The Preacher's Library

We are in a series of sermons entitled The Preacher. We've seen The Preacher's Duty, The Preacher's Preparation, and The Preacher's Message. And this evening I want to look at The Preacher's Library.

Men whom God has used in former times need to be studied for a benefit today in the spread of the gospel. And I know from experience, friends, that reading biographies of individuals whom God has mightily used is a means to keep the coals burning upon the altar of our heart as we serve God in our generation. The Apostle Paul exhorted his disciple Timothy in 1 Timothy 4.13, But till I come, give attendance to reading.

And with that in mind, friends, I want to recommend some Christian biographies to you, which would be a great addition to your preaching library so you could get more on fire for God. Most of these books can be purchased on the Internet. Some I will list the publisher for you.

And I want to recommend ten biographies to you. And if you add them to your library and really study them, you'll benefit greatly for your time invested. Here now is that list.

God used Mordecai Ham in powerful revivals. Ham was pistol whipped. He was beaten with a chain.

And even tarred and feathered and about to be hung from a tree before the Texas mayor had to call in the U.S. Calvary to rescue the evangelist. It's a great book. Number two, The Lost Journals of John Song by his daughter Levi.

John Song was a genius with a Ph.D. in chemistry who was saved while in seminary in New York City. He was so transformed that the president of the seminary thought Song was insane and had him committed to a local insane asylum for 193 days. And during that time, John Song read his Bible through 44 times and God gave him a key word out of every chapter.

And he used that time as a training ground for Song before sending him back to his native China where God shook that entire continent under Song's mighty preaching. Number three, D.O. Moody Biography by John Pollock. Moody was an uneducated man who heard someone say, God is looking for the man who is wholly consecrated to Him.

And Moody muttered beneath his breath, By God's grace I will be that man. And Moody could hold 10,000 hearers at a time in major cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London. Moody said that God came to him and told him one day, Moody, here is a lifeboat, go fill it.

And Moody, by God's grace, did. Number four, Jonathan Edwards Biography by Ian Murray. Jonathan Edwards needs to be studied, friends, especially the time of revival in Northampton under his ministry there.

It's a great book. Number five, George Whitefield, the definitive biography in two volumes published by Revival Literature. What can I say about Whitefield? I stand amazed at his wonderful life, lived on the false stretch for his master.

God used Whitefield to shake two continents in revival. Study this man and go and do likewise. Number six, Azahel Nettleton's biography, Revival Preacher, published by Revival Literature.

Nettleton was the primary figure of the Second Great Awakening. He saw more revivals than Jonathan Edwards, and his worthy life is worth serious study. Number seven, God's Hitchhike Evangelist, the biography of Rolf Barnard.

Revival Literature published it. Rolf Barnard was used of God to bring 100,000 souls to Christ through powerful revivals in the South. His preaching will disturb you.

Number eight, the journals of David Brainerd, put together by Jonathan Edwards. Brainerd burned himself out in the Northeast, laboring among the Indians. Few men have had such a lasting impact on the church as David Brainerd.

Every time I visit his grave in Northampton, I'm humbled by his selfless life for Christ and the gospel. Number nine, the biography of Charles Spurgeon, by Lewis Drummond. The great Spurgeon needs to be studied because we need to preach what he preached to the lost today.

And number ten, the biography of C.T. Studd, by Norman Grubb. C.T. Studd gave his inherited fortune away to spread the gospel, doing what the rich young ruler would not. Then he poured out his life in China, India, and Africa as a missionary for the sake of souls.

Studd wrote, Some want to live within the sound of church and chapel bell. I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell. And he also penned, Only one life will soon be passed.

Only what's done for Christ will last. And I get charged, friends, every time I read him, and I feel ashamed for my lack. Well, friends, I hope this list of books will help you, and I hope you can acquire them one by one, and read them, and study them.

You will be well rewarded. Let us pray.