Christian Conversation, part 4

By Elizabeth Prata

Part 1 here
Part 2 here
Part 3 here
Part 4 here
Part 5 here
Part 6 here
Part 7 here

We are inundated with hate language all day long from rebellious pagans, and many of us are also treated to the snark, anger, or hateful speech of people claiming to be fellow Christians, too (surely blotting their witness.) I don’t want to fall into the same trap. The Bible says “Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:6).

How do I do that? How do I develop the habit of speaking of the glories of Jesus and have edifying conversations?

I found a Spurgeon sermon that fills the bill. I am posting it in parts till it’s done.

Christian Conversation

A Sermon (No. 2695) Delivered by C. H. SPURGEON, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, On a Lord’s-day Evening in the autumn of 1858.

“They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power.”—Psalm 145:11

    Then, in speaking of the glory of Christ’s kingdom, the next thing we talk of is its glorious majesty. The psalmist further says, in the 12th verse, that the saints shall not only “make known God’s mighty acts, but also the glorious majesty of his kingdom.” Part of the glory of England consists, not in her achievements, but in the state and majesty which surround her. In ancient times especially, monarchs were noted for the great pomp with which they were surrounded. Thousands of houses must be razed to the ground to find a site for one dwelling for a king. His palace must be gorgeous with riches; its halls must be paved with marble, and its walls set with jewels; fountains must sparkle there; there must be beds of eider on which monarchs may recline; music, such as other ears do not hear, wines from the uttermost regions of the earth, and all manner of delights, are reserved for kings; precious stones and gems adorn their crowns; and everything that is rich and rare must be brought to deck the monarch, and increase the majesty of his kingdom.

    Well, Christian, when speaking of Christ’s kingdom, you are to talk of its majesty. Tell of your Saviour’s glorious majesty; speak of the many crowns that he wears upon his head. Tell of the crown of grace which he wears continually; tell of the crown of victory which perpetually proclaims the triumphs he has won over the foe; tell of the crown of love wherewith his Father crowned him in the day of his espousals to his Church,—the crown which he has won by ten thousand hearts which he has broken, and untold myriads of spirits which he has bound up. Tell to all mankind that the glory of your Saviour’s majesty far exceeds the glories of the ancient kings of Assyria and India. Tell that, before his throne above, there stand, in glorious state, not princes, but angels; not servants in gorgeous liveries, but cherubs, with wings of fire, waiting to obey his mighty behests. Tell that his palace is floored with gold, and that he has no need of lamps, or even of the sun, to enlighten it, for he himself is the light thereof. Tell ye to the whole world what is the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

    But once more, Christians, in speaking of the glory of Christ’s kingdom, you must talk of its duration, for much of the honour of the kingdom depends upon the time it has lasted. In verse 13, the psalmist says, “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.” If one should say to you, concerning an earthly monarch, “Our king sits upon a throne which his ancestors have occupied for many generations;” tell him that a thousand years are to your King but as one day. If another tells you that his king has crowns which were worn by kings a thousand years ago, smile in his face, and tell him that a thousand years are as nothing in Christ’s sight. When they speak of the antiquity of churches, tell them that you belong to a very ancient Church. If they talk to you of the venerable character of the religion which they profess, tell them that you believe in a very venerable religion, for yours is a religion which was from everlasting. Christ’s kingdom was set up long before this world was brought forth; when as yet neither sun, nor moon, nor stars, had been created, Christ’s kingdom was firmly established. I wish Christians would more often talk about the glory of their Master’s kingdom with regard to the time it has lasted. If you would begin to talk of the past history of God’s Church, you would never have to exclaim, “I have said all that can be said about it, and I have nothing more to say.” You would need eternity to keep on going back, back, back, until you came to God alone; and then you might say,—

“In his mighty breast I see, Eternal thoughts of love to me.”