Author: Charles Spurgeon

Pastor, there’s something more important than having a creative sermon

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)

To divide a sermon well may be a very useful art, but how if there is nothing to divide? A mere division maker is like an excellent carver with an empty dish before him. To be able to deliver an exordium which shall be appropriate and attractive, to be at ease in speaking with propriety during the time allotted for the discourse, and to wind up with a respectable conclusion, may appear to mere religious performers to be all that is requisite; but the true minister of Christ knows that the true value of a sermon must lie, not in its fashion and manner, but in the truth which it contains.

Nothing can compensate for the absence of teaching; all the rhetoric in the world is but as chaff to the wheat in contrast to the gospel of our salvation. However beautiful the sower’s basket it is a miserable mockery if it be without seed. The grandest discourse ever delivered is an ostentatious failure if the doctrine of the grace of God is absent from it; it sweeps over men’s heads like a cloud, but it distributes no rain upon the thirsty earth; and therefore the remembrance of it to souls taught wisdom by an experience of pressing need is one of disappointment, or worse. A man’s style may be as fascinating as that of the authoress of whom one said, “that she should write with a crystal pen dipped in dew upon silver paper, and use for pounce the dust of a butterfly’s wing;” but to an audience whose souls are in instant jeopardy, what will mere elegance be but “altogether lighter than vanity”?

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe forgiveness in Christ.

There is a prisoner in the courtroom, and the jury has just brought in a verdict of “not guilty.” The judge bids him go free. There are people in the court who gnash their teeth at him; there are persons in the street who hate him; what does he care? “I have been pronounced ‘not guilty’ by the proper tribunal; the judge himself tells me that I am acquitted; not a law officer can touch me; not the fiercest enemy in the world can drag me into court again. I have been tried and found ‘not guilty,’ and who is he that condemns?”

It is just so with the Christian. Christ’s righteousness is put on him. Christ takes his sins, and when he stands before God’s bar, the eternal voice seems to say, “I see no sin in that man.” How can he? All that man’s sins Christ took away.

RESOURCE FOR PASTORS

Special thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring the Pastor’s Note newsletter. The CSB is both accurate and readable. So that you (and your flock) can read God’s Word with confidence, clarity, and precision.

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

THANKS FOR READING

Brothers,

Thanks for reading the newsletter this week.

If this newsletter is encouraging, please share it with another pastor. You can forward this email to a pastor you know.

If someone forwarded this email to you, sign up to get another one every week. Click here to subscribe.

Blessings to your ministry,

Doug H.
Creator of SpurgeonBooks
Preaching Pastor of Pillar Church of Washington DC

Pray with Spurgeon: Jesus is king of all the earth

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Let our nation thrive through the preaching of your Word! Bless the government and the legislative body, and grant them great wisdom in all their decisions, that everything may be done rightly to honor you and promote the welfare of the people. Let all the nations of the earth be touched by your love.

Remember the nation of Israel in times of sorrow and captivity. O God, deliver Your ancient people from the hands of cruel and unjust men. Let the day come when we all feel united in Christ, and every national distinction is erased. Have you not created all nations of men from one blood, dwelling upon the face of the earth? And may you, Messiah, Prince of Peace, Son of Man, and King and Lord of humanity, come and reign over us, you Ancient of Days, through whom all things were made. Come and receive the crown that you purchased through your shame and death, and reign eternally over the sons of men.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“… so that your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.” (Psalm 67:2)

As showers which first fall upon the hills afterwards run down in streams into the valleys, so the blessing of the Most High comes upon the world through the church. We are blessed for the sake of others as well as ourselves. God deals in a way of mercy with his saints, and then they make that way known far and wide, and the Lord’s name is made famous in the earth.

Ignorance of God is the great enemy of mankind, and the testimonies of the saints, experimental and grateful, overcome this deadly foe. God has a set way and method of dealing out mercy to men, and it is the duty and privilege of a revived church to make that way to be everywhere known.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Prayers 1,500 years before Spurgeon*

You subscribe and read this newsletter every day because you know that praying along with voices from church history is beneficial. We can learn prayer by “eavesdropping” on conversations with God that our forefathers, like Spurgeon, have had.

But there is even more wealth to be discovered earlier in church history, in the prayer life of the early church. We have a lot to learn from the devotional life of the early church — and teachers like Augustine, Irenaeus, Ambrose, and John Chrysostom can be great examples of prayer.

I’m really excited about a new book, Fount of Heaven which carefully collects some of the most beautiful prayers from the first six centuries of the church.

Fount of Heaven has been sold out for months but it’s finally back in stock! And to celebrate, my friends at Lexham Press have a special offer for “Pray with Spurgeon” subscribers.

This month only, you can buy Fount of Heaven at a discount. (I don’t know how long this book will be in stock, so I hope you’ll grab a copy today.)

This book is really beautiful and it’s been extremely beneficial for strengthening my prayer life. I’m confident that it will benefit your prayer life as well.

This month only: Buy Fount of Heaven and save 25%.

Pray with Spurgeon: God, fill our day with joy in you

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

O Father in heaven, remove from us all the weariness of the past week’s journey. Now, may we cleanse ourselves and approach your altar, O God. Deliver us from anything that obstructs and hinders the free movement of the revived spirit within us. May we run without growing weary, soar on wings like eagles, walk without fainting, and may this day be filled with great joys and supreme delights. And if it involves earnest effort and Christian labor, may it all be part of the delight. May we live for your pleasure, for we live for you.

Now, forgive us, accept us, revive us, and bless us. We ask all this in the name of the Beloved One.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“May God be gracious to us and bless us; may he make his face shine upon us” (Psalm 67:1)

It begins at the beginning with a cry for mercy. Forgiveness of sin is always the first link in the chain of mercies experienced by us. Mercy is a foundation attribute in our salvation. The best saints and the worst sinners may unite in this petition. It is addressed, to the God of mercy, by those who feel their need of mercy, and it implies the death of all legal hopes or claims of merit.

Next, the church begs for a blessing; “bless us”—a very comprehensive and far-reaching prayer. When we bless God we do but little for our blessings are but words, but when God blesses he enriches us indeed, for his blessings are gifts and deeds. But his blessing alone is not all his people crave, they desire a personal consciousness of his favor, and pray for a smile from his face. These three petitions include all that we need here or hereafter.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

FINAL DAY TO SAVE: CROSS CON24*

Tonight (midnight EST), registration prices for CROSS CON24 will increase. You don’t want to miss this conference, so register now to save.

At CROSS CON24, 18–25 year-olds will learn about what it really looks like to lay their lives down to serve Jesus. Speakers like David Platt, John Piper, Kevin DeYoung, Brooks Buser, Mark Dever, and more will help you understand God’s purposes in the world (and the unique part that YOU can play in his plan).

I am PUMPED about CROSS CON24, and I hope to see you there. You’ll be amazed at what God does in your life as you learn about his undefeated, undefeatable mission to spread his glory to all of the earth.

Prices increase TONIGHT, so register now to save.

Pray with Spurgeon: We live for Christ; Christ lives in us

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We implore you, Lord, to transform us into your likeness in every aspect. Once, we were focused on doing; now, we are much more concerned with being. We would rather sit with Mary and simply learn, than be burdened with excessive busyness like good Martha. Lord, some of us sometimes feel that we cannot do any more than we already know, or else we would do it; yet now we desire to serve you better.

We pray that we may do so with a pure motive, with a sincere heart, and with deeper devotion to Christ. We not only want to live and work but also to have Christ living within us, and for our lives to be mere tributaries flowing from the mighty river of Christ’s life. Lord, make us like the firstborn among many brethren. He is the true example for the family. Make us like him, O our Father, for the glory of your name.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11–12)

Persecution of the tongue is more common, but not less cruel than that of the hand. Slander is unscrupulous, and indulges in accusations of every kind: “every kind of evil” is a comprehensive phrase. No crime is too base to be laid at the door of the innocent; nor will the persecutor have any hesitation as to the vileness of the charge. The rule seems to be, “Throw plenty of mud, and some of it will stick.”

Under this very grievous trial, good men are to be more than ordinarily happy, for thus are they elevated to the rank of the prophets, upon whom the storm of falsehood beat with tremendous fury. The honor of suffering with the prophets, for the Lord’s sake, is so great, that it may well reconcile us to all that it involves.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Fight unbelief with the truths of faith

Today we prayed for an end to our unbelief and doubt. Asking questions is not a bad thing — we just need to labor to answer our questions in a faith-filled, biblical way. There ARE answers available for even the toughest questions about the Bible — do you know those answers?

A great resource for being equipped to defend your faith is Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin. This book gives practical, biblical, and winsome answers to some of the world’s most pressing objections to the gospel.

Be equipped to answer questions like “Isn’t Christianity homophobic?” and “How can you say there’s only one true faith?” with Bible-centered wisdom and Christ-centered hope.

Confronting Christianity will bolster your own faith and equip you to be a bold witness for Christ. I hope you’ll buy a copy today and read it this summer.

Buy Confronting Christianity:

* Get the audiobook for free with a free trial of Audible.

Pray with Spurgeon: Holy Spirit, bring us true joy (through confession)

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, remember those people we know who have never experienced the sorrows of Christ because they have never truly grieved over their sins. O Father, let the Holy Spirit come upon them as the Spirit of conviction, making them aware of their sin, righteousness, and judgment. And then, let him come as the comforting Spirit of liberty, leading them to the joy and peace that come through believing in the eternal merits and the precious blood of our redeeming Lord. Oh, may each one of us look to Christ and find life; yes, eternal life through the abundant life that he offers.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:10)

This is the peculiar blessing of the elect of God, and it stands high up in the list of honor. The only homage which wickedness can pay to righteousness is to persecute it. Those who in the first blessing were poor in spirit, are here despised as well as poverty-stricken; and in this they get a new royal charter, which for the second time ensures to them “the kingdom of heaven.”

Yes, they have the kingdom now; it is theirs in present possession. Not because of any personal fault, but simply on account of their godly character, the Lord’s Daniels are hated, but they are blessed by that which looks like a curse. Ishmael mocks Isaac; but nevertheless Isaac has the inheritance and Ishmael is cast out. It is a gift from God to be allowed to suffer for his name. So may we be helped to rejoice in Christ’s cross when we are honoured by being reviled for his name’s sake.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

THREE DAYS LEFT to save on CROSS CON24 registration*

Registration prices for CROSS CON24 will increase at the end of this month. That means you only have three days left to save.

This conference for 18–25 year-olds is January 3–5, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.

You’ll get grace-saturated Bible teaching from teachers you love like Mark Dever, David Platt, John Piper, and others.

Here’s what to expect…

  • Solid teaching on gospel, church, and missions
  • Clear next steps for leveraging your life for God’s glory
  • Hear from teachers that you know (Like David Platt) and NEED to know (like Christian Lwanda)
  • Passionate singing with hundreds of other 18–25 year-olds

Trust me, you don’t want to miss this event. I hope you’ll register now and save.

Weekend Edition: Help my church look like Jesus

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

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH (BY SPURGEON)

May the leaders of the churches be able to set an example for the flock, and to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the principles that adorn the teachings of God, our Savior.

Lord, we desire to be better Christians than we currently are; we long to be saturated with your Spirit, just as Gideon’s fleece was wet with dew. Every day, we are becoming more aware of our own weaknesses and the corruption that resides within us. May we increasingly perceive the suitability of Christ and the perfection and appropriateness of his work in transforming us into his perfect image.

Amen.

GET A FREE COURSE

Thanks to Midwestern Seminary for sponsoring the Weekend Edition of this newsletter.

My friends at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have put together a GREAT video class from Jared Wilson that unpacks exactly how God’s story really can impact every part of your life.

It’s called “The Story of Everything” and it’s available FOR FREE right now.

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

WEEKEND LONG READ (SERMON BY SPURGEON)

Saved in Hope

We rejoice at this moment in salvation already obtained and enjoyed by faith which is in Christ Jesus. Yet we are conscious that there is something more than this to be had. There is salvation in a larger sense, which as yet we see not; for at the present moment we find ourselves in this tabernacle, groaning because we are burdened. Frequent calamities and disasters are portents of a great future which shall be born of this travailing present. Nowhere on earth can a perfect paradise be found. Our best things are expectant of something better. The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain with us. Even we that have received the firstfruits of the Spirit, and so are blessed and saved, nevertheless groan within ourselves, waiting for a further something, a glory not seen as yet. We have not yet attained, but are pressing on. Our first soul-thirst as sinners has been quenched; but there are within us still greater desires, by which we hunger and thirst after righteousness with longings insatiable.

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

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

Cynicism isn’t a spiritual gift by Dan Darling

A prophet speaks to people he loves with tears. A cynic disdains the people he is called to confront. A prophet’s desire is to see transformation. A cynic’s desire is to bring attention to himself.

Today, cynicism is contagious. It has become a movement, a niche lifestyle, a way of being.

PREPARE FOR MINISTRY AT MIDWESTERN

With all the hardships and headwinds Christian ministers face in a post-Christian world, along with the growing reality of ministry burnout, this year’s For The Church National Conference seeks to remind ministry leaders and saints alike of the glorious calling of everyday ministry. There may be days filled with difficulties and loss, yet being a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ is worth every pain, every worry, and every tear.

Join us in Kansas City on September 11-12 to remember why everyday ministry matters for the glory of God and the good of the Church.

Pray with Spurgeon: Doing everything for God’s glory

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, bless us in our work! Grant us grace to perform our everyday tasks in a way that brings glory to God. Give us grace to carry out our spiritual duties correctly. Are we preachers of the gospel? Oh, grant us abundant grace to preach with a divine anointing! Are we teachers in the school? Oh, give us great grace to understand the nature of children and to have the ability to guide their hearts! Whatever else we may be doing, empower us to do it as unto the Lord.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

They are not only passively peaceful, like the meek, who keep the peace; but actively peaceful by endeavoring to end wars and contentions, and so make peace. These not only are the children of the peace-loving God, but they come to be called so; for men are struck by their likeness to their Father. Hereby is our sonship known to ourselves and others. Men of peace are the children of the God of peace, and their Father’s blessing rests on them.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

How to live as a peacemaker

Today’s verse of the day called us to live as peacemakers, but in an increasingly divided world, it is hard for prideful sinners like us to resolve and avoid conflict. 

That’s why The Peacemaker by Ken Sande is such a valuable resource. This book is a comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing conflict in a biblical way.

The Bible has all the wisdom we need to prevent and resolve conflict — in our marriages, in our homes, in our workplaces, in our churches — and The Peacemaker is a great guide to the Bible’s teaching on this important topic.

I hope you’ll pick up a copy today — it’s an intensely practical guide that will help you walk in wisdom in all of your relationships.

Buy The Peacemaker:

* Get the audiobook for free (yours to keep!) with a free trial of Audible.

Pastor, preach theologically rich sermons

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)

Sermons should have real teaching in them, and their doctrine should be solid, substantial, and abundant. We do not enter the pulpit to talk for talk’s sake; we have instructions to convey important to the last degree, and we cannot afford to utter pretty nothings. Our range of subjects is all but boundless, and we cannot, therefore, be excused if our discourses are threadbare and devoid of substance. If we speak as ambassadors for God, we need never complain of want of matter, for our message is full to overflowing. The entire gospel must be presented from the pulpit; the whole faith once delivered to the saints must be proclaimed by us. The truth as it is in Jesus must be instructively declared, so that the people may not merely hear, but know, the joyful sound.

We serve not at the altar of “the unknown God,” but we speak to the worshippers of him of whom it is written, “they that know your name will put their trust in you.”

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe the importance of a Christian worldview.

A merchant comes to a city, town, village. He calculates whether it is a good place for business. “Bad place, this,” says he; “a man cannot live here; it is a bad situation;” and he is not content unless he gets near the bank or in Lombard Street, or some other business quarter.

Now look at the artist. He has another light. You take that artist into the city, and he says, “I could not live here in this dreary wilderness of brick, amid these fogs. Let me get away to North Wales, or somewhere where the picturesque is to be seen,” and he settles himself down in a small rural village, and he says, “This is beautiful.”

Take the rich man there, and say to him, “You are to live here for twenty years.”

“Twenty years?” he says, “I could not live here a month. It is preposterous. This is not a place where a man can live.”

Bring a man of gaiety into a religious circle, and he says, “I want a place where there is some life.”

I have been traveling sometimes where I thought the scenery very beautiful, and I have heard young men say, “This is a hateful place; there is no life here.” Well, everybody sees according to the light he sees by.

Have you ever seen things in the light of Christ? Did you ever feel, “This is the place where I can live, for here are Christians with whom I can commune. Here the gospel is preached, and my soul will be fed here. I shall learn much of Christ. This is a sphere in which I can be useful.” When you have life you will get light, and you will see things in that light. You will see yourself in the light of Christ. You will say, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Everything looks according to your light. Yellow spectacles will make everything look yellow. But get the true light, the only light that can lighten any man that comes into the world, and things will be seen in truth. If you get Christ within you, you have light indeed.

RESOURCE FOR PASTORS

Encourage the 18–25 year-olds in your church to live for God.*

CROSS CON24 is an incredible conference for the 18–25 year-olds in your church. The students in your church will hear from trusted teachers (like John Piper, Mark Dever, David Platt, Brooks Buser, Kevin DeYoung, and more) about God’s plan to reach the world. These students will return home with an increased love for God’s Word, the local church, and rich theology.

I know your church will be blessed if you send a group to CROSS CON24. Prices will increase next week — on May 31 — so register now to save.

THANKS FOR READING

Brothers,

Thanks for reading the newsletter this week.

If this newsletter is encouraging, please share it with another pastor. You can forward this email to a pastor you know.

If someone forwarded this email to you, sign up to get another one every week. Click here to subscribe.

Blessings to your ministry,

Doug H.
Creator of SpurgeonBooks
Preaching Pastor of Pillar Church of Washington DC

Pray with Spurgeon: Lord Jesus, reign over me

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

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

May the Holy Spirit anoint us unto our kingships, that we may reign over ourselves in an imperial way. May the Lord Jesus reign over us! We should have every thought brought into captivity. We desire that spirit, soul and body may live unto Him who died for us, that we being not our own nor the world’s, much less Satan’s, may be the well-known property of the Lord of Hosts, and may live entirely as to every part of our nature, “Unto Him that loved us and gave Himself for us.”

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

Foul hearts make dim eyes God-ward. To clear the eye we must cleanse the heart. Only purity has any idea of God, or any true vision of him. It is a great reward to be able to see God; and, on the other hand, it is of great help towards being pure in heart to have a true sight of the thrice-holy One. There are no pure hearts on earth unless the Lord has made them so, and none shall see God in heaven who have not been purified by grace while here below. Lord, create in me a clean heart, that I may behold you, both now and forever!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A Bible Study for Husbands

Husbands, we are called to lay down our lives in service for our wives — how can we grow to be the sacrificial leader that God has called us to be?

I’ve created a resource, The God Centered Husband Bible Study Workbook to teach guys two things:

  1. How to study the Bible.
  2. How to be the husbands God has called them to be.

You can use it one your own, in a small group, or in one-on-one Bible study. If you’re a husband, grab a copy for yourself and a guy you know.

If you’re a wife, grab a copy for your husband.
(Trust me, he’ll thank you)

Buy The God Centered Husband Bible Study Workbook on Amazon.

Pray with Spurgeon: Lead us not into temptation (Deliver us from evil)

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 ask you to grant us grace to overcome every tendency to evil in our character, every habit which has been formed which brings us towards sin. Help us to overcome all the inclinations of our constitution; may these be kept in due check. We know that you have given us certain appetites and desires which in themselves are not sinful, but they too often are the causes of sin, being carried beyond due bounds. We pray that we may each one have power over himself.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

They forgive, and they are forgiven. They judge charitably, and they shall not be condemned. They help the needy, and they shall be helped in their need. What we are to others, God will be to us. Some have to labor hard with their stinginess in order to be kind; but the blessing lies not only in doing a merciful act, but in being merciful in disposition. Followers of Jesus must be men of mercy; for they have found mercy, and mercy has found them. As we look for “mercy of the Lord in that day,” we must show mercy in this day.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Give yourself to God’s Kingdom purposes.*

Our sovereign God will always accomplish his purposes. There is no sin in you or hostile force in the world that could stop him. Jesus’ Kingdom will always be undefeated.

Undefeated. That’s the theme of CROSS CON24 — a conference for 18–25 year-olds.

In January, CROSS will be gathering again to unpack how we can press on in hope, even in spite of great challenges to God and his Word, because God will ALWAYS be victorious.

Undefeated and undefeatable.

If you are an 18–25 year-old (or if you KNOW 18–25 year-olds), make plans to attend CROSS CON24.

Speakers like John Piper and David Platt are just the beginning. You seriously don’t want to miss this event.

Prices increase on May 31, so register now to save.