Spurgeon Thursday - Church & Politics

Spurgeon believed that religion should be carried into politics:

 “We are now called upon to exercise one of the privileges and duties which go with liberty, let no man be neglectful in it. Every God fearing man should give his vote with as much devotion as he prays.” 

“I often hear it said ‘Do not bring religion into politics.’ This is precisely where it ought to be brought, and set there in the face of all men as on a candlestick.”

We owe our liberty to men of religion, to men of the stern Puritanical school - men who scorned to play the craven and yield their principles at the command of man. And if we ever are to maintain our liberty (as God grant we may) it shall be kept in England by religious liberty - by religion. This Bible is the Magna Charta of old Britain: its truths, its doctrines have snapped our fetters, and they never can be riveted on again, whilst men, with God's Spirit in their hearts, go forth to speak its truths.

 But politics should not intrude into religion:

“Ministers do well to give their votes and to express their opinions for the guidance of the people, but in proportion as the preaching becomes political and the pastor sinks the spiritual in the temporal, strength is lost and not gained.”

Outside the pulpit Spurgeon was vocal about his political beliefs. In 1880 he addressed voters:

 “Are we to go on slaughtering and invading in order to obtain a scientific frontier and feeble neighbours? ... Shall all great questions of reform and progress be utterly neglected for years? ... Shall the struggle for religious equality be protracted and embittered? ... Shall our National Debt be increased?”

Spurgeon Thursday - The Reason for the Reformation

We are one year from the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and with ecumenical-mania going on, a modern day counter reformation, one can only wonder if this will be the last anniversary of the Protestant Reformation to be celebrated.

Reunification with the Roman church is a movement that is quietly gaining steam. The biblically unqualified leader of a Lutheran denomination has declared:

"Though we have not yet arrived, we have claimed that we are, in fact, on the way to unity... This 'Declaration on the Way' helps us to realize more fully our unity in Christ with our Catholic partners, but it also serves to embolden our commitment to unity with all Christians

Charles Haddon Spurgeon probably wouldn't agree with Mrs. Eaton, and by "probably wouldn't agree" I actually mean "raging with the very fires of hell in disagreement" 

Charles was a loving man of God who was blessed with an incorrigible sense of humor, but the institution of the Roman Catholic Church and its papist heresies tested his patience, and when he spoke, he let his passion be known: 

It is the bounden duty of every Christian to pray against Antichrist, and as to what Antichrist is no sane man ought to raise a question. If it be not the popery in the Church of Rome there is nothing in the world that can be called by that name. If there were to be issued a hue and cry for Antichrist, we should certainly take up this church on suspicion, and it would certainly not be let loose again, for it so exactly answers the description. 

Spurgeon Thursday - Of Two Evils

“Of two evils choose neither” -Charles Spurgeon,

Ok folks, this quote has nothing to do with voting. You can safely say that in every political election both choices are evil because all humans are sinners. So then in that case, yes, you are looking for the lesser of two evils.  However that's not what Spurgeon was talking about. It's an often misused quote, and often applied to voting. 

This quote attributed to Spurgeon is about sin, not about voting or picking candidates. The original quote is about what to do when faced with a clear choice of sin (lying or stealing):

“John Ploughman says, Of two evils choose neither. Don’t choose the least, but let all evils alone.” - Charles H. Spurgeon in The Salt Cellars – Proverbs & Quaint Sayings

As for voting, Spurgeon urged Christians to exercise the right of voting wisely, voting thoughtfully and prayerfully concentrating on the needs of the community. The only time a person shouldn't vote is when they're voting out of ignorance. A vote solely based on age, sex, race, or religion is clearly based on ignorance and emotionalism (as if there's a difference), please stay home. We want people who consider their votes fully and intellectually based on issues, not emotions or arbitrary quotas. As Spurgeon said

“I would not, however, say to any persons here present, despise the privilege which you have as citizens. Far be it from me to do it. When we become Christians we do not leave off being Englishmen; when we become professors of religion we do not cease to have the rights and privileges which citizenship has bestowed on us.

Let us, whenever we shall have the opportunity of using the right of voting, use it as in the sight of Almighty God, knowing that for everything we shall be brought into account, and for that amongst the rest, seeing that we are entrusted with it. And let us remember that we are our own governors, to a great degree, and that if at the next election we should choose wrong governors we shall have nobody to blame but ourselves, however wrongly they may afterwards act, unless we exercise all prudence and prayer to Almighty God to direct our hearts to a right choice in this matter.

May God so help us, and may the result be for his glory, however unexpected that result may be to any of us!” (Charles Spurgeon - “Particular Election,” No. 123, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit (Albany, OR: AGES Electronic Edition, 1997)

Spurgeon Thursday - On Mormonism

LDS Defined

What shall we say of Mormonism, the haggard superstition of the West? (Nov 5, 1854)

LDS and Polygamy

Then what will ye choose? Shall it be Mahometanism? Will ye choose that, with all its fables, its wickedness and libiditiousness? I will not tell you of it. Nor will I mention the accursed imposture of the West that has lately arisen. We will not allow Polygamy, while there are men to be found who love the social circle, and cannot see it invaded. We would not wish, when God hath given to man one wife, that he should drag in twenty, as the companions of that one. We cannot prefer Mormonism; we will not, and we shall not. (May 27, 1855)

The 1855 Plague of Locusts

 A little while ago some of us were fretting about this Mormonism, and we said, “It will never be broken up.” Some stupid fellows in America began to kill the poor Mormonites, and so carve them into saints, which was the very way to establish them. Christians trembled, and said, “What can this be? We shall have Sodom over again.” 

Spurgeon Thursday - Heaven

Thy head may be crowned with thorny troubles now, but it shall wear a starry crown ere long; thy hand may be filled with cares—it shall sweep the strings of the harp of heaven soon. 

In heaven they marry not, but are as the angels of God; yet there is this one marvellous exception to the rule, for in heaven Christ and His Church shall celebrate their joyous nuptials. This affinity as it is more lasting, so it is more near than earthly wedlock. Let the love of husband be never so pure and fervent, it is but a faint picture of the flame which burns in the heart of Jesus. 

The damnation of sinners shall not mar the happiness of saints.

In the beatific vision it is Christ whom they see; and further, it is his face which they behold. They shall not see the skirts of his robe as Moses saw the back parts of Jehovah; they shall not be satisfied to touch the hem of his garment, or to sit far down at his feet where they can only see his sandals, but they “shall see his face;” by which I understand two things: first, that they shall literally and physically, with their risen bodies, actually look into the face of Jesus; and secondly, that spiritually their mental faculties shall be enlarged, so that they shall be enabled to look into the very heart, and soul, and character of Christ, so as to understand him, his work, his love, his all in all, as they never understood him before. 

Spurgeon Thursday - Angels

Recently I've been in an on line conversation with a Jehovah's Witness cultist who insists that Jesus is the archangel Michael. This cultist has no biblical evidence for this other than a passing reference to an angel named Michael. Anyone with an even passing familiarity with the first chapter of Hebrews would know that this assertion is mere hogwash, but the lad was so sincere in this delusion that I could only pity him. 

But it got me to wondering - WWSS - What Would Spurgeon Say? Of course the Prince of Preachers knew nothing of the door knocking cult as they didn't actually become the JW's until after Spurgeon graduated to his Eternal Reward, and I doubt that he knew that the founder of the JW's, Charles Taze Russel,  was a huge fan of his because Spurgeon "peppered his sermons hot".

So on a different note I wondered what would Spurgeon say about Angels?

It is wrong to worship angels; but it is appropriate to love them. Although it would be a great sin, and a crime against the Sovereign Court of Heaven to pay the slightest adoration to the mightiest angel, yet it would be unkind and inappropriate, if we did not give holy angels a place in our heart's warmest love. In fact, he that studies the character of angels, and notes their many deeds of compassion with men, and kindness towards them, cannot resist the impulse of his nature--the impulse of love towards them.

The angels must often be astonished at us and think we are the strangest creatures that well can be, yet they love us, and therefore they take a great interest in that Gospel that promotes our highest good. 

Spurgeon Thursday - The Science Of The Bible

My friend, the philosopher, says it may be very well for me to urge people to read the Bible; but he thinks there are a great many sciences far more interesting and useful than theology.

Extremely obliged to you for your opinion, sir. What science do you mean? The science of dissecting beetles and arranging butterflies?

"No," you say, "certainly not."

The science, then, of arranging stones, and telling us of the strata of the earth?

"No, not exactly that."

Which science, then?

"Oh, all sciences," say you, "are better than the science of the Bible."

Ah! sir, that is your opinion; and it is because you are far from God, that you say so. But the science of Jesus Christ is the most excellent of sciences. Let no one turn away from the Bible because it is not a book of learning and wisdom. It is.

Would ye know astronomy? It is here: it tells you of the Sun of Righteousness and the Star of Bethlehem.

Would you know of botany? It is here: it tells you of the plant of renown-the Lily of the Valley, and the rose of Sharon.

Would you know geology and mineralogy? You shall learn it here: for you may read of the Rock of Ages, and the White Stone with the name engraven thereon, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Would ye study history? Here is the most ancient of all the records of the history of the human race.

Whate'er your science is, come and bend o'er this book; your science is here. Come and drink out of this fair fount of knowledge and wisdom, and ye shall find yourselves made wise unto salvation. Wise and foolish, babes and men, gray-headed sires, youths and maidens-I speak to you, I plead with you, I beg of you respect your Bibles, and search them out, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Christ.

Delivered on Sabbath Evening, March 18, 1855, by the
REV. C.H. SPURGEON

Spurgeon Thursday: No Compromise

"Long ago I ceased to count heads. Truth is usually in the minority in this evil world. I have faith in the Lord Jesus for myself, -a faith burned into me as with a hot iron. I thank God, what I believe I shall believe, even if I believe it alone".

C.H.S., October 16, 1887, Sermons, 33,575.

"A chasm is opening between men who believe their Bibles and the men who are prepared for an advance upon Scripture. The house is being robbed, its very walls are being digged down, but the good people who are in bed are too fond of the warmth, and too much afraid of getting broken heads, to go downstairs and meet the burglars... 

Inspiration and speculation cannot long abide in peace. Compromise there can be none. We cannot hold the inspiration of the Word, and yet reject it; we cannot believe in the atonement and deny it; we cannot hold the doctrine of the fall and yet talk of the evolution of spiritual life from human nature; we cannot recognize the punishment of the impenitent and yet indulge the 'larger hope'. One way or the other we must go. Decision is the virtue of the hour."

O.H.S., September 1887, The Sword and the Trowel.

"Believers in Christ's atonement are now in declared union with those who make light of it; believers in Holy Scripture are in confederacy with those who deny plenary inspiration; those who hold evangelical doctrine are in open alliance with those who call the fall a fable, who deny the personality of the Holy Ghost, who call justification by faith immoral, and hold that there is another probation after death Yes, we have before us the wretched spectacle of professedly orthodox Christians publicly avowing their union with those who deny the faith, and scarcely concealing their contempt for those who cannot be guilty of such gross disloyalty to Christ. 

To be very plain, we are unable to call these things Christian Unions, they begin to look like Confederacies in Evil… It is our solemn conviction that where there can be no real spiritual communion there should be no pretense of fellowship. Fellowship with known and vital error is participation in sin."

C.H.S., November 1887, The Sword and the Trowel. 

Spurgeon Thursday - Spurgeon on the "Christian" Left

The term "Christian" Left had yet been invented, but the idea existed back then, it was called "Christian Socialism." The goals of Christian Socialism were Government control over all (health) insurance, elimination of the significance of the family, elimination of the significance of religion, justified use of force if necessary to attain socialistic goals. and a universal system of pensions. Sound familiar? Spurgeon’s comments against socialism appear as early as 1878, but pick up more frequency after 1886. A group known as the Fabian Society organized in 1884 for the purpose of advancing the ideas of Karl Marx and establishing England as a socialist state, exactly the same thing that the "Christian" Left is doing to the United States right now. Spurgeon was not a fan of Christian Socialism:

Some of us may have passed away, but you who are younger may live to see modern thought obtain supremacy over human minds: German rationalism which has ripened into Socialism may yet pollute the mass of mankind and lead them to overturn the foundations of society. Then “advanced principles” will hold carnival, and free thought will riot with the vice and blood which were years ago the insignia of “the age of reason.” I say not that it will be so, but I should not wonder if it came to pass, for deadly principles are abroad and certain ministers are spreading them. (“The Headstone of the Corner,” Sermon No. 1420, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit (MTP) 24 (1878), 452–453)

If it ever should be so, do not, o believers, for a single moment despair, but rest certain that the Lord is about to do a marvellous thing in the earth, and that he will lift up once again the stone which the builders have again refused, and cause it to become more than ever the headstone of the corner. Never dream of defeat. Be calm amid all the din of controversy, for the hand which holds the gospel must win the victory. This is the Lord’s doing and we shall see it. (“The Headstone of the Corner,” Sermon No. 1420, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit (MTP) 24 (1878), 452–453) 

Spurgeon Thursday - Is it Bigotry To Preach The Truth?

When discussing Hillary Clinton's past CBS anchor John Dickerson recently asked President Obama: "FDR and Lincoln were both talented at letting both sides of an issue think that they agreed with both of them. Is honesty overrated as a presidential quality?"

Mister Obama said that it was, then danced around the subject for 2 full minutes. Honesty and the truth are the first victim of politics, but that's politics. No sane person truly expects honesty out of an elected official - they're humans which makes them sinners. 

However the pulpit is no place for dishonesty, but dishonesty does creep into the pulpit when the bible isn't there. This quote from Spurgeon was written over 130 years ago, just imagine what it would be like if the Prince of Preachers had heard the likes of Osteen, Meyers, Furtick, and anyone in the NAR.

IS IT BIGOTRY TO PREACH THE TRUTH?

“I cannot endure false doctrine, however neatly it may be put before me. Would you have me eat poisoned meat because the dish is of the choicest ware? It makes me indignant when I hear another gospel put before the people with enticing words by man who would fain make merchandise of souls; and I marvel at those who have soft words for such deceivers. ‘That is your bigotry,’ says one. Call it so if you like; but it is the BIGOTRY OF THE LOVING JOHN, who wrote, ‘If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.’

Spurgeon Thursday - Politics

In Spurgeon's day England had a state controlled religion (Anglican) which was kind of a compromise between Catholicism and Puritanism, competing with an evangelical upsurge that Spurgeon himself was leading. As always, his words then ring loudly now. Substitute the Church of England for the US Government's state controlled religion (Atheism) and substitute the holy sacraments of atheism: homosexuality, illegal immigration, and state sponsored race riots, for the fripperies that Spurgeon mentions and this could have been written yesterday.

To the spiritual Churchman we would say:—Take the eighteen volumes of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, and see if you can find eighteen pages of matter which even look towards politics; nay, more, see if there be one solitary sentence concerning politics, which did not, to the preacher's mind, appear to arise out of his text, or to flow from the natural run of his subject. The abstinence of the preacher from such themes would be eminently praiseworthy, if it were not possibly censurable; for he may have neglected a distasteful duty. 

Spurgeon Thursday - The Best Sermon

Charles H. Spurgeon liked to related this story of a young English preacher delivering a sermon before a renown pastor of many years:

Upon finishing his sermon, the young man went to the old pastor to ask how he had done: "What do you think of my sermon, sir?" he asked. 

"A very poor sermon indeed," he said. 

"A poor sermon!" said the young man, "it took me a long time to study it." 

"Ay, no doubt of it." 

"Why, then, do you say it was poor; did you not think my explanation of the text to be accurate?" 

"Oh yes," said the old preacher, "very correct indeed."

"Well,then, why do you say it is a poor sermon? Didn't you think the metaphors were appropriate, and the arguments conclusive?" 

"Yes, they were very good, as far as that goes, but still it was a very poor sermon." 

"Will you tell me why you think it a poor sermon?" 

Spurgeon Thursday - Prayer Pulls the Rope

Spurgeon Thursday - Fatherhood

I can admire the solemn and stately language of worship that recognizes the greatness of God, but it will not warm my heart or express my soul until it has also blended therewith the joyful nearness of that perfect love that casts out fear and ventures to speak with our Father in heaven as a child speaks with its father on earth. My brother, no veil remains.

Train your child in the way in which you know you should have gone yourself.

   -or-

Train up a child in the way he should go – but be sure you go that way yourself.

If we never have headaches through rebuking our children, we shall have plenty of heartaches when they grow up.

When fathers are tongue tied religiously with their offspring, need they wonder if their children's hearts remain sin tied?

A child's cry touches a father's heart, and our King is the Father of his people. If we can do no more than cry it will bring omnipotence to our aid. A cry is the native language of a spiritually needy soul; it has done with fine phrases and long orations, and it takes to sobs and moans; and so, indeed, it grasps the most potent of all weapons, for heaven always yields to such artillery.

He would have us like children who believe what their father tells them.

The Creator is also a creature. The Son of God is the Son of man. Strange combination! Could condescension go farther than for the Infinite to be joined to the infant, and the Omnipotent to the feebleness of a new-born babe?

Spurgeon Thursday - "The Sin" of Human Nature

None are more unjust in their judgments of others than those who have a high opinion of themselves.

Be not proud of race, face, place, or grace.

No matter how dear you are to God, if pride is harbored in your spirit, He will whip it out of you. They that go up in their own estimation must come down again by His discipline.

There is nothing into which the heart of man so easily falls as pride, and yet there is no more vice which is more frequently, more emphatically, and more eloquently condemned in Scripture. Pride is a thing which should be unnatural to us, for we have nothing to be proud of. In almost every other sin, we gather us ashes when the fire is gone. But here, what is left? The covetous man has his shining gold, but what does the proud man have? He has less than he would have had without pride, and is no gainer whatever. Pride wins no crown.

A proud heart never praises God, for it hoards up praise for itself.

Little learning and much pride come of hasty reading.

Pride may be set down as "the sin" of human nature.

Spurgeon Thursday - Let the Lion out!

A great many learned men are defending the gospel; no doubt it is a very proper and right thing to do, yet I always notice that, when there are most books of that kind, it is because the gospel itself is not being preached. 

Suppose a number of persons were to take it into their heads that they had to defend a lion, a full-grown king of beasts! There he is in the cage, and here come all the soldiers of the army to fight for him. Well, I should suggest to them, if they would not object, and feel that it was humbling to them, that they should kindly stand back, and open the door, and let the lion out! 

I believe that would be the best way of defending him, for he would take care of himself; and the best “apology” for the gospel is to let the gospel out. Never mind about defending Deuteronomy or the whole of the Pentateuch; preach Jesus Christ and him crucified. Let the Lion out, and see who will dare to approach him. The Lion of the tribe of Judah will soon drive away all his adversaries.

Spurgeon Thursday - As the days grow dark

Words we need to keep in mind as the coming of our Lord draws near

Spurgeon Thursday - Spurgeon Quotes About Children

There's a reason for this post, which will be shared in the near future.

You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, & training them up in God’s fear, & minding the house, & making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts

Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion that Sunday School is intended to ease them of their personal duties. The first and most natural condition of things is for Christian parents to train up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

You may speak but a word to a child, and in that child there may be slumbering a noble heart which shall stir the Christian Church in years to come.

When joy and prayer are married, their first born child is gratitude.

Begin early to teach, for children begin early to sin.

Train your child in the way in which you know you should have gone yourself.

I heard the story of a man, a blasphemer...an atheist, who was converted singularly by a sinful action of his. He had written on a piece of paper, "God is nowhere," and ordered his child to read it, for he would make him an atheist too. The child spelled it, "God is n-o-w h-e-r-e. God is now here." It was a truth instead of a lie, and the arrow pierced the man's own heart.

Spurgeon Thursday: The Charles Haddon Spurgeon Rap

Personally I'm not crazy about rap, but this one is special. Oh, I get rap all right - rap (supposedly) means Rhythm And Poetry, it's a throwback to the beat era of the late 50's early 60's which never thrilled me either. Call me a luddite but to me music is much more than meter and lyrics, melody is extremely important to me, and if the artist throws in multi-part harmony and at least two key changes, now you're talking. But this rap had me hooked in just the first 17 words. I saw the first slide of this video and thought "There's a message that needs to be shouted from the rooftops by our kids" and I hung in there unto the very end. And I'm glad I did.

Spurgeon Thursday - Clowns and Goats

1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:1-4)

This quote is attributed to CH Spurgeon all across the internet (the first quote I mean, I'm positive that the second one is Paul) but I can't find an actual source for it. Does anyone have a real source for this quote? It's a much better job or prophesy than anything (and everything) that the NAR has put out.