Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" October 24th

 Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" October 24th

Morning

“I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.”

Acts 2:1-21

Acts 2:1

Ancient Israel celebrated at Pentecost the feast of harvest: behold, here by the outpouring of the Spirit three thousand souls are to be in one day gathered into the granary of the Lord. Observe how unity and prayerfulness prevailed when the blessing of God descended upon the church.

Acts 2:2

This appealed to their hearing, and was a fit accompaniment of the sacred breath of the Spirit.

Acts 2:3

The fire appealed to their sight. It is an instructive emblem of the spiritual energy of the Holy Ghost. A tongue set on fire of hell is Satan’s choice weapon; but tongues inflamed from above are the special instruments of grace.

Acts 2:12 , Acts 2:13

Men are sure to be divided in opinion upon the best and divinest things. Some wonder ignorantly, others ridicule maliciously, and a few adore reverently.

Acts 2:14 , Acts 2:15

Again we notice the mildness of Peter, he does not grow indignant at the charge of drunkenness, but answers it with the gentlest argument. His discourse which follows is most of it quoted from the Old Testament. Christ’s scholars never become wiser than the Bible; the Spirit is given, not to supersede the Scriptures, but to enable us to understand and use them.

Acts 2:16-20

These signs of wrath began to show themselves when Israel slew its King upon the cross; then the sun was turned into darkness. Yet more powerfully did they occur at the destruction of Jerusalem: blood, fire, and vapour of smoke filled the whole city. The year of the redeemed is also the day of vengeance of our God.

Acts 2:21

This portion from Joel is read in the service of the Karaite Jews on the day of Pentecost, and it is extremely probable that it was the lesson for the day in Peters time; he was therefore doubly wise in making it his text.

Acts 2:21

The last verse is so encouraging that we will read it again

Acts 2:21

Is any one of us now seeking the Lord? Let him find comfort in this gracious assurance, for no soul ever perished calling upon the name of the Lord.

Evening

“Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?”

Acts 2:22-42 , Acts 2:47

Peter having begun to preach, soon came to the marrow of his subject, and testified concerning Jesus.

Acts 2:22-24

This was plain speech. Peter had no fear of man, he pressed the truth home upon the conscience. Pray for all ministers that they may be equally courageous.

Acts 2:29-32

David’s prophecy and the witness of the apostles agreed together; here was convincing evidence for all devout inquirers. Nor was this all, for the miraculous gifts now manifestly bestowed were further proofs of the Messiahship of Jesus. Peter proceeded to dwell upon that argument.

Acts 2:34 , Acts 2:35

David could not have referred to himself, but to one who was his Lord, even to Jesus, now risen and ascended.

Acts 2:37

The concluding words, “Him have ye crucified,” were the sharp hook by which, as a good fisher of men, Peter caught their hearts. The first word of the awakened showed a right feeling; Peter’s love in calling them “men and brethren,” had created love in them, and they, in return, address the despised disciples by the same name. If there are any unconverted ones in this family, may they even now inquire, “What shall we do to be saved?”

Acts 2:40

His gospel was very simple; believing repentance, and baptismal profession were required, and nothing more. This same gospel belonged to their children as well as to themselves.

Acts 2:47

Let us pray that such a state of things may again be seen among the people of God, and let us try to produce it.

Thou art gone up on high,

To mansions in the skies;

And round thy throne unceasingly

The songs of praise arise.

Thou art gone up on high;

But thou wilt come again,

With all the bright ones of the sky

Attendant in thy train.

Forthwith a tongue of fire

Is seen on every brow;

Each heart receives the Father’s light,

The Word’s enkindling glow.

The Holy Ghost on all

Is mightily outpoured,

Who straight in divers tongues declare

The wonders of the Lord.

The Father and the Son,

And Spirit we adore;

Oh, may the Spirit’s gifts be poured

On us for evermore.

What a beautiful sight, when the children of light

In their primitive purity shone!

The disciples of old never strayed from the fold,

But they all were united in one.

The affections of grace were with prayer and with praise

Carried on with their every employ;

Their meals were all blest, and their hearts they expressed

In songs of angelical joy.

Their impotent foes could no longer oppose,

Or withhold their extorted esteem;

But were forced to give place to a torrent of grace,

And were all carried down with the stream.

Our hearts adore the matchless name,

Omnipotent to bless,

The name of Jesus, still the same

Despite our feebleness.

Once in the temple gate we lay

Crippled, till he restored;

But lo, we stand and walk to-day,

Yea, leap to praise the Lord.

All hail, thou dear restoring name,

We will our tongues employ,

To bid the souls which still are lame,

Believe and leap for joy.

Though sinners boldly join against the Lord to rise,

Against his Christ combine, th’ Anointed to despise;

Though earth disdain, and hell engage,

Vain is their rage, their counsel vain.

Jesus the Saviour reigns! on Sion is his throne;

The Lord’s decree sustains his own begotten Son:

Up from the grave he bids him rise,

And mount the skies, with power to save.

Oh, serve the Lord with fear, and rev’rence his command;

With sacred joy draw near, with solemn trembling stand;

Kneel at his throne, your homage bear,

His power declare, and kiss the Son.

Be the matter what it may,

Speak the honest truth alway;

He who lies a pain to waive,

Is at heart a coward slave.

He who speaks with lying tongue

Adds to wrong a greater wrong,

Much provoked is God Most High,

When we dare to tell a lie.

Unaw’d by man’s authority,

Unable to forbear,

What we have seen and heard of thee,

O Lord, we must declare.

The balmy virtue of thy death

We must through life proclaim,

And publish with our latest breath,

Salvation through thy name.

Jesus stands with arms extended,

(Risen from his dazzling throne),

Sees his servants’ warfare ended,

Sends his flaming chariot down,

Smiles triumphant,

Reaches out the palm and crown.

Should he call e’en us t’inherit

Joys for martyr’d saints prepared,

He will fill us with his Spirit,

Pledge of our supreme reward;

Sinking, dying,

We shall view our heavenly Lord.

Study FurtherRelated passages, insights, and questions for personal reflection.

Take today’s devotional further. Explore related Scriptures and open any verse in the Study Desk for deeper study.

    Joel 2:28: "It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, Your old men will have dreams, Your young men will see visions.
    Original prophecy Peter cites of Spirit poured on all flesh.
    ↳ Where do you see God's Spirit stirring dreams or visions in you?
    John 7:38: "The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"
    Jesus promised rivers of living Spirit to believers.
    ↳ How is Christ's living water flowing through your daily life?
    Acts 4:12: "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved."
    Salvation only in the name Peter proclaimed.
    ↳ Are you resting fully in Jesus' name for your salvation?
    Romans 10:13: for "EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
    Echoes Joel: whoever calls on Lord shall be saved.
    ↳ Have you personally called on the Lord's name today?
    Ezekiel 36:26: "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
    Promise of new heart accompanying the Spirit's outpouring.
    ↳ What stony part of your heart needs God's softening now?

Meet the Author

Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher, born in Kelvedon, England. From 1854 until his death he was pastor in London of the New Park Street Chapel, later renamed the Metropolitan Tabernacle. In 1856 he founded the Pastors' College, later Spurgeon's College, and he also founded the Stockwell Orphanage. His many books include the devotionals "Morning and Evening" and "The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith" (presented here as Faith's Checkbook), and "The Treasury of David."

Sources: Wikipedia
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This resource was produced before 1923 and therefore is considered in the "Public Domain".