Talks to Farmers: Inspiring, Uplifting, Faith-Building Meditations

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, John F. MacArthur Jr. (Foreword)

What can God's creation teach us about ourselves, our communities, and modern Christianity? Talks to Inspiring, Uplifting, Faith-Building Meditations, written by world renowned preacher Charles H. Spurgeon, uncovers the lessons we can learn from taking a closer look at nature. Includes Foreword by New York Times bestselling author, pastor, and Spurgeon admirer John MacArthur.

First published in 1882, Talks to Farmers is a collection of nineteen of Spurgeon's best-known sermons. Within each chapter, Spurgeon artfully breaks down biblical parables, psalms, and passages through an agricultural lens to teach you timeless spiritual truths and deepen your relationship with Christ. Updated for today's reader, this new edition of Talks to Farmers is designed to cultivate your faith along the way.

Talks to Farmers is a hopeful, encouraging read for every Christian. Convicting and enlightening, Spurgeon's style of dissecting a verse and beautifully weaving it back together for its true purpose--to point us to Christ, our everlasting source of hope and joy--truly shines in this modern edition of Talks to Farmers.

Throughout Talks to Farmers, Spurgeon shares the essential life lessons he's learned


The importance of developing a healthy prayer life
How implementing a practice of gratitude can change your perspective on the world forever
What God's creation can teach us about humanity, society, and modern Christianity
The power of our day-to-day observations of nature
The incredible variety of ways in which faith journeys can unfold
How God cares for us, just as he cares for every creature on earth
Nearly 140 years after these sermons were first delivered, Spurgeon's inspirational messages continue to prove practical and relevant for modern believers, drawing from salt-of-the-earth stories from the Bible that explore our relationship with both God and his creation.

Genres: Christian, Faith, Religion, Nonfiction

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2013

About the author

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Reviews

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of sermons from Charles Spurgeon on various nature passages from Scripture.

It's hard to know how to evaluate this work. On the one hand they are excellent examples of sermons/public speaking and teaching. Spurgeon the Prince of Preachers develops ideas well, can turn a phrase, offer clear and compelling calls unto Christ. But his infamous tendency to preach 'the right doctrine from the wrong text' is on full display in these sermons.

I might even say that it's in rare form, too. His Isaiah 53:7 sermon is more about how God shears us (i.e. chastens us), than it is about Christ the Messiah who was silent before Pontius Pilate. His sermon on Ruth 2:14 is quite truly based on an allegorical reading of the verse. And more could be said.

Essentially none of these sermons are good examples of exegesis AND preaching, but they are orthodox sermons (in doctrine) none the less, and very able communications of truth (just not the truth of THAT particular passage).

That's not great, but it's also not nothing. There are plenty who can exegete a text, but not preach worth a lick. And if I was pressed to choose between them, I personally would take the poor exegete who still preaches truth well, than the other way around. For that reason, this book can still be beneficial to read, even if the things Spurgeon finds in the text aren't really there.

[Josh Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never cease to be amazed at the writings (sermons) of Charles Spurgeon. These sermons, regarding all things farming, like nearly anything that Spurgeon brought to the table, are mesmerizing. Always the wordsmith, Spurgeon did not disappoint with these sermons. More than anyone I know or read, Spurgeon has a way of mining (or masticating) the truth from short verses or verses that on the surface seem not to have much there.

I underlined, marked up, and commented every chapter. The problem (if you can call it a problem) is to reread this book over and over again to get all of the truth that Spurgeon lays out for us in these sermons.

Get a copy. Read it. Give a copy or copies away. You will be immensely blessed!

[Hayli Netterlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always blessed by the words of Charles Spurgeon, and this book is no exception. As someone that plants and manages orchard and prarie, his teaching on the biblical passages that compare our hearts to the ground or the way that Jesus plows our hearts to make it good for seed. This is one I will read over and over to be reminded of the Goodness of God while I plant and harvest and manage the land that God gave us. It is such a wonderful collection of talks, especially for the farmer, gardener or homesteader.

[Sandy Juergens · Rating 5 out of 5]

THAT was an excellent read! Spurgeon is just a great writer. I would have loved to have heard him speak.

[Eric Michel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always great stuff from Spurgeon... after you trim away the Calvinist foolishness! Overall good preaching tho.

[Claudette Furrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! My first taste of CHARLES SPURGEON Sermons!

I would recommend this to Farmers and city folk, Too!
I was sad when it ended.
Can't wait to find more of Spurgeon's classics.
Way better than "morning and evening"

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sermons on nature

A compilation of sermons by Charles Spurgeon on nature and farming. The author used these illustrations as metaphor in Christian life.

[Mhughessc · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Talks to Farmers" intrigued me due to the cover, subject matter, and the fact that these words came from the mind of Charles Hadden Spurgeon. Spurgeon, a renowned preacher, felt that it was important for God's Word to be made applicable to the everyday man, such as a farmer. In his own words, Spurgeon asserts that, "Cains and Noahs will plow furrows and reap harvests until the end come. Hence there will always be need of farm sermons. So long as the soul is fed, it is small matter whether the subjects were suggested by the palace or the barn."

This book consists of 19 sermons Spurgeon wrote and preached about topics that farmers could understand: reaping and sowing, fixing a broken fence, laboring, threshing, and shearing. This was a quick read and it was interesting to see how Spurgeon made the Bible understandable for the farm laborer. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[William Barrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spurgeon's pastoral eloquence shines through these nineteen selected sermons with agricultural themes. MacArthur's superb "Foreword" introduces this volume setting Spurgeon's ministry within its historical context and describing his gifted preaching. Although I have read all of Spurgeon's Park Street sermons and many of his messages from the pulpit at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, I found these nineteen very refreshing and spiritually stimulating. The final sermon would serve quite fittingly as a funeral message. The day I read it was also the day of a good friend's memorial service. Spurgeon speaks to people as they are, where they are. Whether you have read his sermons before or never read one before, I highly recommend this wonderful volume and its Talks to Farmers.

[Bruce Dinsman]

As previously indicated, most of C H Spurgeon's library is in the public domain. I previously downloaded a PDF file from a website, but I got the Kindle Edition to see what it looked like. I appreciate the topical study that he did to reach out to farmers. It reminds me of Paul (I am all things to all men that I might win some to Christ). Also, whoever put together this Kindle edition also added links to other documents found in the references.

[Ben Hermetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sermons to hear!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic sermons by Charles Spurgeon with agricultural themes that apply to everyone.

[Andrew Wolgemuth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, farm- and earth-related Gospel insight and teaching from Spurgeon.

[Hopefully Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is like eating fresh bread after a 40 days fast

[Meaghan Recollet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of sermons was beautiful and convicting. Spurgeon's ability to write such a powerful sermon from a single verse that to me seemed commonplace was truly remarkable.

[Susan Kendrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of talks on agricultural themes in the Bible. Spurgeon’s words are always encouraging and invigorating!