1 Timothy 4:16 writes: "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."
On this verse Spurgeon commentates:
"We are, in a certain sense, our own tools, and therefore must keep ourselves in order. If I want to preach the gospel, I can only use my own voice; therefore I must train my vocal powers. I can only think with my own brains, and feel with my own heart, and therefore I must educate my intellectual and emotional faculties. I can only weep and agonise for souls in my own renewed nature, therefore must I watchfully maintain the tenderness which was in Christ Jesus.
It will be in vain for me to stock my library, or organise societies, or project schemes, if I neglect the culture of myself; for books, and agencies, and systems, are only remotely the instruments of my holy calling; my own spirit, soul, and body, are my nearest machinery for sacred service..."
Showing posts with label Spurgeon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spurgeon. Show all posts
October 14, 2008
April 10, 2008
The Wisdom of Winning
Charles Spurgeon at his brilliant best, commenting on Proverbs 11:30, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."
Sir Astley Cooper, on visiting Paris, was asked by the chief surgeon how many times he had performed a certain wonderful feat of surgery. He replied that he had performed the operation thirteen times.
“Ah, but, monsieur, I have done it one hundred and sixty times. How many times did you save the life?” continued the curious Frenchman, after he had looked into the blank amazement of Sir Astley’s face.
“I,” said the Englishman, “saved eleven out of the thirteen. How many did you save out of one hundred and sixty?”
“Ah, monsieur, I lost them all, but the operation was very brilliant!”
Of how many popular ministries might the same verdict be given! Souls are not saved, but the preaching is very brilliant. Thousands are attracted and operated on by the rhetorician’s art, but what if he should have to say of his admirers, “I lost them all, but the sermons were very brilliant!”
Sir Astley Cooper, on visiting Paris, was asked by the chief surgeon how many times he had performed a certain wonderful feat of surgery. He replied that he had performed the operation thirteen times.
“Ah, but, monsieur, I have done it one hundred and sixty times. How many times did you save the life?” continued the curious Frenchman, after he had looked into the blank amazement of Sir Astley’s face.
“I,” said the Englishman, “saved eleven out of the thirteen. How many did you save out of one hundred and sixty?”
“Ah, monsieur, I lost them all, but the operation was very brilliant!”
Of how many popular ministries might the same verdict be given! Souls are not saved, but the preaching is very brilliant. Thousands are attracted and operated on by the rhetorician’s art, but what if he should have to say of his admirers, “I lost them all, but the sermons were very brilliant!”
January 8, 2008
Spurgeon on Communication
I have been fortunate enough lately to observe some excellent communicators in action. Last Sunday night Brian Houston spoke at The Event at Kings, and I have made it to some sessions of the Planetshakers, notably Judah Smith's. This 'feast' of master communicators has got me thinking about this powerful art. What is it that makes a communicator particularly effective?
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) is dubbed as the undisputed Prince of Preachers. Spurgeon pastored the first 'megachurch', the Metropolitan Tabernacle, in London in the late 1800's.
The following are four directives on effective communication from the Prince of Preachers:
1. Cultivate a Clear Style
"When a man does not make me understand what he means, it is because he does not himself know what he means...I believe that many 'deep' preachers are simply so because they are like dry wells with nothing whatever in them, except decaying leaves, a few stones, and perhaps a dead cat or two... It is not enough to be so plain that you can be understood, you must speak so that you cannot be misunderstood."
2. Cultivate a Cogent Style
"Our speech must be forceful. Some imagine that this consists in speaking loudly, but I can assure them they are in error. Nonsense does not improve by being bellowed...Let us be forcible by reason of the excellence of our matter, and the energy of spirit which we throw into the delivery of it."
3. Cultivate Naturalness
"...may a living, natural, simple way of talking out the gospel be learned by us all."
4. Cultivate Persuasiveness
Spurgeon admired speakers who could connect personally with each hearer, "preachers who in their sermons seem to take their hearers one by one by the button-hole, and drive the truth right into their souls." He encouraged preachers to adapt themselves to their different situations - "Suit yourselves to your audiences...The greatest master of oratory...is able to address any class of people in a manner suitable to their condition, and likely to touch their hearts."
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) is dubbed as the undisputed Prince of Preachers. Spurgeon pastored the first 'megachurch', the Metropolitan Tabernacle, in London in the late 1800's.
The following are four directives on effective communication from the Prince of Preachers:
1. Cultivate a Clear Style
"When a man does not make me understand what he means, it is because he does not himself know what he means...I believe that many 'deep' preachers are simply so because they are like dry wells with nothing whatever in them, except decaying leaves, a few stones, and perhaps a dead cat or two... It is not enough to be so plain that you can be understood, you must speak so that you cannot be misunderstood."
2. Cultivate a Cogent Style
"Our speech must be forceful. Some imagine that this consists in speaking loudly, but I can assure them they are in error. Nonsense does not improve by being bellowed...Let us be forcible by reason of the excellence of our matter, and the energy of spirit which we throw into the delivery of it."
3. Cultivate Naturalness
"...may a living, natural, simple way of talking out the gospel be learned by us all."
4. Cultivate Persuasiveness
Spurgeon admired speakers who could connect personally with each hearer, "preachers who in their sermons seem to take their hearers one by one by the button-hole, and drive the truth right into their souls." He encouraged preachers to adapt themselves to their different situations - "Suit yourselves to your audiences...The greatest master of oratory...is able to address any class of people in a manner suitable to their condition, and likely to touch their hearts."
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