Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina
Expensive Buddy,
I’m scripting this letter from the campus of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. It’s my humble privilege to have been invited to ship the 2025 Adams Lecture Collection on preaching. Being within the firm of the seminary’s college and the scholars they’re making ready for pastoral ministry supplies a powerful reminder of the immense privilege and accountability of being known as by God to shepherd the individuals of God.
Final night, when addressing the preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, I used to be struck once more by the mighty wrestle that confronted Lloyd-Jones when he sensed the decision of God to step away from his medical follow to tackle the pastorate of what was little greater than a mission corridor in Port Talbot, South Wales. There was no earthly purpose why this younger physician and his wife-to-be (additionally a physician) would depart the safety and status of St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London for such a frightening prospect.
The church secretary, who’s to be counseled for his honesty, knowledgeable Lloyd-Jones of the character of the district to which he was going, describing it as a group of “at the least 5000 males, ladies and youngsters residing for probably the most half in sordid and overcrowded circumstances …. Nearly 90 per cent of those individuals don’t attend anywhere of worship, for there’s a gross indifference amongst the respectable working class kind, while a depravity born of sin enmeshes the good majority. The bookie, publican and prostitute prosper right here and instantly problem us.”
Writing to his future brother-in-law, Martyn Lloyd-Jones stated, “Nothing can or will stop my going about to inform individuals of ‘the excellent news.’”
Lloyd-Jones was arguably the best preacher in England within the twentieth century. He was born in 1899, simply seven years after the dying of Spurgeon, who, in making ready younger males for ministry, didn’t disguise from them the challenges awaiting them. “Brothers,” Spurgeon wrote, “our work is solemnly momentous, involving good or unwell to 1000’s; we take care of souls for God on everlasting enterprise.” In gentle of the problem, he urged his congregation to wish for him and his fellow ministers as a result of, he stated, “we’re depressing males if we miss the assistance of your prayers.” His message was “Could God assist me, in case you stop to wish for me! Let me know the day, and I need to stop to evangelise. Let me know once you intend to stop your prayers, and I shall cry, ‘O my God, give me at the present time my tomb, and let me slumber within the mud.’”
I do know that a few of you have got inspired your pastor to be current this month for Fundamentals 2025. As we collect, we shall be upheld by your prayers for God to pour out the riches of His grace and encourage us to be sober-minded, to be ready to endure struggling, to do the work of evangelism, and to discharge all of the duties of our ministry.
With my love within the Lord Jesus,
Alistair
