Shepherding with Spurgeon

Weekly Newsletter for Pastors from SpurgeonBooks

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

Conversion is God’s work: it cannot be done without his hand. Without him we can do nothing. Our hand is far too puny for such a work.

Still, there are certain circumstances under which that hand will work, and there are hindrances which will restrain it. Let us think awhile. First, then, if sinners are to be converted we must distinctly aim at it. As a rule, a man does what he tries to do, and not that which is mere by-product. The conversion of sinners is not one of those things which a man is likely to accomplish without intending it. Sometimes in the sovereignty of God a preacher who does not aim at conversion may nevertheless be made useful, for God works as he wills; but largely, and as a rule men do not win souls if they do not eagerly desire to do so. Fishing for men cannot be carried out by throwing in the net anyhow, without caring whether fish be caught or no. Few traders become rich by accident, they generally have to plod and work hard for money: and to be rich in treasures of saved souls you must aim at it and labor for it.

SERMON ILLUSTRATION FROM SPURGEON

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe living as a peacemaker.

To remain quiet is generally the way to baffle an adversary. Indeed, there is no weapon with which he can wound you. If you will not yield so as to give railing for railing, what is to be done with you?

It is much the same as when a certain duke proclaimed war against a peaceful neighbor who was resolved not to fight. The troops came riding to the town, and found the gates open as on ordinary occasions. The children were playing in the streets, and the blacksmith was at his forge, and the shopkeepers at their counters. And so, pulling up their horses, the soldiers inquired, “Where is the enemy?”

“We don’t know. We are friends.” What was to be done under the circumstances but to ride home?

So it is in life, if you only meet evil with good the bad man’s occupation is gone.

RESOURCE FOR PASTORS

Lead Like Spurgeon in Your Home

No matter how busy Spurgeon was, every day at 6 p.m., he was in his home, reading, praying, and singing with his wife and kids. He knew that daily family worship was indispensable for the faith of the next generation.

As pastors, we are teaching the Bible to others day-in and day-out. But sometimes we can neglect to teach the Bible to our own children.

The fall is a “reset” for many families. As kids go back to school and more routine comes back into our lives, we have an opportunity to evaluate our current habits and cultivate new ones.

I really want to challenge parents — make family devotions a DAILY habit this school year.

To help you, I've created a series of simple family devotionals. God Centered Family will give you everything you need to teach your kids the Bible in just ten minutes each day.

Subscribe today right here.

ONE MORE REMINDER: PREACH JESUS THIS WEEKEND

“Yes, it is Christ, Christ, Christ whom we have to preach; and if we leave him out, we leave out the very soul of the gospel.” — Charles Spurgeon