ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)
A dear brother said to me, “I wish you would go abroad, and preach the Word;” and he urged as a reason that my people would appreciate me better if they had less of me. I replied that I did not want my people to appreciate me any more, for they go already as far in that direction as would be safe, and I assured him that I should stop at home for fear they should appreciate me more.
I might have rambled all the world over, and done great good, if that had been my calling; but the day will declare whether I have not been more in the path of duty and real usefulness by fostering Institutions at home, and scattering the Word by my printed sermons far more widely than I could have done with my voice. Be it so or not, brethren, when you know which part of the Lord’s work he has committed to you, give your whole soul to it.
SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)
Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe the urgency of coming to Christ.
There will be time enough for you to ask all proper and right questions, and to have them answered, when you have sought and found the Savior. But, meanwhile, your immortal soul is in jeopardy, so attend to that first of all. A man who is sinking in the sea is mad if he says, “I won’t lay hold of that rope until I understand all about astronomy.” A man in a burning house does not need to trouble his head about geology; his first business is to get to the fire escape. He can leave his study of geology until tomorrow.
So, you unconverted ones should “seek first his kingdom and righteousness,” and all other things you need shall be added unto you (Matt 6:33).
THANKS FOR READING
Brothers,
Whether or not you can share Spurgeon’s sentiment of feeling overly-appreciated in your own congregation, we have an important reminder here to remain faithful where the Lord has placed us.
The grass is always greener on the other side, but many problems in pastoral ministry are solved by waiting it out and refusing to jump-fence to another pasture.
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Blessings to your ministry,
Doug H.
Creator of SpurgeonBooks
Preaching Pastor of Pillar Church of Washington DC