ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)
Suppose that, this morning, after reading this letter, an angel should meet you, and lay his hand upon you, and say, “The Lord God Almighty has sent me to commission you to preach the gospel henceforth.” Brother, you would feel a burden laid upon you, and yet you would feel renewed confidence and ardor. But no mere angel’s hand has touched you, brother; the Lord Jesus Christ himself, who redeemed you with his most precious blood, has laid this “necessity” upon you.
The pierced hand, which gave you healing, has appointed you to your Lord’s service, and made you a chosen vessel to bear his name. Hear afresh from His lips the commands, “Feed my sheep” and “Feed my lambs,” even as Peter did by the Sea of Galilee.
SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)
Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this quotation in your own preaching to describe the wonder of the incarnation.
Those little hands will one day grasp the scepter of universal empire; those little arms will one day grapple with the monster ‘Death’, and destroy it; those little feet shall tread on the serpent’s neck, and crush that old deceiver’s head; yes, and that little tongue, which has not yet learned to articulate a word, shall, before long, pour from his sweet lips such streams of eloquence as shall fertilize the minds of the whole human race, and infuse his teaching into the literature of the world; and again a little while, and that tongue shall pronounce the judgments of heaven on the destinies of all mankind.
We have all thought it wonderful that the God of glory should stoop so low; but we shall one day think it more wonderful that the Man of sorrows should be exalted so high. Earth could find no place too base for him; heaven will scarcely find a place lofty enough for him.
THANKS FOR READING
Brothers,
Merry Christmas! We have a ministry because our Lord came to save us, and that is something worth preaching (at Christmas and all year).
The sermon illustration above came from “A Visit to Bethlehem,” which is one of my all-time favorite Spurgeon sermons. I’d highly encourage you read it devotionally this week.
As you preach this weekend, remember that the glorious Christ who came to save you has commissioned you to preach his gospel. No matter how many people show up to your services this weekend, he is worthy of your all.
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Blessings to your ministry,
Doug H.
Creator of SpurgeonBooks
Preaching Pastor of Pillar Church of Washington DC