Author: Charles Spurgeon

Pastor, no one’s salvation depends on you

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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

At times I have thought, when I have done preaching, that I have laid down the gospel so clearly, that the nose on one’s face could not be more plain; and yet I perceive that even intelligent hearers have failed to understand what was meant by “Look unto me and be ye saved.”

Converts usually say that they did not know the gospel till such and such a day; and yet they had heard it for years. The gospel is unknown, not from want of explanation, but from absence of personal revelation. This the Holy Ghost is ready to give, and will give to those who ask him. Yet when given, the sum total of the truth revealed all lies within these words: “Christ died for the ungodly.”

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe the need to be born again.

To put the matter very simply—did you ever hear of Mr. Rowland Hill’s illustration of the cat and the sow? I will give it in my own fashion, to illustrate our Savior’s expressive words—“You must be born again.”

Do you see that cat? What a cleanly creature she is! How cleverly she washes herself with her tongue and her paws! It is quite a pretty sight! Did you ever see a sow do that? No, you never did. It is contrary to its nature. It prefers to wallow in the mire. Go and teach a sow to wash itself, and see how little success you would gain. It would be a great sanitary improvement if swine would be clean. Teach them to wash and clean themselves as the cat has been doing! Useless task. You may by force wash that sow, but it hastens to the mire, and is soon as foul as ever. The only way in which you can get a sow to wash itself is to transform it into a cat; then it will wash and be clean, but not till then! Suppose that transformation to be accomplished, and then what was difficult or impossible is easy enough; the swine will henceforth be fit for your parlor and your hearth-rug.

So it is with an ungodly man; you cannot force him to do what a renewed man does most willingly; you may teach him, and set him a good example, but he cannot learn the art of holiness, for he has no mind to it; his nature leads him another way. When the Lord makes a new man of him, then all things wear a different aspect. So great is this change, that I once heard a convert say, “Either all the world is changed, or else I am.” The new nature follows after right as naturally as the old nature wanders after wrong. What a blessing to receive such a nature! Only the Holy Ghost can give it.

RESOURCE FOR PASTORS

Thanks to CROSS CON for sponsoring Shepherding with Spurgeon this year. CROSS is a conference for 18–25 year-olds and their leaders.

Consider bringing a group from your church to Louisville next January to help them deepen their love for God and his Word. They will return home passionate about God, sound theology, and missions.

Learn more and register today.

ONE MORE REMINDER: PREACH JESUS THIS WEEKEND

“We cannot too often tell someone that the only hope for salvation lies in Jesus.” — Charles Spurgeon

Pray with Spurgeon: God is rich in grace

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our hearts would pause as we remember the greatness of each one of your favors, and we say “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” When we consider our utter unworthiness before conversion, and our great faultiness since, we can but admire the riches of abounding grace which God has manifested to us unworthy ones. Bless the Lord! And when we think of all that you have promised to give, which our faith embraces as being really ours, since the covenant makes it sure, we know not how abundantly enough to utter the memory of your great goodness.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Have you ever heard of a man who said he did not teach his children the ways of God because he thought they were so young that it was very wrong to prejudice them, and he would rather leave them to choose their own religion when they grew older? One of his boys broke his arm, and while the surgeon was setting it the boy was swearing all the time. The good doctor said, “I told you what would happen. You were afraid to prejudice your boy in the right way, but the devil had no such qualms. He has prejudiced him the other way, and pretty strongly too.”

Cultivate a child’s heart for good, or it will go wrong by itself, for it is already depraved by nature. If only we were wise enough to think of this, and leave no little one to become a prey to the destroyer!

Editor’s Note: If you are looking for resources to help you teach your children to be followers of Jesus, check out my family devotionals at GodCenteredFamily.org

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Enjoy the love of God

In a world full of hatred, selfishness, and anger, it’s easy to forget that God is love. And so we need to always be reminded of this crucial reality from the truth of Scripture.

And Spurgeon is one of the greatest guides there is to understanding and enjoying God’s love.

That’s why 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.

Buy Spurgeon on God’s Love:

Pray with Spurgeon: God’s mercy sends us never ending streams of love

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, we are longing to draw near; may your Spirit draw us near. We come by the way of Christ our mediator. We could not approach you, O our God, if it were not for him, but in him we come boldly to the throne of heavenly grace. Nor can we come without thanksgiving—thanksgiving from the heart, such as the tongue can never express.

You have chosen us from before the foundation of the world, and this fountainhead of mercy sends forth streams of lovingkindness never ceasing. Because we were chosen we have been redeemed with precious blood. Bless the Lord! And we have been called by the Holy Spirit out of the world, and we have been led to obey that wondrous call which has quickened us and renewed us, and made us the people of God, given us adoption into the divine family. Bless the Lord!

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

In prayer, we must view the Lord as our strength enabling, and our Redeemer saving, or we shall not pray rightly, and it is well to feel our personal interest so as to use the word my, or our prayers will be hindered. Our near redeemer’s name makes a blessed ending to the psalm; it began with the heavens, but it ends with him whose glory fills heaven and earth.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God’s grace will grow you. Here’s a practical guide.

God’s plan for our lives is to make us more like himself — that we would live as his children instead of children of the devil. This is our goal, to know our Father and become more like him every day. And the reason we pray for this, is because we can’t grow in godliness without God’s help.

God didn’t just start your salvation, he’s going to complete it as well. And the path to true growth is not just trying harder, but by pressing deeper into the truths of God’s saving, sanctifying grace.

That’s the point of Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners by Dane Ortlund. In this book, Dane (author of Gentle and Lowly) offers a beautiful, biblical picture of what it looks like to actually grow in godliness. The teaching is incredibly practical and will leave you amazed at the wonder of God’s grace to change you.

I hope you’ll grab a copy of Deeper and use it to slay sin in your life, by God’s grace.

Buy Deeper:

Pray with Spurgeon: God will help us use our gifts

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We pray that you would use every one of us according to our ability to be used. Take us, and let no talent lie to canker in the treasure house, but may every pound of yours be put out in trading for you in the blessed market of soul-winning. Oh, give us success. Increase the gifts and graces of those who are saved. Bind us in closer unity to one another than ever. Let peace reign; let holiness adorn us.

Hear us as we pray for all countries, and then for all sorts of men, from the Sovereign on the throne to the peasant in the cottage. Let the benediction of heaven descend on men, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion.” (Psalm 19:13)

This earnest and humble prayer teaches us that saints may fall into the worst of sins unless restrained by grace, and that therefore they must watch and pray lest they enter into temptation. There is a natural proneness to sin in the best of men, and they must be held back as a horse is held back by the bit or they will run into it.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A resource to help you share your faith (AND help others too!)

Today we prayed that God would use us to save the non-Christians around us. I hope that God will answer this prayer to help you glorify him in the work of evangelism.

Evangelism can be daunting for some, but it doesn’t have to be complicated! The most effective thing you can do with a non-Christian friend is to read the Bible together.

And to help you do that, I’ve created a new resource, Know Jesus. This is a simple, easy-to-use Bible study. It’s designed for a Christian to take a non-Christian through 15 passages in Mark’s Gospel.

I worked really hard to create a resource that was as easy-to-use as possible, because we are called to share Christ with others.

The best part: 100% of the profits from this book are given to purchase copies for evangelism in Washington DC, where I live and minister. (One copy purchased = one copy for a non-Christian in the nation’s capital).

So I hope you’ll buy two copies (one for you and one for a non-Christian friend) and start a Bible study with someone that you know.

Buy Know Jesus on Amazon (Paperback)

Weekend Edition: God, purify (and unify) the church

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PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH (BY SPURGEON)

At this time, we pray that you would bless the entire church of God in every part of the earth. Prosper the work and service of Christian people, however they endeavor to spread the kingdom of Christ. Convert the heathen; enlighten those that are in any form of error. Bring the entire church back to the original form of Christianity. Make her first pure, and then she shall be united. Oh Savior, let your kingdom come. Oh, that you would reign, and your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

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)

Gladness from Sadness

“Make us rejoice for as many days as you have humbled us, for as many years as we have seen adversity.” (Psalm 90:15)

First, then, beloved friends, our prayer this morning as a church and people should be for PROPORTIONATE GLADNESS; that our God who has filled one scale with grief would fill the other scale with grace till they balance each other. Inasmuch as he has poured out of his vial certain drops of wormwood, we pray him to measure out the like quantity of the consolation of love, whereby our hearts shall be comforted. May our covenant God, who has chastened us heavily, now revive us graciously.

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

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

Take Up and Read, Take Up and Listen!

For the Church has been posting a really interesting series of articles about discovering characters in the book of Revelation. The author makes note of how John uses a particular grammatical form for specific words in Revelation that resemble a playwright’s roles in a script.

This series is really interesting and encouraging. It will help you understand Revelation and hold fast to God.

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: Spirit of God, work in us

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Oh, help us! Spirit of the living God, continue still to work in us. Let the groanings that cannot be uttered be still within our Spirit for these are growing pains, and we shall grow while we can sigh and cry, while we can confess and mourn; yet this is not without a blessed hopefulness that he who has begun a good work in us will perfect it in the day of Christ.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.” (Psalm 19:12)

By the law is the knowledge of sin, and in the presence of divine truth, the psalmist marvels at the number and heinousness of his sins. He best knows himself who best knows the Word, but even such an one will be in a maze of wonder as to what he does not know, rather than on the mount of congratulation as to what he does know. We have heard of a comedy of errors, but to a good man this is more like a tragedy.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teaching Toddlers to Honor God

My family has been loving a new series of Lift-the-Flap board books from The Good Book Company. The Training Young Hearts series by Abbey Wedgeworth encourages toddlers to use their bodies to serve others and honor God.

Each book focuses on a different body part and how we can use that to honor God. They all end by pointing kids to Jesus and showing how he perfectly honored God with his body so that we could be saved.

The books are really fun — my littles (2 and 4) are HOOKED! I usually despise lift-the-flap books, because the flaps get ripped off in a few seconds. But Training Young Hearts books are so high quality and durable.

I know you’ll love this new series! Grab the first four volumes now

Buy Training Young Hearts:

Pastor, keep preaching (even if people don’t like it)

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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

In these days, there is a growing hatred of the pulpit. The pulpit has maintained its ground full many a year, but partially by its becoming inefficient, it is losing its high position. Through a timid abuse of it, instead of a strong stiff use of the pulpit, the world has come to despise it; and now most certainly we are not a priest-ridden people one-half so much as we are a press-ridden people. By the press we are ridden indeed. Mercuries, Despatches, Journals, Gazettes, and Magazines are now the judges of pulpit eloquence and style. They thrust themselves into the censor’s seat, and censure those whose office it should rather be to censure them.

Editor’s note: This passage from Spurgeon really reminded me of our current day. What Spurgeon saw playing out in the press, we see today over social media and podcasts, where people criticize preaching generally or compare preachers.

SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)

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

If there is only one waterfall in a river, only one in a thousand miles, everybody hears about it and it is marked on the map. But if another river should flow on smoothly, it would not cause such a noise as that one cataract would make.

In like manner, a holy life is not talked of by an ungodly world half as much as one unholy act of an inconsistent professing Christian. How they delight to speak of that! How they roll the story of the sins of God’s people under their tongues as sweet morsels! You may repent of your backsliding; you may become even more zealous afterward, as you should do. But, my dear brothers, after having once stained your reputation, it is not easy to wipe out the blot.

ONE MORE REMINDER: PREACH JESUS THIS WEEKEND

“I am not afraid to preach to you justification by faith alone! Look to Jesus and live!” — Charles Spurgeon

Pray with Spurgeon: Jesus make us more like you

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, hear the confessions of any that have backslidden, who are rather marring your image than perfecting it. Hear the prayers of any that are conscious of great defects during the past. Give them peace of mind by pardon, but give them strength of mind also to keep clear of such mischief in the future.

Oh Lord, we are sighing and crying more and more after yourself. The more we have of you, the more we want you; the more we grow like you; the more we perceive our defects, and the more we pine after a higher standard, to reach even unto perfection’s self.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.” (Psalm 19:11)

There is a wage, and a great one; though we earn no wages of debt, we win great wages of grace. Saints may be losers for a time, but they shall be glorious gainers in the long run, and even now a quiet conscience is in itself no slender reward for obedience. He who wears the herb called heart’s-ease in his bosom is truly blessed. However, the main reward is yet to come.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Finding peace in the Prince of Peace

We have no fear that God is not able to put to rest. We believe this in our heads, but sometimes this kind of bold faith can be difficult to apply and live out in the midst of our broken, sin-cursed, fallen world. We desperately need the Prince of Peace to come and redeem us, to make his blessing known as far as the curse is found.

Life in this fallen world is full of many things to be afraid of, but recognizing the good presence of Christ with us gives us the power to choose faith over fear.

That’s the message of Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves by Trillia Newbell. In this book, Newbell addresses a variety of common fears, and shows how the truth of God’s Word and the power of the gospel can help us overcome those fears with faith.

This book will encourage you, boost your confidence in God, and help you walk with faith every day. I hope you’ll grab a copy today and read it today.

Buy Fear and Faith:

Pray with Spurgeon: Jesus, be our teacher

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Dear savior, we are your disciples, and you are teaching us the art of living; but we are very dull and very slow, and there is such a bias in our corrupt nature, and there are such examples in the world, and the influence of an ungodly generation tells even upon those that know you.

Oh, dear savior, be not impatient with us, but still teach us at your feet, until at last we have learned some of the sublime lessons of self-sacrifice, of meekness, humility, fervor, boldness, and love which your life is fit to teach us. Oh Lord, we ask you, shape us into your own image. Let us live in you and live like you. Let us gaze upon your glory till we are transformed by the sight, and become Christ-like among the sons of men.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“They [God’s Word] are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:10)

As spiritual treasure is more noble than mere material wealth, so should it be desired and sought after with greater eagerness. Men speak of solid gold, but what is so solid as solid truth? The pleasures arising from a right understanding of the divine testimonies are of the most delightful order; earthly enjoyments are utterly contemptible, if compared with them. The sweetest joys, yes, the sweetest of the sweetest, falls to his portion who has God’s truth to be his heritage.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

The privilege of prayer together

If you enjoy praying with Spurgeon every day, you probably know that there is a lot of value in praying with other believers. In an effort to better understand why Christians should pray together (and to better lead my church in this area), I read Praying Together by Megan Hill.

My biggest takeaway from this book? Prayer is an amazing privilege. I am so foolish to neglect such a wonderful treasure. (Because the book is also a great introduction to prayer generally, not just corporate prayer). But the book also describes all of the incredible ways that God will work when we pray together (in the church and in our homes).

Praying Together increased my desire to pray (on my own and with others!) and I know it will help you too. So I hope you’ll grab a copy today.

Buy Praying Together:

Pray with Spurgeon: Make me like Jesus

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We shall never be satisfied till we wake up in Christ’s likeness, the likeness of perfection itself. Oh, bring us to this, we ask you. May experience teach us more and more how to avoid occasions of sin. May we grow more watchful; may we have a greater supremacy over our own spirit; may we be able to control ourselves under all circumstances, and so act that if the Master were to come at any moment we should not be ashamed to give our account into his hands.

Lord, we are not what we want to be. This is our sorrow. Oh, that you would, by your Spirit, help us in all walks of life to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. As men of business, as workpeople, as parents, as children, as servants, as masters, whatever we may be, may we be such that Christ may look upon us with pleasure. May his joy be in us, for then only can our joy be full.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are reliable and altogether righteous.” (Psalm 19:9)

Filth brings decay but purity is the great foe of corruption. The grace of God in the heart being a pure principle is also an abiding and incorruptible principle, which may be crushed for a time, but cannot be utterly destroyed. Both in the Word and in the heart, when the Lord writes, he says with Pilate, “What I have written, I have written;” he will make no erasures himself, much less suffer others to do so.

When the governments of nations are shaken with revolution, and ancient constitutions are being repealed, it is comforting to know that the throne of God is unshaken, and his law unaltered.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

May we honor God as parents

Today, we prayed that God would help us to honor him in every walk of life, including as parents. Does your parenting honor the Lord? Are you teaching your kids to live lives that honor the Savior? Do you have an intentional plan for the long-term discipleship of your kids?

God Centered Family exists to help you lead your kids to be lifelong followers of Jesus. Our family devotionals give you everything you need to teach your kids the Bible.

If you want to honor God in your home, I hope you’ll check out these family devotionals today.

Subscribe to GodCenteredFamily.org today.