THE SERMONS OF THE PLAY
Twelve sermons are included in this series. Some of the sermons are mentioned in the radio production, other sermons are not mentioned. However, we believe that all of the sermons are germane to the life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon and his wifey, Susie, as they approach the end of Pastor Spurgeon’s life. Starting with ‘Sovereignty and Salvation,’ which included Pastor Spurgeon’s personal testimony, and ending with ‘The Hand of God in the History of a Man,’ we learn about Pastor Spurgeon’s love of a dear friend, Henry Olney, who was taken home in death. What lies throughout? Insights into Pastor Spurgeon’s mainstay Calvinist doctrines and his love of the Lord Jesus Christ and the souls of men. Indeed, these twelve sermons were chosen, as if they were C.H. Spurgeon’s disciples, to tell his story in life, doctrine, and death.
Sovereignty and Salvation
We open the LOOK! series of sermons with Sovereignty and Salvation, based on Isaiah 45:22. Charles Haddon Spurgeon preached this sermon on January 6, 1855 shortly after he took the pulpit at the New Park Street Chapel. In this sermon, he shared his personal testimony in how the preaching of this verse resulted in his coming to Jesus. The verse, ‘Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth,’ is the central theme to our show.
TIDBITS
The winter of 1891/1892 is the first winter that Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s beloved ‘wifey’ – Susie – was physically able to join him since he began going to Mentone, France to rehabilitate twenty years earlier.
Harvest Time
Preached August 6, 1854 at New Park Street Chapel. C.H. Spurgeon included this sermon as his final chapter in his book, ‘The Teaching of Nature in the Kingdom of Grace.’ Mr. Edward Higgins, a journalist with Morgan and Scott inquires about this sermon, which is focused on the salvation of men and is ultimately a matter of his own soul. Based on Samuel 12:17, the question is asked of all of us: “Is it not wheat harvest to-day?”
Spices, Flower, Lilies, and Myrrh
In Act One, Scene Two, Susie, Charles’ wife, James Spurgeon, and Joseph Harrald, talk about the affect Mentone had had on their beloved pastor. No doubt, C.H. Spurgeon’s visits to Mentone inspired him in his writing of the sermon, Spices, Flower, Lilies, and Myrrh, which he preached on August 5, 1880. Based on Song of Solomon Verse 13, his visits to Mentone, France and the loveliness of the flora and fauna inspired him in his meditations on the Song of Songs.
TIDBITS
Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote over forty sermons based on Solomon’s Song of Songs! In his sermon, Spices, Flower, Lilies, and Myrrh, he observes that most people ignore the book because it is hard to understand.
Concerning Prayer
Preached August 23, 1888, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle this sermon takes a look into prayer. In Act One, Scene Two, C.H. Spurgeon asks Mr. Higgins if he is a praying man. This sermon addresses the importance of prayer in Spurgeon’s life. Based on Psalms 86:6-7, we are all called to make our appeal: “Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.”
Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings
Again in Act One, Scene Two, Mr. Higgins returns to conduct his interview and mentions Pastor Spurgeon’s sermon, Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings, which he preached March 11, 1855. At the time, the pastor was twenty years old and in good health. Mr. Higgins asked whether his sermon on 2 Corinthians 1:5 was prophetic given what the pastor and his wife had gone through since his youth.
TIDBITS
Charles Haddon Spurgeon suffered terrible periods of gout, a minor case of small pox, periods of depression and fatigue over his life, which caused him a number of absences from the pulpit. When he preached ‘Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings,’ he was young and in good health.
Spiritual Liberty
C.H. Spurgeon preached this sermon February 18, 1855, at New Park Street Chapel. He was a global abolitionist, but in this sermon he addressed the nature of a greater – spiritual – slavery. In Act Two, Scene One, Susie reads a letter from a missionary in Monrovia, who knows a dear friend of theirs: Thomas Johnson, a former slave in America and graduate of the Pastor’s College.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”—2 Corinthians 3:17
Sychar’s Sinner Saved
In Act Two, Scene One, we learn that Angelica’s mother, who had passed away in the flesh, came to look to Jesus and was saved shortly after Pastor Spurgeon’s visit, the winter of 1889/1890. Miss Briand’s mother, Monique, overheard Pastor Spurgeon talking about the woman at the well. Those discussions led to Pastor Spurgeon preaching, Sychar’s Sinner Saved, April 13, 1890, which was based on the story of the woman from Sychar in the Gospel of John, Chapter 4, Verse 10.
TIDBITS
Charles Haddon Spurgeon shared many personal stories where God’s providence had provided a most merciful outcome. In his sermon, Providence, he speaks of an occasion where thousands might have been lost if not for Jehovah’s providence.
Providence
C.H. Spurgeon preached this sermon April 11, 1858, in the New Park Street Chapel, based on the Gospel of Matthew 10: 30 – “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” In this sermon, C.H. Spurgeon addresses the nature of God’s eternal providence in our lives, which was a mainstay of his faith and trust in Jehovah. Though no character lines specifically address providence in LOOK!, God’s providence permeates every act and scene.
Rest
C.H. Spurgeon preached this sermon April 18, 1869 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. This sermon, based on Hebrews 4:3, ‘For we which have believed do enter into rest.’ Surely, C.H. Spurgeon sought rest as he spent his winter months in Mentone, France. Although he went without his wifey, Susie, she well understood and supported his winter respites there. Nevertheless, C.H. Spurgeon knew the true rest that God’s children had in Christ Jesus, and shared this treasure with us.
TIDBITS
Charles Haddon Spurgeon preached his first sermon in 1851 and his last in 1891 – a span of forty years. Forty years – an interesting number, but then again, through every wilderness comes its end, and then we enter our rest.
The Time is Short
C.H. Spurgeon preached this sermon based on 1 Corinthians Chapter 7:29, “The time is short.” Although neither the Spurgeon Center nor we know the date and location where this sermon was preached, the subject of death is pervasive throughout LOOK!, as is and was the providence of God. In this sermon in the telling of our story, Pastor Spurgeon addresses the matter of his own death. Thus, we believe this sermon very much belongs in the LOOK! Audio Series.
My Times Are in Thy Hand
The final sermon in our LOOK! Series is My Times Are in Thy Hand. Pastor Spurgeon preached this sermon May 17, 1891, based on the Book of Psalms, Chapter 31, Verse 15. In Act Two, Scene Two, Joseph Harrald – Pastor Spurgeon’s executive secretary and friend – acknowledges the ominous nature of the sermon in light of the concerns that everyone had Pastor Spurgeon would not return to London. Pastor Spurgeon, in that sermon, acknowledged the shortness of life.
TIDBITS
Charles Haddon Spurgeon did not return to London to preach again. He died January 31, 1892, in Mentone, France. Susie, continued to serve the Lord Jesus and died, October 22, 1903 in London, England.
The Hand of God in the History of a Man
C.H. Spurgeon preached this sermon October 10, 1875, in the Metropolitan Tabernacle. C.H. Spurgeon addresses the death of his friend, Henry Olney. This sermon might have been just as well as his own epitaph. His sermon, based on the Book of Job 7:1, was quite telling about the end of all men: “Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? Are not his days also like the days of an hireling?” Indeed, death is sobering, but by the grace of God, liberating.
