2 Sermon Illustrations on Authority in Christ

About 1858, or 1859, Mr. Spurgeon preached two sermons at the Baptist Chapel, Matfield Green, Brenchley, near Tunbridge Wells. At that time there was no other Baptist chapel nearer than Seven-oaks and Maidstone where he would have been permitted to preach. There was a very large attendance. People began to arrive for the afternoon service soon after eleven. The large windows right and left of the pulpit were taken out, and a temporary erection put up behind. The vicar of the parish lent all the movable seats in his church for use at the chapel, and sent a good sum to the collection. The text in the afternoon was John 6:37 : "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." Some of the hearers took in readily the first part of the discourse, but objected to the latter part; while some, better taught, gladly received both. The evening text was 2 Samuel 12:7 : "Thou art the man." Various characters were described, good and bad, and the text was brought to bear on each one, while the eye of the preacher was directed and his finger pointed here and there as he felt led. In the auditory was an artist, a man of sceptical opinions, and as he sat in front of the pulpit he was visible to all. After a description of the vain-glorious fool who says in his heart, "There is no God," Mr. Spurgeon looked right at this man and pointed to him as he repeated his text, "Thou art the man." Mr. Spurgeon knew scarcely any of the congregation, and certainly not this man; but the poor fellow was much annoyed that he should have been made the butt of one of the preacher's shafts. It would have been a mercy if, like David, he had been humbled under the mighty hand of God, so as to seek and find forgiveness.