KANSAS CITY, Mo¡ªAfter decades out of print, Charles Spurgeon¡¯s sermons from the earliest years of his preaching at the Metropolitan Tabernacle have been republished for a new generation.
Released through a partnership between Reformation Heritage Books and the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Seminary, the new set contains weekly sermons that Charles Spurgeon preached to his London congregation from 1861 to 1876.
¡°I am very grateful for the release of this second set of republished Spurgeon sermons,¡± said President Jason Allen. ¡°Spurgeon¡¯s sermons never disappoint. In them one can see meaningful exposition and Christ¡¯s beauty on display. That is one of the reasons I am thankful for our partnership with Reformation Heritage Books to republish these sermons. I am thankful that pastors and Christians everywhere can have easy access to the Prince of Preachers. I know they will be edified and built up in their walk with Christ as a result.¡±
Geoff Chang, curator of the Spurgeon Library and assistant professor of Church history and historical theology at Midwestern Seminary, said, ¡°We are thrilled to be partnering with Reformation Heritage Books to make these sermons available for a new generation of Christians, to foster their spiritual growth, and for pastors and church leaders, to equip them to proclaim the truth with power.¡±
In 2024, the Spurgeon Library and Reformation Heritage Books established a partnership to republish Charles Spurgeon¡¯s 63 volumes of sermons. The new set, containing Volumes 7¨C22, is the second of five sets to be released, following Volumes 1¨C6 in August 2024. All the sermons in the new collection are scanned from original published editions provided by the Spurgeon Library.
Sermons in the new set reflect not only Spurgeon¡¯s Christ-centered preaching but also the events of his ministry in this period. By 1861, Spurgeon¡¯s congregation at the New Park Street Chapel had outgrown its meeting space, leading to the construction of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Seating 6,000 people, the new building testified to God¡¯s power at work in Spurgeon¡¯s preaching to save hearers and build His Church by the message of the cross.
Chang reflects on this revival context in his introduction to the new set, writing, ¡°Through a nineteen-year-old country preacher, a dying congregation was revitalized, and hundreds¡ªperhaps thousands¡ªwere converted under his ministry during those early years.¡±
Chang¡¯s introduction goes on to note the fruit of this revival seen in two ministries undertaken by the Metropolitan Tabernacle during this period: the Pastors¡¯ College in 1861 and Stockwell Orphanage in 1867. Another key event during these years was the Baptismal Regeneration Controversy in England, in which Spurgeon opposed proponents¡¯ view that baptism was sufficient to save.
The impact of these events can be seen in Spurgeon¡¯s preaching from the period. Highlighting sermons from the new set, Chang shared, ¡°Key sermons include the first sermon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle (on Acts 5:42), the sermon preached after the congregation adopted the ministry of the Pastors¡¯ College (on 1 Timothy 3:15), and the Baptismal Regeneration sermon (on Mark 16:15¨C16).¡±
Reflecting on the value of Spurgeon¡¯s sermons for the Church today, Chang shared how pastors can find wisdom in the sermons for shepherding their own congregations. ¡°These sermons provide a robust and faithful vision for pastoral ministry, as we learn from how Spurgeon led his congregation through the preaching of the Word,¡± Chang said.
Chang also noted the value of the sermons for encouraging believers in their devotion to Christ. ¡°For Christians, these sermons are full of rich, Christ-centered theology,¡± he said. ¡°Spurgeon¡¯s goal was to preach Christ in every sermon, and these volumes contain his weekly sermons during some of his most fruitful years as a pastor.¡±
The republished series has been endorsed by ministry leaders and scholars worldwide. Joel R. Beeke, chancellor of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and board chairman of Reformation Heritage Books, said, ¡°Few preachers have ever matched Spurgeon¡¯s biblical and earnest passion in preaching to hell-bound unbelievers the glorious truths of God¡¯s free offer of grace to even the greatest of sinners. I am quite indebted.¡±
Paul Washer, founder of the Heartcry Missionary Society, said, ¡°Reformation Heritage¡¯s release of Spurgeon¡¯s Park Street and Metropolitan Tabernacle sermons is nothing short of monumental. In all my study and writing on the gospel, Spurgeon¡¯s sermons are always consulted. . . They have been my friends for over 40 years.¡±
The new boxed set, ,?is now available for purchase.
