Hey guys! Well, Sarah and I were doing dictation in school, and we had to hand copy (thankfully not dictation this time) part of a sermon by Charles Spurgeon. What had started out as a large task (handcopying it all) actually turned into a blessing because the words of this man, long dead by now, still ring true today, and they are actually something that we still struggle with sometimes! I just thought I'd share the excerpt we copied for you to hopefully enjoy and be challenged by:
"They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power."
Psalm 145:11
You have only to look at the preceding verse, and you will discover, in a single moment, who are the people here spoken of who shall speak of the glory of God's kingdom, and talk of his power. They are the saints: "All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord, and thy saints shall bless thee." Possibly some will ask, "Well, sir, how can we talk about religion? Upon what topic shall we converse? How are we to introduce it? It would not be polite for instance, in the company with which we associate, to begin to say anything about the doctrines of grace, or about religious matters at all." Then, beloved, be not so polite; that is all I have to say in reply to such a remark as that. If it would be accounted contrary to etiquette to begin talking of the Savior, cast etiqette to the winds, and speak about Christ somehow or other. The Christian is the aristocrat of the world; it is his place to make rules for society to obey,-- not to step down, and conform to the regulations of society when they are contrary to the commands of his Master. He is the great Maker of laws; the King of kings, the Lord of lords; and he makes his people also to be kings. Kings make rules for ordinary men to obey; so must Christians do. They are not to submit to others; they must make others, by worth of their principles, and the dignity of their character, submit to them. It is speaking too lightly of a Christian's dignity when we say that he dare not do the right, becausei t would not be fashionable. We care nothing for that, for "the fashion of this world passeth away." "but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." ....First, here is A SUBJECT FOR CONVERSATION: "They shall speak of the glory of they kingdom, and talk of they power." Here are two subjects; for God, when he puts grace into the heart, does not lack a subject upon which we shall converse. First, we are to converse concerning the glory of Christ's kingdom. The glory of Christ's kingdom should ever be a subject of discourse to a Christian; he should always be speaking, not merely of Christ's priesthood or his prophesying, but also of his kindom, which has lasted all eternity; and especially of that glorious kingdom of grace in which we now live, and of that brighter kingdom of millennial glory, which soon shall come upon this world, to conquer all other kingdoms, and break them in pieces." -Charles Spurgeon "Christian Conversation"
Isn't that great? He is so very blunt and honest that it cracked me up! I actually laughed out loud when he said, "Then, beloved, be not so polite. That is all I have to say to a remark like that." I love people who fearlessly say what is true, but with tact ;) Anyway, I thought that it was a great reminder that God's principles are timeless, and about being culture-leaders. Hope that blessed someone! -Rachel
p.s. Doesn't he look like a little fire-cracker? (That is obviously Charles Spurgeon, not my grandfather! :)
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