LITERATURE DOWNLOAD LIBRARY

Either search for topics using the search window or browse the articles in the issues of each year listed.

WWW SEARCH Tabernacle Literature

SPURGEON’s FIRST SERMON OUTLINES

by C H Spurgeon

FROM SWORD & TROWEL 2002 No 1

These first outlines of sermons made by C H Spurgeon (discovered at ‘Westwood’ after his death) are the first products of the mind and heart that afterwards yielded so many thousands of messages for the glory of God. It must be remembered that they were made by a youth of sixteen - ‘the boy-preacher’. The originals and the author’s notes say where they were preached; places such as - Barton, Feb. 9, ’51; Granchester, Feb. 23, ’51; Comberton, March 9, ’51; Barton, and Toft, April 13, ’51; Cherryhinton, April 20, ’51; Comberton, May 11, ’51 (two outlines); and Barton, May 18, ’51 (two outlines).

On the title page of the book in which these notes are written, the youthful preacher has inscribed - ‘Skeletons - I to LXXVII; and only skeletons without the Holy Ghost.’

At the beginning of the book is a textual index, showing that the seventy- seven outlines were based upon passages taken from fifteen books of the Old Testament, and sixteen of the New.

All these outlines are remarkable, revealing the deep preparation of mind already accomplished in the two to three years since Spurgeon’s conversion. Because they reflect the methodical way in which he proceeded throughout life, they provide an example and challenge to all would-be preachers, and an insight into the ‘thinking out’ of a sermon plan.

‘For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich’ (2 Corinthians 8.9).

I. THE GLORIOUS PERSON, AND HIS EXALTED STATE.
1. The Son of God. Ruler of the universe - God.
2. Rich in glory, authority, power, felicity. Residence - Heaven. Servants - angels. A crowned monarch.

II. THE GRACIOUS ACT . . . ‘BECAME POOR’.
1. In the act of putting on humanity.
2. He was poor all His lifetime.
3. He died a criminal, owed His burial to charity. Affliction, pain, hunger, temptation, fatigue, agony, death were His lot.

III. THE PERSONS FOR WHOM CHRIST BECAME POOR . . . ‘FOR YOUR SAKES’.
1. His own creatures.
2. Guilty, hell-deserving sinners.
3. His own murderers, about to perish. The vilest of the vile, Mary, the thief, Saul.

IV. THE PURPOSE OF IT ALL . . . ‘THAT YE THROUGH HIS POVERTY MIGHT BE RICH’.
1. We gain liberty.
2. Life is spared.
3. Deliverance from sin. Pardon.
4. All things richly to enjoy, and Heaven to crown it all. He regained for us our lost inheritance. More wealthy are we than the possessor of India’s golden mines.

I. GOD HAS THE RIGHT TO BE KING.
1. As Creator.
2. As Sustainer.
3. From His own nature.

II. GOD HAS THE PREROGATIVES OF A KING.
1. He has dominions and subjects.
In Heaven - angels and redeemed spirits.
In hell - vengeance is executed, and devils restrained.
On earth - animate and inanimate objects are under His power.
All events are under His control: ‘He putteth down one, and setteth up another.’
2. He has regalia - crown, sceptre, throne.
3. He has decrees, and these are absolute.
4. He has laws, and the right to enforce them.
5. He has the power of life and death. Election is just.

Application to Christians:
1. Christians are princes.
2. Christians are safe.
3. Christians should submit to all God’s appointments.

Application to sinners:
1. All ought to obey this King.
2. Sinners are in danger from so great a King.
3. Charge them with high treason for their disloyalty.

I. THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED: ‘ISRAEL’.
Look at it as it refers to Jacob. Men of God must be:
Sons of Abraham, by faith. So was Jacob.
Elect of God: ‘Jacob have I loved.’
Men preferring Heaven to earth, giving the pottage for the birthright.
Men of prayer, wrestling men.
Or, as the children of Israel:
Such as have been in bondage,
have groaned under it,
have eaten the Paschal lamb,
have been delivered out of Egypt.
Men yet in the wilderness, perhaps in captivity, distinct from all other men in their habits.

II. THE PROMISE MADE TO THIS CHARACTER: ‘ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED . . . WITH AN EVERLASTING SALVATION.’
From a condemning law for ever.
From great temptations of their own hearts.
From sin, from Satan, from hell.
This is a sweet promise for us to trust in.

III. THE WAY THE PROMISE IS FULFILLED: ‘IN THE LORD’.
In Him as a Refuge.
In Him as a Surety.
In Him as an Atoner.
Meritoriously ] by
Effectively ] Him

I. ITS CHARACTER may be best understood from the terms denoting it as ‘born again’, ‘born from above’, ‘new birth’, ‘quickened’, ‘Christ formed in us’, ‘partakers of the divine nature’, ‘grace’, ‘spirit’, ‘seed’.

We may also learn that it is a work in which man is passive, it is -
1. Irresistible.
2. Instantaneous.
3. Perfect.
4. It cannot be undone.
5. Warfare in the soul accompanies it.

II. ITS CAUSE.
1. Efficient cause.
(1) God not man, (a) for man does not comprehend it, (b) it is called creation and resurrection, (c) Scripture denies it to be of man. (2) God only. Father. Son. Spirit.
2. Impulsive cause. Free grace.
3. Procuring cause. Christ’s merits.
4. Instrumental cause. The Word of God.

III. ITS EFFECTS.
1. Spirit of God is given.
2. Knowledge is imparted.
3. Capacity for good works.
4. Meetness for Heaven.
Question: Am I regenerate? Look for the effects.
‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’

‘But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me’ (1 Corinthians 15.10).

I. HOW ALL MAY SAY THIS . . . ‘By the grace of God I am what I am.’ Birth. Bodies. Minds. Temporal mercies. Means of grace, liberty of worship, etc.

II. THE GRACE GIVEN TO SAINTS ALONE.
In election. Redemption. Conversion. Pardon. Justification. Adoption. Support. Perseverance.

III. THE GRACE GIVEN TO THE SINNER.
Longsuffering, sparing, and delivering grace. Restraining grace, and striving grace.

Christian,
1. Think much on grace.
2. Live showing gratitude.
3. Be humble, ’tis all of grace.

Sinner,
1. Be thankful.
2. Repent.
3. Remember that judgement comes on apace.

‘The soul that sinneth, it shall die’ (Ezekiel 18.4).

I. THAT PART WHICH HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE.
1. Death spiritual. Loss of purity, loss of company of angels and of God, loss of love to holiness, loss
of happiness, loss of power to do good, no longer a part of God’s family.
We see that a sinner’s whole soul is dead -
His feet run not in God’s way.
His hands are not lifted up to pray, or work good.
His ears hear not spiritually.
His eyes see not, weep not.
His mouth neither sings nor prays.
His heart melts not though grace is preached.
2. Death legal.
Loss of all claim for merit.
Loss of his inheritance.
Loss of his rights of citizenship.
He is under sentence of death.

II. THAT PART WHICH SHALL TAKE PLACE HERE. ‘IT SHALL DIE.’

III. THAT PART THREATENED HEREAFTER. ‘IT SHALL DIE.’
Agonising, unmingled, perpetual, eternal death.

‘Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them’ (Hebrews 7.25).
Paul does not mention his own name in this epistle.
The words of our text imply that man is in danger.

I. CHRIST IS ABLE TO SAVE UNTO THE UTTERMOST.
1. Completely. He justifies from all sin, sanctifies the heart, delivers from Satan, gives final perseverance, help in death, and glorious resurrection.
2. Always. He has. He does. He will always.

This may be argued -
(1) From His dignity. God.
(2) From His offices.
(3) From His character.
(4) From His suffering.
(5) From numerous instances.

II. CHRIST IS ABLE TO SAVE THEM . . . THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM.
Here is implied -
(1) Sense of need.
(2) Persuasion of Jesus’ power.
(3) Belief in His willingness.
(4) Agreement to the way of salvation.
(5) Full surrender.
(6) Dependence on Him.

‘For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance’ (Psalm 94.14).

I. THE TEXT TEACHES THE SAINTS’ FINAL PERSEVERANCE, WHICH MAY BE ARGUED:
1. From Scripture. Job 17.9; Psalm 125.1-2; Jeremiah 32.40; John 10.27-28, 17.12; 1 Corinthians 1.8-9; 1 Peter 1.5.
2. From the work of grace itself. Hope, love, faith.
3. From the promises of God.
4. From God’s perfections.
(1) Immutability.
(2) Wisdom.
(3) Power.
(4) Goodness and grace.
(5) Justice.
(6) Faithfulness.
5. From His eternal purposes.
6. From Christ’s love and actions. The Church is His purchase, His portion, His fulness, His spouse
His Hephzibah.Christ’s intercession. The mansions He has gone to prepare in Heaven.
7. From His gracious acts to them. Adoption, justification, pardon, etc.

II. THE TEXT TEACHES THE MANNER OR REASON OF IT.
We forsake the Lord; we are empty and need supplies.
But the Lord will not cast off His people.
The Lord will not forsake His inheritance.

‘And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?’ (Luke 2.49).

I. HOW JESUS DID HIS FATHER’S BUSINESS.
1. By coming to earth, and assuming human nature.
2. By His perfect life, distinguished for filial duty, benevolence, patience, self- denial, humility,
boldness, spirituality, and prayerfulness, which answered two purposes -
(i) As a justifying righteousness for the elect.
(ii) As a perfect pattern for imitation.
3. By His works, sufferings, and death, as a Redeemer.

II. HOW JESUS NOW DOES HIS FATHER’S BUSINESS.
1. As a Priest. Blessing the people, and interceding for them.
2. As a Mediator, the way of access to the Father.
3. As a Counsellor and Advocate.
4. As the Captain of our salvation.
5. As He Who appears to His people’s eyes by the Spirit.

III. HOW JESUS SHALL DO ALL HIS FATHER’S BUSINESS.
By conquering Satan, and leading captivity captive.
By judging the world in righteousness.
Inference: the people of God should be about their Father’s business.

‘But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons’ (Colossians 3.25).

I. THERE WILL BE A FUTURE JUDGEMENT.
Argument 1. God’s moral government supposes it.
Argument 2. Reason gives assent to it.
Argument 3. There have been fearful judgements in this world.
Argument 4. The best suffer here, and the evil prosper: there is a judgement yet to come.
Argument 5. The fears of dying sinners confirm it.
Argument 6. The death of Christ proves it.
Argument 7. God’s word and oath declare it.

II. IT WILL BE IMPARTIAL.
Wealth, learning, professions will have no influence.
Argument 1. Because God is just.
Argument 2. If anything pleaded could be accepted, all would be acquitted.
Argument 3. In the Word of God, rich are threatened as well as poor.
Argument 4. Christ the Judge was the most impartial of men.
Inference 1. If wealth, etc, be of no avail, how should the poor fear!
Inference 2. Sin is a fearful thing, since punishment follows it.
Inference 3. Sinners are in an awful condition.
Inference 4. No hope for a sinner but in Jesus.

‘Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will’ (Ephesians 1.5).

Meaning of the term. Common among Romans. Two instances in Scripture. Moses and Esther. Adoption differs from justification and regeneration.

I. THE SENSE IN WHICH BELIEVERS ARE SONS OF GOD.
Not as Jesus. More so than creatures.
(i) In some things spiritual adoption agrees with civil.
1. In name and thing.
2. To an inheritance.
3. Voluntary on the part of the adopter.
4. Taking the adopter’s name.
5. Taken into the family.
6. Considered as children: food, protection, clothing, education, attendance provided.
7. Under the control of the father.
(ii) In some things they disagree.
1. Civil adoption requires the consent of the adopted.
2. Civil adoption was intended to provide for childless persons.
3. In civil adoption the adopted had something to recommend him.
4. The nature of a son could not be given.
5. The children did not inherit till their father’s death.
6. The Pontifex might make it void.

II. THE CAUSE OF ADOPTION.
1. The Person: God. Son. Spirit.
2. The motive. Free grace, not works.

III. THE OBJECTS OF IT.
Elect sinners, not angels. All believers.
Not all men, but justified men.

IV. THE EXCELLENCY OF IT.
1. It is an act of surprising grace. 1 John 3.1. Consider the persons.
2. It exceeds all others.
3. It makes men honourable.
4. Brings men into the highest relations.
5. Includes all things.
6. Immutable and everlasting.

V. THE EFFECTS OF IT.
1. Share in the love, pity, care of God.
2. Access with boldness.
3. Conformity to the image of Jesus.
4. The Holy Spirit.
5. Heirship.
Encouragement. Appeal to saints and sinners.

‘But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise’ (Matthew 22.5).

I WHAT MEN MAKE LIGHT OF.
1. Jesus as a Reconciler, Mediator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Saviour, Intercessor, Priest, Lover.
2. The Gospel and its blessings, salvation, forgiveness, justification, God’s love and favour, promises, adoption, Heaven.

II. HOW THEY DO IT.
1. By hearing without attention.
2. By attending without feeling.
3. By refusing to love God supremely.
4. By noncompliance with Gospel terms.
5. By profession without possession.

III. THE CAUSES OF THIS SIN.
1. Ignorance.
2. Foolishness.
3. Self-conceit.
4. Unbelief.
5. Hardness of heart.
6. Carnality.
7. Thoughtlessness.
8. Presumption.
9. Commonness of the Gospel.

IV. ENQUIRE WHETHER SOME HERE ARE NOT GUILTY OF IT.
1. Those who think not much of salvation.
2. Those who talk not much of salvation.
3. Those who strive not much for salvation.
4. Such as will not give up sin.
5. Such as love God less than they love friends, etc.

Exhortations and directions.