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)

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Five (5) Lessons I Learned from William Carey: Pioneer Missionary (this edition 2000) by E.A. Annett, Book Review

 

William Carey: Pioneer Missionary (this edition 2000) by E.A. Annett

Reading biographies of heroes of the faith like William Carey never fails to inspire me to continue to serve the Lord and stop complaining. As much I admire his accomplishments, I'm encouraged the most by his passion and perseverance amidst difficulties. If only young* people nowadays are exposed to great men and women of God of old (not perfect, of course) like Carey, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, John Sung, Corrie Ten Boom, Catherine Booth, etc. and not to be soo obsessed with K-Pop idols, they will grow stronger in the faith and maturity in the mind. When today's depression causes many youngsters to self-destructive behavior, Charles H. Spurgeon, who was battling with depression until the end of his life, by the grace of God, was able to change the world of Christianity during his time and beyond. How do I know it's possible? Read Christian biographies.

Now, there are lots of things I can say about Mr. Carey and so many lessons I have learned. Let me briefly just share five (5) of them:

1) Evangelism: Winning Lost Souls for Christ. After his conversion, he grows rapidly. He studies the Scripture diligently and has a great interest ("fierce energy of love for the heathen") to reach the lost. One of his first book or booklet that he wrote to share his conviction for reaching the world outside England was entitled, An Enquiry Into the Obligation of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathen ("heathen" is an old word for the ungodly or pagans or unbelievers). The local church wasn't ready for this, but he was very persuasive about it and see to it that God's given-dream be done.

2) Calvinism: Theology on Fire. Now, to be clear, the book doesn't mention his Calvinistic view but simply said that he was a Baptist preacher in England before he went to India. Other biographers, however, stated that he was a devout Calvinist in the matters of a systematic approach to Biblical hermeneutics. And because of his high view of God's sovereignty, he sparked the people's consciousness about their responsibility to share the Gospel to the lost, when he preached a sermon from Isaiah 54:2-3. Two great principles were recorded from this sermon: "Expect great things from God; Attempt great things for God." God alone can do it; God will enable us to do it.

3) Vision: Don't Give Up. From England to India; from a fairly good European life to poverty-stricken missionary life; from suspicious and reluctant support by the Baptist Missionary Society at home to doubtful locals of India; from unreliable partners at first to most faithful brothers (thank God!) like Joshua Marshman and William Ward. In all of these challenges and more, Carey doesn't give up. Only after 6-7 years of ministering tirelessly, then he and his friends saw the first fruits of conversion. Then, as they gain momentum, they started Serampore Mission school, college, and literature classes. When God gave the vision, don't give up... "attempt great things for God" (P.s: The cost of the vision also very heavy for Carey, especially for the family).

4) Bible: People Must Know God's Written Word. E.A. Annett writes: "In early days, while still engaged at his shoemaking, Carey hammered out his system of evangelization. With sanctified genius, he had recognized that the main instrument in the great work must be the Bible translated into the vernaculars of the peoples." With no formal education or any language-grammar training, Carey and his friends - the trio - learned the Indian languages through self-taught and by practice. They, together with Indian pundits, have translated the entire Bible and/or in part into 29+ languages and dialects. One time their printing house was on fire but the next day they started all over again. Just like Martin Luther and William Tyndale, when the people understand the Bible in their languages, reformation - spiritually and intellectually - will unavoidably happen. Such is the power of God's Word unleashed!

5) Humility: In the End, to God Be the Glory. Mr. Carey was the most industrious man. He teaches in the university, he translates the Bible daily, he preaches in the public, he trains new preachers, he studies always, he leading prayer meetings, he wrote letters, he wrote books and pamphlets, he devours every morning to reading and meditating, he defends and protects the Mission from the enemies (both from within and without), he loves to examine insects, birds, and plants, he takes care of his garden and more. Of course, as he gets older, he can't do most of these things. And yet, with all that he has done for God, he never takes off his eyes from the Lord, the One who has done everything through him. One day he responded to his guest, "Mr. Duff, you have been speaking about Dr. Carey, Dr. Carey; when I am gone say nothing about Dr. Carey - speak about Dr. Carey's Savior." Wow! In the little cemetery where he was buried, there is a simple inscription (chosen by himself) that say:

WILLIAM CAREY
Born August 17, 1761
Died June 9, 1834

"A wretched, poor and helpless worm,
On Thy kind arms I fall."

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Book Review: A Biography of John Sung (2004) by Leslie T. Lyall

A Biography of John Sung (2004) by Leslie T. Lyall

John (‘Ju-un’ in Chinese meaning ‘God’s grace’) Sung was born in the Hinghwa district in Southeast China in 1901. During the great Hinghwa revival in 1909 – often called the ‘Hinghwa Pentecost’ – young John Sung was converted. Though only nine years old, he “was so convicted by sin that his tears of remorse soaked right through his outer coat as his head was bowed is a spirit of contrition.”

To cut the story short, John wanted to study oversea so he travelled to America. In 1923, he graduates from Ohio Wesleyan University. But he is not finished with Ph.D in chemistry, he wanted to further his study in theology, so he enrolled to Union Theological Seminary. There he became acquainted with liberal theology. The seminary was so bad that they taught that the Bible cannot be trusted, that the Creation account was a myth and that the miracles of Jesus was fanciful tales told by disillusioned disciples. As a man of science, he soon found himself doubting the very Word of God that had once empowered him. I understand that feeling… I do.  

Leslie Lyall wrote, “Not many days after this tremendous crisis, John had a strange dream. Looking into an open coffin, he saw that the corpse was himself, dressed in academic cap and gown and holding diplomas! He heard a voice say, ‘John Sung is dead – dead to the world!’ Then the corpse began to stir and awaken and angels above began to weep, until he called out, ‘Don’t weep, angels! I will remain dead to the world and to self!’” The brilliant scientist had died, the new John Sung was alive to preach the gospel! It was like a second conversion for him.

This is amazing, John Sung set all of his liberal theological textbooks on fire and began reading only the Bible. Because of his ‘strange’ behaviour, he was admitted to psychopathic ward. For more than 6 months he was confined unwillingly, but fruitfully, it has become for him his own personal theological seminary. He read through the Bible 40 times! During this time too, God “called him to the task of preaching the Gospel in China.” When he went back to China, he said to the missionaries, “China does not need the teaching of [Harry Emerson] Fosdick or [Mahatma] Gandhi. The teaching of Confucius is far better than theirs. What the Chinese need is Jesus Christ and His Cross.”

For the next few years John worked closely with the Bethel Mission but he could not be confined to one organization. I think partly because he was so fire up that people couldn’t catch up with him. And partly because he was not easy to work with. “He had a strong will and a hot temper. He was independent to the point of being sometimes stubborn. A rebel as a boy, he remained an individualist all his life. He could be abrupt and even rude,” explained late John Stott. Regardless of these weaknesses, God is pleased to prosper his ministry! He led thousands of people to Christ through preaching, teaching, training and healing ministry. My colleagues and friends also have told me personally that I’m a bit proud and stubborn (no wonder I also admire Steve Jobs), but Lord, continue to use me for your ministry! Amen.

In 1942, after 15 years of exhausting ministry, Sung retired due to ill health. He died in 1944, at the age of 42. “Never in the history of Chinese Church had someone touched so many lives in such a brief period,” said Bobby E.K. Sng. “His sacrificial and total disregard of himself is perhaps most clearly illustrated by his death,” writes Hwa Yung, “his active ministry ended only when his health finally broke... Although his ministry ended too late to save his life, his sense of God’s timing was perfect.” Three most important things in my life and ministry that I learned from the life of John Sung: #1 The Love for God’s Word, #2 The Power of the Holy Spirit and #3 The Work of Prayer.

“For a servant of God to have authority in every sentence he utters, he must first suffer for the message he is to deliver. Without great tribulation, there is no great illumination.”

“Man’s works do not even come close to the works of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit does not work, all the efforts of man will come to naught.”

“China needs Christ!”

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus: The Invitation for a Weary Soul

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You are tired.

You are weary.

Weary of being slapped by the waves of broken dreams.

Weary of being stepped on and run over in the endless marathon to the top.

Weary of trusting in someone only to have that trust returned in an envelope with no returning address.

Weary of staring into the future and seeing only futility.

What steals our childhood zeal?...

It is this weariness that makes the words of the Carpenter so compelling. Listen to them. “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Come to Me… The invitation is to come to Him. Why Him?

He offers the invitation as a penniless rabbi in an oppressed nation. He has no connections with the authorities in Rome. He hasn’t written a best-seller or earned a diploma.

Yet, He dares to look into the leathery faces of farmers and tired-faces of housewives and offer rest. He looks into the disillusioned eyes of a bartender and makes this paradoxical promise: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

The people came. They came out of the cul-de-sacs and office complexes of their existence and He gave them, not religion, not doctrine, not systems, but rest.

As a result, they called Him Lord.

As a result, they called Him Saviour.

Not so much because of what He said, but because of what He did.

What He did on the Cross during six hours, one Friday.

[From Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado]                                                                                       

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.