“It is not pleasant to watch brethren preaching the gospel of peace in that pugnacious style: yet it is by no means rare to hear of an evangelist preaching a free Christ with a clinched fist. It is amusing to see them putting themselves into an attitude and saying, ‘Come unto me,’ and then, with …
In Other Words, Cool Your Baby Jets
“Violent gesture, even when commended by some, will be sure to strike others from its comic side . . . Therefore, do not carry action too far, and if you feel that you are naturally very energetic in your delivery, repress your energies a little. Wave your hands a little less, smite the Bible somewhat …
So Stand Straight
“We do not go into the pulpit to slouch about, and to look free and easy, but we go there upon very solemns business, and our posture should be such as becomes our mission” (Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, p. 281).
Out of the Groove
“It would be very easy to prove that revivals of religion have usually been accompanied, if not caused, by a considerable amount of preaching out of doors, or in unusual places” (Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, p. 236).
Articulate Snoring
“Our preaching must not be articulate snoring. There must be power, life, energy, vigour. We must throw our whole selves into it, and show that the zeal of God’s house has eaten us up” (Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, p. 226).
Terriers of Orthodoxy
“If we really believe the truth, we shall be decided about it. Certainly we are not to show our decision by that obstinate, furious, wolfish bigotry which cuts off every other body from the chance and hope of salvation and the possibility of being regenerate or even decently honest if they happen to differ from …
How Many Bars?
“To swing to and fro on a five-barred gate is not progress, yet some seem to think so” (Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, p. 217).
Cheerfulness is not Froth
“A great distinction exists between holy cheerfulness, which is a virtue, and that general levity, which is a vice. There is a levity which has not enough heart to laugh, but trifles with everything; it is flippant, hollow, unreal. A hearty laugh is no more levity than a hearty cry. I speak of that religious …
Stay Real
“We must put away all notion of self-importance. God will not bless the man who thinks himself great. To glory even in the work of God the Holy Spirit in yourself is to tread dangerously near to self-adulation. ‘Let another praise thee, and not think own lips,’ and be very glad when that other has …
Deep Preachers
“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” (Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, p. 210).