A Noble Work

C.H. Spurgeon on preaching to the glory of God:

The grand object of the Christian ministry is the glory of God. Whether souls are converted or not, if Jesus Christ be faithfully preached, the minister has not labored in vain, for he is a sweet savour unto God as well in them that perish as in them that are saved. Yet as a rule, God has sent us to preach in order that through the gospel of Jesus Christ the sons of men may be reconciled to him…It is ours to sow even in the stony places, where no fruit rewards our toil; but still we are bound to look for a harvest, and mourn, if it does not appear in due time.

The glory of God being our chief object we aim at it by seeking the edification of saints and the salvation of sinners. It is a noble work to instruct the people of God, and to build them up in their most holy faith: we may by no means neglect this duty. To this end we must give clear statements of gospel doctrine, of vital experience, and of Christian duty, and never shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God. (Lectures to My Students)