I would like to begin a new segment in this blog which highlights the sermon ministry of the 19th century London preacher Charles Spurgeon, of whom history has given the distinct titles of "The Prince of Preachers" as well as the "Last of the Puritans." Spurgeon was considered the Prince of Preachers because of many facets; first, because his sermons were very Christ-centered, meaning they dwelt heavily on the person and work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and His resurrection; secondly, because of the sheer number of people that Charles had preached to during his lifetime (estimates are approximately 10,000,000 between 1850-1891). Spurgeon was considered the "Last of the Puritans" because his ministry and life passed right before the dawning of the 20th century, as well as the fact of the large amount of Puritan books he possessed in his massive 5,000 book library. Spurgeon read many devotional books written by the Puritans as well as used commentaries written by them during his own studies of the Scriptures. In fact, the first Christian book Charles read as a child in his grandfather's attic was the book "The Pilgrim's Progress" by the 17th century Puritan John Bunyan.
After having read 28 sermons (and counting) by Charles Spurgeon myself, I would also declare him to be one of the best, if not the best, preacher of God's holy Word and the most prolific proclaimer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in church history. Because of these facts, I would like to create periodic posts on this blog to focus on sermons from Spurgeon that I personally read through, and perhaps give some of my own thoughts and observations that I take away from wading through his often moving expositions. I will also provide quotes directly from the sermons themselves. My relationship with God has been greatly blessed by the godly wisdom and biblical expositions of Charles Spurgeon, and it is my prayer yours will be blessed as well.
"Far better for a man that he had never been born than that he should degrade a pulpit into a show box to exhibit himself in. Aim at the right sort of effect; the inspiring of saints to nobler things, the leading of Christians closer to their Master, the comforting of doubters till they rise out of their terrors, the repentance of sinners, and their exercise of immediate faith in Christ. Without these signs following, what is the use of our sermons?"
- Charles Spurgeon, Lectures To My Students, Volume 2, Lecture #1, pg 207
