Author: Charles Spurgeon

Pray with Spurgeon: God, make your people holy

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

O God save us from a hard heart, an unkind spirit, that is insensitive to the woes of others. Lord preserve your people also from worldliness, from rioting, from drunkenness, from chambering and wantonness, from strife and envy, from everything that would dishonor the name of Christ that we bear. Lord make us holy. Our prayer comes back to this. Make us holy; cleanse the inside and let the outside be clean too. Make us holy, O God, do this for Christ’s sake. Not that we hope to be saved by our own holiness, but that holiness is salvation. Then we are saved from sin.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)

Do not hope in yourself or in your works. Hope in the grace that you have not yet received, in “the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Bless God for the grace that you have not yet obtained, for he has it in store for you. Indeed, he has put it on the road, and it is coming to you. When for the moment you seem to be slack in present grace, say, “Glory to God for all the grace I have not tasted yet.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Fight unbelief with the truths of faith

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:

Pray with Spurgeon: May we never be “Holier than thou”

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Oh that as Christians we might be humble! Lord take away that stiff-necked, proud look; take away from us the spirit of “stand by, for I am holier than thou;” make us condescend to men of low estate; yes, and even to men of low morals, low character. May we seek them out, seek their good. Oh! give to the Church of Christ an intense love for the souls of men. May it make our hearts break to think that they will perish in their sin. May we grieve every day because of the sin of this city. Set a mark upon our forehead and let us be known to you as men that sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done in the midst of the city.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.” (1 Peter 1:12)

The prophets lived for us; they were inspired for us. The benefits of their holy lives and gracious words are for us upon whom the ends of the earth have come. They lighted lamps that shine for future ages. They told of a Christ who was actually to come in the later days, to work out his redemption after they had all died in faith without a sight of his actual coming.

You and I live in the light of a finished salvation. God has appeared in human flesh; Christ has borne the guilt of man; his atonement is completed. Jesus has risen from the dead and gone into the glory, pleading for believers.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Glorify God this Christmas.

No, it’s not too early to start preparing for how we’ll focus on Christ this Christmas! Because every year, it seems harder than ever to focus on Christ at Christmas. As the world is screaming about gifts and Santa and holiday travels, it’s easy to lose sight of the meaning behind it all — the baby in the manger who was Savior and Lord.

I put together a book, Spurgeon on Christmas — a collection of Christmas sermons from Charles Spurgeon. These sermons are rich and I know that they will help you focus on Christ this Christmas.
(Plus, buying a copy of this book will help support this ministry, so I can continue sending this daily email!)

I hope you’ll buy a copy of Spurgeon on Christmas and be encouraged throughout the Advent and Christmas season.

Buy Spurgeon on Christmas now on Amazon (Paperback or Kindle edition)

Pray with Spurgeon: Make all our relationships holy

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord help the converted child to be correct in his relation to his parents; help the Christian father or mother to be right in dealing with children, “don’t stir up anger in your children” (Ephesians 6:4). Take away rebellion from the young; take away impatience from the old.

Lord help Christian men of business. May they act uprightly; may Christian masters never be hard to their servants, to their workpeople; and may Christian workpeople give to their masters that which is just and equal in the way of work in return for wage. May we as Christian men be always standing upon our rights, but always be willing each one to minister to the help of others.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.” (1 Peter 1:11)

How diligently you ought to search the Scriptures and listen to the saving word! If men that had the Holy Spirit and were called “seers,” nevertheless searched into the meaning of the word that they themselves spoke, what ought such poor things as we are to do in order to understand the gospel? It should be our delight to “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” the doctrines of grace. Surely it must be a crime of crimes to be living in utter neglect of a salvation that gained the attentive mind of Daniel and Isaiah and Ezekiel.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Parents, teach your kids the Bible

Today, we prayed that God would help parents have a holy relationship with their kids. Parents, we have a sacred responsibility from God himself to teach our kids the Bible. Our kids need it more than anything.

But here’s the thing a lot of Christian parents don’t realize: You are better equipped than anyone to teach your kids the Bible.

To help you, I’ve been creating a series of family devotionals that cover every book of the Bible (not just the popular stories). These devotionals are interactive — but they don’t just distract kids with coloring sheets; they actually teach kids age-appropriate tools to interact with the text of Scripture itself.

Get started today with a free devotional, covering the Old Testament book of Micah.

Download a free family devotional right here.

Pray with Spurgeon: We are struggling, give us greater grace

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We feel very feeble. Oh, make us strong in the Lord, in the power of his might. May we never let sin have any rest in us, may we chase it, drive it out, slay it, hang it on a tree, abhor it, and may we “cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9).

Some of us are trying, striving after some excellent virtue. Lord help strugglers; give those who contend against great difficulties greater grace, more faith, and so to bring them nearer to God. Lord we will be holy; by your grace we will never rest until we are. You have begun a good work in us and you will carry it on. You will work in us to will and to do of your own good pleasure.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated.” (1 Peter 1:10)

Salvation is altogether of grace—grace that comes from God in his mercy to man in his helplessness. The gospel does not come to you asking something of you, but its hands are laden with gifts more precious than gold, which it freely bestows upon guilty men. It comes to us, not as a reward for the obedient and deserving, but as a merciful boon for the disobedient and undeserving. It treats with us, not upon the ground of justice, but upon terms of pure mercy. It asks no price and exacts no purchase; it comes as a benefactor, not as a judge. In the gospel God gives liberally and does not upbraid.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Seeing How All of Scripture Points to Jesus

When we see Jesus for who he really is, in all of his beauty as the King of all Ages, we have to fall to our faces in worship. We must lay everything on the table in submission to this great king.

We always need resources that will magnify Christ to us — books that will remind us of how wonderful he is. One of those books is Christ from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christby Stephen Wellum and Trent Hunter. This book walks through the story of Scripture, showing how Christ is the supreme hero and the supreme hope — he is what all of the Bible is pointing to.

This book is a helpful handbook to help you read Scripture in a more faithful, Christ-centered way and a guide to help you see Christ in every page.

This book will help you treasure Christ and the Bible more. I hope you’ll grab a copy for yourself.

Buy Christ from Beginning to End:

Weekend Edition: Bless the preaching of the Word

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH (BY SPURGEON)

If any in your presence this weekend are unsaved, oh save them at our service. Do grant that the services may bring such glad tidings to their ear, that their heart shall leap at the sound of it, and they shall return unto God, who will abundantly pardon. Bless every preacher of the Word today, and all classes of young men and women, and every form of holy service.

Accept the prayers and praises of your people. Receive them even from the sick beds of those detained at home. Let not one of your mourners, the weary watchers of the night, be kept without a smile from God. The Lord bless us now, and all his chosen people. Our soul cries out for it. Break, O everlasting morning, break o’er the dark hills! Let our eyes behold you, and till the day break and the shadows flee away, abide with us, O our Beloved, abide with us now.

Amen.

THE LARGEST SPURGEON COLLECTION IS COMING TO THE U.S.

Thanks to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College for sponsoring the Weekend Edition.

This week, Midwestern announced that they recently acquired thousands of manuscripts, sermon outlines, personal items, and more from Spurgeon’s College in the UK. This makes Midwestern the new home of the largest collection of items from the life and ministry of Charles Spurgeon.

Learn more about this exciting announcement right here.

WEEKEND LONG READ (SERMON BY SPURGEON)

The Christian: A Debtor

Now, what is not right towards man is not right towards God. If it is robbing man to spend the money in pleasure wherewith we ought to pay our debts; it is robbing God if we employ our time, our talents, or our money, in anything but his service, until we feel we have done our share in that service. I beseech you, members of churches, deacons, or whatever you may be, lay this to heart. To God’s cause you are debtors. Do not expect to get thanked at last for doing much, for after all you have done, you will only have done what is your duty.

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

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

The Purpose of Worship

Most Christians will admit there are Sunday mornings when they awaken and wonder whether it’s even worth getting out of bed. Surely God doesn’t need our worship? We’re not serving on the set up team this week. No one will notice if we’re not there. We can perhaps read the Bible ourselves a bit later, pray from the comfort of the couch, pop on some Christian music over coffee. So why bother with corporate worship?

Read the full 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: God, save us from all sin

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, look upon your people. We might pray about our troubles. We will not; we will only pray against our sins. We might come to your about our weariness, about our sickness, about our disappointment, about our poverty; but we will leave all that, we will only come about sin. Lord make us holy, and then do what you will with us.

We ask that you would help us to adorn the doctrine of God our savior in all things. If we are fighting against sin, “sin that so easily ensnares us” (Hebrews 12:1), Lord lend us heavenly weapons and heavenly strength that we may cut the giants down.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:9)

If you have believed in Jesus, you have received a present, immediate salvation. There are some who do not understand or realize this; they miss the whole joy of our holy religion. They are always hoping to be saved by-and-by, but those who are in Christ Jesus by a living personal faith receive here and now the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Spurgeon’s hope for depressed people

Scripture calls us to praise God, even through our trials. This can sound like a difficult prospect for many of us, who are often stuck in a fog depression that keeps us from seeing God’s goodness. But Spurgeon himself can offer us a lot of counsel in that area.

Many people don’t realize that Spurgeon was plagued with crippling depression throughout his life and ministry. Throughout this struggle, Spurgeon cultivated a deep, Christ-centered hope that allowed him to continue to live and minister. We all have something to learn from Spurgeon.

You can learn more about Spurgeon’s struggle with depression — and the hope that kept him through it —in Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for Those Who Suffer from Depression by Zack Eswine. This book isn’t just a biography of Spurgeon — it describes lessons that we can learn from his real battle with depression.

Spurgeon’s Sorrows is a great resource for anyone who struggles with depression, and it’s a great Christ-centered gift that you can buy for someone else who is struggling.

Buy Spurgeon’s Sorrows:

Pastor, lead like Martin Luther

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)

In order to be of greater usefulness, many a man of God must be taught to stand quite alone. “I looked on my right hand, and behold, but there was no man that would know me.” If you want men to help you, you may make a very decent follower; but if you want no man, and can stand alone, God being your helper, you shall be helped to be a leader. Oh, it was a grand thing when Luther stepped out from the ranks of Rome. There were many good men round him, who said, “Be quiet, Martin. You will get burnt if you do not hold your tongue. Let us keep where we are, in the Church of Rome, even if we have to swallow down great lumps of dirt. We can believe the gospel, and still remain where we are.” But Luther knew that he must defy antichrist, and declare the pure gospel of the blessed God; and he must stand alone for the truth, even if there were as many devils against him as there were tiles on the housetops at Worms. That is the kind of man whom God blesses.

I ask God that many a young man here might have the courage to feel, in his particular position, “I can stand alone, if need be. I am glad to have my master and my fellow-workmen with me; but if nobody will go to heaven with me, I will say farewell to them, and go to heaven alone through the grace of God’s dear Son.”

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

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

Luther says that when the devil came to him, he brought him a long sheet containing a list of his sins, or of a great number of them, and Luther said to him, “Is that all?”

“No,” said the devil.

“Well, go and fetch some more then.” Away went Satan to bring him another long list, as long as your arm.

Said Luther, “Is that all?”

“Oh, no!” said the devil, “I have more yet.”

“Well, go and bring them all,” said Luther. “Fetch them all out, the whole list of them.” Then it was a very long black list. I think that I have heard that it would have gone round the world twice. I know that mine would.

Well, what did Luther say when he saw them all? He said, “Write at the bottom of them, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin!’ ” It does not matter how long the list is when you write those blessed words at the end of it. The sins are all gone then.

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).

Pray with Spurgeon: Counting our trials as joy

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

May we have no burden to carry, because, though we have a burden, we have rolled it upon the Lord. May we take up our cross, and because Christ has once died on the cross may our cross become a comfort to us. May we count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that in all this God will be glorified, his image will be stamped upon us, and the eternal purpose will be fulfilled, with which he has predestinated us to be conformed unto the image of his Son.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy,” (1 Peter 1:8)

The people who have received the salvation of their souls are those who love the One they have never seen and who even rejoice in him whom they do not see. You may conclude that you are truly a child of God—you may make certain of your election and of your adoption into the Lord’s family—if you can truly say, “I am one of those who have not seen the Lord Jesus, and yet I have believed in him.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

The God who never worries (even when we do)

Today’s prayer praised God because (while we are constantly worried and working), he sits enthroned in perfect peace. This prayer reminded me of an incredible book — None Like Him by Jen Wilkin.

In each chapter, Jen unpacks one of God’s incommunicable attributes — the attributes that make God unlike us — and discusses how knowing each of these attributes of God will change our lives. This is biblical, rich, glorious theology.

The book is structured just like this prayer — exposing one of our shortcomings and showing how God is gloriously more powerful than we are (and why that’s really good news).

None Like Him will fill you with love and amazement at God’s greatness. I know that it will grow your faith. I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy None Like Him:

Pray with Spurgeon: God, help us to love you

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

May we love God; may we love you, oh Savior; may we love the people of God as being members of one body in connection with you. May we love the guilty world with that love which desires its salvation and conversion; and may we love not in word only, but in deed and in truth. May we help the helpless, comfort the mourner, sympathize with the widow and fatherless, and may we be always ready to put up with wrong, to be long suffering, to be very patient, full of forgiveness, counting it a small thing that we should forgive our fellowmen since we have been forgiven of God. Lord tune our hearts to love, and then give us an inward peace, a restfulness about everything.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7)

Wherever faith is found, it is the sure mark of eternal election, the sign of a blessed condition, and the forecast of a heavenly destiny. It is the eye of the renewed soul, the hand of the regenerated mind, the mouth of the new-born spirit. It is the evidence of spiritual life, the mainspring of holiness, the foundation of delight, the prophecy of glory, and the dawn of endless knowledge. If you have faith, you have infinitely more than he who has all the world and yet is destitute of faith.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teach the wonder of God to children

The best strategy for protecting our children from false teaching is to teach them theology. Theology, properly taught, will awaken wonder and awe in any child’s heart.

A great resource for teaching theology to children (ages 7-13) is Emblems of the Infinite King. The book describes crucial, biblical doctrines about God with beautiful text and stunning illustrations. I love reading this book to my kids, but I also love reading it on my own. 🤓

Awaken your children to the wonder of God and invite them to approach his throne with fear and trembling through Emblems of the Infinite King.

Buy Emblems of the Infinite King:

Pray with Spurgeon: Save us from ourselves

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We cry out to you to be delivered from the power of sin, to be delivered from the power of temptation without, but especially from indwelling sin within.

Lord purify us in head, heart and hand; and if it is necessary that we should be put into the fire to be refined as silver is refined, we would even welcome the fire if we may be rid of the dross. Lord save us from constitutional sin, from sins of temperament, from sins of our surroundings. Save us from ourselves in every shape, and grant us especially to have the light of love strong within us.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials” (1 Peter 1:6)

Even when the Christian is most “distressed by various trials,” what a mercy it is that he can know that he is still elect of God! Any man who is assured that God has “foreknown before the foundation of the world” (1 Pet 1:20) may well say, “We rejoice greatly.” Let me be lying upon a bed of sickness and just revel in that one thought. Before God made the heavens and the earth and laid the pillars of the firmament in their golden sockets, he set his love upon me. Upon the breast of the great high priest he wrote my name, and in his everlasting book it stands, never to be erased—elect “according to the foreknowledge of God.” Why, this may make a man’s soul leap within him, and all the heaviness that the infirmities of the flesh may lay upon him shall be as nothing.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God’s love is an ocean. Dive in with Spurgeon.

A major theme in Spurgeon’s preaching (and all of Scripture!) is the incomparable love of God. God’s love provides for us, serves us, helps us, forgives us. God’s love, seen supremely at the cross of Christ, is our only hope in life and death. It’s important that we continually remember and reflect on the greatness of God’s love.

To help you continue to enjoy God’s love, I put together a new book, Spurgeon on God’s Love. This book compiles twelve sermons by Spurgeon, all reflecting on the glorious reality of God’s unchanging love.

These sermons have really encouraged me over the last few months and I know that they will encourage you! Plus, buying a copy is a great way to support this ministry, so I can continue to send this newsletter every day.

I hope you’ll grab a copy for yourself (and another one for a friend!) and reflect on God’s love in your summer reading.

Buy Spurgeon on God’s Love: