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Charles Spurgeon: Preaching Through Adversity
You will face adversity. It’s only a matter of time. Likely you already have. How will you persevere through the oppressing moments of life? But the question for pastors is even more difficult: How do you preach through adversity? How do you do heartwork when your heart is under siege and ready to fall? This is a crucial. Preaching great and glorious truth, in an atmosphere that is not great and glorious, is an immense difficulty. Drawing on the life and work of Charles Spurgeon, John Piper presents an inspiring vision of gospel ministry and offers practical counsel for how pastors keep going when the times are toughest.
40 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2015
4 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
John Piper
609 books4,597 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 27, 2024
Valid. W book.
Very short so only took 3 short sittings. My main takeaway was through and through, Spurgeon's ministry was started, sustained and made flourishing by the gospel of Jesus Christ. A great reminder to abide in Christ!
Very short so only took 3 short sittings. My main takeaway was through and through, Spurgeon's ministry was started, sustained and made flourishing by the gospel of Jesus Christ. A great reminder to abide in Christ!
May 2, 2019
If there's ever a preacher whom I can call my favorite, it's Charles Haddon Spurgeon. When we read his powerful quotes/sermons, we sometimes feel that this person might have had a supernaturally comfortable, trouble free and victorious life which allowed him to have such a ministry. This book enlightens us to the fact that such an assumption is as far from the truth as possible. Spurgeon faced tremendous mental depression issues throughout his life. Was afflicted with rheumatism and gout. Yet, was a person who kept preaching through adversity and hardships, taking them in his stride and recognizing the sovereignty of God over them.
A short book which I completed in a week and one which I recommend.
A short book which I completed in a week and one which I recommend.
May 16, 2015
“Never neglect your spiritual meals, or you will lack stamina and your spirits will sink. Live on the substantial doctrines of grace, and you will outlive and out-work those who delight in the pastry and syllabubs of “modern thought.” (Piper quoting Spurgeon)
May 15, 2021
Charles Spurgeon wrote more books than any other Christian author. His 66 volumes of sermons are some of the clearest Biblical preaching out there. This short books lays out why he was able to preach the way he did. Highly recommended
August 11, 2021
This is an excellent book that will help encourage anyone who is in ministry. Piper does an excellent job in focusing on Spurgeon and how Spurgeon faith in Christ kept him going. This short little book will encourage and minister to your soul.
March 9, 2020
Piper gives a short but powerful presentation of Spurgeon's life and manner of dealing with adversity.
May 29, 2019
It's more a collection of Spurgeon quotes edited by Piper than a book. But the quotes are good and helpful.
March 27, 2022
As a new father, this was a mercifully short read.
Piper writes an intro and two short chapters.
He reminds us of the glory of Christ shown in Paul’s letter saying I am who I am because of Christ. He points us to the life of Charles Spurgeon to illustrate that even when life is full of criticism, depression, crippling disease, and worse: Jesus still sits on the throne.
Piper takes note of multiple takeaways from Spurgeon’s life, with a number of powerful observations about depression and how to view it from the correct lens.
I think Spurgeon worked too hard however. Living a shorter life, and having made countless organizations, the man made himself busy. Piper writes as if this is a gold standard (to always work tirelessly) but I think second thought is helpful here. Work hard, but there is a limit, which Spurgeon also follows: observing sabbath and time off.
Probably most meaningful to me is reading about the criticism Spurgeon faced from fellow preachers and others in his midst. I do not pastor, but following Jesus means enemies and frustrated people. It’s promised in scripture.
Spurgeon implores readers and listeners to BE YOU. Don’t try to be something or someone you aren’t. He was a provocative speaker, and using measured or tested words wasn’t necessarily where he was strongest. The takeaway isn’t: don’t listen to criticism. Instead, look to the grace and mercy of God, hear his scripture and how he instructs and leads, go to him with complete vulnerability, and live that kind of life. Stop caring about what the word says. Stop trying to be someone you aren’t. Pursue Jesus with other believers in your community, and stop trying to please people.
Even though this book is written for pastors, it’s quite applicable to any believer.
Piper writes an intro and two short chapters.
He reminds us of the glory of Christ shown in Paul’s letter saying I am who I am because of Christ. He points us to the life of Charles Spurgeon to illustrate that even when life is full of criticism, depression, crippling disease, and worse: Jesus still sits on the throne.
Piper takes note of multiple takeaways from Spurgeon’s life, with a number of powerful observations about depression and how to view it from the correct lens.
I think Spurgeon worked too hard however. Living a shorter life, and having made countless organizations, the man made himself busy. Piper writes as if this is a gold standard (to always work tirelessly) but I think second thought is helpful here. Work hard, but there is a limit, which Spurgeon also follows: observing sabbath and time off.
Probably most meaningful to me is reading about the criticism Spurgeon faced from fellow preachers and others in his midst. I do not pastor, but following Jesus means enemies and frustrated people. It’s promised in scripture.
Spurgeon implores readers and listeners to BE YOU. Don’t try to be something or someone you aren’t. He was a provocative speaker, and using measured or tested words wasn’t necessarily where he was strongest. The takeaway isn’t: don’t listen to criticism. Instead, look to the grace and mercy of God, hear his scripture and how he instructs and leads, go to him with complete vulnerability, and live that kind of life. Stop caring about what the word says. Stop trying to be someone you aren’t. Pursue Jesus with other believers in your community, and stop trying to please people.
Even though this book is written for pastors, it’s quite applicable to any believer.
March 3, 2019
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Despite suffering of many kinds, the great Calvinist preacher Charles Spurgeon did the work of many men. John Piper outlines not only preaching through adversity, but faithfulness because of adversity. He argues that Spurgeon was able to overcome depression, illness, and criticism only because he immersed himself in the promises and power of God's Word, knowing that he was a more humble and faithful servant to the Lord and his church because he relied supernaturally on the love of his Savior--ever-present and ever-attentive. This short book is helpful for everyone, but especially those who minister to the spiritual needs of others and are aware of their own needs and struggles.
July 13, 2020
This is a great entry point for those who are interested in the life of Charles Spurgeon. It's simple, succinct, and unique. Piper brings out the good and bad of Spurgeon, as the Prince of Preachers is oftentimes put on a pedestal. I'm glad I read this to start off my further study of Spurgeon, his teachings, and his exposition of Scripture. I recommend this for all of those men who are called into the pastorate!
June 16, 2022
"Dr. Spurgeon said..." He is one of the most quoted preachers even though he has been "promoted to Glory" for 131 years now (and, yes, that includes me!). This monograph on the "Prince of Preachers" does an excellent job at reminding us of Spurgeon's faithfulness and how he still shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we read his words today...and why he is still so remarkably quotable. I recommend this for your reading.
July 31, 2017
This was a very, quick, easy read that all pastors should read. A man whose affliction somehow encouraged him, a man whose every word was criticized, and a man who always made more of God than himself is a man whom I can learn from. Spurgeon's outlook on preaching and on life in general is one characterized by intense faith, and intense trust on God's nature.
June 16, 2018
A short book but full of substance. John Piper wisely deduces from Charles Spurgeon's life lessons for faithful Christian men whose vocation is Christian preaching. I learned that suffering is part of this calling, and this actually be the reason for our endurance, not giving up.
November 15, 2017
Quick. Easy. Encouraging.
December 26, 2020
Spurgeon is truly an inspiration as a preacher!
March 28, 2022
Spurgeon in the eye of John Piper. Its a quick read, but we could understand more about Charles Spurgeon and his impacts to the world in that age.
August 3, 2023
I always find Spurgeon really encouraging and inspiring. This was an excellent short read by Piper.
November 20, 2016
"But it's different with pastors--not totally different, but different. The heart is the instrument of our vocation. Spurgeon said, 'Ours is more than mental work--it is heart work, the labour of our inmost soul'. So when our heart is breaking we must labor with a broken instrument."
I found this a very interesting and encouraging read. I think anyone in ministry for some time knows what it's like to be misunderstood and second guessed, but pastors even more so. And they are supposed to take it graciously and keep on preaching. I loved the encouragement from Spurgeon's life and how he typified life in Christ trusting God in the overwhelming tasks in front of him.
This book both encourages me to pray more heartily for those pastors in my life, and to trust God in the adversity in my own. A good read for sure.
I found this a very interesting and encouraging read. I think anyone in ministry for some time knows what it's like to be misunderstood and second guessed, but pastors even more so. And they are supposed to take it graciously and keep on preaching. I loved the encouragement from Spurgeon's life and how he typified life in Christ trusting God in the overwhelming tasks in front of him.
This book both encourages me to pray more heartily for those pastors in my life, and to trust God in the adversity in my own. A good read for sure.
March 11, 2015
This is a short work by John Piper on how the great Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon preached through adversity and pain. Spurgeon's pain was from others (personal and theological attacks) as well as physical attacks (gout and his wife's pains). Yet Spurgeon faithfully preached the gospel and trusted God through his pains.
I read this short work in less than an hour. It is worth reading. This work is simply Piper's biographical sermon on Spurgeon preached several years ago at his Desiring God conference.
I read this short work in less than an hour. It is worth reading. This work is simply Piper's biographical sermon on Spurgeon preached several years ago at his Desiring God conference.
March 15, 2015
Really appreciated this. Roy's review says it all:
"This is a short work by John Piper on how the great Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon preached through adversity and pain. Spurgeon's pain was from others (personal and theological attacks) as well as physical attacks (gout and his wife's pains). Yet Spurgeon faithfully preached the gospel and trusted God through his pains."
"This is a short work by John Piper on how the great Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon preached through adversity and pain. Spurgeon's pain was from others (personal and theological attacks) as well as physical attacks (gout and his wife's pains). Yet Spurgeon faithfully preached the gospel and trusted God through his pains."
January 10, 2025
Worth exponentially more spiritual benefit than its length would seem to allow. It would difficult to find better treatments than his sections on internal struggles, depression, external suffering, and refusing to be paralyzed by internal second-guessing.
April 7, 2015
A wonderful little booklet for anyone in the ministry who has suffered down times or depression.
June 4, 2015
2 short little essays on why Spurgeon is so heavily revered without much history
December 13, 2015
A short but profound look at the Prince of Preachers. A must read for discouraged pastors and pastors who feel the weight of Semi-Pelagianism which has polluted the contemporary church.
December 26, 2015
Only the barest introduction to Spurgeon, but encouraging nonetheless. Piper has focused on a great theme (preaching amidst adversity).
February 4, 2016
This was an extremely short and encouraging read. I'm thankful that Desiring God has made resources like this available on their website for free.
May 26, 2016
A very "goodread." I completed in just one sitting but re-read my numerous highlight several times...especially the quotes.
June 26, 2015
Great advice for preachers from the Prince of Preachers.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews