ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)
After the sermon, how would a conscientious preacher give vent to his feelings and find solace for his soul if access to the mercy-seat were denied him? Elevated to the highest pitch of excitement, how can we relieve our souls but in importunate pleadings. Or depressed by a fear of failure, how shall we be comforted but in moaning out our complaint before our God. How often have some of us tossed to and fro upon our couch half the night because of conscious shortcomings in our testimony! How frequently have we longed to rush back to the pulpit again to say over again more vehemently, what we have uttered in so cold a manner! Where could we find rest for our spirits but in confession of sin, and passionate entreaty that our infirmity or folly might in no way hinder the Spirit of God!
SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)
Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this quotation in your own preaching to describe how God is at work in his people.
You know how an artist can, if he likes, dash off a picture. There! A little red, and a little blue, and so on, and it is done. And away it goes! Yes, but when he wants to paint something that will be observed and admired, then he takes more pains. See how he works at every part of it; note what care and what trouble he takes with it.
You are, I hope, the kind of material that will pay for cutting and carving, and the Lord is using his chisel upon you more than he does upon most folk. He wants to make you just like his dear Son, so now he is chipping out a thorn crown and you must wear it around your head. He is fashioning the image of his Son out of the block of your renewed nature, and you must patiently bear the blows from his hammer and chisel until that work is done.
RESOURCE FOR PASTORS
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THANKS FOR READING
Brothers,
Whether you are despairing or overconfident after preaching, we must be careful to obey the command to pray without ceasing. Let’s be quick to thank God for helping us and pray that our words would find soft soil.
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Blessings to your ministry,
Doug H.
Creator of SpurgeonBooks
Preaching Pastor of Pillar Church of Washington DC