Sometimes referred to as the “Prince of Preachers,” Charles Spurgeon was famed for preaching at his church in London to crowds of more than six thousand people. With more than twenty-five hundred of his sermons published, this famous preacher has more books in print than any other pastor in history.
In one account from Spurgeon’s life, a young pastor approached the famed preacher and asked if he’d listen to him teach and provide feedback of his presentation.
Spurgeon agreed.
The young pastor preached a passionate sermon. He waited in excited expectation for Spurgeon’s response.
Spurgeon observed that while the sermon was well-delivered and well-prepared, it was poor.
The young pastor pressed Spurgeon to know why.
“Because there was no Christ in it,” Spurgeon replied.
“Well, Christ was not in the text, we are not to be preaching Christ always, we must preach what is in the text,” the young pastor protested.
“Don’t you know, young man, that from every town, and every village, and every little hamlet in England, wherever it may be, there is a road to London?”
“Yes,” the young pastor answered.
“Ah!” Spurgeon said. “And so from every text in Scripture there is a road to the metropolis of the Scriptures, that is Christ. Dear Brother, when you get to a text, say, ‘Now, what is the road to Christ?’ and then preach a sermon, running along the road toward the great metropolis—Christ.”
Though every passage in the Bible is not explicitly about Christ, Scripture is constantly grounding us in the story of redemption and salvation that God has put in motion since the beginning of time, which finds its fulfillment in Jesus. [Tweet this]
Our purpose in reading God’s Word isn’t to collect historical facts or to become a Bible trivia ninja, but to know and encounter God.
God is waiting to meet you in the Bible! [Tweet this]
Sometimes as we read the Bible, we’ll receive a word of encouragement and hope; sometimes we’ll be faced with a word of confrontation. A passage may expose our pride or selfishness or personal idols and call us to repent that we can walk in greater holiness and freedom.
But it’s hard to read the Bible for very long and remain the same.*
*Adapted from God’s Living Word: Relevant, Alive, and Active on sale this week only for $5 (regularly $9.99—a savings of 50%).
Click here to grab a copy for yourself and a friend during our Spring Sale where you can save 40% on books and Bible studies.
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This week I’m giving away THREE copies of my friend, Jennifer Dukes Lee’s new book, Love Idol: Letting Go of Your Need from Approval and Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes.
Jennifer Dukes Lee is an award-winning news journalist. She blogs at www.JenniferDukesLee.com. Connect with her on Twitter @dukeslee and on Facebook.
Jennifer’s message is one for all of us—We all want someone to think we’re sensational. We desire to be recognized, to be valued, to be respected. To be loved.
Yet this natural yearning too often turns into an idol of one of God’s most precious gifts: love itself.
In Love Idol, Jennifer gently invites us to make peace with our imperfections and to stop working overtime for a love that is already ours.
To win ONE of THREE copies of Love Idol, enter a comment on the original post at MargaretFeinberg.com. Winners will be selected and announced on next Wednesday.
Congratulations to the winners: Ava Sophie, Kristine Drumm, Tami
What verse has been particularly meaningful to you as you’ve read during the #LentChallenge?
A small but significant note of thanks. This is my first time reading straight throught the NT. Thank you, for the insightful challenge. This has been a sincere Lentin Season for me. I thank God for laying this challenge on your heart, to share.
So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11 MSG)
once again thanks for the prompt for Lent… it is such a blessing. I think last year … and this year is changing the way I read the bible… I see such value in reading large chunks at a time. I seem to paint a clearer picture for me and bring me to deeper truths. Oh favorite verse… this is hard… I think I have one from each day. Right now… I love this… a good daily reminder as I get dressed each day… dress in what truly matters.
Colossians 3:12-14 12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
I’ve read a few reviews about Jennifer Dukes Lee’s book. It sounds great and I hope to read it for myself. Thank you for the opportunity to have a chance to win a copy. Even the video was such an encouragement to me!
What a great reminder to stay in the word, and I love the reminder to tie it back to Christ! Love Idol – I just the other day had a great conversation with a co-worker about approval and acceptance. Sounds like a great read!
Our preachers n pastors say…” It’s not about you,or me, its about Jesus..but how can we accept HIS truth if we don’t claim LOVE in our lives given the rejection,fear,and hurt?” I fail to grow because of this in my walk……..and so~ One Day,,,,I pray to be enough, that in itself, would be a ‘enough’ victory to authentically embrace Gods promises for me .
The whole book of Romans has particularly touched my heart; I needed to be aware of God’s love and grace, instead of just being stuck in legalism.
I love what Spurgeon said. It reminds me of The Jesus Storrybook Bible – every story whispers His name! And “Love Idol” sounds like something I need to read. Maybe a little scary, but also freeing. I’ll have to add it to my reading list. Thanks for the suggestion and the encouragement on keeping Christ central!
Congratulations, Tami! You’ve been selected as a winner! Please send your mailing address to carrie@margaretfeinberg.com.
Only one more week of Wonderstruck Bible Study workbook at Maple Grove MN.
Glad it brought me to your blog.
Where is the winner list posted?
Only one more week of Wonderstruck Bible Study book at Maple Grove MN.
Glad it brought me to your blog.
Where is the winner list posted?
The winners will be posted on this blog post next Wednesday. Check back then!
I would love to read “Love Idol”. This has been a struggle of mine, really understanding Gods love even when I am not perfect.
Would love this book. Putting it on my list if I don’t win.
Too many verses to name one. My journal is full of them and so is Twitter.
Blessings
Janis
This is also my first time reading the new testament all the way through – and I’m NOT beating myself up that I am 3 days behind – instead I am pushing on and SO enjoying the reading!! I can’t beleive I have never done this before! Thank you somuch for the prompting!
I am continuing to keep you and your health in my prayers!
Would love to win this book – sounds great!
Thanks!!
Love Idol is something I need to read, as my idols are getting pretty heavy.
I was inspired and so loved your presentation at the EW confrence. I think you are such a wonderful person especially for the fact I have never been through what you have and yet you are more happy in life then I think I ever have. I hope to see you at next years confrence, I already signed up. You are one of the speakers that made such a difference in me. God bless you.
Thank you, sweet Sara.
I’ve chosen to read the Lent Challenge verses in a translation other than my usual ones. This verse really stood out to me.
Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT)
This sums up so much of what God wants for us.
I definitely need to make peace with my imperfections. Love Idol sounds amazing. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Love Idol would be such a blessings. I still at sixty three fall back to default that I must do something more for approval. Yet our God is faithful
Congratulations, Kristine! You’ve been selected as a winner! Please send your mailing address to carrie@margaretfeinberg.com.
That book sounds like an awesome read, would love to win a copy! Thank you for offering this giveaway! God bless! 🙂
This book sounds like a wonderful way to be fully grounded into God’s love and grace. The mirror always reflects back to me all my faults in comparison to others. God sees me differently as a person who is being transformed into His image. I am sure this book will gain more insight as I walk with God each day.
Thank You Margaret,
I love the message.
Never allowing anything or anyone to have Christ’s first place priority in our lives is the truth and Beauty of being PreApproved and not letting the Love Idol have dominion.
Love the message of the video–PreApproved. I shared the link on my Coaching Facebook page last week because the message is so important. Thank you.
It’s a great story about the pastors. And a really important message! It is also so encouraging the message Jennifer Dukes Lee shares with us on her video about her book! It is such an important message, and I would really love reading her book. I need to understand that I am preapproved. Not with my mind, but with my heart. We all do.
Blessings.
-Ava Sophie
Congratulations, Ava! You’ve been selected as a winner! Please send your mailing address to carrie@margaretfeinberg.com.
Done!
Thank you so much! This is truly a blessing to me!
-Ava Sophie