ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)
I prefer a sermon in which there may be no vast talent, and no great depth of thought, but what there is has come fresh from the crucible, and like molten metal burns its way. I once knew a lad who, when he used to go home from the smithy where he worked, was roughly handled by the boys of the village until his master suggested to him a plan of defense that was wonderfully efficacious. He took a rod of iron, and just before he went home he blew up the fire and made the iron hot. When the boys came around him he warned them not to touch his stick. After one trial of it they obeyed the admonition and reverently kept their distance.
I do not quote the example with any commendation of the actual fact, but with this moral in view—heat your sermon red hot, and it will be likely to be remembered by all who come into contact with it. Everything gives way before fire.
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SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)
Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe the importance of growing as a Christian.
If you go into a forest at a certain time of the year, you may see a great number of trees that have no leaves on them. How are you to know which are alive and which are not? Well, you would soon know if you could look at their roots. If a tree has been growing, if its roots have taken hold on the soil, you may pull it, but you will not stir it. There it stands.
Similarly, growth in grace brings stability in grace. You who have faith, ask God that you may have growing faith. A living faith is a growing faith, and a growing faith is a living faith. Pray, therefore, that you may “grow in grace” (2 Peter 3:18).
THANKS FOR READING
Brothers,
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Blessings to your ministry,
Doug H.
Creator of SpurgeonBooks
Preaching Pastor of Pillar Church of Washington DC