ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)
Too frequent an intrusion of self in your preaching is a form of pride to be avoided. I hope our sermons will never be of the same order as those which were set up in a certain printing office, and the chief compositor had to request the manager to send for an extra supply of capital I’s. The letter “I” is a noble vowel, but it may be sounded too loudly.
Great “I” is very apt to become prominent with us all; even those who labor after humility can barely escape. When self is killed in one form, it rises in another; and, alas! There is such a thing as being proud of being humble, and boasting of being now cleansed from everything like boasting.
SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)
Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe the need for self-examination and repentance.
You are not to take it for granted that you are saved. If you do, you may be sadly mistaken. In London years ago every shop had its sign, and they had a saying that the house which had the sign of the sun in a certain street was darker than any other: all their sun was outside: it had the sun for a sign but no sign of the sun.
So there are some who have grace for their sign, but no sign of grace. God grant we may not be such. To have a name to live is a wretched thing if we be really dead. In such a case we are nothing but living lies, devout deceits, bastard professors, in a word “reprobates.” To pretend to be other than what we are in the sight of the heart-searching God is despicable and damnable.
RESOURCE FOR YOUR CHURCH
A New Kids Bible Focusing on God’s Presence*
I wanted to tell you about a new resource that will definitely be a huge blessing to parents in your congregation.
God With Us is a new storybook Bible written by Jeremy Pierre, counseling professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. This book is theologically rich, telling the big story of the Bible, focusing on the theme of God’s presence with his people.
Thirty Bible stories, with stunning story-telling and captivating illustrations, told over the course of nearly 300 pages — all focused on telling one beautiful, hope-filled story about God dwelling with his people.
And the illustrations by Cassandra Clark are absolutely breath-taking.
God’s presence is what we were created to enjoy, what sin robs from us, what Christ came to bring us, and our only future hope. Share this hope with the parents and children in your church with God With Us.
Pre-order God With Us on Amazon.
THANKS FOR READING
Brothers,
While personal anecdotes can make for powerful illustrations, they can often distract from the real hero of the story. Even the most faithful pastors make for pitiful saviors — labor to encourage your church to place all of their confidence in Christ alone, not in your gifts or even your care.
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Blessings to your ministry,
Doug H.
Creator of SpurgeonBooks