Spurgeon was a topical expositor and often took a short text or phrase from a verse and expounded it in a doctrinal manner. In his sermons he sometimes departed rather quickly from the context of his stated text. His sermon content was sound and was well supported with a slew of cross references. Having said that, it is a homiletic model that preachers today should not try to duplicate. For one, Spurgeon had a photographic memory and he enjoyed an exceptionally powerful voice. Concerning his sermon preparation Spurgeon studied all week long. He filled his mind every week of his Christian life with biblical truth and sound doctrine. You might say Spurgeon had deep theological wells to draw upon. Concerning his work ethic, "Spurgeon often labored 18 hours a day. Famous explorer and missionary David Livingstone once asked him, “How do you manage to do two men’s work in a single day?” Spurgeon replied, “You have forgotten that there are two of us.” On Saturday evening at 6pm Charles began to develop his sermon outline that he would then take with him into the pulpit. Before Spurgeon's sermons were distributed throughout the world (up to 25,000 copies a week) he would edit his transcript.
During the Victorian Age Spurgeon quickly became the most popular gospel preacher in the world. Spurgeon had a tremendous sense of humor and was by all accounts a warm and winsome Christian. It may surprise many modern day students of history to note how many major controversies surrounded this faithful man of God. Spurgeon was attacked relentlessly by both hyper-Calvinist and Arminian critics alike. Spurgeon did not take any delight in theological conflicts but he also would not back down from a fight when important biblical truths were at stake. Spurgeon tried not to speak on an particular issue before settling the theological matter for himself (in his own study). As a pastor-preacher Spurgeon felt it was one of his Christian duties to point out the errors of the day (Titus 1:9; 2 Tim. 2).
During his public ministry Spurgeon was involved in three major controversies:
1) Spurgeon was often attacked because of his stance concerning the doctrines of grace.
2) He had a major controversy with the Anglican church over baptismal regeneration.
3) He had a significant fight with theological liberals (modernists) often known as the Down-Grade controversy (1887f). Spurgeon also was brought into a worship wars controversy (the Rivulet; see Drummond's biography Prince of Preachers, p. 478).
Final Takeaways: Spurgeon was not a pugnacious man yet his ministry was embroiled in many different controversies. Why is this? Spurgeon was devoted to the truth and was therefore the enemy of error (Jude 3-4)! Not all hills are willing to die on...but some are. Scripture calls us to fight the good fight of faith as faithful Christian soldiers.
