ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)
“Sing ye praises with understanding.” (Psalm 47:7 KJV)
Sing a teaching psalm. Sound doctrine praises God. Even under the economy of types and ceremonies, it is clear that the Lord had regard to the spirituality of worship, and would be praised thoughtfully, intelligently, and with deep appreciation of the reason for song. It is to be feared from the careless way in which some make a noise in singing, that they fancy any sound will do. On the other hand, from the great attention paid by some to the mere music, we feel sadly sure that the sense has no effect upon them. Is it not a sin to be tickling men’s ears with sounds when we profess to be adoring the Lord? What has a sensuous delight in organs, anthems, etc., to do with devotion? Do not men mistake physical effects for spiritual impulses? Do they not often offer to God strains far more calculated for human amusement than for divine acceptance? An understanding enlightened of the Holy Spirit is then and then only fully capable of offering worthy praise.
SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON)
Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe desire for God.
It does one good to see a hungry man eat his food. To him even every bitter thing is sweet. He does not turn over his food and cut off every little bit of gristle, as some of you do because of your delicate appetites.
The true gospel hearer hearkens to the text, “Eat what is good, and let your soul take pleasure in rich food” (Isa 55:2). He does not play the critic and cavil at this expression and that. He is too sharp-set to be particular about the dishes and the carving.
We marvel sometimes at the capacity of hungry men. There is no end to it, and it is the same with spiritual as with natural hunger
RESOURCES FOR PASTORS
For Pastor Appreciation Month, Midwestern Seminary is giving away $10,000 to one pastor. $5,000 of that prize will be given to the church and $5,000 will be given to the pastor for a family vacation.
Click here to enter now (and discover more great resources and giveaways for Pastor Appreciation Month)