An all-round ministry by CH Spurgeon (Available from Amazon or free here) - Chapter 8 (What we would be).
Now Spurgeon encourages us to aspire to what ministers should be. The chapter is a little bit 'scatter brained' for Spurgeon which he does apologise for - he was in immense bodily pain at the time.
Spurgeon encourages us to:
(i) do everything for the Lord in first-rate style;
(ii) stir up the gifts which are in you;
(iii) be spiritual fathers.
A good point was made about being yourself: 'Each creature is not only good, but "very good" in its own place, fulfilling its own office: out of that place, it may become a nuisance. Friend, be true to your own destiny! One man would make a splendid preacher of downright hard-hitting Saxon; why must he ruin himself by cultivating an ornate style? Another attempting to be extremely simple would throw himself away, for he is florid by nature; why should he not follow his bent? Apollos has the gift of eloquence; why must he copy blunt Cephas? Every man in his own order. It seems to me; that, nowadays, every man prefers his own disorder. Let each man find out what God wants him to do, and then let him do it, or die in the attempt. In what way can I bring my Lord most glory, and be of most service to His Church while I am here? Solve that question, and pass into the practical.'
Very helpful piece of advice. Don't waste your time trying to mimic your favourite preachers. Work at refining your own God-given preaching gift.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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