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T. Austin-Sparks
T. Austin-Sparks (1888 - 1971). British Christian evangelist, author, and preacher born in London, England. Converted at 17 in 1905 in Glasgow through street preaching, he joined the Baptist church and was ordained in 1912, pastoring West Norwood, Dunoon, and Honor Oak in London until 1926. Following a crisis of faith, he left denominational ministry to found the Honor Oak Christian Fellowship Centre, focusing on non-denominational teaching. From 1923 to 1971, he edited A Witness and a Testimony magazine, circulating it freely worldwide, and authored over 100 books and pamphlets, including The School of Christ and The Centrality of Jesus Christ. He held conferences in the UK, USA, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the Philippines, influencing leaders like Watchman Nee, whose books he published in English. Married to Florence Cowlishaw in 1916, they had four daughters and one son. Sparks’ ministry emphasized spiritual revelation and Christ-centered living, impacting the Keswick Convention and missionary networks. His works, preserved online, remain influential despite his rejection of institutional church structures. His health declined after a stroke in 1969, and he died in London.
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Sermon Summary
T. Austin-Sparks shares his personal testimony of spiritual growth, recounting a time when he was deeply involved in evangelical activities yet held prejudices against certain teachings, particularly the original 'Keswick' teaching. Despite his devotion and prayerful openness to God's will, he experienced spiritual distress that led him to confront his biases. Ultimately, he discovered that embracing what he once rejected was the key to a fuller life and a more impactful ministry. This journey of realization highlighted the importance of humility and the willingness to adjust one's understanding in light of new revelations from God. Sparks emphasizes that no one is infallible and that growth often comes through recognizing and overcoming our prejudices.
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Personal Testimony
Years ago I was unquestionably stretched out to the full for God's best (as I trust I am now), and there was no doubt whatever as to my devotion to the Lord. I was right in the full tide of every kind of evangelical activity, and especially in conventions everywhere for the deepening of spiritual life. I was a member of many Missionary Boards and Committees, and was greatly in demand because it was believed that I was a man with a message. This is putting into very few words an immense amount of truly devoted activity and concern for the Lord's interests. Being a man of prayer, I was open to the Lord for all His will, I believed. But there was a certain realm of things against which I was deeply prejudiced. It was really the very essence of the original ''Keswick'' teaching, but I would not have it at any price. I fought it and those who taught it. To make a long story short, the Lord took me seriously in hand along another line, and brought me into great spiritual distress. The very thing that proved my emancipation was that which I would not formerly have touched for anything. That proved the key to a fuller life and a worldwide ministry. I came to see that my judgment had been wholly wrong, and that I was blinded by prejudice. I believed that I was honest and right, and seemed to have evidence of it; but, no, I was in my ignorance shutting out something which was of great value to the Lord and to myself. Thank God for the grace to be perfectly honest when the fact of prejudice was brought home to my heart.... No man is infallible, and no one has yet ''apprehended'' nor is ''yet perfect". Many godly men have had to adjust in the presence of fuller light given when a sense of need made such necessary.
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T. Austin-Sparks (1888 - 1971). British Christian evangelist, author, and preacher born in London, England. Converted at 17 in 1905 in Glasgow through street preaching, he joined the Baptist church and was ordained in 1912, pastoring West Norwood, Dunoon, and Honor Oak in London until 1926. Following a crisis of faith, he left denominational ministry to found the Honor Oak Christian Fellowship Centre, focusing on non-denominational teaching. From 1923 to 1971, he edited A Witness and a Testimony magazine, circulating it freely worldwide, and authored over 100 books and pamphlets, including The School of Christ and The Centrality of Jesus Christ. He held conferences in the UK, USA, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the Philippines, influencing leaders like Watchman Nee, whose books he published in English. Married to Florence Cowlishaw in 1916, they had four daughters and one son. Sparks’ ministry emphasized spiritual revelation and Christ-centered living, impacting the Keswick Convention and missionary networks. His works, preserved online, remain influential despite his rejection of institutional church structures. His health declined after a stroke in 1969, and he died in London.