Charles Spurgeon

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Gospel Of Luke

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Here are four quotes from four different voices on themes in the Gospel of Luke:

Charles Spurgeon — God’s joy over the repentant sinner

“There is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance.”

— Luke 15:7 (KJV), a verse Spurgeon frequently preached on.

Luke 15 contains the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son. The message is unmistakable: God doesn’t merely tolerate returning sinners. He welcomes them.

William Barclay — The Gospel is for everyone

“All the barriers are down; Jesus Christ is for all men without distinction.”

— William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible, Introduction to Luke.

Barclay calls Luke the universal Gospel. Luke repeatedly emphasizes Jesus’ concern for Samaritans, Gentiles, women, the poor, and people considered outsiders by the religious establishment.

Charles Spurgeon — Salvation is grace, not religious merit

“Salvation is not of merit but of grace.”

— Charles Spurgeon, The Lost Silver Piece, sermon on Luke 15:8–10 (1871).

Spurgeon highlights a central message of Luke: God’s mercy reaches those who know they need it, not those who believe they’ve earned His approval.

Jesus Christ — The mission to seek and save

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

— Jesus Christ, Luke 19:10 (KJV).

Spoken after Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus, this statement summarizes Luke’s portrayal of Christ’s mission. Jesus didn’t come to build an exclusive religious club. He came to seek and save lost people.

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Gospel Of Mark

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Here are four quotes from four different Christian voices, each touching a major theme in the Gospel of Mark:

R. T. France — on Mark’s emphasis on Jesus’ identity: “The central question of Mark’s Gospel is, Who is Jesus?”

William Barclay — on Mark’s fast-moving portrait of Jesus: “Mark’s Gospel is essentially an action story.”

David Guzik — on Mark 10:45 and servanthood: “Jesus came to serve, and to give.”

Charles Spurgeon — on the disciples’ failure to understand Jesus: “The best of men are but men at the best.”

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Matthew

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Here are four quotes from four different voices on themes in the Book of Matthew:

Charles Spurgeon — on Matthew’s central theme:

    “Matthew’s Gospel is the Gospel of the Kingdom, and of the King.”
    That captures Matthew remarkably well: Jesus is presented as the promised King, announcing and demonstrating the Kingdom of Heaven. (Christian Classics Ethereal Library)

    D. A. Carson, describing R. T. France’s work on Matthew:

      “Well written and judicious on both critical and theological issues.”
      Carson’s observation points to something important about Matthew itself: the Gospel rewards both historical study and theological reflection, particularly regarding Jesus as Messiah, Israel, and the Kingdom. (Biblical Studies)

      Robert H. Smith — on the radical grace displayed in Jesus’ parables in Matthew:

        “People regularly understand and appreciate God’s strange calculus of grace as applied to themselves but fear and resent seeing it applied to others.”
        That’s a particularly sharp summary of Matthew 20’s parable of the workers in the vineyard—and of Jesus’ repeated challenge to religious assumptions about who deserves God’s favor. (friarmusings)

        R. T. France — on that same parable and the surprising nature of God’s Kingdom:

          “No one has been cheated; the agreement has been scrupulously observed.”
          France points out that Matthew 20 deliberately makes God’s generosity seem unsettling. The issue isn’t whether God is unjust, but whether we’re willing to accept His generosity toward people we think deserve less. (friarmusings)

          Matthew introduces Jesus not merely as a religious teacher offering some helpful life advice, but as the King announcing a Kingdom.

          They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Malachi

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          Here are four quotes from four different voices on themes in the Book of Malachi:

          G. Campbell Morgan — on empty religious ritual:

            “I am more afraid of the profanity of the sanctuary than I am of the profanity of the street.”

            Charles Spurgeon — on Malachi 3:17 and God’s “jewels”:

              “Our God, who regards quality more than quantity…”

              Matthew Henry — on Malachi as the final prophetic voice of the Old Testament:

                “Though he be the last… the Spirit of prophecy shines as clearly, as strongly, as brightly in him as in any that went before.”

                Dwight L. Moody — paired with Malachi’s criticism of weary, halfhearted worship:

                  “I get tired in the work, but I never get tired of the work.”

                  Malachi’s target isn’t atheism. It’s comfortable, going-through-the-motions religion—people who still show up, still perform the rituals, and still use God’s name, but whose hearts have checked out. That’s probably one reason this 2,400-year-old little book can still hit uncomfortably close to home.

                  They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Haggai

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                  Here are four thoughtful quotes from four different voices on Haggai:

                  Warren W. Wiersbe — on the excuses the people made for postponing God’s work:

                  “Too often we make excuses when we ought to be making confessions and obeying the Lord.”

                  Charles Spurgeon — on Haggai’s command to “consider your ways”:

                  “Consider your ways practically by altering them.”

                  J. Alec Motyer — on the returned exiles’ misplaced priorities:

                    “Their problem was not lack of goods but of good.”

                    David Guzik — on God’s response once the people finally obeyed:

                      “He always empowers and encourages us to do what He commands.”

                      Haggai’s message is remarkably contemporary: Stop making spiritual-sounding excuses, take a hard look at your priorities, and then do something about them.

                      They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Zephaniah

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                      Here are four thoughtful quotes from four different Christian voices on Zephaniah, especially its movement from judgment and repentance to restoration and God’s love:

                      Charles Spurgeon — on Zephaniah 3:17:

                        “This presence alone suffices to inspire us with peace and hope.”

                        G. Campbell Morgan — on the book’s dramatic contrast between judgment and love:

                        “It is the heartbeat of God that throbs through these passages.”

                        John Calvin — summarizing Zephaniah’s message to the faithful:

                          “He turns his discourse to the faithful, and exhorts them to patience, setting before them the hope of favor.”

                          Matthew Henry — on the overall message of Zephaniah:

                            “[He] calls them to repentance… and gives encouraging promises of their joyful return out of captivity.”

                            They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Nahum

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                            Here are four thoughtful quotes from respected Christian leaders and theologians on the Book of Nahum:

                            John Calvin (1509–1564) — on the purpose of Nahum’s prophecy: “The design of the Prophet was to comfort the Jews, by showing that God would undertake their cause.”

                            Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892) — on Nahum 1:7: “Right in the middle of the surging flood stands out, like a green island, this most cheering, comforting, and delightful text.”

                            J. Vernon McGee (1904–1988) — on the central message of Nahum: “Nahum reveals the other side of the attributes of God. God is love, but God is also holy and righteous and good.”

                            Warren Wiersbe (1929–2019) — on Nineveh’s coming judgment: “God had patiently dealt with Nineveh, but now His judgment was going to fall.”

                            They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Jonah

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                            Here are four thoughtful quotes from respected spiritual leaders and influencers on the Book of Jonah.

                            Charles H. Spurgeon

                            “Most of us would be willing to obey the Lord if we were allowed to choose our own road. But the test of obedience is whether we will follow the path He appoints.”
                            — Often used in connection with Spurgeon’s sermons on Jonah, emphasizing Jonah’s flight from God’s calling.

                            J. Vernon McGee

                            “The Book of Jonah is not about a great fish swallowing a little man. It is about a great God who has compassion on a great city.”
                            — From McGee’s Thru the Bible commentary on Jonah.

                            Tim Keller

                            “Jonah is not just the story of a man running from God; it is the story of God’s relentless grace pursuing both the rebellious prophet and the sinful city.”
                            — From The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God’s Mercy.

                            Warren W. Wiersbe

                            “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”
                            — Frequently cited by Wiersbe in connection with Jonah’s story in Be Amazed (Minor Prophets), highlighting God’s sustaining grace even when His servants fail.

                            They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Joel

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                            Here are four thoughtful quotes from respected spiritual leaders and influencers on the Book of Joel.

                            Matthew Henry

                            “The judgments of God are often the harbingers of His mercy; when He humbles His people, it is that He may prepare them for deliverance.”

                            (Commentary on Joel 2)

                            Charles H. Spurgeon

                            “Joel’s trumpet still sounds across the centuries, calling men to repentance before the great and terrible day of the Lord.”

                            (From a sermon on Joel 2:1)

                            John Calvin

                            “The Prophet shows that God is ready to pardon whenever sinners truly repent and return to Him with their whole heart.”

                            (Commentary on Joel 2:12–13)

                            A. W. Tozer

                            “Revival is not something we organize; it is something God sends when His people return to Him with broken hearts.”

                            (A theme Tozer frequently connected with Joel 2:12–17 and the biblical call to repentance.)

                            They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Lamentations

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                            “There is no voice in the Bible that gives such sorrow words to speak as the Book of Lamentations. Yet even here, hope flickers in the dark: ‘Great is thy faithfulness.’” — Charles Spurgeon

                            “Lament is not the opposite of faith. It is one of the purest expressions of faith. The Book of Lamentations teaches us that God’s people are allowed to grieve honestly before Him.” — N. T. Wright

                            “The tears of Jeremiah in Lamentations remind us that holiness does not make a man cold. The closer we are to God, the more deeply we feel the tragedy of sin and suffering.” — A. W. Tozer

                            “Lamentations is the cry of a broken heart that still believes God reigns. It shows us that even in judgment, God’s mercy has the final word.” — Tim Keller