An all-round ministry - Spurgeon - XIX - Chapter 11 commenced

Required reading
An all-round ministry by CH Spurgeon (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 11 (The Preacher's Power, and the Conditions of Obtaining It) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'Follow me, my brethren, while I speak upon THE POWER THAT IS NEEDED WHEN WE ARE DELIVERING THE MESSAGES ITSELF.'

My summary
Now Spurgeon turns to the subject of the preacher's power.

Firstly this week we see what is the object of the preacher:
(i) to bear witness to the truth;
(ii) that others may be convinced of the truth;
(iii) to call out a people who shall be the Lord's separated heritage;
(iv) that our hearers are born again;
(v) that those who are brought to God are to be kept and preserved to the end.

Secondly Spurgeon teaches us that we need to feel power within ourselves when we are receiving our message.  Thus we should experience the following conditions:
(i) a simplicity of heart;
(ii) great humility of mind;
(iii) singleness of eye;
(iv) complete subordination to Him;
(v) deep seriousness of heart;
(vi) sympathy with God.

What grabbed me
Spurgeon gave a helpful illustration of how we should be in perfect sympathy with God: 'The Lord loves to use a man who is in perfect sympathy with Him. I would not say anything unbecoming, but I believe that the Lord finds pleasure in the sympathy of His children. When you have been very heavy of heart, even to weeping, if your little child has said, "Dear father, don't cry," or has asked, "What are you crying for, father?" and then has broken out into sobbing himself, have you not been comforted by him? Poor dear, he does not understand what it is all about; but you say, "Bless you, my dear child;" and you kiss him, and feel comfort in him. So doth the Lord take up His poor weeping minister into His bosom, and hear him cry, "Lord, they will not come to Thee; Lord, they will not believe Thee. They are running after evil, instead of to Thee. Lord, if I gave them a play, or a peepshow, they would come in crowds; but if I preach Thy dear Son, they will not hear me." The great God enters into your sorrows, and finds a sweet content in your heart's love. God is not a man; but as man was made in the image of God, we learn something of Him from ourselves. He loves to clasp a sympathizing one to His heart, and then to say, "Go, My child, and work in My Name; for I can trust My gospel in thy hands." Be with God, and God will be with you. Espouse His cause, and He will espouse yours. There can be no question about this.'

Mourn with the Lord over the lost and it will not go unnoticed.

Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 11 (The Preacher's Power, and the Conditions of Obtaining It).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.