The writings of Charles Spurgeon always challenge me, especially as I prepare to preach. Here are words that grab me today:
"Then, . . . we must preach interestingly. The people will not be converted while they are asleep; and if they go to sleep, they had better have been at home in bed, where they would sleep much more comfortably. We must have the minds of our hearers awake and active if we are to do them real good. You will not shoot your birds unless you get them to fly, you must get them started up from the long grass in which they are hiding. I would sooner use a little of what some very proper preachers regard as a dreadful thing, that wicked thing called humour,—I would sooner wake the congregation up that way than have it said that I droned away at them until we all went to sleep together."
Spurgeon, Charles H. (2005-01-16). The Soul Winner (Kindle Locations 895-900). Old LandMark Publishing. Kindle Edition.