This is a section from C.H Spurgeon’s sermon ‘Paul-His Cloak and His Books.’ Paul wrote to Timothy to bring him his cloak and books. We should as leaders and preachers be this passionate about books and reading. I hope this fires you up, as much as it fires me up.
“Even an apostle must read. Some of our very ultra Calvinistic brethren think that a minister who reads books and studies his sermon must be a very deplorable specimen of a preacher. A man who comes up into the pulpit, professes to take his text on the spot, and talks any quantity of nonsense, is the idol of many. If he will speak without premeditation, or pretend to do so, and never produce what they call a dish of dead men’s brains—oh! that is the preacher. How rebuked are they by the apostle! He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a men to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every preacher, ‘Give thyself unto reading.’ The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains, proves that he has no brains of his own. Brethren, what is true of ministers is true of all our people. You need to read. Renounce as much as you will all light literature, but study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers, and expositions of the Bible. We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure, is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service. Paul cries, “Bring the books”—join in the cry.”
What books are you currently reading?
NSW
well said!
again ,well said!
Thanks Bro! I’m glad you are digging some Spurgeon along with me. Lectures to my Students is a classic and ‘must-read’ for every preacher.
The Wisdom and the power of the Cross, where can i get Charles Spurgen book?
You can get Spurgeon’s books on Amazon. You can find them cheap on eBay as well. If you have a good used book store where you live you might be able to find a few there. Also, Lifeway bookstores have lots of them if you want to new ones. Look for Lectures to My Students, or Morning and Evening.