Whatever He Was in Private
Story★★★★As Thomas Carlyle remarks, “the crowning hypocrisy is a false priest.” The best thing about a preacher is not the sermon he preaches, the visits he makes, the prayers he offers, the truth he affirms, the instruction he affords, the inspiration he generates, but the life he lives. The Earl of Shaftesbury said concerning Charles H. Spurgeon: “Whatever he was in the pulpit he was in private, and whatever he was in private he was in the pulpit.” Magnificent compliment! James L. Gordon
The point
A pastor's life is more important than his sermons, prayers, or doctrinal teaching; Spurgeon exemplified congruence between public pulpit and private life.
Scripture
1 Timothy 4:12Titus 2:7
Audience
Adults
Tone
Convicting · Inspiring · Challenging
To tell aloud
under a minute · 83 words