One of mine & Craig’s favorite ministers of all time is Charles Spurgeon. He really does not mess around in his messages & goes right to the point of the matter. I appreciate his frankness. I need that. His sermons really touch on the issues of today & remind me of what is most important: Christ, my need for Him, & my calling in this world (to be light in the darkness). The interesting thing about his sermons is that they were written for an entirely different generation & yet they are so relevant for today, because they point us to God’s word. Charles Spurgeon lived from 1834-1892.
Craig found a very telling sermon of his & posted it on his blog (I will include a link to his blog at the bottom). The sermon speaks of struggles I have had as I have determined my best approach to reach those who don’t know Christ. Really, though, as I look around I see that I am not the only one struggling in this issue. I guess I could say that the Church as a whole struggles with this at times and apparently has for some time as one can see in the sermon. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the church of today who, with many I know, are working tirelessly to reach the lost. I do feel that God inspires worship just as he did 100 years ago (or more) & the same applies to song. God is still inspiring gifted ministers & worship leaders to reach this generation. It’s just that I feel that we need not worry about those around us (what they are doing) & focus on the Lord’s individual & personal calling for our lives.
The Holy Spirit, who works in the heart, calling us to believe, is the Spirit of God. Allow Him to use you, simply, as he calls you to touch the lives of others & don’t allow Satan to convince you that you need to look or act a certain way before anyone will take notice. There are plenty of cool & interesting things to capture people’s attention today & we, as Christians, may not be able to compete on that level. What we can offer, though, is pure love, truth, & hope for the future. We can offer Christ. Isn’t that what everyone really wants? Allow God to use you, your gifts, your calling just as they are. Don’t feel the need to be anything, or anyone else in your role as witness. Imagine if each believer (or body of believers) didn’t worry about the trends around them (looking to others rather than God) but simply used what God gave them in the way He desires to use them to reach the world?
I word of warning, this sermon may cause a bit of an “ouch” moment (it did for me) but no bother, no need to be critical or insulted, just ask the Holy Spirit what, if anything, He wants you to take from it. Then, with much faith, obediently step out & follow Him. People need the Lord.
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