Years ago - I don't even remember how long ago it was now - I heard John Piper say that every one should choose a giant figure from church history and spend the rest of their lives getting to know that person. For Piper, it is Jonathan Edwards.

That thought struck me as worthy of one's time, and the next thought that struck me was-Charles Spurgeon. So soon after hearing Piper's challenge, I began to purchase books either written by Spurgeon or about Spurgeon. Every day, I spend time with the greatest evangelical Baptist pastor in history! Spurgeon lived from 1834-1892. He pastured London's Metropolitan Tabernacle. During his 37 year ministry, the church added over 15,000 members. He is still training pastors like me today as he once did at his "Pastor's College." As a result, I have collected and read scores of sermons, biographies, Spurgeon's autobiography, Spurgeon's books, and collections of sermons. It has been a wealth of encouragement and joy for me. I consider Spurgeon to be my spiritual hero, my pastoral mentor, my theological guide, my voice of biblical balance, and most of all-my friend! (I can't wait to meet one of my best friends!!)

I am not going to review these two volumes of sermons. I am simply going to provide a list of the more profound quotes that I discovered. So you can follow along, this list is from vol 5, I'll do vol 6 next. The sermon titles are in quotes followed by Spurgeon's words contained within that sermon. Some of these quotes are listed simply to correct some errors that have circulated concerning Spurgeon. I hope that you will be blessed by reading these great statements of one of the greatest Christian ministers of all time. (BTW - why not consider selecting your own mentor from church history and get to know them. You will not regret it!) Enjoy quotable Spurgeon!

"The New Heart" - ...it is a divine work from first to last...Nothing will do here but that old fashioned truth men call Calvinism.

"Everybody's Sermon" - Providence is God's sermon.

"God's Barriers Against Man's Sin" - (1) The best of men are but men at best. (2) Thou mayest varnish and gild thyself, but thou canst never change thyself. Thou mayest moralize, but thou canst never spiritualize thy heart...thou canst do nothing whatever to save thyself.

"Comfort Proclaimed" - He would not only have us his living people, his preserved people, but he would have us be his happy people too.

"The Christian's Heaviness and Rejoicing" - Men will never become great in divinity until they become great in suffering. Quoting Luther, "affliction is the best book in my library."

"Samson Conquered" - I have heard some men talk as if the strength of free will, of human nature, was sufficient to carry men to heaven. Free will has carried many souls to hell, but never a soul to heaven yet...No man can say that Jesus is the Christ but by the Holy Ghost. No man can come to Christ except the Father that hath sent Christ doth draw him.

"Satan's Banquet" - sin carries an infant misery in its bowels, and sooner or later it must be delivered of its terrible child.

"The Feast of the Lord" - When I have seen my Savior crucified, then I have seen him glorified; when I have read my name written in his blood, then I have seen afterward my mansion which he has prepared for me. When I have seen my sins washed away, then I have seen the white robe that I am to wear for ever. Live near to the Savior, man, and you shall not be very far off heaven.

"The Blood" - God must un-God himself before he can reject thee, or reject that blood.