Thursday, March 17, 2011

Not the slightest idea

Image:  William Wilberforce

An illustration from a recent message on Romans 8:5-11:

The story is told that William Wilberforce once took his unconverted friend William Pitt to hear the well-known preacher William Cecil. Cecil preached so powerfully that Wilberforce was sure that Pitt must have been moved, but as they left the gathering Pitt turned to his friend and said, “You know, Wilberforce, I have not the slightest idea what that man has been talking about” (as cited by Boice, Romans, Volume 2, p. 809).

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9b).

JTR

1 comment:

Homeschool on the Croft said...

...and how often we sit through sermons and think, 'so-and-so MUST be hearing this. Surely it's gonna be blessed to them'. And that very so-and-so will come out and begin talking about the weather. ...

We ought to know better. Wasn't Spurgeon converted through the 'preaching' of a man who could hardly get two thoughts out together? One dart with the power of the Spirit and that's all it takes. Otherwise, supposing the Apostle Paul was in the pulpit week after week, .... nothing.