The ministry of C. H. Spurgeon is exemplary to modern pastors and lay people alike, because he used his time, talents, and treasure for the advancement of the gospel.
The ministries of Sproul, MacArthur, Piper, and Begg are very familiar examples of men who devotedly advance the gospel in a manner like Spurgeon; some of them may even rival Spurgeon because of the technological advances of our day.
However, the majority of Christian ministries, seem to have a different goal: wealth, health, luxury; fame….
The prosperity preachers are the most blatant examples of ministries wherein personal gain is sought; they use a false gospel to sell Christ for as much money as they can get; frequently, bilking the poorest people of the world (See, Categories, Prosperity Preachers for more on that topic.)
Furthermore, regarding laypeople, the majority, in the 21st century church, seem to have a different end in mind: personal fulfillment, happiness, prosperity, wealth, power, influence….
Certainly, the hundreds of millions of professed Christians that follow prosperity preachers are doing that to achieve selfish goals, not for the advancement of God’s kingdom via the biblical gospel message.
What is the problem?
Why do so many live for themselves instead of Christ in the 21st century church?
Those questions will be considered in a brief manner, after the following 5 minute video wherein Todd Friel of Wretched TV, provides highlights from a Steve Lawson sermon about Spurgeon’s exemplary life:
The problem seems to be, that a transition must be made from our pre-conversion values, priorities, beliefs…mindset to one wherein we embrace the biblical Christian worldview.
This is a very painful and difficult transition.
It is painful because selfishness, pride, love of the world…are refined out of God’s children by fire; the fire of tribulation, the fire of affliction, the fire of chastening from His hand; as they walk with God by abiding in His appointed means of grace (Bible reading; prayer; hearing the gospel preached; the Lord’s supper; and fellowship around the word of God).
On this path, pilgrims are shown their idols and sins and are instructed (as they abide in the means of grace) in how to fight against them.
It is a hard way that begins at conversion. (For more information on this way, see Categories: Beatitude Life; True Kingdom Citizen; Mortification of Sin).
What about those hundreds of millions that are following the prosperity preachers or some other unbiblical denomination and having lots of fun, enjoying a high self-esteem and social standing…?
They are on the broad way to destruction. Yes, they may get their new Benz, prosperity… but they have sold their soul for that “stuff.”
What about those who go on living selfish lifestyles and neglecting the kingdom work of carrying forward the gospel message?
If they really are born again, then their heavenly Father will chasten them and draw them onto the highway to holiness spoken of in Isaiah 35.
The following link states all of the “one anothers” of the Bible, and is encouragement towards that Christian worldview spoken of above.