"Dr. Lloyd-Jones was not another young minister fresh out of a liberal
theological college, trimming his message to contemporary opinion and
the prejudices of his congregation. He was determined to preach the
message with the crystal clarity in which it had come to him. That was
too much for some of the congregation and they left. But in their place -
slowly at first - there came increasing numbers who were gripped by the
truth, the working class of South Wales. The message brought them, and
the Holy Spirit converted them. There were no dramatic appeals, just a
young man with the clear message of God's justice and his love, which
brought one ‘hard case’ after another to repentance and conversion.
The church in Aberavon grew with the steady stream of conversions. Notorious drunkards became glorious Christians and working men and women came to the Bible classes which he and his wife conducted, to learn the doctrines of their new-found faith. Around South Wales other churches that were often starved of sound teaching and of preaching which dealt with the world as it was (in the depth of the great slump), invited him to their pulpits. His reputation grew across the Principality and beyond."
Let this account of the greatest biblical preacher in the UK in the twentieth century encourage all those who are in the preaching/pastoral ministry. Ministers who have made any impact for the Gospel have always faced almost insurmountable problems and opposition. But remember this: the person who is most vicious in his/her opposition is the most likely candidate for conversion. I have seem this in my ministry, and in the ministry of others. These people kick hard against the Gospel because that Gospel has come very close to them; it has impacted their lives in a way that they never knew before. So close is Christ to them that in His amazing grace
The church in Aberavon grew with the steady stream of conversions. Notorious drunkards became glorious Christians and working men and women came to the Bible classes which he and his wife conducted, to learn the doctrines of their new-found faith. Around South Wales other churches that were often starved of sound teaching and of preaching which dealt with the world as it was (in the depth of the great slump), invited him to their pulpits. His reputation grew across the Principality and beyond."
Let this account of the greatest biblical preacher in the UK in the twentieth century encourage all those who are in the preaching/pastoral ministry. Ministers who have made any impact for the Gospel have always faced almost insurmountable problems and opposition. But remember this: the person who is most vicious in his/her opposition is the most likely candidate for conversion. I have seem this in my ministry, and in the ministry of others. These people kick hard against the Gospel because that Gospel has come very close to them; it has impacted their lives in a way that they never knew before. So close is Christ to them that in His amazing grace
they could be in the Kingdom in the twinkling of an eye.
Until that time comes, they can make life exceedingly difficult for the faithful Gospel minister, and for his family. But God is faithful and will not allow his servants to suffer beyond what they are able to bear, but will, with the temptation, opposition, persecution, make a way of escape, so that they are not destroyed by it.
Until that time comes, they can make life exceedingly difficult for the faithful Gospel minister, and for his family. But God is faithful and will not allow his servants to suffer beyond what they are able to bear, but will, with the temptation, opposition, persecution, make a way of escape, so that they are not destroyed by it.
That is the kind of organic growth we want to see in the churches. We pray to that end.
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