Showing posts with label C.H. Spurgeon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label C.H. Spurgeon. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

3 Ways To Keep Learning Every Day #LeadersAreReaders August 2024


A Christian eager to learn is a growing Christian. They understand that their God-given mind is a responsibility and desire to use it for God's glory. Here are three ways I continue my passion for learning every day:

1) READING: Reading and meditating on God’s Word is vital for spiritual growth. We should read Scripture with both our heart and mind. I also read theology, commentaries, biographies, and the writings of great people, as they offer inspiration and wisdom. It’s easy to spend most of our time on TV or social media, but mature Christians I know choose good books and quiet time over entertainment (though there is a time for everything).

2) OBSERVING
: Learn by observing others. I enjoy watching people in public places to understand more about life. As John T. Noe said, “Too many people are more concerned about how others see them than observing others.” I also watch spiritual mentors—whom I know personally or through media—closely, learning from both their successes and failures.

3) LISTENING: We can’t learn if we’re always talking. When I pray, I talk to God, but when I read Scripture, God speaks to me. That’s why reading His Word is so important (or, my favorite, listening to the audio Bible!). Listening more and talking less helps us learn from others, young and old, who have much to teach if we take the time to listen.

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Saturday, May 6, 2023

What of Those Who Have Never Heard? (1986) by J. Oswald Sanders, Book Review

Whenever someone asked me, "Is Jesus the only way to salvation?" my answer is, "Yes." Jesus said, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). It's not a way or one of the ways but "the Way" and He emphasized on exclusivity,  "No one... except through Me." But what about those who have never heard about Jesus and the Gospel? My initial response is that, except for children and the mentally deficient who are covered by the blood of Jesus, everyone is morally responsible for the light that they have received and for the law written on their hearts through nature, tradition, and conscience (refer to Romans 1-2). So, even if they never heard about Jesus once in their lifetime, on judgment day, they will have no excuse. As for what will happen to them, I say, we can be certain that the God who exhibits His love on the cross will be absolutely fair and that the righteous Judge of all the earth will do right!

Now, where do I get a such conviction? Through the written Word of God, the Scripture, and with the help of books such as this one, that is, by divine revelation (mainly) and critical thinking. I'm all for originality but when it comes to eternal matters, I go to the Author of life and His (flawed yet faithful) saints. J. Oswald Sanders writes this book with compassion, conviction, and clarity. He cares for souls and set out his Biblical position clearly by quoting relevant Scriptural passages with context and supporting them with thoughts from recognized evangelical scholars. He begins not by answering the question directly but first and foremost, with the urgent call of mission and evangelism.
Chapter 1: Why Mission? I love it! If you read books on an important topic like this one only out of curiosity, then, it is of no use. But if it's also out of concern for others, then, it will move you to action. This book is a great tool to do just that.

"If what is written in the foregoing pages is the Scriptural teaching concerning the spiritual condition of the unevangelized heathen - and I see no alternative to believing that it is - then how URGENT is our obligation to make Christ known to all men as speedily as possible. We should throw ourselves into the missionary enterprise with abandon,"
 challenge Mr. Sanders to us, the receivers of God's gracious salvation. A student once asked Charles H. Spurgeon about this very same topic. He answered him very directly, "It is more a question with me whether we who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who are lost can be saved." Amen.

Note: I would like to recommend another short book that covers this topic but from a different theological perspective (a.k.a. Calvinism), namely, John Piper's
Jesus The Only Way to God: Must You Hear the Gospel to Be Saved? (2010)

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders #JesusTheWay #MissionAndEvangelism #GospelOfSalvation #JOswardSanders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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 CLICK HERE

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Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Give Thyself To Reading #LeadersAreReaders July 2022

 At this writing, I'm finishing a book by Jason Dorsey and Denise Villa entitled Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business — and What to Do About It (2020). It is obvious from their research that Gen Zers are more attracted to visuals and videos than words. The immediate implication is that reading actual books are in decline. With social media, Netflix, and video games competing for our attention (not just Gen Zers), the side effects include a shortened attention span and a limited ability at deep and critical thinking. I wrote "our attention" because I'm fully aware that the temptation of consuming content for the sake of entertainment only and mindless viewing are real. If I'm not careful (or don't control it), I can be sucked into the vortex of shallowness. I'm horrified by the thought of not being able to think deeply and critically. God forbid!

One of the best antidotes (not the only one, of course) to this deathly sin is by reading books. I can quote lots of positive research that has been done to prove this but let me choose the most authoritative of all: The Bible. Particularly, the example of the apostle Paul. When he was in prison, waiting for his sure execution, he wrote to Timothy. His last request in the letter is to ask Timothy for a cloak to keep him warm and to bring his books! (read 2 Timothy 4:13). Charles Spurgeon, my favorite preacher of the 19th century, reflected on Paul's request:

"He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He has had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up in the third heaven and had heard things unlawful for a man to utter, yet he wants books! He has written a major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books!
The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every Christian, ‘Give thyself to 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 he has no brains of his own.”

Be inspired by Paul's love of books (actually, I'm also inspired by Charles Spurgeon's love of books too. Read his biographies!). Protect your mind. Think deeply and critically. Love knowledge. Savor God's wisdom in His Book and enjoy His general graces in human books too. Give thyself to reading
! #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #LifeLongLearner

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Sunday, December 5, 2021

Tun Dr. Mahathir's Life of Reading #November 2021

There are so many things to disagree with Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on politics but the man is a legend. In my opinion, his political stands are questionable yet his passion for the people* is admirable (I think he would be better off if he were to remain as Minister of Education in the previous government instead of being Prime Minister all over again). Set aside politics, which is a very discouraging subject nowadays, one thing that Tun Mahathir influences me the most is his love for reading. "I read books every day," he said during an interview with Reader's Digest for April 2020 cover magazine. He continues: "Reading is acquiring knowledge, and knowledge contributes toward your ability to tackle problems and your relationships with other people." He also said that reading gives him the substance to talk with some degree of authority.

At the age of 96, Tun Mahathir's mental sharpness can put many young people in their 30s to shame (Don't be one of them!). The term for this is 'super-agers' which refers to people in their 80s and above who have cognitive or physical function equal to that of people decades younger. One of the key factors is their lifestyle choices such as having a good habit of reading - and enjoying it. There are at least Five (5) Mental Benefits for seniors who enjoy reading books: 1) Enhancing memory; 2) Sharpening decision-making skills; 3) Delaying onset of Alzheimer’s and Dementia; 4) Reducing stress and anxiety; and 5) Help to sleep better. Well, you don't have to wait for your senior years to cultivate the habit of reading books and reap the benefits, you can start now. Actually, you MUST start now. The earlier the better. "Any time that I am free I read," remarks Tun Mahathir, "I cannot imagine doing nothing." Legend! 

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #WhyReadingMatters #TunDrMahathir #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my summary-review of these books for #1Book1Week November 2020, click titles below:

  1.  The Greatest Fight: Spurgeon’s Urgent Message for Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists (2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon
  2. I Believe In The Holy Spirit (1965) by Maynard James
  3. The Corinthian Agenda (1982, 2004) by Michael Green
  4. Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations (2016) by Dan Ariely                            

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Thursday, December 2, 2021

The Greatest Fight: Spurgeon’s Urgent Message for Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists (2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon, Audiobook Review

 The Greatest Fight: Spurgeon’s Urgent Message for Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists 
(1891, Revised Edition 2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon, Audiobook

I’ve listened to this audiobook for the third time already! (that shows how good it is). Every time I hear it again, I learned something new. There is something peculiar about Christian classic books written by old, faithful, and powerful preachers like Charles H. Spurgeon that draw me to them over and over again. Perhaps it is due to (most, not all) shallow popular Christian writings in this present day. Or perhaps it is due to Bible-saturated, thoughtful, and meaty writings of the past. Or maybe both (obviously, I’m biased). One observation that I see in the writings of such men and women of God of the past that are considered timeless is this: they believe by faith that the Scriptures, namely the Bible, is the very Word of God. The assumption is that if God said it in the Scriptures, then it is so. Spurgeon once remarks: “If your creed and Scripture do not agree, cut your creed to pieces, but make it agree with this book.”

And hear this:
“Men talk of ‘the mistakes of Scripture.’ I thank God that I have never met with any. Mistakes of translation there may be, for translators are men. But mistakes of the original word there never can be, for the God who spoke it is infallible, and so is every word He speaks, and in that confidence, we find delightful rest.” Spurgeon was not uninformed with the Biblical and textual criticism issues during his lifetime (in fact, he engaged with it directly in the famous Downgrade Controversy). But Spurgeon - and few others - stand firm in the promise of God that He will keep and preserve His words forever (Psalm 12:6-7). Because of this Spirit-originated conviction, I can hear his confident and urgent plea for the pastors, teachers, evangelists, and Christians, in general, to continue to fight the greatest fight in the world in the pages of this powerful book… Errr… or in my case, in the audiobook to be exact.

This short book is originally known as The Greatest Fight In the World and was first published in 1891. Aneko Press revised and updated it in 2018 by replacing the terminology from the 1800s with language that modern readers would understand “while keeping the heart of the message unchanged.” They also replaced the old references from Scripture by using the Jubilee Bible. I love to hear the soothing voice of the narrator, Saethon Williams, with the not-so-thick Englishmen accent (Spurgeon was a British preacher). In 1891, one year before Charles H. Spurgeon's death (1834-1892), he delivered his final annual address to his fellow pastors and Pastors’ College students offers them practical advice on how to approach the fight of faith. He does so under four (4) main headings:

Chapter 1: Our Fight. “My topics have to do with our lifework - with the crusade against error and sin in which we are engaged. I hope every person here wears the red cross on his or her heart as a badge and promises to act boldly for Christ and His cross and to never be satisfied until Christ’s enemies are defeated and Christ Himself is satisfied. Our fathers used to speak of ‘the cause of God and truth,’ and it is for this that we bear arms, the few against the many, the feeble against the mighty. Oh, to be found good soldiers of Jesus Christ!.” This first chapter set the tone for the old Spurgeon to challenge his readers to fight the good fight of faith by the power and grace of God. Truly, the battle is the Lord’s, rather than ours, he reminds us.

Chapter 2: Our Armory. In my opinion, this is the most important chapter in the book (although Spurgeon said chapter 4 is). It is worth the time to consume it and reflect upon the wisdom of this wounded but victorious man of God on his theology and practice of the Scriptures. “The first is our armory – our weapon, which is the inspired Word.”

Chapter 3: Our Army
. “The second is our army, the church of the living God, called out by Himself, which we must lead under our Lord’s command.”

Chapter 4: Our Strength
. “The third is our strength, by which we wear the armor and use the sword. The Holy Spirit is our power to be and to do, to suffer and to serve, to grow and to fight, to wrestle and to overcome. Our third theme is of main importance, and though we place it last, we rank it first.”

You don’t have to be a pastor or a teacher or an evangelist - or even an unashamed Calvinist like him - to appreciate this book. If you’re a Christ-follower, I highly recommend that you read or listen to it. Spurgeon speaks with authority because he relies on our common authority, namely, the Scriptures. In his own words:
“Go forth, oh, soldiers of Jesus Christ, with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).” Amen!

[Note: I get the audiobook - and many other wonderful books - from Aneko Press YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Anekopress. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it! Also, if you prefer to read the ebook, you read it for free from their website.]

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #1Book1Week #CharlesSpurgeon #TheGreatestFightInTheWorld #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

 To read my other book reviews and articles related to Spurgeon, CLICK HERE 

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Thursday, November 18, 2021

Read the Bible But Don't JUST Read the Bible #1Book1Week October 2021

“When people refer to a man as 'a man of one book’, meaning the Bible, he is generally found to be a man of multitudinous books, which simply isolates the one Book to its proper grandeur,” said Oswald Chambers, a preacher, teacher, and writer of a well-known devotion My Utmost for His Highest. “The man who reads only the Bible does not, as a rule, know it or human life.” I agree wholeheartedly! Mr. Oswald loves for books came in part from his sitting at the feet of the Scottish preacher Alexander Whyte, who taught a series of classes that Oswald attended as a young man. Many times Oswald saw Whyte hold up a battered old book, telling the students, “Sell your beds and buy it.”

Afterward, Oswald never went anywhere without a book. Once, while traveling, he wrote to his sister Florence saying: “My box has at last arrived. My books! I cannot tell you what they mean to me – silent, wealthy, loyal lovers. To look at them, to handle them, and to re-read them! I do thank God for my books with every fiber of my being. Why, I could have almost cried to an excess of joy when I got hold of them again. I see them all just at my elbow now – Plato, Wordsworth, Myers, Bradley, Halyburton, St. Augustine, Browning, Tennyson, Amiel, etc. I know them. I wish you could see how they look at me, a quiet, calm look of certain acquaintance" (quote taken from David McCasland's Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God).

As Christ-followers, the Bible is our one and only chief Book that we all need to read, study and meditate daily. But this doesn’t mean that it is the only book that we need to read. Broaden your mind, enlarge your visions and uplift your spirit by reading other types or genres of books too. If I need to be inspired to walk in the faith, I read biographies like those of William Carrey, John Calvin, Hudson Taylor, Martin Luther, Charles H. Spurgeon, John Sung, etc. If I want to learn about the Scripture and theology, I turn to John McArthur, J.I. Packer, David Pawson, John Stott, etc. If I want to improve my leadership, I read John C. Maxwell and J. Oswald Sanders. To improve my critical thinking skills, I read Tony Buzan and Edward de Bono. So many subjects, so many choices, so little time! Read widely. Read more. Read daily.

#ServeToLead #GrowingLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my October 2021 #1Book1Week reviews - obviously, my reading theme was on preaching this month - CLICK TITLES below ���

1) The Supremacy of God In Preaching (1990, 2004) by John Piper
2) Preaching & Preachers (1971, 1997) by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
3) Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers (1988) by J. C. Carlile,

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Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers (1988) by J. C. Carlile, Book Review

 Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers (1988) by J. C. Carlile
An edited and abridged version, 1997, by Dan Harmon

Once in a while, when I thought that I’ve done so many works and sacrifices for the Lord in my own small, faulty, ignorance perspective, and craving for people’s appreciation and attention, I will think of two mortal men who will have none of these and puts me - and all of us - to shame. First, the indisputable apostle Paul. “For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace” (1 Corinthians 15:10). And secondly, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He was called to be a preacher when he was 16 years old. It was recorded that in his entire life he preached nearly 3,600 sermons (“The collected sermons filled 63 volumes equivalent to the 27 volume ninth edition of Encyclopedia Britannica,” observes John Piper), and published 49 volumes of commentaries, sayings, illustrations, and devotions. Every week he preached 4 to 10 times, read 6 meaty books, revised sermons for publication, lectured, edited a monthly magazine, and in his spare time, he wrote about 150 books! Not to mention, he shepherded about 6,000 church members (legend says that he knew all members by name), founded and directed a theological college, an orphanage, and oversaw 66 Christian charities.* Remember too, he was a family man with a godly wife and a healthy relationship with all his children. There are more but I think you get the point.

David Livingstone, a famous missionary, once asked Spurgeon, “How can you accomplish so much in one day?” He replied wittily, “You forget, Mr. Livingstone. There are two of us working.” No doubt, he meant the presence and grace of the living God. Reading the biographies of such godly men and women like Spurgeon is a good reminder for every Christians, especially Christian ministers, to remain faithful to His Word and be productive in doing His works. This book, under the Heroes of the Faith titles from Barbour Publishing, is a good introduction to the life, ministry, and legacy of Charles H. Spurgeon. The story of Spurgeon’s childhood and conversion are very fascinating. He was a very curious boy who love nature and learning. One of his biggest influences in my life is his thirst for knowledge. Mind you, he had no formal theological training [nor being formally ordained as a minister] but he was very well-read in Puritan theology, natural history, and popular literature. This gives me hope because I too don’t have any formal theological training (Spurgeon wrote to his father who urged him to apply for college, “You know what my style is. I fancy it is not very collegelike.” Fist bump! Although, this is not an excuse if you need one) and also a sense of unworthiness because Spurgeon is Spurgeon and he is one of a kind (to compare oneself with Spurgeon is to compare a kitten with a lion). The book outlines various aspects of his life including his development as a preacher, minister, writer, educator, and defender of the Truth. A special chapter on his belief in Calvinism is also very interesting. He famously declared: “I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply – It is Jesus Christ.”

But not all of Spurgeon’s life was bright and sunny. He shared his portion of Christ’s suffering, betrayal of friends, physical pain, and emotional depression especially due to the tragic fire incident at Surrey Gardens Music Hall and the energy-sapping ‘Downgrade’ controversy (R.J. Sheehan’s C.H. Spurgeon and the Modern Church, 1985, is an excellent short book to know more about this great battle). At the end of the day, Spurgeon is still a mortal man with flaws, and very much in need of the Saviour like the rest of us. Only by God’s grace, Spurgeon was used by Him mightily. I’m thankful for Spurgeon’s service and praise God forever. As the apostle Paul puts it: “It was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.” Amen!

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #CharlesHSpurgeon #PrinceOfPreacher #ChristianBiography

Here are a few other related #1Book1Week reviews:

1) Spurgeon on Leadership (2010) by Larry J. Michael, CLICK HERE

2) C. H. Spurgeon and the Modern Church: Lessons for Today from the ‘Downgrade’ Controversy (1985) by R.J. Sheehan, CLICK HERE

3) Words of Counsel: For All Leaders, Teachers, and Evangelists (Updated 2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon, CLICK HERE

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Wednesday, March 31, 2021

I Desired to Be a Bible Bookworm


 "Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts" (Jeremiah 15:16, NKJV). The prophet has to "eat" the Word of God before he preaches it 📢 #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #EatTheWord

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Feeding the Sheep or Entertaining the Goats?

"Preach the word... For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:2-5, ESV) 🙏 #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #EntertainmentORWorship

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There Are Worse Crime than Burning Books... (#1Book1Week February 2021)

Currently, I read 4 to 5 theological books as references to prepare for my Teologi Kristian 101 (BM) Series and so I managed to finish only 2 books and listened to 1 audiobook last month 😊 By the way, let me talk about book burning... 🔥🔥🔥 If you read history, there are dozens of well-known events of such evil. For example, when Mao Zedong took power in China and implemented the Cultural Revolution, any book that didn’t conform to party propaganda, like those promoting capitalism or other dangerous ideas like The Bible was destroyed. During Adolf Hitler's time, the Nazis also set books by Jewish, liberal, and leftist writers on fire that doesn't gel with the Nazi ideology. When al-Qaida Islamists invaded Mali and Timbuktu, among their targets were priceless books and manuscripts. And don't forget about the ancient Roman Catholic church during the Dark Ages. They don't just burn books but humans too! 😡


Why? To put it negatively, books are dangerous; to put it positively, books change lives. And in my view, good* books are dangerously good because they will positively change your life. Have you read the novel The Book Thief (2005) by Markus Zusak? If you have, you'll know what I mean. If you haven't, I fully recommend you to read it. You will see how Liesel Meminger discovers the power of reading and writing in times of difficulties (ah yes, she steals books from the Nazi). Of course, the story is fiction and not just about books 😄 However, the key that I want to say is that Liesel is so desperate to read that she has to steal it! Nowadays, although new books are not that cheap, we don't have to steal books. We can borrow books from friends or go to the library. Joseph Brodsky, a poet, rightly says: "There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." I say, read books for your good and if the books are right, they will change your life 😉


Here are my #1Book1Week for February 2021 👇 CLICK LINKS to read my reviews:


1) Words of Counsel: For All Leaders, Teachers, and Evangelists (Updated 2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon [https://www.facebook.com/968130456714198/posts/1556217501238821/]


2) Kingdom Come, Kingdom Go: Luke & Acts (2007) by International Bible Society [https://legasitv.blogspot.com/.../kingdom-come-kingdom-go...]


3) The Preacher's Portrait: Some New Testament Word Studies (1961) by John Stott [https://legasitv.blogspot.com/.../the-preachers-portrait...]


#LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #BookBurning #TheBookThief #ChangeYourLife 


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Words of Counsel: For All Leaders, Teachers, and Evangelists (Updated 2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon, Book Review



 Words of Counsel: For All Leaders, Teachers, and Evangelists
(Updated 2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon


I'm not sure when exactly this book was written since Mr. Spurgeon was born in 1834 and died in 1892. Maybe it is his complete book or a compilation of his short writings and sermons. Regardless, this book - although it's old - is still timely and timeless. Timely because doing ministry in the era of a pandemic is quite challenging and Spurgeon is doing a great job of counseling (not motivating, like many Christian leaders nowadays) ministers of Christ to push forward for the Gospel and to win souls. If we know the WHY, then the HOW will follow through.


This book is also timeless because Mr. Spurgeon draws his writings from the well of the living water, namely, the Spirit-inspired written Word of God. His blood, like what he said about John Bunyan, is Bibline (he made up this word). He said of Bunyan that can be applied to himself: "Prick him anywhere —his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his very soul is full of the Word of God." The wonderful thing about reading and listening to Mr. Spurgeon is that you want more of Christ and the danger is that your taste for modern-day celebrity preachers will be lessened. Dangerously good.


If you're a Christian leader, read this book. Equip yourself and don't follow fallen leaders that disgrace the name of Christ. If you're a Bible teacher, listen to this audiobook. I find that these two chapters "Sunday School Ministry" and "Save the Children" are very good for Sunday School teachers. Don't minimize your ministry, your works are crucial! If you're an evangelist, savor this book alongside The Book. People called Mr. Spurgeon The Prince of Preachers but more than that, I perceived that he is "The Soul Winner" after his Master's example (this also a title of his book that I would like to recommend). Of course, some people are called to be evangelists full-time but all of us are responsible to "do the work of an evangelist” just like Timothy (2 Timothy 4:5) ✔😊🙏


#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #CharlesHSpurgeon #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain


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