Evangelist Charles H. Spurgeon

Evangelist Charles H. Spurgeon

This coming Sunday, Oct 11, 2009, I have the privilege to preach at Living Stone House of Worship in Baltimore, MD. One illustration that has been heavy on my heart is an “oldie but goodie” that one of my favorite preachers of modern times, Dr Johnny Pope shared years ago and I am convinced every Christian, clergy and citizen needs to implement in their lives. Especially those in leadership as ministers or musicians.

I have more stories than “Mother Goose” and feel free to check back weekly because on occasion I will be posting illustrations that I have heard and shared for over two decades. Jesus’ favorite teaching method was the parable and its mine too. One of my favorite stories and sermon illustrations deals with an American years ago who was sent overseas on business. His Christian friends heard that he would be within an hour of the late, great Dr Charles Spurgeon’s home church. His friends said: “You absolutely must hear Spurgeon preach.”

He was there for two weeks and on the first Sunday he wasn’t aware that it was mandatory to get a ticket to get inside the massive tabernacle. The tickets were free but needed one none the less to enter because it only seated 5,000 people. Discouraged to come so far and be so close but not allowed to enter he thought no worries I will come back earlier next week to hear the famed British evangelist and preacher of the 19th Century.

The tourist got to the tabernacle the following Sunday extra early and was three people from the door when the head usher said to the crowd: “I am sorry – we are at full capacity – no more seats.” The tourist was crushed. Now he was 0-2 and with a pending boat ride back to America in the morning how could he face his friends and share that he didn’t get to hear Spurgeon preaching while in town. With his head down and spirit sore a deacon saw the stress on his face and asked: “What is wrong?” The American replied: “My friends told me I absolutely had to hear Spurgeon preach and yet I waited in line not once but twice and struck out both times. I return home tomorrow and I will never have the privilege to hear whom many call the “Prince of Preacher’s preach.”

The deacon with a HUGE smile said: “Sir, no problem. It is my high honor to hear Dr. Spurgeon preach every week. He is my pastor and my favorite! I will give you my ticket on one condition. I want you to go inside, enjoy the service and after hearing him all I ask is that you come back out and find me and tell me what you thought of my pastor.” The tourist was thrilled at the generosity of the man to grant him access by sharing his ticket. The service had already started and the massive choir was concluding the last chorus when he finally found a seat in the back of the balcony filled to capacity.

The service started, Spurgeon preached and the service was over. The man following the service came out and true to his word found the deacon to both thank him for the ticket and report what his feelings were on the preaching of Charles Spurgeon. The deacon just as excited now as the tourist was when he entered said with baited breath: “Tell me what did you think of my pastor?” The tourist said this powerful point: “Honestly, when he came out I was not impressed and when he began to speak he said things I already heard. But something happened during the middle of his remarks. Charles Spurgeon disappeared and for the rest of the service all I could see and hear was Jesus!”

The morale of the story is twofold: First, Charles Spurgeon became great because He knew God was greater and he exalted the Lord in public and private. Secondly, he knew that the Lord would not or should not share His stage with anyone. As ministers and musicians in ministry more than ever we need to learn like Houdini to do those “dissapearing acts” so the Lord can have full reign of His service. When we dissapear in the flesh is when the Lord appears by faith to do what only He can do.

Today, tonight and all our tomorrow’s may we learn to fade out so our Lord can get glory front and center because when the Lord shows up He also shows off to bring hope to the hurting, peace to those in pain, and by God’s great grace redeem people far from faith to a personal relationship to Himself. Sometimes we as Christians and clergy get in the way from bringing folks to Christ. In absolute love, if your ministry is lacking power in the pulpit perhaps its because of too much flesh and no faith. Perhaps, too much world and not enough Word. Worse, too much “us” and not enough God. I don’t know about you but I am trying to be more like a Christian Copperfield and “disappear” more than ever. Here today and gone tomorrow. Come Lord Jesus!