwell at home in the Father’s house, and our soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and our mouth shall praise you with joyful lips.

O God, we would not change places with angels, much less with kings of the earth. To truly be your sons and daughters—the thought of it brings to our soul a present heaven, and the fruition of it shall be our heaven, to dwell forever in the house of the Lord, and go no more out, but to be his sons and his heirs forever and ever.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.” (1 Peter 1:19)

Place innocence, and merit, and dignity, and position, and godhead itself, in the scale, and then conceive what must be the inestimable value of the blood that Jesus Christ poured forth. Angels must have seen that matchless blood-shedding with wonder and amazement, and even God himself saw what never before was seen in creation or in providence: he saw himself more gloriously displayed than in the whole universe besides.

There is no other plan by which sinners can be made at one with God except by Jesus’ precious blood. I may make sacrifices; I may mortify my body; I may be baptized; I may receive sacraments; I may pray until my knees grow hard with kneeling; I may read devout words until I know them by heart; I may celebrate masses; I may worship in one language or in fifty languages. But I can never be at one with God except by blood, and that blood, “the precious blood of Christ.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Gift Idea for Your Pastor’s Wife

As you begin planning your Christmas gifts, I hope you won’t forget to recognize the unique contribution that our pastors’ wives make.

Being a pastor’s wife is a uniquely challenging work. I’m so thankful for the ways my wife bears my burdens and equips me to serve our church more faithfully.

If you want to bless and encourage the wives of your pastors this Christmas, consider grabbing copies of a new book, Partners in the Gospel: 50 Meditations for Pastors’ and Elders’ Wives by Megan Hill. This book is a collection of 50 short devotionals that will leave readers feeling refreshed and encouraged for the uniquely challenging (and rewarding) work ahead of them.

I hope you’ll consider grabbing a few copies for your pastors’ wives.

Buy Partners in the Gospel:

Pastor, seek the lost — God will save them

Get wisdom encouragement for Spurgeon in your inbox every week. Subscribe to the The Pastor’s Note newsletter for free.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

Conversion is God’s work: it cannot be done without his hand. Without him we can do nothing. Our hand is far too puny for such a work.

Still, there are certain circumstances under which that hand will work, and there are hindrances which will restrain it. Let us think awhile. First, then, if sinners are to be converted we must distinctly aim at it. As a rule, a man does what he tries to do, and not that which is mere by-product. The conversion of sinners is not one of those things which a man is likely to accomplish without intending it. Sometimes in the sovereignty of God a preacher who does not aim at conversion may nevertheless be made useful, for God works as he wills; but largely, and as a rule men do not win souls if they do not eagerly desire to do so. Fishing for men cannot be carried out by throwing in the net anyhow, without caring whether fish be caught or no. Few traders become rich by accident, they generally have to plod and work hard for money: and to be rich in treasures of saved souls you must aim at it and labor for it.

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe living as a peacemaker.

To remain quiet is generally the way to baffle an adversary. Indeed, there is no weapon with which he can wound you. If you will not yield so as to give railing for railing, what is to be done with you?

It is much the same as when a certain duke proclaimed war against a peaceful neighbor who was resolved not to fight. The troops came riding to the town, and found the gates open as on ordinary occasions. The children were playing in the streets, and the blacksmith was at his forge, and the shopkeepers at their counters. And so, pulling up their horses, the soldiers inquired, “Where is the enemy?”

“We don’t know. We are friends.” What was to be done under the circumstances but to ride home?

So it is in life, if you only meet evil with good the bad man’s occupation is gone.

RESOURCE FOR PASTORS

Get a free Bible

Special thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this newsletter.

The CSB was created using optimal equivalence, a translation philosophy that pursues both linguistic precision to the original languages and readability in contemporary English. It’s a faithful translation that you (and your church) won’t be able to put down!

Click here to learn more about the CSB (and request a free CSB Bible).

Pray with Spurgeon: God will never send us away — for we are his

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

O God, we thank you that we have not been cast out. Indeed, if you had then cast out the child of the slave woman you would have cast us out, but now through sovereign grace all is altered with us. Blessed be your name. It is a work of divine power and love over human nature, for now we are the children of the promise, certainly not born according to the strength of the human will, or of blood, or of birth, but born by the Holy Spirit through the power of the Word, begotten again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, children of the great Father who is in heaven, having his life within us. Now, like Isaac, we are heirs according to promise and heirs of the promise, and we dwell at home in the Father’s house, and our soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and our mouth shall praise you as with joyful lips.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold,” (1 Peter 1:18)

The price by which you were set free he counted down in a wondrous coinage, minted from his own heart. The ransom is paid, and the jubilee trumpet proclaims that you and your heavenly possessions are now delivered from all mortgage and encumbrance through the blood of Jesus Christ. Remember that with a great price you have obtained this freedom.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Why Do Paul’s Letters Matter?*

For DECADES, it’s been extremely popular to reject Paul’s Letters. Scholars question if Paul even wrote them, leaders say his teaching is outdated, and countless well-meaning Christians say they just prefer Jesus.

But Paul’s letters are not optional. We need them in our Bibles and we need them in our hearts.

To reject Paul’s epistles is to reject Christ himself.

On the other hand, to study Paul’s letters is ALWAYS a rewarding activity, as he describes the grace of God with such incredible clarity and wonder.

If you want help studying Paul’s Letters, my friends at Midwestern Seminary have put together a REALLY great resource.

This month, they are giving away their New Testament II online class that covers all of Paul’s letters (Romans–Philemon) — all for FREE.

It’s taught by Patrick Schreiner, who is one of the most helpful New Testament scholars today.

This is some INCREDIBLE content that will help you understand, read, and apply your Bible better.

Click here to get started with this FREE seminary-level course.

Pray with Spurgeon: We were enslaved, God set us free

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, we thank you for the liberty which comes to our emancipated spirit through the adoption which you have made us to enjoy. When we were enslaved to sin the chains were heavy, for we could not keep your law; there was an inward spirit of rebellion; when the commandment came it irritated our corrupt nature and sin revived, and we died. Even when we had some strivings after better things, yet the power that was in us lusted into evil; we wanted to fly from the Father’s house; we were wild men, men of the wilderness, and we loved not living in the Father’s house.

O God, we thank you that we have not been cast out.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in reverence during your time living as strangers.” (1 Peter 1:17)

Let a childlike fear of offending your great Father ever restrain you from sin. “Happy is the person who fears continuously” (Proverbs 28:14). Do not be presumptuous. Always remember that, as there is a God who will to judge every man, you are to be judged. And oh, that you might, through his grace, be in such a condition of heart that you shall withstand the last test and be found to be full weight when you are put into the balances of the sanctuary that God shall hold with steadfast hand!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Plunge further into 1 Peter

Over the last few weeks, the “Verse of the Day” section in this newsletter has featured Spurgeon’s commentary on 1 Peter. This is such a wonderful book for understanding what it really means to follow Christ and how to have true assurance.

If you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use Bible study that will help you unpack and understand every part of 1 Peter, I highly recommend the Knowing the Bible series from Crossway. These books are really simple Bible studies that help you read the book for yourself (rather than just telling you exactly how to think).

This series is really incredible and, for some reason, no one really ever talks about them.

I hope you’ll check out the book on 1 Peter (and maybe bring someone along with you to study together?) and dive deeper into God’s word this fall.

Buy 1–2 Peter and Jude (Knowing the Bible):

Pray with Spurgeon: God is our Abba Father

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our Father, we bless your name that we can say from the bottom of our hearts, “Abba, Father.” It is the chief joy of our lives that we have become the children of God by faith which is in Christ Jesus, and we can in the deep calm of our spirit say, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done in earth as in heaven.”

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

Observe the reason for obedience to the command: “because I am holy.” Children should be like their fathers. There are many children who bear, in their very faces, evidences of their sonship. You know who their fathers were by the image that the children bear. Oh, that it were always so with all the children of God: “You will be holy, because I am holy.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

FREE Seminary Class: Paul’s Letters with Patrick Schreiner*

Every book of the New Testament — the four Gospels, the letters, and even Revelation — point us to the glory of Jesus, crucified for sinners and risen from the dead. What a blessed book for deep study!

Studying the New Testament in depth is always a useful activity, because we haven’t yet seen all the glories of Jesus that it reveals.

Recently, I’ve been really loving Patrick Schreiner’s New Testament 2 class from Midwestern Seminary. This class covers all of Paul’s Letters (Romans–Philemon).

The best part? This class is available 100% FOR FREE!

If you sign up at the link in my bio, you can get complete access to this incredible class, know your Bible better, and love Jesus more — all for free.

I can’t wait to hear about all the wonderful things that God does in your life as you dive deeper into his Word using this free resource.

Click here to get started with this FREE seminary-level course.

Pray with Spurgeon: God, be glorified in my city

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We pray for our brethren at home, in poverty many of them, working for Christ, Lord accept them and help us to help them. Sunday-school teachers, remember them; and the tract visitors from door to door, and the city missionaries, and the Bible women, all who in any way endeavor to bring Christ under the notice of men. O, help them all.

We will offer but one more prayer, and it is this. Lord look in pity upon any who are not in Christ. May they be converted. May they pass from death to life, and they will never forget it; may they see the eternal light for the first time, and they will remember it even in Eternity. Father help us; bless us now for Jesu’s sake. Amen.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct;” (1 Peter 1:15)

See your model. See the copy to which you are to write. You are far short of it. Try again. May the power of Jesus rest upon you, and may he that has brought us to the place we have attained continue to work in us till we are like our Lord himself!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

How God’s grace helps you grow

Today we prayed that God would help us grow in holiness and set us free from sin. We ask God to help us grow in holiness, because we know that God’s grace doesn’t just save us from sin, it also gives us the power that we need to slay sin. The work of growing in godliness is a work of cooperation between us and God’s grace.

One of my all-time favorite books is The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges. This book explains how God’s grace empowers Christians to slay sin and grow in godliness. It is one of the helpful, practical, and encouraging books that I have ever read! If you want to grow in godliness, start with The Discipline of Grace.

Reading The Discipline of Grace will definitely help you grow in holiness. I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy The Discipline of Grace:

Weekend Edition: Help me not be distracted in church

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH (BY SPURGEON)

Even the act of worship may not be easy for some. The dragon seems to pursue them, and floods of distractions wash away their devotion. Grant them wings like eagles, that each one may soar away to the place prepared for them and find rest in your presence today.

Our Father, come and grant rest to your children now.

Amen.

GET A FREE SEMINARY CLASS

Thanks to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College for sponsoring the Weekend Edition. This month, Midwestern is giving away their New Testament II class (covering Paul’s Letters) for FREE.

This class is taught by Patrick Schreiner and will help you ready, study, and apply Paul’s Epistles with confidence.

Get this class for free right here.

WEEKEND LONG READ (SERMON BY SPURGEON)

The Saint, One with His Savior

We want to have the same spirit as Christ. Well, brethren, our hope is that we shall have it, for we are joined to the Lord, and he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit. You are joined to Christ, you are one spirit, and though it is not yet fully seen, it will be before long. There are better times coming, there are deeper degrees of grace for you yet, only persevere.

Read the full sermon from the Spurgeon Center for Biblical Preaching at Midwestern Seminary.

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

The Purpose of Theology in Times of Uncertainty

In tumultuous times, communion with God, then, is both “perfect and complete” and “initial and incomplete.” It is perfect and complete, John Owen explained, “in the full fruition of his glory,” and initial and incomplete “in the first fruits and dawnings of that perfection which we have here in grace.” Thus, contemplation on fellowship with God strengthens those anxious about the earthly world seemingly turned upside down all around them.

Read the article on For the Church.

PREPARE FOR MINISTRY AT MIDWESTERN

What Jesus purchased is precious. We’ve made it our purpose. Midwestern Seminary exists for the Church, and we serve the church by biblically educating God-called men and women to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ. If you’re called to serve the church, train with us, for the Church.

Pray with Spurgeon: Bring every trouble to God

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, help your poor children to be holy. Oh, keep us so if we are so; keep us even from stumbling, and present us faultless before your presence at last. We pray for friends that are ill, for many that are troubled because of the illness of others. We bring before you every case of trouble and trial known to us, and ask for your gracious intervention. We pray for your ministers everywhere; for your missionary servants. Remember brothers who are making great sacrifice out in the hot sun or in the cold and frozen north. Preserve those who for Christ’s sake carry their lives in their hands.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance.” (1 Peter 1:14)

Men’s religion seems to hang loosely about them as if it did not fit them. The wonder is that it does not drop off from them. Men are so little braced up as to conscientious conviction and vigorous resolve that they easily go to pieces if assailed by error or temptation. Brace yourselves up; pull yourselves together; be firm, compact, consistent, determined. Do not be like quicksilver, which keeps on dissolving and running into fractions. Do not fritter away life upon trifles, but live to purpose, with undivided heart and decided resolution.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

The New Testament is Amazing — So Dive in Deep*

On every page of the New Testament, the glory of Jesus is revealed to us with crystal clarity. We need to discipline ourselves to DIVE deep into the NT — every part of it — to see and savor Jesus more.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been REALLY encouraged by a new (FREE) resource from my friends at Midwestern Seminary.

They are offering their New Testament II course (taught by Patrick Schreiner) for FREE.

You can start this class at any time, take it at your own pace, and cherish Jesus in every minute of it.

The lecture videos are so helpful for deepening your understanding of God’s Word. Taking this class is definitely an investment of time — but it is SO worth it.

You will walk away more confident in the truth of God’s Word, and with more skill to accurately unfold and apply it.

Click here to get started with this FREE seminary-level course.

Pastor, lead like Hezekiah

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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

“He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.” (2 Chronicles 31:21)

This is the kind of man whom people will follow. Let them just see that the whole of the man leads them, and not only a bit of him, and they will quickly learn to rely on his word. Put all your heart into what you do, or else put none of it in. There are some people who seem as if they have no heart, or at least their heart is only a kind of valve for the expulsion of blood, and not over vigorous in that direction, I fear. Any other kind of heart you cannot discover.

Nobody will follow mere head. There must be heart displayed by the man who would have a hearty following. If you want to lead others aright, lead them by showing that you yourself love the way. Be intense; be emphatic; throw your whole being into it. Be hearty when you are working, when you are praying, when you are singing. In all that you do for God and for your fellow-Christians, let your heart be manifest; and then it is highly probable that it may happen to you, as it did to Hezekiah, that many will rest upon your words.

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe God’s love for sinners.

The principle of division of labor is a very admirable one for the production of results on a large scale, but it is a miserable business for the workman to have to do the same thing over and over again, all day long, as if he were an automaton. Get a man at work on a statue—an artist whose whole soul is in his chisel, who knows that there is a bright spirit within that block of marble, and who means to chip off all that hides the lovely image from his sight. See how he works! No man does a thing well who does it sorrowfully.

The best work that can be is done by the happy, joyful workman, and so it is with Christ. He does not save souls out of necessity—as though he would rather do something else if he might. But his very heart is in it, he rejoices to do it, and therefore he does it thoroughly, and he communicates his joy to us in the doing of it.