Charles H. Spurgeon said, "In many places dedicated to the Lord, the name of Jesus is too often kept in the background. The Holy Spirit is almost entirely neglected, and very little is said concerning His sacred influence. . . . May God send us a Christ-exalting, Spirit-loving ministry."
Spurgeon understood full well that our ministry is to exalt Jesus Christ. Yet, Spurgeon warned that the Holy Spirit is almost entirely neglected. He realized that preaching the gospel without the power of the Holy Spirit is vain and empty. Therefore, his ministry both exalted Jesus and depended upon the Holy Spirit to give the results.
Christ was exalted on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of people. The promise of the Father was fulfilled just as Jesus had spoken (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit came with great power to exalt Jesus as Lord. The Holy Spirit was sent to draw people to Jesus. Three thousand repented and received Jesus Christ that very day. They were filled with the Holy Spirit to exalt Jesus Christ as Lord.
Spurgeon understood that the effectiveness of our ministry is totally dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, his primary focus was upon preaching the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason for that is simple. Spurgeon knew that the Holy Spirit's ministry is effective through us, when we focus on the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:3).
