Preach the Gospel by C. H. Spurgeon - Blue Letter Bible

Nay; to preach the gospel is to proclaim with trumpet tongue and flaming zeal the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus, so that men may hear, and understanding, ...           KJVNKJVNLTNIVESVCSBNASB20NASB95 LSBNETRSVASVYLTDBYWEBHNV VULWLCLXXmGNTTRNAVRVR60   ClearAdvancedOptions Searchapre-definedlist TheWholeBible TheOldTestament TheNewTestament ────────────── Pentateuch HistoricalBooks PoeticalBooks WisdomLiterature Prophets MajorProphets MinorProphets ────────────── TheGospels Luke-Acts PaulineEpistles GeneralEpistles JohannineWritings ────────────── 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Usesemicolonstoseparategroups:'Gen;Jdg;Psa-Mal'or'Rom3-12;Mat1:15;Mat5:12-22' Cite Share Print StudyResources::TextCommentaries::C.H.Spurgeon::Sermons ←BacktoC.H.Spurgeon'sBio&Resources C.H.Spurgeon::PreachtheGospel ←BacktoC.H.Spurgeon'sBio&Resources ASermon (No.34) DeliveredonSabbathMorning,August5,1855,bythe REV.C.H.SPURGEON AtNewParkStreetChapel,Southwark. "ForthoughIpreachthegospel,Ihavenothingtogloryof;fornecessityislaiduponme;yeawoeisuntome,ifIpreachnotthegospel."-1Cr9:16 THEgreatestmanofApostolictimeswastheapostlePaul.Hewasalwaysgreatineverything.Ifyouconsiderhimasasinner,hewasexceedingsinful;ifyouregardhimasapersecutor,hewasexceedingmadagainsttheChristians,andpersecutedthemevenuntostrangecities,ifyoutakehimasaconvert,hisconversionwasthemostnotableoneofwhichweread,workedbymiraculouspower,andbythedirectvoiceofJesusspeakingfromheaven-"Saul,Saul,whypersecutestthoume?"-IfwetakehimsimplyasaChristian,hewasanextraordinaryone,lovinghisMastermorethanothers,andseekingmorethanotherstoexemplifythegraceofGodinhislife.Butifyoutakehimasanapostle,andasapreacheroftheWord,hestandsoutpre-eminentastheprinceofpreachers,andapreachertokings-forhepreachedbeforeAgrippa,hepreachedbeforeNeroCaesar-hestoodbeforeemperorsandkingsforChrist'sname'ssake.ItwasthecharacteristicofPaul,thatwhateverhe did,hedidwithallhisheart.Hewasoneofthemenwhocouldnotallowonehalfofhisframetobeexercised,whiletheotherhalfwasindolentbut,whenhesettowork,thewholeofhisenergies-everynerve,everysinew-werestrainedintheworktobedone,beitbadworkorbeitgood.Paul,therefore,couldspeakfromexperienceconcerninghisministry;becausehewasthechiefofministers.Thereisnononsenseinwhathespeaks;itisallfromthedepthofhissoul.Andwemaybesurethatwhenhewrotethis,hewroteitwithastrongunpalsiedhand-"ThoughIpreachthegospel,Ihavenothingtogloryof,fornecessityislaiduponme,yea,woeismeifIpreachnotthegospel." Now,thesewordsofPaul,Itrust,areapplicabletomanyministersinthepresentday;toallthosewhoareespeciallycalled,whoaredirectedbytheinwardimpulseoftheHolySpirittooccupythepositionofgospelministers.Intryingtoconsiderthisverse,weshallhavethreeinquiriesthismorning:-First,Whatisittopreachthegospel?Secondly,Whyisitthataministerhasnothingtoglorifyof?Andthirdly,Whatisthatnecessityandthatwoe,ofwhichitiswritten,"Necessityislaiduponme,yea,woeisuntome,ifIpreachnotthegospel?" I.Thefirstenquiryis,WHATISITTOPREACHTHEGOSPEL?Thereareavarietyofopinionsconcerningthisquestion,andpossiblyamongstmyownaudience-thoughIbelieveweareveryuniforminourdoctrinalsentiments-theremightbefoundtwoorthreeveryreadyanswerstothisquestion:Whatisittopreachthegospel?Ishallthereforeattempttoansweritmyselfaccordingtomyownjudgment,ifGodwillhelpme;andifitdoesnothappentobethecorrectanswer,youareatlibertytosupplyabettertoyourselvesathome. 1.ThefirstanswerIshallgivetothequestionisthis:TopreachthegospelistostateeverydoctrinecontainedinGod'sWord,andtogiveeverytruthitsproperprominence.Menmaypreachapartofthegospel;theymayonlypreachonesingledoctrineofit;andIwouldnotsaythatamandidnotpreachthegospelatallifhedidbutmaintainthedoctrineofjustificationbyfaith-"Bygraceareyesavedthroughfaith."Ishouldputhimdownforagospelminister,butnotforonewhopreachedthewholegospel.NomancanbesaidtopreachthewholegospelofGodifheleavesitout,knowinglyandintentionally,onesingletruthoftheblessedGod.Thisremarkofminemustbeaverycuttingone,andoughttostrikeintotheconsciencesofmanywhomakeitalmostamatterofprincipletokeenbackcertaintruthsfromthepeople,becausetheyareafraidofthem.Inconversation,aweekortwoago,withaneminentprofessor,hesaidtome,"Sir,weknowthatweoughtnotto preachthedoctrineofelection,becauseitisnotcalculatedtoconvertsinners.""But,"saidItohim,"whoisthementhatdarestofindfaultwiththetruthofGod?Youadmit,withme,thatitisatruth,andyetyousayitmustnotbepreached.Idarenothavesaidthatthing.Ishouldreckonitsupremearrogancetohaveventuredtosaythatadoctrineoughtnottobepreachedwhentheall-wiseGodhasseenfittorevealit.Besides,isthewholegospelintendedtoconvertsinners?TherearesometruthswhichGodblessestotheconversionofsinners;butaretherenototherportionswhichwereintendedforthecomfortofthesaint?andoughtnotthesetobeasubjectofgospelministryaswellastheothers?AndshallIlookatoneanddisregardtheother?No:ifGodsays,'Comfortye,comfortye,mypeople'ifelectioncomfortsGod'speople,thenmustIpreachit."ButIamnotquitesosure,thatafterall,thatdoctrineisnotcalculatedtoconvert sinners.ForthegreatJonathanEdwardestellsus,thatinthegreatestexcitementofoneofhisrevivals,hepreachedthesovereigntyofGodinthesalvationorcondemnationofman,andshowedthatGodwasinfinitelyjustifhesentmentohell!thathewasinfinitelymercifulifhesavedany;andthatitwasallofhisownfreegrace,andhesaid,"Ifoundnodoctrinecausedmorethoughtnothingenteredmoredeeplyintotheheartthantheproclamationofthattruth."Thesamemightbesaidofotherdoctrines.TherearecertaintruthsinGod'swordwhicharecondemnedtosilence;they,forsooth,arenottobeuttered,because,accordingtothetheoriesofcertainpersons,lookingatthesedoctrines,theyarenotcalculatedtopromotecertainends.ButisitformetojudgeGod'struth?AmItoputhiswordsinthescale,andsay,"Thisisgood,andthatisevil?'AmItotakeGod'sBible,andseveritandsay,"thisishusk,andthisiswheat?"AmItocast awayanyonetruth,andsay,"Idarenotpreachit?"No:Godforbid.WhatsoeveriswritteninGod'sWordiswrittenforourinstruction:andthewholeofitisprofitable,eitherforreproof,orforconsolation,orforedificationinrighteousness.NotruthofGod'sWordoughttobewithheld,buteveryportionofitpreachedinitsownproperorder. Somemenpurposelyconfinethemselvestofourorfivetopicscontinually.Shouldyoustepintotheirchapel,youwouldnaturallyexpecttohearthempreaching,eitherfromthis,"Notofthewilloftheflesh,butofthewillofGod,"orelse,"ElectaccordingtotheforeknowledgeofGodtheFather."Youknowthatthemomentyoustepinyouaresuretohearnothingbutelectionandhighdoctrinethatday.Suchmenerralso,quiteasmuchasothers,iftheygivetoogreatprominencetoonetruthtotheneglectoftheothers.Whatsoeverisheretobepreached,"allitwhatevernameyouplease,writeithigh,writeitlow-theBible,thewholeBible,andnothingbuttheBible,isthestandardofthetrueChristian.Alas!alas!manymakeanironringoftheirdoctrines,andhewhodarestostepbeyondthatnarrowcircle,isnotreckonedorthodox.Godblessheretics,then!Godsendusmoreofthem!Manymaketheologyintoakindoftreadwheel,consistingoffivedoctrines,whichare everlastinglyrotated;fortheynevergoontoanythingelse.Thereoughttobeeverytruthpreached.AndifGodhaswritteninhiswordthat"hethatbelievethnotiscondemnedalready,"thatisasmuchtobepreachedasthetruththat"thereisnocondemnationtothemthatareinJesusChrist."IfIfinditwritten,"OIsrael,thouhastdestroyedthyself,"thatman'scondemnationishisownfault,Iamtopreachthataswellasthenextclause,"Inmeisthyhelpfound."Weought,eachofuswhoareentrustedwiththeministry,toseektopreachalltruth.Iknowitmaybeimpossibletotellyouallofit.Thathighhilloftruthhathmistsuponitssummit.Nomortaleyecanseeitspinnacle;norhaththefootofmanevertroddenit.Butyetletuspaintthemist,ifwecannotpaintthesummit.Letusdepictthedifficultyitselfifwecannotunravelit.Letusnothideanything,butifthemountainoftruthbecloudyatthetop,letussay, "Cloudsanddarknessarearoundhim,"Letusnotdenyit;andletusnotthinkofcuttingdownthemountaintoourownstandard,becausewecannotseeitssummitorcannotreachitspinnacle.Hewhowouldpreachthegospelmustpreachallthegospel.Hewhowouldhaveitsaidheisafaithfulminister,mustnotkeepbackanypartofrevelation. 2.Again,amIaskedwhatitistopreachthegospel?IanswertopreachthegospelistoexaltJesusChrist.PerhapsthisisthebestanswerthatIcouldgive.IamverysorrytoseeveryoftenhowlittlethegospelisunderstoodevenbysomeofthebestChristians.Sometimeagotherewasayoungwomanundergreatdistressofsoul;shecametoaverypiousChristianman,whosaid"Mydeargirl,youmustgohomeandpray."WellIthoughtwithinmyself,thatisnottheBiblewayatall.Itneversays,"Gohomeandpray."Thepoorgirlwenthome;shedidpray,andshestillcontinuedindistress.Saidhe,"Youmustwait,youmustreadtheScripturesandstudythem."ThatisnottheBibleway;thatisnotexaltingChrist;findagreatmanypreachersarepreachingthatkindofdoctrine.Theytellapoorconvincedsinner,"Youmustgohomeandpray,andreadtheScriptures;youmustattendtheministry;"andsoon.Works,works,works-insteadof"By graceareyesavedthroughfaith,"Ifapenitentshouldcomeandaskme,"WhatmustIdotobesaved?"Iwouldsay,"Christmustsaveyou-believeonthenameoftheLordJesusChrist."Iwouldneitherdirecttoprayer,norreadingoftheScripturesnorattendingGod'shouse;butsimplydirecttofaith,nakedfaithonGod'sgospel.NotthatIdespiseprayer-thatmustcomeafterfaith.NotthatIspeakawordagainstthesearchingoftheScriptures-thatisaninfalliblemarkofGod'schildren.NotthatIfindfaultwithattendanceonGod'sword-Godforbid!Ilovetoseepeoplethere.Butnoneofthosethingsarethewayofsalvation.Itisnowherewritten-"Hethatattendethchapelshallbesaved,"or,"HethatreadeththeBibleshallbesaved."NordoIread-"Hethatprayethandisbaptisedshallbesaved;"but,"Hethatbelieveth,"-hethathasanakedfaithonthe"ManChristJesus,"-onhisGodhead,onhis manhood,isdeliveredfromsin.Topreachthatfaithalonesaves,istopreachGod'struth.NorwillIforonemomentconcedetoanymanthenameofagospelminister,ifhepreachesanythingastheplanofsalvationexceptfaithinJesusChrist,faith,faith,nothingbutfaithinhisname.Butweare,mostofus,verymuchmuddledinourideas.Wegetsomuchworkstoredintoourbrain,suchanideaofmeritandofdoing,wroughtintoourhearts,thatitisalmostimpossibleforustopreachjustificationbyfaithclearlyandfully;andwhenwedo,ourpeoplewon'treceiveit.Wetellthem,"BelieveonthenameoftheLordJesusChristandthoushaltbesaved."Buttheyhaveanotionthatfaithissomethingsowonderful,somysterious,thatitisquiteimpossiblethatwithoutdoingsomethingelsetheycanevergetit.Now,thatfaithwhichunitestotheLambisaninstantaneousgiftofGod,andhewhobelievesontheLordJesusisthatmomentsaved,withoutanythingelse whatsoever.Ah!myfriends,dowenotwantmoreexaltingChristinourpreaching,andmoreexaltingChristinourliving?PoorMarysaid,"TheyhavetakenawaymyLordandIknownotwheretheyhavelaidhim,"Andshemightsaysonow-a-daysifshecouldrisefromthegrave.Oh!tohaveaChrist-exaltingministry!Oh!tohavepreachingthatmagnifiesChristinhisperson,thatextolshisdivinity,thatloveshishumanity;tohavepreachingthatshowshimasprophet,priest,andkingtohispeople!tohavepreachingwherebythespiritmanifeststheSonofGoduntohischildren:tohavepreachingthatsays,"Lookuntohimandbeyesavedalltheendsoftheearth,"-Calvarypreaching,Calvarytheology,Calvarybooks,Calvarysermons!Thesearethethingswewant,andinproportionaswehaveCalvaryexaltedandChristmagnified,thegospelispreachedinourmidst. 3.Thethirdanswertothequestionis:topreachthegospelistogiveeveryclassofcharacterhisdue."YouareonlytopreachtoGod'sdearpeople,ifyougointothatpulpit,"saidadeacononcetoaminister.Saidtheminister,"Haveyoumarkedthemallontheback,thatImayknowthem?"WhatisthegoodofthislargechapelifIamonlytopreachtoGod'sdearpeople?Theyarefewenough.God'sdearpeoplemightbeheldinthevestry.WehavemanymoreherebesidesGod'sdearpeople,andhowamItobesure,ifIamtoldtopreachonlytoGod'sdearpeople,thatsomebodyelsewonttakeittohimself?Atanothertimesomeonemightsay,"Now,besureyoupreachtosinners.Ifyoudonotpreachtosinnersthismorning,youwon'tpreachthegospel.Weshallonlyhearyouonce;andweshallbesureyouarenotrightifyoudonothappentopreachtosinnerthisparticularmorning,inthisparticularsermon."Whatnonsense,myfriends! Therearetimeswhenthechildrenmustbefed,andtherearetimeswhenthesinnermustbewarned.Therearedifferenttimesfordifferentobjects.IfamanispreachingtoGod'ssaintsifitsohappenthatlittleissaidtosinners,ishetobeblamedforit,providedthatatanothertimewhenheisnotcomfortingthesaints,hedirectshisattentionspeciallytotheungodly?Iheardagoodremarkfromanintelligentfriendofminetheotherday.Apersonwasfindingfaultwith"Dr.Hawker'sMorningandEveningPortions"becausetheywerenotcalculatedtoconvertsinners.Hesaidtothegentleman,"Didyoueverread;'Grote'sHistoryofGreece?'""Yes."Well,thatisashockingbook,isitnot?foritisnotcalculatedtoconvertsinners."Yes,but,"saidtheother,"'Grote'sHistoryofGreece'wasnevermeanttoconvertsinners.""No,"saidmyfriend,"andifyouhadreadtheprefaceto'Dr. Hawker'sMorningandEveningPortion,'youwouldseethatitwasnevermeanttoconvertsinners,buttofeedGod'speople,andifitanswersitsendthemanhasbeenwise,thoughhehasnotaimedatsomeotherend."Everyclassofpersonistohavehisdue.Hewhopreachessolelytosaintsatalltimesdoesnotpreachthegospel;hewhopreachessolelyandonlytothesinner;andnevertothesaint,doesnotpreachthewholeofthegospel.Wehaveamalgamationhere.Wehavethesaintwhoisfullofassuranceandstrong;wehavethesaintwhoisweakandlowinfaith;wehavetheyoungconvert;wehavethemanhaltingbetweentwoopinions;wehavethemoralman;wehavethesinner;wehavethereprobate;wehavetheoutcast.Leteachhaveaword.Leteachhaveaportionofmeatindueseason;notateveryseason,butindueseason.Hewhoomitsoneclassofcharacterdoesnotknowhowtopreachtheentiregospel.What!AmItobeputintothepulpitandtobetoldthatIamto confinemyselftocertaintruthsonly,tocomfortGod'ssaints?Iwillnothaveitso.Godgivesmenheartstolovetheirfellow-creatures,andaretheytohavenodevelopmentforthatheart?IfIlovetheungodlyamItohavenomeansofspeakingtothem?MayInottellthemofjudgmenttocome,ofrighteousness,andoftheirsin?GodforbidIshouldsostultifymynatureandsobrutalizemyself,astohaveatearlesseyewhenIconsiderthelossofmyfellowcreatures,andtostandandsay"Yearedead,Ihavenothingtosaytoyou!"andtopreachineffectifnotinwordsthatmostdamnableheresy,thatifmenaretobebayedtheywillbesaved-thatiftheyarenottobesavedtheywillnotbesaved;thatnecessarily,theymustsitstillanddonothingwhatever;andthatitmattersnotwhethertheyliveinsinorinrighteousness-somestrongfatehasboundthemdownwithadamantinechains;andtheirdestinyissocertainthattheymayliveoninsin.Ibelievetheirdestinyis certain-thataselect,theywillbesaved,andifnotelecttheyaredamnedforever.ButIdonotbelievetheheresythatfollowsasaninferencethatthereforemenareirresponsibleandmaysitstill.ThatisaheresyagainstwhichIhaveeverprotested,asbeingadoctrineofthedevilandnotofGodatall.Webelieveindestiny;webelieveinpredestination;webelieveinelectionandnon-election:but,notwithstandingthat,webelievethatwemustpreachtomen,HeBelieveontheLordJesusChristandyeshallbesaved,"butbelievenotonhimandyearedamned. 4.Ihadthoughtofgivingonemoreanswertothisquestion,buttimefailsme.Theanswerwouldhavebeensomewhatlikethis-thattopreachthegospelisnottopreachcertaintruthsaboutthegospel,nottopreachaboutthepeople,buttopreachtothepeople.Topreachthegospelisnottotalkaboutwhatthegospelis,buttopreachitintotheheart,notbyyourownmight,butbytheinfluenceoftheHolyGhost-nottostandandtalkasifwewerespeakingtotheangelGabriel,andtellinghimcertainthings,buttospeakasmantomanandpourourheartintoourfellow'sheart.ThisItakeit,istopreachthegospel,andnottomumblesomedrymanuscriptoveronSundaymorningorSundayevening.Topreachthegospelisnottosendacuratetodoyourdutyforyou;itisnottoputonyourfinegownandthenstandandgiveoutsomeloftyspeculation.Topreachthegospelisnot,withthehandsofabishop,toturnoversomebeautifulspecimenofprayer,andthentogo downagainandleaveittosomehumblerpersontospeak.Nay;topreachthegospelistoproclaimwithtrumpettongueandflamingzealtheunsearchablerichesofChristJesus,sothatmenmayhear,andunderstanding,mayturntoGodwithfullpurposeofheart.Thisistopreachthegospel. II.Thesecondquestionis-HowISITTHATMINISTERSARENOTALLOWEDTOGLORY?"ForthoughIpreachthegospelIhavenothingtoglorifyit."Therearesomeweedsthatwillgrowanywhere;andoneofthemisPride.Pridewillgrowonarockaswellasinagarden.Pridewillgrowintheheartofashoe-blackaswellasintheheartofanalderman.Pridewillgrowintheheartofaservantgirlandequallyaswellintheheartofhermistress.Andpridewillgrowinthepulpit.Itisaweedthatisdreadfullyrampant.Itwantscuttingdowneveryweek,orelseweshouldstanduptoourkneesinit.Thispulpitisashockingbadsoilforpride.Itgrowsterribly;andIscarcelyknowwhetheryoueverfindapreacherofthegospelwhowillnotconfessthathehasthegreatesttemptationtopride.Isupposethateventhoseministersofwhomnothingissaid,butthattheyareverygoodpeople,andwhohaveaCitychurch,withsomesixpeopleattendingit,haveatemptationtopride.Butwhetherthat issoornot,Iamquitesurewhereverthereisalargeassembly,andwhereveragreatdealofnoiseandstirismadeconcerninganymanthereisagreatdangerofpride.And,markyou,themoreproudamanisthegreaterwillbehisfallatlast.Ifpeoplewillholdaministerupintheirhandsanddonotkeepholdofhim,butlethimgo,whatafallhewillhave,poorfellow,whenitisallover.Ithasbeensowithmany.Manymenhavebeenheldupbythearmsofmen,theyhavebeenheldupbythearmsofpraise,andnotofprayer;thesearmshavebecomeweak,anddowntheyhavefallen.Isaythereistemptationtoprideinthepulpit;butthereisnogroundforitinthepulpit;thereisnosoilforpridetogrowon;butitwillgrowwithoutany."Ihavenothingtoglorifyof."But,notwithstanding,thereoftencomesinsomereasonwhyweshouldglory,notreal,butapparenttoourownselves. 1.Now,howisitthatatrueministerfeelshehas"nothingtoglorifyof."First,becauseheisveryconsciousofhisownimperfections.Ithinknomanwilleverformamorejustopinionofhimselfthanhewhoiscalledconstantlyandincessantlytopreach.Somemanoncethoughthecouldpreach,andonbeingallowedtoenterthepulpit,hefoundhiswordsdidnotcomequitesofreelyasheexpected,andintheutmosttrepidationandfear,heleanedoverthefrontofthepulpitandsaid"Myfriends,ifyouwouldcomeuphere,itwouldtaketheconceitoutofyouall,Iverilybelieveitwouldoutofagreatmany,couldtheyoncetrythemselveswhethertheycouldpreach.Itwouldtaketheircriticalconceitoutofthem,andmakethemthinkthatafterallitwasnotsucheasywork.Hewhopreachesbestfeelsthathepreachesworst.Hewhohassetupsomeloftymodelinhisownmindofwhateloquenceshouldbe,andwhatearnestappealoughttobe,willknowhowmuchhe fallsbelowit.He,bestofall,canreprovehimselfwhenheknowshisowndeficiency.Idonotbelievewhenamandoesathingwell,thatthereforehewillgloryinit.Ontheotherhand,Ithinkthathewillbethebestjudgeofhisownimperfections,andwillseethemmostclearly.Heknowswhatheoughttobe:othermendonot.Theystare,andgaze,andthinkitiswonderful,whenhethinksitiswonderfullyabsurdandretireswonderingthathehasnotdonebetter.Everytrueministerwillfeelthatheisdeficient.HewillcomparehimselfwithsuchmenasWhitfield,withsuchpreachersasthoseofpuritanicaltimes,andhewillsay,"WhatamI?Likeadwarfbesideagiant,anant-hillbythesideofthemountain."WhenheretirestorestonSabbath-night,hewilltossfromsidetosideonhisbed,becausehefeelsthathehasmissedthemark,thathehasnothadthatearnestness,thatsolemnity,thatdeath-likeintensenessofpurposewhichbecamehisposition.Hewillaccuse himselfofnothavingdweltenoughonthispoint,orforhavingshunnedtheother,ornothavingbeenexplicitenoughonsomecertainsubject,orexpandedanothertoomuch.Hewillseehisownfaults,forGodalwayschastiseshisownchildrenatnight-timewhentheyhavedonesomethingwrong.Weneednototherstoreproveus;Godhimselftakesusinhand,ThemosthighlyhonoredbeforeGodwilloftenfeelhimselfdishonoredinhisownesteem. 2.Again,anothermeansofcausingustoceasefromallgloryisthefactthatGodremindsusthatallourgiftsareborrowed.AndstrikinglyhaveIthismorningbeenremindedofthatgreattruth-thatallourgiftsareborrowed,byreadinginanewspapertothefollowingeffect:- "Lastweek,thequietneighborhoodofNewTownwasmuchdisturbedbyanoccurrencewhichhasthrownagloomovertheentireneighborhood.Agentlemanofconsiderableattainment,whohaswonanhonorabledegreeattheuniversityhasforsomemonthsbeenderanged.Hehadkeptanacademyforyounggentlemen,buthisinsanityhadobligedhimtodesistfromhisoccupation,andhehasforsometimelivedaloneinahouseintheneighborhood.Thelandlordobtainedawarrantofejectment;anditbeingfoundnecessarytohandcuffhim,hewas,bysadmismanagement,compelledtoremainonthesteps,exposedtothegazeofagreatcrowd,untilatlastavehiclearrived,whichconveyedhimtotheasylum.Oneofhispupils(saysthepaper)isMr.Spurgeon." ThemanfromwhomIlearnedwhateverofhumanlearningIhave,hasnowbecomearavinglunaticintheAsylum!WhenIsawthat,IfeltIcouldbendmykneewithhumblegratitudeandthankmyGodthatnotyethadmyreasonreeled,notyethadthosepowersdeparted.Oh!howthankfulweoughttobethatourtalentsarepreservedtous,andthatourmindisnotgone!Nothingcamenearerandclosertomethanthat.Therewasonewhohadtakenallpainswithme-amanofgeniusandofability;andyetthereheis!howfallen!howfallen!Howspeedilydoeshumannaturecomefromitshighestateandsinkbelowthelevelofthebrutes?BlessGodmyfriends,foryourtalents!thankhimforyourreason!thankhimforyourintellect!Simpleasitmaybe,itisenoughforyou,andifyoulostityouwouldsoonmarkthedifference.Takeheedtoyourselflestinaughtyousay."ThisisBabylonthatIhavebuilded;"for,remember,bothtrowelandmortarmustcomefromhim.Thelife,thevoice,thetalent, theimagination,theeloquence-allarethegiftofGod;andhewhohasthegreatestgiftsmustfeelthatuntoGodbelongtheshieldofthemighty,forhehasgivenmighttohispeople,andstrengthuntohisservants. 3.Onemoreanswertothisquestion.AnothermeanswherebyGodpreserveshisministersfromgloryingisthis:HemakesthemfeeltheirconstantdependanceupontheHolyGhost.Somedonotfeelit,Iconfess.SomewillventuretopreachwithouttheSpiritofGod,orwithoutentreatingit.ButIthinkthatnoman,whoisreallycommissionedfromonhigh,willeverventuretodoso,buthewillfeelthatheneedstheSpirit.Once,whilepreachinginScotland,theSpiritofGodwaspleasedtodesertme,IcouldnotspeakasusuallyIhavedone.Iwasobligedtotellthepeoplethatthechariotwheelsweretakenoff;andthatthechariotdraggedveryheavilyalong.Ihavefeltthebenefitofthateversince.Ithumbledmebitterly,forIcouldhavecreptintoanut-shell,andIwouldhavehiddenmyselfinanyobscurecorneroftheearth.IfeltasifIshouldspeaknomoreinthenameoftheLord,andthenthethoughtcame"Oh!thouartanungratefulcreature:hathnotGodspokenbythee hundredsoftimes?Andthisonce,whenhewouldnotdosowiltthouupbraidhimforit?Nay,ratherthankhim,thatahundredtimeshehathstoodbythee;and,ifoncehehathforsakenthee,admirehisgoodness,thatthushewouldkeeptheehumble."Somemayimaginethatwantofstudybroughtmeintothatcondition,butIcanhonestlyaffirm,thatitwasnotso.IthinkthatIamboundtogivemyselfuntoreading,andnottempttheSpiritbyunthought-ofeffusions.Usually,IdeemitadutytoseekasermonofmyMasterandimplorehimtoimpressitonmymind,butonthatoccasion,IthinkIhadevenpreparedmorecarefullythenthanIordinarilydo,sothatunpreparednesswasnotthereason.Thesimplefactwasthis-"Thewindblowethwhereitlisteth;"andwindsdonotalwaysblowhurricanes.Sometimesthewindsthemselvesarestill.And,therefore,ifIrestontheSpirit,IcannotexpectIshouldalwaysfeelitspoweralike.WhatcouldIdowithoutthecelestialinfluence,forto thatIoweeverything.BythisthoughtGodhumbleshisservants.Godwillteachushowmuchwewantit.Hewillnotletusthinkwearedoinganythingourselves."Nay,sayshe,"thoushalthavenoneoftheglory.Iwilltaketheedown.Artthouthinking'Iamdoingthis?'Iwillshowtheewhatthouartwithoutme"OutgoesSamson.HeattacksthePhilistines.Hefancieshecanslaythem;buttheyareonhim.Hiseyesareout.Hisgloryisgone,becausehetrustednotinhisGod,butrestedinhimself.EveryministerwillbemadetofeelhisdependenceupontheSpirit;andthenwillhe,withemphasis,say,asPauldid,"IfIpreachthegospel,Ihavenothingtoglorifyof." III.Nowcomesthethirdquestion,withwhichwearetofinishWHATISTHATNECESSITYWHICHISLAIDUPONUSTOPREACHTHYGOSPEL? 1.First,averygreatpartofthatnecessityspringsfromthecallitself:IfamanbetrulycalledofGodtotheministry,Iwilldefyhimtowithholdhimselffromit.AmanwhohasreallywithinhimtheinspirationoftheHolyGhostcallinghimtopreachcannothelpit.Hemustpreach.Asfirewithinthebones,sowillthatinfluencebeuntilitblazesforthFriendsmaycheckhim,foescriticisehim,despiserssneerathim,themanisindomitable;hemustpreachifhehasthecallofheaven.Allearthmightforsakehim;buthewouldpreachtothebarrenmountain-tops.Ifhehasthecallofheaven,ifhehasnocongregation,hewouldpreachtotheripplingwaterfalls,andletthebrookshearhisvoice.Hecouldnotbesilent.Hewouldbecomeavoicecryinginthewilderness,"PrepareyethewayoftheLord."Inomorebelieveitpossibletostopministers,thantostopthestarsofheaven.Ithinkitnomorepossibletomakeamanceasefrompreaching,ifheisreallycalled,than tostopsomemightycataract,byseeking,withaninfant'scup,todrinkitswaters.Themanhasbeenmovedofheaven,whoshallstophim?HehasbeentouchedofGod,whoshallimpedehim?Withaneagle'swinghemustfly;whoshallchainhimtotheearth?Withseraph'svoicehemustspeak,whoshallstophislips?Isnothiswordlikeafirewithinme?MustInotspeakifGodhasplaceditthere?AndwhenamandoesspeakastheSpiritgiveshimutterance,hewillfeelaholyjoyakintoheaven;andwhenitisoverhewishestobeathisworkagain,andlongstobeoncemorepreaching.IdonotthinkyoungmenarecalledofGodtoanygreatworkwhopreachonceaweek,andthinktheyhavedonetheirduty.IthinkifGodhascalledaman,hewillimpelhimtobemoreorlessconstantlyatit,andhewillfeelthathemustpreachamongthenationstheunsearchablerichesofChrist. 2.Butanotherthingwillmakeuspreach:weshallfeelthatwoeisuntousifwepreachnotthegospel;andthatisthesaddestitutionofthispoorfallenworld.Oh,ministerofthegospel!standforonemomentandbethinkthyselfofthypoorfellowcreatures!Seethemlikeastream,rushingtoeternity-tenthousandtotheirendlesshomeeachsolemnmomentfly!Seetheterminationofthatstream,thattremendouscataractwhichdashesstreamsofsoulsintothepit!Oh,minister,bethinkthyselfthatmenarebeingdamnedeachhourbythousands,andthateachtimethypulsebeatsanothersoulliftsupitseyesinhell,beingintorments;bethinkthyselfhowmenarespeedingontheirwaytodestruction,how"theloveofmanywaxethcold"and"iniquitydothabound."Isay,istherenotanecessitylaiduponthee?Isitnotwoeuntotheeifthoupreachestnotthegospel?TakethywalkoneeveningthroughthestreetsofLondonwhentheduskhasgathered,anddarknessveilsthe people.Markyounotyonprofligatehurryingontoheraccursedwork?Seeyounotthousandsandtensofthousandsannuallyruined?Upfromthehospitalandtheasylumtherecomesavoice,"Woeisuntoyouifyepreachnotthegospel."Gotothathugeplacebuiltaroundwithmassivewalls,enterthedungeons,andseethethieveswhohaveforyearsspenttheirlivesinsin.WendyourwaysometimestothatsadsquareofNewgate,andseethemurdererhanged.Avoiceshallcomefromeachhouseofcorrection,fromeachprison,fromeachgallows,saying,"Woeisuntotheeifthoupreachestnotthegospel."Gothoutothethousanddeath-beds,andmarkhowmenareperishinginignorance,notknowingthewaysofGod.SeetheirterrorastheyapproachtheirJudge,neverhavingknownwhatitwastobesaved,notevenknowingtheway;andasyouseethemquiveringbeforetheirMaker,hearavoice,"Minister,woeisuntotheeifthoupreachestnotthegospel."Ortakeanothercourse. Travelroundthisgreatmetropolis,andstopatthedoorofsomeplacewherethereisheardthetinklingofbells,chantingandmusic,butwherethewhoreofBabylonhathhersway,andliesarepreachedfortruth;andwhenthoucomesthomeandthinkestofPoperyandPuseyism,letavoicecometothee,"Ministerwoeisuntotheeifthoupreachestnotthegospel."OrstepintothehalloftheinfidelwhereheblasphemesthyMaker'sname;orsitinthetheaterwhereplays,libidinousandlooseareacted,andfromallthesehauntsofvicetherecomesthevoice,"Minister,woeisuntotheeifthoupreachestnotthegospel."Andtakethylastsolemnwalkdowntothechambersofthelost;lettheabyssofhellbevisited,andstandthouandhear "Thesullengroans,thehollowmoans, Andshrieksoftorturedghosts." Putthineearathell'sgate,andforalittlewhilelisttothecommingledscreamsandshrieksofagonyandfelldespairthatshalllendthineear;andasthoucomestfromthatsadplacewiththatdolefulmusicstillaffrightingthee,thouwilthearthevoice,"Minister!minister!woeisuntotheeifthoupreachesnotthegospel."Onlyletushavethesethingsbeforeoureyes,andwemustpreach.Stoppreaching!Stoppreaching!Letthesunstopshining,andwewillpreachindarkness.Letthewavesstoptheirebbandflow,andstillourvoiceshallpreachthegospel,lettheworldstopitsrevolutions,lettheplanetsstaytheirmotion;wewillstillpreachthegospel.Untilthefierycenterofthisearthshallburstthroughthethickribsofherbrazenmountains,weshallstillpreachthegospel;tilltheuniversalconflagrationshalldissolvetheearth,andmattershallbesweptaway,theselips,orthelipsofsomeotherscalledofGod,shallstillthunderforththevoiceof Jehovah.Wecannothelpit."Necessityislaiduponus,yeawoeisuntousifwepreachnotthegospel. Now,mydearhearers,onewordwithyou.TherearesomepersonsinthisaudiencewhoareverilyguiltyinthesightofGodbecausetheydonotpreachthegospel.Icannotthinkoutofthefifteenhundredortwothousandpersonsnowpresent,withinthereachofmyvoice,therearenonewhoarequalifiedtopreachthegospelbesidesmyself.Ihavenotsobadanopinionofyouastoconceivemyselftobesuperiorinintellecttoonehalfofyou,oreveninthepowerofpreachingGod'sWord:andevensupposingIshouldbe,IcannotbelievethatIhavesuchacongregationthattherearenotamongyoumanywhohavegiftsandtalentsthatqualifyyoutopreachtheWord.AmongtheScotchBaptistsitisthecustomtocalluponallthebrethrentoexhortontheSabbathmorning;theyhavenoregularministertopreachonthatoccasion,buteverymanpreacheswholikestogetupandspeak.Thatisallverywell,only,Ifear,manyunqualifiedbrethrenwouldbethegreatestspeakers,sinceitisa knownfact,thatmenwhohavelittletosaywilloftenkeeponthelongest;andifIwerechairman,Ishouldsay,"Brother,itiswritten,'Speaktoedification.'Iamsureyouwouldnotedifyyourselfandyourwife,youhadbettergoandtrythatfirst,andifyoucannotsucceed,don'twasteourprecioustime." ButstillIsay,Icannotconceivebutwhattherearesomeherethismorningwhoareflowers"wastingtheirsweetnessinthedesertair,"gemsofpurestrayserene,"lyinginthedarkcavernsofocean'soblivion.Thisisaveryseriousquestion.IftherebeanytalentintheChurchatParkStreet,letitbedeveloped.Iftherebeanypreachersinmycongregationletthempreach.Manyministersmakeitapointtocheckyoungmeninthisrespect.Thereismyhand,suchasitis,tohelpanyoneofyouifyouthinkyoucantelltosinnersroundwhatadearSaviouryouhavefound.Iwouldliketofindscoresofpreachersamongyou;wouldtoGodthatalltheLord'sservantswereprophets.Therearesomeherewhooughttobeprophets,onlytheyarehalfafraid-well,wemustdevisesomeschemeofgettingridoftheirbashfulness.IcannotbeartothinkthatwhilethedevilsetsallhisservantstoworkthereshouldbeoneservantofJesusChristasleep.Youngman,gohomeandexamine thyself,seewhatthyabilitiesare,andifthoufindestthatthouhastability,thentryinsomepoorhumbleroomtotelltoadozenpoorpeoplewhattheymustdotobesaved.Youneednotaspiretobecomeabsolutelyandsolelydependentupontheministry,butifitshouldpleaseGod,evendesireit.Hethatdesirethabishopricdesirethagoodthing.AtanyrateseekinsomewaytobepreachingthegospelofGod.Ihavepreachedthissermonespecially,becauseIwanttocommenceamovementfromthisplacewhichshallreachothers.Iwanttofindsomeinmychurch,ifitbepossible,whowillpreachthegospel.Andmarkyou,ifyouhavetalentandpower,woeisuntoyouifyoupreachnotthegospel. Butoh!myfriends,ifitiswoeuntousifwepreachnotthegospel,whatisthewoeuntoyouifyehearandreceivenotthegospel?MayGodgiveusbothtoescapefromthatwoe!MaythegospelofGodbeuntousthesavoroflifeuntolife,andnotofdeathuntodeath. AWiseDesire ←PriorSection God'sPeopleintheFurnace NextSection→ ←BacktoC.H.Spurgeon'sBio&Resources ←BacktoallCommentaries Sponsors PartnerwiththeBLB   (Disclaimer) SearchResultsinOtherVersions (Notes) SearchResultsbyBook (Notes) BLBSearches SearchtheBible KJVNKJVNLTNIVESVCSBNASB20NASB95 LSBNETRSVASVYLTDBYWEBHNV VULWLCLXXmGNTTRNAVRVR60    [?] AdvancedOptions Thereareoptionssetin'AdvancedOptions' ClearAdvancedOptions Searchapre-definedlist TheWholeBible TheOldTestament TheNewTestament ────────────── Pentateuch HistoricalBooks PoeticalBooks WisdomLiterature Prophets MajorProphets MinorProphets ────────────── TheGospels Luke-Acts PaulineEpistles GeneralEpistles JohannineWritings ────────────── GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1Samuel2Samuel1Kings2Kings1Chronicles2ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSongofSongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1Corinthians2CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1Thessalonians2Thessalonians1Timothy2TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1Peter2Peter1John2John3JohnJudeRevelation ORSelectarangeofbiblicalbooks From: SelectaBeginningPoint GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1Samuel2Samuel1Kings2Kings1Chronicles2ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSongofSongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1Corinthians2CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1Thessalonians2Thessalonians1Timothy2TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1Peter2Peter1John2John3JohnJudeRevelation To: SelectanEndingPoint GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1Samuel2Samuel1Kings2Kings1Chronicles2ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSongofSongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1Corinthians2CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1Thessalonians2Thessalonians1Timothy2TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1Peter2Peter1John2John3JohnJudeRevelation ORCustomSelection: Usesemicolonstoseparategroups:'Gen;Jdg;Psa-Mal'or'Rom3-12;Mat1:15;Mat5:12-22' LexiConc  [?]   AdvancedOptions ExactMatch BeginningoftheWord AnyPartoftheWord TheologicalFAQs  [?]   OtherSearches PartnerwiththeBLB   (Disclaimer) Multi-VerseRetrievalx KJVNKJVNLTNIVESVCSBNASB20NASB95 LSBNETRSVASVYLTDBYWEBHNV VULWLCLXXmGNTTRNAVRVR60   RetrieveAdv.Options Line-By-LineOrder: Verse-Reference Reference-Verse SeparateLine VerseOnly ReferenceOnly ReferenceDelimiters: None—Jhn1:1KJV Square—[Jhn1:1KJV] Curly—{Jhn1:1KJV} Parens—(Jhn1:1KJV) ParagraphOrder: Verse-Reference Reference-Verse Reference-Only NumberDelimiters:* NoNumber NoDelimiter—15 Square—[15] Curly—{15} Parens—(15) OtherOptions: AbbreviateBooks UseSBLAbbrev. EndashnotHyphen   QuotesAroundVerses RemoveSquareBrackets SortCanonically *'NumberDelimiters'onlyapplyto'ParagraphOrder' Let'sConnectx SubscribetoourNewsletter DailyDevotionalsx BlueLetterBibleoffersseveraldailydevotionalreadingsinordertohelpyourefocusonChristandtheGospelofHispeaceandrighteousness. BLBDailyPromises DaybyDaybyGrace MorningandEvening DailyBibleReading DailyBibleReadingPlansx RecognizingthevalueofconsistentreflectionupontheWordofGodinordertorefocusone'smindandheartuponChristandHisGospelofpeace,weprovideseveralreadingplansdesignedtocovertheentireBibleinayear. 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