The Divine Power of a Simple Gospel Presentation
Born in 1834 of Dutch ancestry, Charles Spurgeon was destined to be called “the prince of preachers.” His grandfather and father were both nonconforming (outside the church of England) pastors and young Spurgeon was the benefactor of both of their libraries during his formative years. His favorite books were those that have influenced many people toward Christ; Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Richard Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted and and Joseph Alleine’s Admonition to Unconverted Sinners. However, in spite of such major influences in his life, young Spurgeon remained uncoverted until this day in 1850.
At the age of fifteen Spurgeon stepped into a Primitive Methodist church, partially to escape a wind driven snow. The day’s weather had kept the pastor from his normal Sunday duties in the pulpit such that, in his place, a layman stood to deliver God’s Word that morning. His text was Isaiah 45:22 - “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (ESV). As Spurgeon retold the story it becomes easy to understand why he firmly believed in the power of God’s word throughout his ministry.
“He did not even pronounce the words rightly, but that did not matter…he looked at me…fixing his eyes on me…he said, “Young man, you look every miserable…And you will always be miserable - miserable in life and miserable in death - if you don’t obey my text; but if you obey now, this moment, you will be saved….Young man, look to Jesus Christ. Look! Look! Look! You have nothing to do but look and live.” I saw at once the way of salvation. Oh! I looked until I could almost have looked my eyes away. Oh that somebody had told me this before.”
So it was that through a simple person and a simple verse and a simple presentation that the “prince of preachers,” the most profound pastor and one the greatest evangelist of the 19th century was born again. At twenty-three, Spurgeon was preaching to more than 10,000 people each Sunday at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, England. His printed sermons were read world-wide and his influence remains even until today, perhaps growing as the decades pass. Only eternity will fully reveal the extent of his ministry.
In Spurgeon’s salvation experience, great hope is provided to every person who longs to be influential for the kingdom. People are indeed “born again…through the living Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). Our treasure verse at Heritage this week, John 7:37, reminds us that salvation is a gift, offered only in Jesus Christ. So, let us, trusting only in the power of the Word, go into the world and share the gospel knowing that it is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).