This week in Christian history: Charles Spurgeon’s final sermon, United Church of Canada founded
Charles Spurgeon preaches final sermon – June 7, 1891
This week marks the anniversary of when Charles H. Spurgeon, the famed British preacher who led the 19th-century megachurch London Metropolitan Tabernacle, gave his last sermon.
Spurgeon preached on the Old Testament passage 1 Samuel 30:21-26, which centered on the leadership of King David and his sharing of the spoils of war among his followers.
“Those who associate themselves with a leader must share his fortunes,” Spurgeon said. “I hope we are prepared to stand to this rule today. If there be ridicule and reproach for the gospel of Christ, let us be willing to be ridiculed and reproached for his sake.”
“You will find sin, self, Satan, and the world to be hard masters; but if you wear the livery of Christ, you will find him so meek and lowly of heart that you will find rest unto your souls. He is the most magnanimous of captains.”
Spurgeon went on to declare that if there was “anything that is gracious, generous, kind, and tender, yea lavish and superabundant in love, you always find it in” Jesus Christ.
“These forty years and more have I served him, blessed be his name,” the preacher concluded. “I would be glad to continue yet another forty years in the same dear service here below if so it pleased him. His service is life, peace, joy.”
Months later, in January 1892, Spurgeon died at age 57 due to chronic illness.
