More from Spurgeon
To try to win a soul to Christ by keeping that soul in ignorance of any truth, is contrary to the mind of the Spirit; and to endeavor to save men by mere claptrap, or excitement, or oratorical display, is as foolish as to hope to hold an angel with a bird-line, or to lure a star with music. The best attraction is the gospel in its purity. The weapon with which the Lord conquers men is the truth as it is in Jesus. The gospel will be found equal to every emergency; an arrow that can pierce the hardest heart, a balm which will heal the deadliest wound. Preach it and preach nothing else. Rely implicity upon the old, old gospel. you need no other nets when you fish for men; those your Master has given you are strong enough for the greatest fishes, and have meshes fine enough to hold the little ones. Spread those nets and no others, and you need not fear fulfillment of His Word, "I will make you fishers of men."
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Relevant, to say the least
From Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Judas was a preacher; nay, he was a foremost preacher. "He obtained part of this ministry," said the Apostle Peter. He was not simply one of the seventy; he had been selected by the Lord Himself as one of the twelve, an honorable member of the college of the apostles. Doubtless, he had preached the gospel so that many had been gladdened by his voice, and miraculous powers had been vouchsafed to him, so that at his word, the sick had been healed, deaf ears had been opened, and the blind made to see. Nay, there is no doubt that he, who could not keep the devil out of himself, had cast devils out of others. Yet how are you fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! He that was as a prophet in the midst of the people, and spake with the tongue of the learned, whose word and wonders proved that he had been with Jesus and had learned from Him-he betrays his Master. Understand, my brethern, that no gifts can ensure grace, and that no position of honor or usefulness in the Church will necessarily prove our being true to our Lord and Master. Doubtless, there are bishops in Hell, and crowds of those who once occuied the pulpit are now condemned forever to bewail their hypocrisy. You that are Church-officers do not conclude that because you enjoy the confidence of the Church, therefore there is an absolute certainty the grace of God in you. Perhaps it is the most dangerous of all positions for a man to become well known and much respected by the religious world, and yet to be rotten at the core. To be where others can observe your faults is a healthy thing, though painful; but to live with beloved friends who would not believe it is possible for us to do wrong, and who, if they saw us err, would make excuses for us-this is to be where it is next to impossible for us ever to be aroused if our hearts be not right with God. To have a fair reputation and a false heart is to stand upon the brink of Hell.
No wonder he was called the "Prince of Preachers"
Judas was a preacher; nay, he was a foremost preacher. "He obtained part of this ministry," said the Apostle Peter. He was not simply one of the seventy; he had been selected by the Lord Himself as one of the twelve, an honorable member of the college of the apostles. Doubtless, he had preached the gospel so that many had been gladdened by his voice, and miraculous powers had been vouchsafed to him, so that at his word, the sick had been healed, deaf ears had been opened, and the blind made to see. Nay, there is no doubt that he, who could not keep the devil out of himself, had cast devils out of others. Yet how are you fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! He that was as a prophet in the midst of the people, and spake with the tongue of the learned, whose word and wonders proved that he had been with Jesus and had learned from Him-he betrays his Master. Understand, my brethern, that no gifts can ensure grace, and that no position of honor or usefulness in the Church will necessarily prove our being true to our Lord and Master. Doubtless, there are bishops in Hell, and crowds of those who once occuied the pulpit are now condemned forever to bewail their hypocrisy. You that are Church-officers do not conclude that because you enjoy the confidence of the Church, therefore there is an absolute certainty the grace of God in you. Perhaps it is the most dangerous of all positions for a man to become well known and much respected by the religious world, and yet to be rotten at the core. To be where others can observe your faults is a healthy thing, though painful; but to live with beloved friends who would not believe it is possible for us to do wrong, and who, if they saw us err, would make excuses for us-this is to be where it is next to impossible for us ever to be aroused if our hearts be not right with God. To have a fair reputation and a false heart is to stand upon the brink of Hell.
No wonder he was called the "Prince of Preachers"
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