Note: For fans of Spurgeon have you checked out my Review: Charles Spurgeon Framed Art Print?
Charles Spurgeon. The Holy Spirit Glorifying Christ. Pensacola, FL: Chapel Library, May 26, 2020. 24 pp.
4 out of 5
Free: Chapel Library
Purchase: Amazon
The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus, yet what implications does this have for the Christian life? In this booklet published by Chapel Library my favorite Victorian era English preacher Charles Spurgeon answers that question. This is based upon a sermon that Spurgeon delivered on August 17th, 1862 yet is relevant for today. I was blown away thinking that Spurgeon was twenty eight years old when he preached this sermon at London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle. It made me appreciate what God has done through this man to bless God’s people than and also now with his writings.
This works looks at John 16:14 where Jesus said the Holy Spirit will glorify Himself and also the Spirit will be given to believers. There’s three points in this message from Spurgeon: First is the test of those who claim to be of the Holy Spirit with the litmus test of whether or not a teacher or a teaching glorifies Christ. Second point Spurgeon explores how to glorify Christ and third point is on the goal and focus of glorifying Christ.
The bulk of this booklet is on the first point. It seems somehow extremely relevant for Christians today when Spurgeon talks about the need to practice biblical discernment when others come to the church and talk about the “Holy Spirit revealed these new truths to me…” and what’s stunning for me is how Spurgeon was before various movements that abuse the claim of the Spirit giving new revelation; it definitely shows that throughout church history there’s always those who claim the Spirit spoke to them but its not based upon the Scriptures what they are saying. Point two and three does seem to overlap but point three drives the point home more to make it one’s life’s purpose to glorify Christ. I appreciate part two being practical with discussion about the need for humility, earnest prayer and entire reliance of the Spirit. Spurgeon in this booklet was also had encouraging words for the new Christian whom Spurgeon tells them that in the beginning of one’s spiritual life both the Spirit and Satan is active. Yet it is trusting in Christ that we place trust in with resisting the Devil. This principle of course is also true for season believers who are veterans of many spiritual battles with Satan. One can’t be reminded too much of the Gospel and faith in Christ as a weapon against Satan’s schemes. I was blessed by this work. Yet I must say I wished Spurgeon talked more about the relationship between the Spirit and Christ with how the Spirt glorifies Christ.
This is good. Charles Spurgeon was definitely a hard-hitting preacher.
Indeed he was Mark! He’s my favorite preacher from the past…he’s a a heavy hitter and a Gospel preacher!
Thanks much!
Thank you for reading this! I think we both like Spurgeon!!!!
Yes! Spurgeon! 🙂
Good reminder about needing discernment when someone claims to have a word from the Holy Spirit (or any other source).
I was able to find this at spurgeon.org as well. Thank you for pointing it out!
Awesome that you found it on Spurgeon dot org. I heard Chapel Library now is running Spurgeon dot org when the person that started it hand it over to them to take care of the site. Thanks for sharing that Frank!!
We have to wonder what happened to “wisdom” along the way. Those before us seem to have it at a much earlier age.
I agree it seems people had wisdom much earlier in past generations. I’m worry for my millennial generation and those younger…I admit we need a lot of wisdom
Thanks for sharing this. Love Charles Spurgeon.
Shalom!
Thanks for this good review! While reading this I couldn’t help but think of the various Christian sects that greatly focus on the Holy Spirit, i.e., the showy gifts of the spirit, etc.
Thanks for reading this it does make me think of the various groups out there that sadly drag the Holy Spirit’s name to justify their unbiblical ideas and practices. It seems its not just the 20th Century onwards but even during Spurgeon’s Victorian Era! Last week I was talking to a brother who mention that this has been happening in a Baptist church he’s attended even though they are supposed to be cessassionist. Curious if IFB with your past and background you saw them also invoke “The Spirit told me…” or “The Spirit led me…” to justify all kinds of unbiblical things?
R.A. Torrey (1856-1928) is widely respected by IFB Baptists for editing several “The Fundamentals” pamphlets. But he believed in an ecstatic “second blessing”/being filled with the Holy Spirit after conversion. Martyn Lloyd-Jones leaned a little bit that way as well. Torrey also believed in faith healing. The two didn’t teach glossolalia or private revelation, but Pentecostals/charismatics see them as a precursor and ally respectively.
Our IFB pastor and all the IFB pastors that I knew of attacked Pentecostalism/charismaticism openly from the pulpit. Any congregant that leaned that way kept it to themselves.
Thank you for sharing this, Jimmy. I have many favored Bible Verses that are particularly comforting and inspiring to me. If it’s ok, I’d like to send you them, one at a time, throughout my life on WordPress. I will insert in your comment sections, now & then. Is this okay?
Yes sister that is more than ok, that would be welcome! Are you still In Texas???
I am back from Texas. ✈️
He speaks and preaches the Word of God
Not to take anything away from Spurgeon’s giftedness at such a comparatively young age, but he sure didn’t have the myriad distractions we have today, such as ‘social’ media, TV, and the like. And both the writings and the speeches/preaching during that time were so much more ‘meaty’, it seems to me. This is probably because of more rigor required in the schooling. Now, sadly, so much is dumbed down.
That’s true! I feel these days I have to really fight the tide to read a lot given so much social media interactions (not all a bad thing). Good point. How do you do it? Blessings to you Craig.
I’m not on ‘social’ media (no Fakebook, Twaddle, etc.), so it doesn’t distract me, and I quit TV a few years ago (not that I watched much of it). That said, I don’t read nearly as much as should or could.
Downloaded! Wonderful!
That’s a good verse. Its amazing the Spirit and Son’s relations
I appreciate you sharing this. I have found the book . Thank you
Blessings
Awesome to hear you found the book! Blessings to you for your Tuesday/Wednesday sister!
Thank you brother Jim
Spurgeon has always been one of my favorites. I am soon posting his thoughts on Calvism, I think you’ll enjoy it.
Wow will look forward to the post; I am a few days behind my blog reader just FYI
Oops, should say Calvinism, lol