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One Reason God Delays Answers To Prayer

July 6, 2012 by Christina

The following excerpt is from a sermon entitled, “The Woman of Canaan in Prayer.”  Here, Ichabod Spencer, affectionately regarded as The Bunyan of Brooklyn, encourages his congregation to persevere in prayer when God delays answers. The text for his sermon is Matthew 15:28, “Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.”

“God is not to be judged of by man’s wisdom. He has a way of his own. But one thing is certain, delay of answer is no denial; and the woman who lies at Christ’s feet in tears, where faith put her, shall yet be glad that she lay there. If you can not rejoice in the answer as you seek God, keep seeking, and the answer is sure; it may be swelling in sweetness and magnitude as it delays. The woman’s power to persevere in prayer was itself part of her answer. It was grace which Christ bestowed upon her, while he did not appear to be bestowing anything. Consequently her prayer becomes the more earnest and humble as she waits and pleads for an answer.

Sometimes when a desired blessing comes at once the soul is rather injured than benefited by it. Prayer languishes, and the sense of dependence melts away, and the soul wanders off from God. At other times the answer is delayed, and then faith is stirred upon the soul, and the individual cries like the Psalmist: My soul followeth hard after thee. As the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

It is one of the marks of true prayer where the heart is quickened, and will not be discouraged or dispirited by delayed answer.  While this heart stricken woman was holding on to her purpose and refusing to give back, perhaps, indeed probably it never entered into her heart that her Lord was strengthening her just to pray.  She probably felt just as any of you would, or as many of you have, when in the time of your trouble you have not obtained your request, but have not ceased to solicit.  Your felt unanswered – not satisfied – not happy.  Oh, you did not know that the grace to persevere in that prayer was the very richest answer you could have.  You knew it only afterward. And you could remember it then with such a vividness and belief in the power of prayer as you never could have had, if your answer had come as soon as you opened your lips to supplicate.

“There is a light in the inner sanctuary which does not shine in the exterior courts of God’s house. There is a spirit of intimacy and communion, of solemnity and satisfaction in God, which no man can reach without mustering all the power within him, and embarking all his soul in supplication. God delays to answer in order to draw the sinner. He is too far off for one of God’s children.  God wants him nearer. And he lets them go unanswered till he comes nearer and nearer, and gets into the presence of God, and is filled with the sacredness and sweetness of the secrets of God’s tabernacle.  The delay just leads him up to God’s heart and makes him acquainted with it.” 

Rev M. Sherwood, The Bunyan of Brooklyn: the Life and Practical Sermons of Ichabod Spencer, (Birmingham: Solid Ground Books, 2004), 243-245.

The Bunyan of Brooklyn on Enduring Temptations

October 8, 2011 by Christina

Ichabod Spencer, affectionately regarded by many as “The Bunyan of Brooklyn” has become a spiritual hero of mine for more than a few reasons.

For starters, he’s from Brooklyn.  Fuhgeddaboudit! In fact, his former church is located on the corners of two streets that my family called home for many years (Remsen and Clinton). Little did I know that I was walking on the very pavement that this faithful herald of the Gospel also once traveled. Sadly the church has since been converted to condos.

Spencer upheld and preached  the doctrines of grace. Otherwise known as Calvinism, these doctrines teach that every aspect of salvation is from the Lord, and ultimately for His glory. These precious doctrines are woven throughout each page of the Bible — from Genesis to Revelation. Spencer is but one of many in a long succession of godly men who knew the life changing power of these glorious truths and  was not ashamed to proclaim it.

Ichabod Spencer was a caring shepherd with a broken heart.  Despite constant bouts with sickness and pain, he made approximately 700 home visits per year. He was the kind of pastor who was not afraid to enter the messy lives of the sheep.  He labored, with all his strength, not for a great name or a great ministry but that Christ would be formed in the souls entrusted to his care.  Would to God that there were more shepherds like this.

Although his brilliant mind and powerful preaching could have opened many opportunities to travel and speak, he was known to decline (except in rare instances) most of the invitations he received.  This is probably why his name is not as well-known as some of his contemporaries. Instead Spencer sought to serve God faithfully in the very place God put him.

Lastly, Ichabod Spencer is buried in Brooklyn’s historic Greenwood Cemetery alongside some pretty famous people…not the least of which is my grandma! Well, what can I say?  She’s famous in my book!

With all of that said, I never tire of reading the works of Ichabod Spencer. How evident it is that he gloried in nothing but the cross of Christ! Oh, how the church needs this kind of preaching today.

In the following excerpt, from his sermon, “Enduring Temptation” Spencer expounds upon James 1:12 which says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”  

I pray that it challenge and comfort your soul at once — just as it did mine. Trials and temptations of all kinds are to be expected in this life.  Yet, our “only wise method of resistance” is the anticipation of the promise that God, “has provided something better for us” (Heb 11: 39). Listen…

“Is it not true that some of you, who at times attempt to seek God, have very little idea of encountering difficulty? Do you not stop and turn back when some unwelcome doctrine, opposed to pride, or some severe duty opposed to carnality, meets you?  You can never become Christians in this way.  You may be deceived, but you can not be saved!

If you think to get to heaven without trouble, you are mistaken! It will cost you many a struggle!

That depraved heart will bleed before it will relinquish sin! It must break before it will be bound up and healed by the balm of Gilead!

Salvation is indeed free; the blood that bought it flowed freely from the offered heart of the Son of God.  Pardon is easy, but the repentance and faith that embrace it must surmount many obstacles. Never was striving more requisite than in a sinner with a wicked heart in a wicked world, endeavoring to lay hold of eternal life.”  

Oh dear, can anyone relate?  But, here is the encouragement:

“In Scripture times believers found difficulties.  Temptations assailed them, hard to overcome. Their eye was cheered with nothing in this world. They were only comforted by the promises, and promises which they could not inherit till they were dead and gone!

And has religion changed its nature-or the heart its sin-or Heaven its mercy?…But if you are enduring temptation, take the consolation of the promise. You shall not endure in vain.  The day dawneth. Its light breaks upon your eye afar off. It shall light your pilgrim steps till it has lighted you down into the sepulcher-nor be extinguished there! It shall brighten up the dark valley-for the grave is Christ’s.

Fear not, then. If you do love God and live upon His promises, and by doing so, are held above the world and enabled to endure temptation, go on – go and prosper – go, mortify the flesh – go, resist the devil – go, vanquish the world – go,endure temptation, and, when you are tried, go and receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

Oh God, grant it to us all, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” 

The Bunyan of Brooklyn: The life and Practical Sermons of Ichabod Spencer by Rev. J. M. Sherwood, Solid Ground Christian Books, (Vestavia Hills, AL), 2003, pages 214-215.

This was no celebrity pastor

January 12, 2011 by Christina

Known as “The Bunyan of Brooklyn”, Ichabod Spencer was the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, NY in the early 1800′s. He faithfully taught and preached the Doctrines of Grace and cared tenderly for the flock that God entrusted to him.  Despite his constant bouts with sickness and pain, he made approximately 700 home visits per year and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully.

In The Bunyan of Brooklyn: The Life and Practical Sermons of Ichabod Spencer, Rev. J. M Sherwood describes Spencer as a humble pastor who gave himself wholly to serving the sheep in the ministry of the Word. I suppose the Rev. Spencer knew a thing or two about depravity and the pride of life.  While some might argue  that his choices were extreme, one thing is clear:  Ichabod Spencer was a true shepherd who shunned and rejected any potential compromise or threat to the purity and integrity of the ministry that God entrusted him with. I’m sure you will agree that this brand of humility is rare today and flies in the face of all that today’s Hollywood-Celebrity-like pastor has come to represent.

May God raise up humble men in our generation, like Rev. Spencer, to shepherd the flock of God and faithfully preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“No man sought celebrity less than Dr. Spencer. He avoided everything that looked like a flourish of trumpets, and was severe on those who resorted to newspapers and other usual ways to obtain notoriety or reputation.  He seldom went abroad, except in exchanges with his brethren. He did not take a prominent part in the management of our Public Charities and Institutions; was never foremost on anniversary occasions; and never aimed to take the lead in ecclesiastical meetings.  He was modest, as real merit usually is – would not push himself forward – was content to be a worker. Some of his friends felt that he did himself injustice in these matters. But it was characteristic of him.  Still he became early and extensively known in the Church, and was highly appreciated by the wise and good. Few men have received, wholly uninvited, more flattering and urgent solicitations than he. He seldom spoke of these; never trumpeted them through the land. And he observed one rule most conscientiously through life, which is too often violated by good men, and the violation of which, from whatever motive prompted, is productive of not a little mischief to the Church, and in the end injures those who indulge in it. Dr. Spencer received numerous overtures from various individuals and Churches soliciting his services and tendering him a formal call, if he would give the least encouragement; but in every instance, when advised of it, he saw no probability of accepting it, he took measures to forestall and prevent it. He would not sacrifice a good conscience to vanity; the interests of others for reputation.” (page 44)

Let patience have her perfect work

August 28, 2010 by Christina

Known as “The Bunyan of Brooklyn”, Ichabod Spencer was the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, NY in the early 1800′s. He faithfully taught and preached the Doctrines of Grace and cared tenderly for the flock that God entrusted to him.  Despite his constant bouts with sickness and pain, he made approximately 700 home visits per year and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully.  Although it is said that Dr. Spencer cried many tears for what he considered the “barrenness of his ministry” his life and his sermons live on today.

This is a brief excerpt of one of his sermons called “Reasons for Afflictions”:

“The afflictions experienced by the people of God furnish opportunity and means for the cultivation of the highest and most difficult virtues. There are excellences of character unattainable without trials and distresses.  If there were no instances of distress, we should have nothing to excite our pity.  If there were no instances of want, there would be nothing to call forth our charity.  If nobody injured or offended us, we should have nobody to forgive. We cold pray for no enemy if we had none.  Aside from something to distress or annoy us, the virtue of patience would not be called into action and cultivated. Our fortitude, if not much of our faith, could never be exercised at all, if there were no burdens to bear, no distresses to endure, no furnaces of trial to burn upon us.  This piety, this charity and forgiveness, this fortitude, patience, meekness and depending faith, are among our most difficult virtues, and they constitute our highest excellencies of character. The idea is not mine.  It is the Apostle’s.  If he has not plainly expressed it, it lurks in that remarkable passage wherein he makes an exhortation to one of these graces: Let PATIENCE have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Just as if patience were the crowning grace of all- just as if this gave the last touching and finishings on a perfect character-that ye may be perfect, wanting nothing. He says patience. He does not say courage-he does not say peace. He does not say gentleness, brotherly kindness, charity, or even faith. He says simply patience. And he certainly can not mean less than to select one as an example, from a class of excellencies which lie far on in the work of a believer’s sanctification. When graces like patience have their perfect work, there is not much more to gain.  Even the great Captain of our salvation was made perfect by sufferings.”  (The Bunyan of Brooklyn: The Life and Practical Sermons Ichabod Spencer, Rev J. M. Sherwood, pages 177-178)



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