Converted through the ministry of a "stupid layman"
Though both Spurgeon's father and grandfather
were pastors and Spurgeon himself was quite religious, Spurgeon
had not yet been personally converted to Christ.
On January 6, 1850, a terrible snow storm hit the village that
Spurgeon lived in. Young Spurgeon was unable to make it to the
church he normally attended, so the 16 year old slipped into the
back of a Primitive Methodist church on a small side
street. There were only 12 people present and because of the
snow storm, the regular preacher did not make it to church that
day. When it became obvious that the preacher was not coming, a
layman from the congregation made his way to the pulpit. That
layman was untrained and unprepared, but he was a godly man and
ascended to the pulpit with only the Spirit as his guide. He
read a scripture and then spent a few minutes explaining it.
When writing about the experience some years later, Spurgeon
recalls that the layman "was a stupid man who could not even
pronounce the words correctly." But his simple sermon was about
the need to look to Jesus alone for salvation. Spurgeon realized
he had been trying to earn his salvation by doing all kinds of
religious deeds. At one point during the simple message the
layman looked right at Spurgeon and said "Young man, all you
need to do is look on Jesus for salvation." After hearing those
words Spurgeon was gloriously converted and eventually became
one of the greatest evangelists in modern history. Through his
many writings, Spurgeon continues to influence people for
Christ. God used a "stupid" layman as the means through which He
brought the great Spurgeon to Christ.
This powerful story reminded me of the importance of lay
preachers. While I believe in the value of formal education,
we must never underestimate the power of layman filled with the
Spirit. God can used a Spirit filled layman in the pulpit in far
greater ways than a prideful educated clergyman who is preaching
in his own strength.
If America is to experience another great awakening, laymen will
need to pick up their Bibles and start sharing in nursing homes,
prisons, schools, the work place, the church and anywhere else
the Lord opens a door.
- Dr. Terry Dorsett,
Blog post, missionary to North America
