2 JANUARY (UNDATED SERMON)
The Pastor’s life wrapped up with his people’s steadfastness. A pleading reminder for the New Year
‘Now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.’ 1 Thessalonians 3:8
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Romans 1:7–15
Think of what the effect must be upon a minister’s mind if he shall have laboured long and seen no fruit. There may be instances in which a man has been faithful, but not successful, places where, for a time, the dew falls not, and the softening influences of the Spirit are not given. Then the soil breaks the ploughshare, and the weary ox is ready to faint. I began to preach while yet a youth, scarce sixteen years of age, but before I had preached half a dozen times I saw persons affected by those sermons. I pined to find some heart that had looked to Jesus while I had preached him; and I have photographed upon my eye-balls at this very moment a very humble clay-walled cottage which seemed to me to be a sacred spot, for I was told by a venerable deacon that it was the house of a poor woman who had sought and found the Saviour through my ministry. I did not let the week conclude till I had seen her, for I hungered for the joy of meeting with one whom I had brought to Christ. If I found one soul converted I took heart and looked for more.
Brother, are you working for Jesus? Then you know what it is to feel the shadow of death when you do not win a soul. Does it not seem hard to be knocking for Christ against a door that never opens, but has fresh bolts put to it to keep it closed? Be not ashamed of yourself because you feel distressed; it proves your capacity for being used. By-and-by God will bless you, and then you will understand the text ‘Now we live.’ You will find that your pulse is quickened, your heart’s blood warmed, your soul filled with a diviner life as you rise nearer to the dignity of a saviour of men, and taste the joys unspeakable for which Christ laid down his life.
FOR MEDITATION: (Our Own Hymn Book no. 686 vv. 7 & 8—Paul Gerhardt, 1659; tr. by John Wesley, 1739)
‘Thou seest our weakness, Lord, our hearts are known to Thee:
Oh lift Thou up the sinking hand, confirm the feeble knee!
Let us, in life and death, Thy steadfast truth declare;
And publish, with our latest breath, Thy love, and guardian care.’
Charles Haddon Spurgeon and Terence Peter Crosby, 365 Days with Spurgeon (Volume 5), ed. Terence Peter Crosby, (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2010), 7.
The Pastor’s life wrapped up with his people’s steadfastness. A pleading reminder for the New Year
‘Now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.’ 1 Thessalonians 3:8
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Romans 1:7–15
Think of what the effect must be upon a minister’s mind if he shall have laboured long and seen no fruit. There may be instances in which a man has been faithful, but not successful, places where, for a time, the dew falls not, and the softening influences of the Spirit are not given. Then the soil breaks the ploughshare, and the weary ox is ready to faint. I began to preach while yet a youth, scarce sixteen years of age, but before I had preached half a dozen times I saw persons affected by those sermons. I pined to find some heart that had looked to Jesus while I had preached him; and I have photographed upon my eye-balls at this very moment a very humble clay-walled cottage which seemed to me to be a sacred spot, for I was told by a venerable deacon that it was the house of a poor woman who had sought and found the Saviour through my ministry. I did not let the week conclude till I had seen her, for I hungered for the joy of meeting with one whom I had brought to Christ. If I found one soul converted I took heart and looked for more.
Brother, are you working for Jesus? Then you know what it is to feel the shadow of death when you do not win a soul. Does it not seem hard to be knocking for Christ against a door that never opens, but has fresh bolts put to it to keep it closed? Be not ashamed of yourself because you feel distressed; it proves your capacity for being used. By-and-by God will bless you, and then you will understand the text ‘Now we live.’ You will find that your pulse is quickened, your heart’s blood warmed, your soul filled with a diviner life as you rise nearer to the dignity of a saviour of men, and taste the joys unspeakable for which Christ laid down his life.
FOR MEDITATION: (Our Own Hymn Book no. 686 vv. 7 & 8—Paul Gerhardt, 1659; tr. by John Wesley, 1739)
‘Thou seest our weakness, Lord, our hearts are known to Thee:
Oh lift Thou up the sinking hand, confirm the feeble knee!
Let us, in life and death, Thy steadfast truth declare;
And publish, with our latest breath, Thy love, and guardian care.’
Charles Haddon Spurgeon and Terence Peter Crosby, 365 Days with Spurgeon (Volume 5), ed. Terence Peter Crosby, (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2010), 7.
2 JANUARY (UNDATED SERMON)
The Pastor’s life wrapped up with his people’s steadfastness. A pleading reminder for the New Year
‘Now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.’ 1 Thessalonians 3:8
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Romans 1:7–15
Think of what the effect must be upon a minister’s mind if he shall have laboured long and seen no fruit. There may be instances in which a man has been faithful, but not successful, places where, for a time, the dew falls not, and the softening influences of the Spirit are not given. Then the soil breaks the ploughshare, and the weary ox is ready to faint. I began to preach while yet a youth, scarce sixteen years of age, but before I had preached half a dozen times I saw persons affected by those sermons. I pined to find some heart that had looked to Jesus while I had preached him; and I have photographed upon my eye-balls at this very moment a very humble clay-walled cottage which seemed to me to be a sacred spot, for I was told by a venerable deacon that it was the house of a poor woman who had sought and found the Saviour through my ministry. I did not let the week conclude till I had seen her, for I hungered for the joy of meeting with one whom I had brought to Christ. If I found one soul converted I took heart and looked for more.
Brother, are you working for Jesus? Then you know what it is to feel the shadow of death when you do not win a soul. Does it not seem hard to be knocking for Christ against a door that never opens, but has fresh bolts put to it to keep it closed? Be not ashamed of yourself because you feel distressed; it proves your capacity for being used. By-and-by God will bless you, and then you will understand the text ‘Now we live.’ You will find that your pulse is quickened, your heart’s blood warmed, your soul filled with a diviner life as you rise nearer to the dignity of a saviour of men, and taste the joys unspeakable for which Christ laid down his life.
FOR MEDITATION: (Our Own Hymn Book no. 686 vv. 7 & 8—Paul Gerhardt, 1659; tr. by John Wesley, 1739)
‘Thou seest our weakness, Lord, our hearts are known to Thee:
Oh lift Thou up the sinking hand, confirm the feeble knee!
Let us, in life and death, Thy steadfast truth declare;
And publish, with our latest breath, Thy love, and guardian care.’
Charles Haddon Spurgeon and Terence Peter Crosby, 365 Days with Spurgeon (Volume 5), ed. Terence Peter Crosby, (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2010), 7.
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