The Soul Winner by: Charles Spurgeon- Chap 1

I just started reading "The Soul Winner" by Charles Spurgeon. I ordered this book thinking it was just a book about sharing the Gospel with unbelievers. It turns out, that this book is targeted to preachers and future preachers. I guess this book is perfect for me since I know that God is calling me to tell people, everywhere I go, about Jesus Christ, whether it be behind a pulpit someday or not. 

As a Christian, I don't think God expects a whole lot of me outside of loving Him and telling people everywhere about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For some reason I spend most of my days thinking mostly of myself and my own family. The only reason I still have my family is because of the fact that God has turned me into a totally different person. I need to refocus my life and go back to what God originally called me to when I was Born Again, winning souls!

I ordered this book because I want to live a life that cares for the eternal souls of others. I don't want to continue enjoying my own salvation while people around me are headed for hell. The Apostle Paul spoke of the sorrow he had for his brothers: Romans 9:2-3  I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. We have joy for ourselves, but there is also sorrow for those who aren't Born Again.

Here are some of the highlights from Chap. 1 Qualifications for Soul-Winning--Godward:

You may preach very fine sermons, but if you are not yourselves holy, there will be no souls saved. (chap 1 p.32)

Sometimes, the evil is in the family of the minister, his sons and daughters are rebels against God, bad language is allowed even amongst his own children, and reproofs are simply like Eli's mild question to his wicked sons, "Why do ye such things?" (chap 1 p.33)

The greatest force of the sermon lies in what has gone before the sermon. You must get ready for the whole service by private fellowship with God, and real holiness of character. (chap 1 p.34)

I know some such ministers; you cannot come into contact with them without feeling the power of the spiritual life which is in them, ... you are conscious that there is something about the men which tells you that they are all alive unto God. Such men will be used by God for the quickening of others. (chap 1 p.35)

If the Lord has opened your mouth, the devil cannot shut it; but if the devil has opened it, may the Lord shut it up! (chap 1 p.39)

I have only read the first chapter, and this book has already impacted my life. I don't know if God is calling me to be a preacher, an evangelist or just some guy who walks Santa Monica Pier telling people the Good News about Jesus, but this book is going to help me.