ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)
The Great Shepherd of the sheep will grant us an all-sufficiency with which to feed his people. Believing in God all-sufficient, we expect to see our loaves and fishes multiplied; consequently, we do not lay by in store, but deal out at this present all that we have.
I saw in Rome a fountain, which represented a man holding a barrel, out of which a copious stream of water was perpetually running. There never was much at any one time in that marble barrel, and yet it has continued to yield a stream for four or five hundred years. So let us pour forth from our very soul all that the Lord imparts to us. For twenty years and more, I have told out all I know, and have run dry every time, and yet my heart still bubbles up with a good matter. I know some brethren in the ministry who are comparable to the great tun of Heidelberg for capacity, and yet the people do not receive so much gospel truth from them as from preachers of very inferior capacity who have formed the habit of giving out all they have.
We believe that the Spirit of God will be in us a well of water springing up unto everlasting life, and we act according to that conviction. We do not expect to have much goods laid up for many years; but, as we live by daily bread, so upon continually new supplies do we feed our people. Away with the musty, worm-breeding stores of old manna, and let us look up day by day for a fresh supply!
SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)
Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this quotation in your own preaching to describe Christian generosity.
A cheerful giver is also a willing giver. We are not to be like the young grape that must be pressed and squeezed to get the juice out because it is not ripe. Rather, we ought to be like the honeycomb, dripping spontaneously with fresh honey.
RESOURCE FOR PASTORS
Pursue Your Call to Ministry
This month, Midwestern Seminary is encouraging future pastors to pursue their call to ministry. They’ve put together some great resources to help you understand your own call to ministry or help others unpack their own.
They’re also hosting some great giveaways including seminary scholarships and book giveaways, and more. If you refer a student, they’ll send some free books your way.
THANKS FOR READING
Brothers,
God’s Word is a never-ending fountain of joy and wisdom. If we give ourselves to preaching our ideas and agendas, we will run out of things to say. But if we devote ourselves to unfolding Scripture, we will never run out of glories to enjoy.
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Blessings to your ministry,
Doug H.
Creator of SpurgeonBooks
Preaching Pastor of Pillar Church of Washington DC