Shepherding with Spurgeon

Weekly Newsletter for Pastors from SpurgeonBooks

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON)

“Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:13)

Of course, this counsel and exhortation is intended primarily as a direction to Christian ministers, and especially to young Christian ministers. You must read much if they are to be profitable to others as a preacher. There used to be a very stupid conceit in some sections of the church, that if a minister read extensively he would only give forth stale truth, or what some simpletons called, “dead men’s brains.” Men have now learned, however, that he will be most fresh and original in his own thoughts who most diligently cultivates his mind by studying and pondering the thoughts of other minds. He who never quotes, will never be quoted, and he who does not read is not very likely to be read.

Of course, the first thing the minister needs is to be taught by the Spirit, but then the question is—How does the Spirit teach? He teaches, no doubt, mainly through the Word and through our own experimental acquaintance with that Word, but if he pleases to reveal a truth to another man, and I will not read that truth as it has been recorded by that other man, I have neglected the teaching of the Spirit of God.

SERMON ILLUSTRATION FROM SPURGEON

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your own preaching to describe fighting temptation with a superior joy in God.

When a traveller was asked whether he did not admire the admirable structure of some stately building, 'No,' said he, 'for I've been at Rome, where better are to be seen every day.'

O believer, if the world tempts you with its rare sights and curious prospects, you may well scorn them, having been, by contemplation, in heaven, and being able, by faith, to see infinitely better delights every hour of the day. 'This is the victory which overcome the world, even our faith.'

ONE MORE REMINDER: PREACH JESUS THIS WEEKEND

“It is your business to preach the gospel to dead sinners, for it is the gospel that makes the dead to live.” — Charles Spurgeon