Thomas Murphy > Quotes

“Never forget Warren, you can tell a guy to go to hell tomorrow — you don't give up the right. So just keep your mouth shut today, and see if you feel the same way tomorrow.”
― Thomas Murphy

“and they are, in their own life and character, to be living witnesses of the renewing and sanctifying and exalting power of the gospel of Christ.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“may be safely said that the great difference in the efficiency of ministers is largely owing to the observance or .neglect of method in their work. The man who carefully systematizes his duties, and abides by the scheme he has planned, is sure to do more work, and to do it better, and to do it with far more satisfaction,”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“How unbecoming to undertake such an office as this without all the assistance that can be derived from the word of God and from the wisdom and experience of the most devoted of men! Who is sufficient for such a work as this? This question must become the more solemn to the minister when he considers the many defects that are found within himself. His unbelief, his infirmities, his ignorance, his sloth, his cold-heartedness, his many temptations,—all rise up as hindrances in the way of his progress in the spiritual work of Christ. These demand of him the most diligent preparation and the most efficient aids.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“And is it true, most solemnly true, that the measure of that Church's godliness depends upon that of the pastor's heart? Then his heart is the place in which must begin a revival in the Church.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“One minister with his heart properly alive, properly sprinkled with atoning blood, properly consecrated by the Holy Spirit, must be a great blessing in the whole community. A few such in the bounds of the Church would soon change its whole aspect—yea, would soon affect the moral tone of the whole country. Blessings for thousands are impending when the minister is on his knees pleading for more and more grace.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“The plan is simply to command time for all by being beforehand in every work.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“There is great force in the opinion of the celebrated Dr. Samuel Johnson, that if one sits clown doggedly and persistently to write, whether at the first he is in the spirit or not, he can work himself up to fervor and force. This is the state of mind one should strive after every time he undertakes the preparation of a sermon, and he will grow into the habit of doing his best always.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“The hour in the pulpit he should look upon as the harvest hour of the week.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“I was never fit," says Payson, “to say a word to a sinner except when I had a broken heart myself, when I was subdued and melted into tenderness, and felt as though I had just received pardon to my own soul, and when my heart was full of tenderness and pity.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“To preach in a cold, unfeeling manner, to preach without earnestness, is sinful. It shows in the preacher a heart that is hard. It reveals an amount of selfishness or thoughtlessness or levity, or all of them combined, that ought to humble and alarm.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“What is needed in the ministry now is complete consecration of heart and head and hands to Christ. With ministers more than with any other persons alive the supreme motive needs to be the glory of God. In all their studies and ministrations, in every element of their being, their moving impulse should be love to Christ.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“This has become a hallowed institution of Protestant Christianity throughout the world. And most appropriate it is that all of every land who love the Lord Jesus Christ should meet in concert at least once in every month to unite in prayer for the coming of the kingdom, to show their interest in the great salvation, and to study the progress of the gospel throughout the world. No pastor should be satisfied unless this meeting is regularly observed in his church.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“That true sanctity which becomes the gospel minister will keep him near to God, the source of all real strength and success. He cannot retain any measure of spirituality unless he walks with God. But from that holy presence he will go out amongst his fellow-men clothed in a might that no human training or talents could give him. Then may his soul beam with a glory like that which irradiated the face of Moses as he came down from Sinai. He would carry with him an indescribable atmosphere of sacredness that would tell effectively on all his ministry. With almost the authority of the Master could he speak. From the source from which he received communications of grace would he also receive communications of power, and as he ministered in the name of the Lord, would the strength of that name go with him, and bring forth results that would be the crown of his rejoicing.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“Too much emphasis cannot be laid upon this calling of the Church to be active in this great gospel work. Next to the demands of their own personal piety, it is the most urgent call upon every member of the blood-bought host of Christ. No tongue can tell, no heart conceive, the sublime, the tremendous interests that are involved. One of the most solemn duties of the pastor is to awaken men to this subject. To this office he is appointed. The great service he can render to the holy cause lies here. Multitudes upon multitudes of even true Christians are asleep as to this matter. They do not seem to dream that they have anything to do in saving the world from sin.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“The enterprise of pushing abroad the outposts of the Church is according to the mission and the spirit of the gospel, which is appointed to spread like the leaven and grow like the mustard-seed, whose very nature is such that where its real influence prevails it must be aggressive, and whose progress is never to cease until it has brought the whole world to the feet of Jesus.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology

“And there are some things, for which instructions are given in this study, which it will not do to delay. The catechising of the young, the personal improvement of memorizing Scripture, the study of the original languages, the daily consecration of self to God and his service, and many other such things, are matters which cannot be put off one day without loss.”
― Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology