MORNING
PSALM 119:105–144
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet.”
Open-air evangelism unto the Nations
Throughout his lifetime, Wesley travelled up and down the British Isles by horse, by carriage and by foot. Open- air evangelism may have been unfamiliar to his contemporaries in the 18th century, and was resisted by the religious authorities of his day, but pedestrian evangelism in England had many precedents.179
There was no alternative but to preach
ing in the open-air for the church originally. In England the church was probably planted through Roman soldiers but there would
not have been many buildings. In the fifth century Ninian and Patrick and then in the sixth century Colomba would have preached in the open air. Paulinus and Aidan would have preached in the open in Northumbria when it was converted. In the 13th century the friars also used outdoor preaching, and itinerant preachers brought the truths of the Reformation to our land. They would go to wherever they might be heard and this was more often on the village green or by the road than in the local churches. George Fox and the Quakers used the same approach too. Wesley was in good company. Wesley followed a triangular path, from London to Bristol and to Newcastle, which also was his place of retreat and rest. He also travelled to Wales in 1739 and Scotland in 1751. As he began to travel all over the world, leading people to Christ was his sole desire. He wrote: “wherever I see one or a thousand men running into hell, be it in England, Ireland, or France yea, in Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, I will stop them if I can; as a minister of Christ, I will beseech them in his name to turn back and be reconciled to God. Were I to do otherwise, were I to let any soul drop into the pit, whom I might have saved from everlasting burnings, I am not satisfied God would accept my plea, ‘Lord, he was not of my parish.’”180
Prayer
We pray for our nation, that it would be reconciled to God. Thank you for the history of your word being preached in the open air across our country. Let your word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, as we continue to take the Gospel across the length and breadth of our land. Give us your heart for the lost, that we would have a greater urgency to share our faith, a greater fear of God and a greater desire to carry the flame of the Gospel wherever we go. Do not let the candle go out on our watch, Lord, let it burn even more brightly, we pray.
179 Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart, 107, 108, 113.
180 Wesley, J. Letters, To John Smith, Vol 2, 137.
DAY 26
EVENING
PSALM 119:145–176
Psalm 119:166 “I wait for your salvation, O Lord.”
Salvation by Faith
Summary of sermon preached by John Wesley181
All the blessings which God has bestowed upon man are undeserved favour. I begin by asking so that we do not fall short of this grace, this undeserved favour ... what is this faith through which we are saved? My answer — IT IS NOT the faith
of a heathen, IT IS NOT the faith of the devil and IT IS NOT the faith of the apostles when Christ was with them. Christian faith is NOT ONLY an assent to the whole gospel of Christ, BUT ALSO a full reliance on the blood of Christ to trust in the merits of his life, death and resurrection, as given for us and living in us — IT IS our salvation — a present salvation ... from sin ... from the guilt of all past sin ... and consequently you are saved from fear ... and from the power of sin ...
BUT YOU MAY OBJECT...Doesn’t preaching this “salvation by faith” lead men into pride?
I answer, “we should be cautioned”, but it should not lead to pride, because salvation is a free undeserved gift of God.
BUT YOU SAY ... Doesn’t preaching this “salvation by faith” drive men to despair that they cannot be saved by all that he can do?
I answer “yes” and “so it ought — despair of being saved by their own works, their own merits or righteousness.”
BUT YOU SAY ... isn’t preaching this “salvation by faith” an uncomfortable doctrine. I say “it is the only comfortable one”. Here is comfort high as heaven, stronger than death. What mercy this is for us all — yes for Zaccheus a public robber, yes for Mary Magdalene a common harlot.
I think I hear you say “... then I even I may hope for mercy”. And so you may afflicted one, whom none has comforted! God has not cast out your prayer. Never was this doctrine more in season than it is today. Nothing but this can prevent the immorality that has overspread the land like a flood. Can you empty the
great deep drop by drop? You may get rid of particular sins, but the righteousness which
is by faith will “stay” the proud waves of immorality. Nothing but this can stop the mouths of those that openly deny the Lord. Surely this is the case, salvation by
faith is a strong and firm foundation of the Christian religion — these objections are completely unfounded — as you stand on this firm foundation though you be as weak and helpless as an infant, the strongman shall not be able to stand before you. You will prevail over him, and subdue him under your feet.
Prayer
Thank you that we have been saved by faith in you, Lord Jesus. We have been saved from the guilt of all past sin and we have been saved from fear and the power of sin. Come and build your house, Lord Jesus, and let this strong and firm foundation not be moved.
181 Wesley. J. Volume 5, 7–16
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Friday, June 6, 2014
DAY 25
MORNING
PSALM 119:33–72
Psalm 119:54 “... wherever I lodge.”
Almost Perpetual Motion
Wesley’s biographer writes, “in order to fulfill his mission throughout the land, John Wesley had to resign himself to incessant travel. He became the great itinerant. For the sake of the gospel, he was prepared to lead a gypsy life. We have caught something of the energetic momentum of the man as we have dipped into his Journal. He was in almost perpetual motion.170 He writes later in his life that while in Oxford he had wondered, ‘how any busy man could be saved ... God taught me better by my own experience.’”171 In 1781, when he was very old, he wrote, “I must go on; for a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me; and woe is me if I preach not the gospel.”172 In 1777 he said, “I have travelled all roads by day and by night, for these forty years, and never was interrupted yet.”173 At one point he was nearly in a shipwreck, but was saved from disaster when travelling by sea to Guernsey. Throughout his 50 years of itinerant ministry he was preserved from serious accidents. He travelled with John Nelson for a short while. At one point at St Ives, while sleeping on the floor, Wesley was using Nelson’s coat as a pillow and Nelson was using Burkitt’s notes on the New Testament as his pillow. At 3am, one morning after suffering this hard bed for a fortnight, Wesley turned over, dug Nelson in the ribs and joked, “Brother Nelson, let us be of good cheer ... for the skin is off but on one side yet.”174
Duncan Wright tried to accompany Wesley, but it was too gruelling an experience. he could not keep up: “As the exercise was too much I gave it up.”175 In Wesley’s Journal there is an account of the perilous quicksands of the Solway Firth. This may have been too much for Duncan wright, but at this date Wright was just 30 years of age, while Wesley was 63.
Prayer
Thank you for the inspiration and example of our spiritual forefathers. Unleash a new wave of firebrands, of young zealots who have the energy, the perseverance and the tenacity to complete the dispensation of restoring the Gospel to England, to whomsoever they are sent, wherever you call them, whatever the cost.
170 This devotional is drawn from Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart,115–124.
171 Wesley, J. To Miss March, 10 December 1777, 292.
172 Wesley, J. A Plain Account of Kingswood School, Vol XIII, 267.
173 Wesley, J. 16th December 1777, 177.
174 Telford, J. Wesley’s Veterans, Vol 3, 80–81.
175 Telford, J. Wesley’s Veterans, Vol 2, 39.
DAY 25
EVENING
PSALM 119:73–104
Psalm 119:74–75 “I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous.”
Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption
Wesley was sure of his message and his message was rooted in the bible. He said, “My ground is the bible. Yes, I am a bible bigot. I follow it in all things.”176 His advice was “believe nothing they say, unless it is confirmed by plain passages of holy writ.”177 One sermon that Wesley frequently preached had the title ‘Christ our wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption’. He wrote in his Journal:178
Sunday 5 August 1739
Six persons at the New Room were deeply convinced of sin; three of whom were a little comforted by prayer but not yet convinced of righteousness. Having frequently been invited to Wells particularly by (one man) who begged me to make his house my home, on Thursday the ninth I went thither and wrote him word the night before; upon which he presently went to one of his friends, and desired a messenger might be sent to me, and beg me to turn back: “Otherwise,” said he, “we shall lose all our trade.” But this consideration did not weigh with him so that he invited me to his own house, and at 11, I preached in this ground on ‘Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption’ to about 2000 persons. Some of them mocked at first, whom I reproved before all; and those of them who stayed were more serious. Several spoke to me after, who were, for the present, much affected. O let it not pass away as the morning dew.
Tuesday 14 August 1739
I preach to Bradford to about 3000 on “one thing is needful”. Returning through Bath, I preached at a bridge to a small congregation, on “The just shall live by faith.” Three at the new-room, this evening, were cut to the heart.
Prayer
Lord, we pray that the foundation of the word of God would be firmly established like a rock in our lives, that we might be cut to the heart when we hear it, and that we would be a people who live by faith in you and your word. Help us to hear your word and put it into practice like that wise builder. Let the word of God be preached that you, Lord Jesus, are our “wisdom our righteousness, our sanctification and our redemption” so that your kingdom might come and your Church be built in our nation. Let your word be preached in power across our land once again.
176 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 3, 5 June 1766, 251.
177 Wesley, J. Sermons, Vol XXVII, The sermon on the Mount, 20.
178 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 217,8.
PSALM 119:33–72
Psalm 119:54 “... wherever I lodge.”
Almost Perpetual Motion
Wesley’s biographer writes, “in order to fulfill his mission throughout the land, John Wesley had to resign himself to incessant travel. He became the great itinerant. For the sake of the gospel, he was prepared to lead a gypsy life. We have caught something of the energetic momentum of the man as we have dipped into his Journal. He was in almost perpetual motion.170 He writes later in his life that while in Oxford he had wondered, ‘how any busy man could be saved ... God taught me better by my own experience.’”171 In 1781, when he was very old, he wrote, “I must go on; for a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me; and woe is me if I preach not the gospel.”172 In 1777 he said, “I have travelled all roads by day and by night, for these forty years, and never was interrupted yet.”173 At one point he was nearly in a shipwreck, but was saved from disaster when travelling by sea to Guernsey. Throughout his 50 years of itinerant ministry he was preserved from serious accidents. He travelled with John Nelson for a short while. At one point at St Ives, while sleeping on the floor, Wesley was using Nelson’s coat as a pillow and Nelson was using Burkitt’s notes on the New Testament as his pillow. At 3am, one morning after suffering this hard bed for a fortnight, Wesley turned over, dug Nelson in the ribs and joked, “Brother Nelson, let us be of good cheer ... for the skin is off but on one side yet.”174
Duncan Wright tried to accompany Wesley, but it was too gruelling an experience. he could not keep up: “As the exercise was too much I gave it up.”175 In Wesley’s Journal there is an account of the perilous quicksands of the Solway Firth. This may have been too much for Duncan wright, but at this date Wright was just 30 years of age, while Wesley was 63.
Prayer
Thank you for the inspiration and example of our spiritual forefathers. Unleash a new wave of firebrands, of young zealots who have the energy, the perseverance and the tenacity to complete the dispensation of restoring the Gospel to England, to whomsoever they are sent, wherever you call them, whatever the cost.
170 This devotional is drawn from Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart,115–124.
171 Wesley, J. To Miss March, 10 December 1777, 292.
172 Wesley, J. A Plain Account of Kingswood School, Vol XIII, 267.
173 Wesley, J. 16th December 1777, 177.
174 Telford, J. Wesley’s Veterans, Vol 3, 80–81.
175 Telford, J. Wesley’s Veterans, Vol 2, 39.
DAY 25
EVENING
PSALM 119:73–104
Psalm 119:74–75 “I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous.”
Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption
Wesley was sure of his message and his message was rooted in the bible. He said, “My ground is the bible. Yes, I am a bible bigot. I follow it in all things.”176 His advice was “believe nothing they say, unless it is confirmed by plain passages of holy writ.”177 One sermon that Wesley frequently preached had the title ‘Christ our wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption’. He wrote in his Journal:178
Sunday 5 August 1739
Six persons at the New Room were deeply convinced of sin; three of whom were a little comforted by prayer but not yet convinced of righteousness. Having frequently been invited to Wells particularly by (one man) who begged me to make his house my home, on Thursday the ninth I went thither and wrote him word the night before; upon which he presently went to one of his friends, and desired a messenger might be sent to me, and beg me to turn back: “Otherwise,” said he, “we shall lose all our trade.” But this consideration did not weigh with him so that he invited me to his own house, and at 11, I preached in this ground on ‘Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption’ to about 2000 persons. Some of them mocked at first, whom I reproved before all; and those of them who stayed were more serious. Several spoke to me after, who were, for the present, much affected. O let it not pass away as the morning dew.
Tuesday 14 August 1739
I preach to Bradford to about 3000 on “one thing is needful”. Returning through Bath, I preached at a bridge to a small congregation, on “The just shall live by faith.” Three at the new-room, this evening, were cut to the heart.
Prayer
Lord, we pray that the foundation of the word of God would be firmly established like a rock in our lives, that we might be cut to the heart when we hear it, and that we would be a people who live by faith in you and your word. Help us to hear your word and put it into practice like that wise builder. Let the word of God be preached that you, Lord Jesus, are our “wisdom our righteousness, our sanctification and our redemption” so that your kingdom might come and your Church be built in our nation. Let your word be preached in power across our land once again.
176 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 3, 5 June 1766, 251.
177 Wesley, J. Sermons, Vol XXVII, The sermon on the Mount, 20.
178 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 217,8.
DAY 24
MORNING
PSALMS 116–118
Psalm 116:6 “The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need he saved me.”
His Mission to the Poor
John Wesley was primarily concerned for the poor. The working classes of the 18th century lived barely above subsistence level. An expert on the 18th century writes, “It is difficult today to imagine how low the standard of life of the average worker was ... how brutish, ignorant and violent the poor, especially the urban poor, were ... Conditions made it difficult for the mass of the people to live by any strict moral code. overcrowding made every kind of sexual laxity almost normal. Extreme poverty made thieving and bullying the only alternatives to starvation ... it was a hard, harsh world for the mass of the English people and one singularly devoid of pity.”164
Wesley believed that his main mission was to the poor, and he clearly had the ear of the working man. He said, “I bear the rich and love the poor ... therefore I spend almost all of my time with them. I love the poor ... in many I find pure, genuine grace, unmixed with paint, folly and affectation.”165 At the time, there was no welfare state or social services, there was nobody to care for this whole segment of society in England. The Church seemed unconcerned for them.
Skevington–Wood says, “They were as sheep without a shepherd. Wesley pressed them to his heart. There, more than anywhere, lies the key to his evangelistic success. That is why he has been called the St Francis of the 18th century. His first concern was for the coal miners of Kingswood. This was his introduction to the plight of the poor. Those grimy faces haunted him. He longed to tell them of one whose hands were hardened with toil before they were pinned to a cross. Conditions in the pits were unbelievably crude and dangerous. Coal was still hewn manually, and the Davy lamp had not be yet been invented to bring a measure of safety. The men themselves were coarse in the extreme, and even the rest of the poor were afraid of them because they were so black and rough. When Wesley was led to offer Christ to the colliers, he was touching the most unlikely group in the kingdom. But they listened, and many of them turned to the Lord. If the Gospel could move them it could move anyone. This initial encounter in April 1739 convinced Wesley that the good news was meant for the outcasts of men.”166
Prayer
Lord, you came to bring Good News to the poor and the outcasts, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Give us your heart for the poor and outcasts of our day, just as you did for Wesley in his day, so that in their great need they might be saved.
164 Marshall, H. The Eighteenth Century, 243.
165 Wesley,J. Letters to Anne Foard, 29 September 1764, Vol IV, 266.
166 Skevington-Wood, The burning heart 141,142
DAY 24
EVENING
PSALM 119:1–32
Psalm 119:32 “... for you have set my heart free.”
Freedom and Liberty for Many
Both John Wesley and George Whitefield saw outward signs following the preaching of the Gospel that brought freedom and liberty to many people.
Monday 6 July 1739
In the afternoon I was with Mr Whitefield, just come from London, with whom I went to Baptist-Mills, where he preached concerning “the Holy Ghost, which all who believe are to receive”.167
Tuesday 7 July 1739
I had an opportunity to talk with him of those outward signs, which had so often accompanied the inward work of God. I found his objections were chiefly grounded on gross misrepresentations of matter of fact. But the next day he had an opportunity of informing himself better. For no sooner had he begun (in the application of his sermon) to invite all sinners to believe in Christ, than four persons sunk down close to him, almost in the same moment. One of them lay without either of sense or motion. A second trembled exceedingly. The third had strong convulsions all over his body but made no noise unless by groans. The fourth, equally convulsed called upon God with strong cries and tears. From this time, I trust, we shall all suffer God to carry on his own work in the way that pleaseth Him.168
Monday 30 July 1739
Two more were in strong pain, both their souls and bodies being well nigh torn asunder. But though we cried unto God, there was no answer; neither did He as yet deliver them all. One of these had been remarkably zealous against those that cried out and made a noise; being sure that any of them might help if they would. And the same opinion she was still in, till the moment she was struck through, as with a sword, and fell trembling to the ground. She then cried aloud though not articulately, her words being swallowed up. In this pain she continued twelve or fourteen hours, and then her soul was set at liberty. But her master (for she was a servant till that time at a gentleman’s in town) forbade her returning to him, saying, he would have none in his house who had received the Holy Ghost.169
Prayer
As we follow the path of your commands, set us free, Lord. Thank you that you give rest to the weary and heavy–laden. We desperately cry out to you, Lord, for another outpouring of your Holy Spirit, that sets the captives free, that heals the oppressed, that revives the lowly and feeds the spiritually hungry. Set our hearts alight again, on fire for you, Lord Jesus.
167 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 210.
168 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 213.
169 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 226.
PSALMS 116–118
Psalm 116:6 “The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need he saved me.”
His Mission to the Poor
John Wesley was primarily concerned for the poor. The working classes of the 18th century lived barely above subsistence level. An expert on the 18th century writes, “It is difficult today to imagine how low the standard of life of the average worker was ... how brutish, ignorant and violent the poor, especially the urban poor, were ... Conditions made it difficult for the mass of the people to live by any strict moral code. overcrowding made every kind of sexual laxity almost normal. Extreme poverty made thieving and bullying the only alternatives to starvation ... it was a hard, harsh world for the mass of the English people and one singularly devoid of pity.”164
Wesley believed that his main mission was to the poor, and he clearly had the ear of the working man. He said, “I bear the rich and love the poor ... therefore I spend almost all of my time with them. I love the poor ... in many I find pure, genuine grace, unmixed with paint, folly and affectation.”165 At the time, there was no welfare state or social services, there was nobody to care for this whole segment of society in England. The Church seemed unconcerned for them.
Skevington–Wood says, “They were as sheep without a shepherd. Wesley pressed them to his heart. There, more than anywhere, lies the key to his evangelistic success. That is why he has been called the St Francis of the 18th century. His first concern was for the coal miners of Kingswood. This was his introduction to the plight of the poor. Those grimy faces haunted him. He longed to tell them of one whose hands were hardened with toil before they were pinned to a cross. Conditions in the pits were unbelievably crude and dangerous. Coal was still hewn manually, and the Davy lamp had not be yet been invented to bring a measure of safety. The men themselves were coarse in the extreme, and even the rest of the poor were afraid of them because they were so black and rough. When Wesley was led to offer Christ to the colliers, he was touching the most unlikely group in the kingdom. But they listened, and many of them turned to the Lord. If the Gospel could move them it could move anyone. This initial encounter in April 1739 convinced Wesley that the good news was meant for the outcasts of men.”166
Prayer
Lord, you came to bring Good News to the poor and the outcasts, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Give us your heart for the poor and outcasts of our day, just as you did for Wesley in his day, so that in their great need they might be saved.
164 Marshall, H. The Eighteenth Century, 243.
165 Wesley,J. Letters to Anne Foard, 29 September 1764, Vol IV, 266.
166 Skevington-Wood, The burning heart 141,142
DAY 24
EVENING
PSALM 119:1–32
Psalm 119:32 “... for you have set my heart free.”
Freedom and Liberty for Many
Both John Wesley and George Whitefield saw outward signs following the preaching of the Gospel that brought freedom and liberty to many people.
Monday 6 July 1739
In the afternoon I was with Mr Whitefield, just come from London, with whom I went to Baptist-Mills, where he preached concerning “the Holy Ghost, which all who believe are to receive”.167
Tuesday 7 July 1739
I had an opportunity to talk with him of those outward signs, which had so often accompanied the inward work of God. I found his objections were chiefly grounded on gross misrepresentations of matter of fact. But the next day he had an opportunity of informing himself better. For no sooner had he begun (in the application of his sermon) to invite all sinners to believe in Christ, than four persons sunk down close to him, almost in the same moment. One of them lay without either of sense or motion. A second trembled exceedingly. The third had strong convulsions all over his body but made no noise unless by groans. The fourth, equally convulsed called upon God with strong cries and tears. From this time, I trust, we shall all suffer God to carry on his own work in the way that pleaseth Him.168
Monday 30 July 1739
Two more were in strong pain, both their souls and bodies being well nigh torn asunder. But though we cried unto God, there was no answer; neither did He as yet deliver them all. One of these had been remarkably zealous against those that cried out and made a noise; being sure that any of them might help if they would. And the same opinion she was still in, till the moment she was struck through, as with a sword, and fell trembling to the ground. She then cried aloud though not articulately, her words being swallowed up. In this pain she continued twelve or fourteen hours, and then her soul was set at liberty. But her master (for she was a servant till that time at a gentleman’s in town) forbade her returning to him, saying, he would have none in his house who had received the Holy Ghost.169
Prayer
As we follow the path of your commands, set us free, Lord. Thank you that you give rest to the weary and heavy–laden. We desperately cry out to you, Lord, for another outpouring of your Holy Spirit, that sets the captives free, that heals the oppressed, that revives the lowly and feeds the spiritually hungry. Set our hearts alight again, on fire for you, Lord Jesus.
167 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 210.
168 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 213.
169 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 226.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
DAY 23
MORNING
PSALMS 110–113
Psalm 110:2 “You will rule in the midst of your enemies.”
Whitefield at Moorfields
While John Wesley was travelling around the country preaching the Gospel, so was George Whitefield, Wesley’s friend and fellow labourer. Every Easter week the London poor gave themselves to fun at Moorfields. Strolling players, bears that were taught to dance using cruelty, clowns and ‘merry-andrews’, and a whole host of conjurers and troupers would converge on the capital. For weeks beforehand in the spring of 1742 George Whitefield had been summoning his courage to “lift up a standard among them in the name of Jesus Christ”.
As he stood up to preach, he felt a tug at his gown and looked down. Elizabeth his wife had her eyes firm upon him. “George,” she called, “play the man for God!” strengthened, encouraged, he felt a surge of compassion for those who would hear. He called out across the fairground: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.” Whitefield preached for three days over the Easter weekend. Sometimes he was silenced for a moment when a rotten egg or tomato hit him in the mouth. If the contemporary account is read between the lines, one man went so far as to urinate towards the pulpit. Even Whitefield was shaken at such beastly behaviour. The jeering section of the crowd loved it. Whitefield quickly recovered. His voice boomed above the uproar. “Now,” he cried, “Am I wrong when I say ... that man is half a devil and half a beast?” At that, the jeerers quietened. Whitefield followed up his advantage and said: ... “A half devil, half beast must be born again to become wholly a child of God.” As the dusk fell at Moorfields this great mass evangelist preached and pleaded and prayed and men and women listened in silence and knew that another stood there too, and were born again by the Spirit. George Whitefield had won this battle at Moorfields in London at Easter in 1742. He was just 27 years and four months.156
Prayer
Lord, help not us to shrink back out of fear, but to step up to the task of sharing our faith despite the mockery, the disdain and the resistance. Help us to play the man and woman of God today. Give us your courage and your compassion for the lost. Let the candle of the Gospel blaze across our land once again. Let your troops be willing on your day of battle. Rule and reign in the midst of the enemies of the Gospel today in our land, we pray.
156 Pollock, J Whitefield: the Evangelist, summary, 203–209.
DAY 23
EVENING
PSALMS 114–115
Psalm 114:7 “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord.”
The Results of Wesley’s Gospel Preaching
One of the key features of Wesley’s preaching that emerges from a study of his Journal is that although he most often finished with an appeal, he did not have a standard way of finishing his messages. The presence of the Holy Spirit was frequently so strong that there was often just silence as he closed.157 About the meeting at Miller’s barn in Rossendale on the 27 August 1748, he wrote, “When I had finished my discourse, and even pronounced the blessing, not one person offered to go away, but every man woman and child stayed just where they were till I myself went away first.”158 He left the results of his preaching to the Lord. At Birstall he said, “I have declared the whole counsel of God.”159 At Grimsby, “I spoke as plainly as possibly I could ... but God only can speak to the heart.”160 Wesley was not concerned with externals. He did not jump to conclusions, expecting optimistically that God had spoken through his preaching. It was a deep work of God that he looked for, and he expected the Lord to take the initiative in evangelism. He wrote from Ireland, “He can work, even among these dry bones.”161 Another time he said, “I believe God applied his word. Some trembled, others wept. Surely some of these shall know there is balm in Gilead.”162
Wesley was surprised when some “dropped down as dead” or “burst into strong cries and tears”, or “exceedingly trembled and quaked”. These responses did not happen after Whitefield’s preaching. Although Wesley never encouraged these responses, neither did he discourage them, and so when rumours exaggerated these manifestations, Whitefield was concerned until he found out what really happened after Wesley preached.163
Prayer
Lord, we pray that you would restore the honour of your name in our land and with works of sovereign power, and that you would shake the earth again. Rend the heavens and come down. Let your word not return empty. Let it accomplish that which you have purposed. We long for you to come and presence yourself amongst us. Come, Lord Jesus.
157 Skevington-Wood, The burning heart, 160, 161
158 Wesley. J. Journal, Volume 2, 27 August 1748, 113.
159 Wesley. J. Journal, Volume 4, 4 May 1788, 416.
160 Wesley. J. Journal, Volume 4, 1 July 1788, 416.
161 Wesley. J. Journal, Volume 3, 16 June, 1760.
162 Wesley. J. Journal, Volume 3, 27 June, 1760.
163 Pollock, J. Wesley, The Preacher, 120.
PSALMS 110–113
Psalm 110:2 “You will rule in the midst of your enemies.”
Whitefield at Moorfields
While John Wesley was travelling around the country preaching the Gospel, so was George Whitefield, Wesley’s friend and fellow labourer. Every Easter week the London poor gave themselves to fun at Moorfields. Strolling players, bears that were taught to dance using cruelty, clowns and ‘merry-andrews’, and a whole host of conjurers and troupers would converge on the capital. For weeks beforehand in the spring of 1742 George Whitefield had been summoning his courage to “lift up a standard among them in the name of Jesus Christ”.
As he stood up to preach, he felt a tug at his gown and looked down. Elizabeth his wife had her eyes firm upon him. “George,” she called, “play the man for God!” strengthened, encouraged, he felt a surge of compassion for those who would hear. He called out across the fairground: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.” Whitefield preached for three days over the Easter weekend. Sometimes he was silenced for a moment when a rotten egg or tomato hit him in the mouth. If the contemporary account is read between the lines, one man went so far as to urinate towards the pulpit. Even Whitefield was shaken at such beastly behaviour. The jeering section of the crowd loved it. Whitefield quickly recovered. His voice boomed above the uproar. “Now,” he cried, “Am I wrong when I say ... that man is half a devil and half a beast?” At that, the jeerers quietened. Whitefield followed up his advantage and said: ... “A half devil, half beast must be born again to become wholly a child of God.” As the dusk fell at Moorfields this great mass evangelist preached and pleaded and prayed and men and women listened in silence and knew that another stood there too, and were born again by the Spirit. George Whitefield had won this battle at Moorfields in London at Easter in 1742. He was just 27 years and four months.156
Prayer
Lord, help not us to shrink back out of fear, but to step up to the task of sharing our faith despite the mockery, the disdain and the resistance. Help us to play the man and woman of God today. Give us your courage and your compassion for the lost. Let the candle of the Gospel blaze across our land once again. Let your troops be willing on your day of battle. Rule and reign in the midst of the enemies of the Gospel today in our land, we pray.
156 Pollock, J Whitefield: the Evangelist, summary, 203–209.
DAY 23
EVENING
PSALMS 114–115
Psalm 114:7 “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord.”
The Results of Wesley’s Gospel Preaching
One of the key features of Wesley’s preaching that emerges from a study of his Journal is that although he most often finished with an appeal, he did not have a standard way of finishing his messages. The presence of the Holy Spirit was frequently so strong that there was often just silence as he closed.157 About the meeting at Miller’s barn in Rossendale on the 27 August 1748, he wrote, “When I had finished my discourse, and even pronounced the blessing, not one person offered to go away, but every man woman and child stayed just where they were till I myself went away first.”158 He left the results of his preaching to the Lord. At Birstall he said, “I have declared the whole counsel of God.”159 At Grimsby, “I spoke as plainly as possibly I could ... but God only can speak to the heart.”160 Wesley was not concerned with externals. He did not jump to conclusions, expecting optimistically that God had spoken through his preaching. It was a deep work of God that he looked for, and he expected the Lord to take the initiative in evangelism. He wrote from Ireland, “He can work, even among these dry bones.”161 Another time he said, “I believe God applied his word. Some trembled, others wept. Surely some of these shall know there is balm in Gilead.”162
Wesley was surprised when some “dropped down as dead” or “burst into strong cries and tears”, or “exceedingly trembled and quaked”. These responses did not happen after Whitefield’s preaching. Although Wesley never encouraged these responses, neither did he discourage them, and so when rumours exaggerated these manifestations, Whitefield was concerned until he found out what really happened after Wesley preached.163
Prayer
Lord, we pray that you would restore the honour of your name in our land and with works of sovereign power, and that you would shake the earth again. Rend the heavens and come down. Let your word not return empty. Let it accomplish that which you have purposed. We long for you to come and presence yourself amongst us. Come, Lord Jesus.
157 Skevington-Wood, The burning heart, 160, 161
158 Wesley. J. Journal, Volume 2, 27 August 1748, 113.
159 Wesley. J. Journal, Volume 4, 4 May 1788, 416.
160 Wesley. J. Journal, Volume 4, 1 July 1788, 416.
161 Wesley. J. Journal, Volume 3, 16 June, 1760.
162 Wesley. J. Journal, Volume 3, 27 June, 1760.
163 Pollock, J. Wesley, The Preacher, 120.
DAY 22
MORNING
PSALM 107
Psalm 107:7 “He led them by a straight way.”
A New and Living Way
Throughout June 1739, The Holy Spirit continued to move powerfully as John Wesley preached, as he wrote in his Journal:151
Friday 15 June 1739
In the evening I went to a society at Wapping, weary in body and faint in spirit ... I begged God to direct and (I) opened the book at Hebrews 10:19, “Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus; by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil that is to say, his flesh, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith; having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” While I was earnestly inviting all sinners to “enter into the holiest” by this “new and living way”, many of those that heard began to call upon God with strong cries and tears. Some sunk down, and there remained no strength in them; others exceedingly trembled and quaked: Some were torn with a kind of convulsive motion in every part of their bodies, and that so violently, that often five persons could not hold one of them. I have seen many hysterical and many epileptic fits but none of them were like these in many respects. I immediately prayed that God would not suffer those who were weak to be offended. But one woman was offended greatly; being sure they might help it if they would; no-one should persuade her to the contrary; and was got three or four yards when she also dropped down in as violent agony as the rest. Twenty-six of those who had been thus affected (most of whom, during the prayers which were made for them were in a moment filled with peace and joy) promised to call upon me the next day but only eighteen came; by talking closely with whom, I found reason to believe that some of them had gone home to their house justified. The rest seemed to be waiting patiently for it.
Friday 22 June 1739
While I was speaking, one before me dropped down as dead and presently a second and third. Five others sunk down in half an hour, most of whom were in violent agonies. “The pains as of hell came about them: the snares of death overtook them.” In their trouble we called upon the Lord and he gave us an answer of peace. One indeed continued an hour in strong pain; and one or more for three days. But the rest were greatly comforted in that hour and went away rejoicing and praising God.
Prayer
Direct our paths, Lord! you have opened up a new and living way into the Holy of Holies. We would follow hard after you on that narrow way, that straight way unto salvation. Rescue us from that broad way that leads unto destruction. Pour out your Holy Spirit in power and through the conviction of your Spirit-anointed word. Rend the heavens and come down, that we might be saved from hell and saved from a Christless eternity. So help us, God!
151 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 172-175, 205–206.
DAY 22
EVENING
PSALMS 108–109
Psalm 109:4 “... but I am a man of prayer.”
Wesley on Prayer
Wesley wrote about prayer in his Journal:
“ Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer; it is almost essentially connected with it. One who always prays is ever giving praise, whether in ease or pain, both for prosperity and for the greatest adversity. He blesses God for all things, looks on them as coming from Him, and receives them for His sake — not choosing nor refusing, liking or disliking anything, but only as it is agreeable or disagreeable to His perfect will.”
“The end of your praying is not to inform God, as though he knew of your wants already; but rather to inform yourselves; to fix the sense of those wants more deeply in your hearts, and the sense of your continued dependence on Him who only is able to supply all your wants. It is not so much to move God who is always more ready to give than you to ask, as to move yourselves, that you may be willing and ready to receive the good things he has prepared for you.”
“I continue to dream and pray about a revival of holiness in our day that moves forth in mission and creates authentic community in which each person can be unleashed through the empowerment of the Spirit to fulfill God’s creational intentions.”
“When therefore we pray, that the will of God may be done in earth as it is in Heaven, the meaning is, that all the inhabitants of the earth, even the whole race of mankind, may do the will of their Father which is in heaven, as willingly as the holy Angels; that these may do it continually, even as they without any interruption of their willing service; yea and that they may do it perfectly, — that “the God of peace, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, may make them perfect in every good work to do his will and work in them all which is well-pleasing in his sight”. In other words we pray that we and all mankind may do the whole will of God in all things; and nothing else, not the least thing but what is the holy and acceptable will of God: We pray that we may do the whole will of God as he willeth, in the manner that pleases him: And lastly, that we may do it because it is his will; that this may be the sole reason and ground, the whole and only motive of whatsoever we think, or whatever we speak or do.”
Prayer
Where my prayer life has been dry and routine and where I have been preoccupied with other things, draw me back to you, Lord. Teach me to pray, to see prayer as the highest part of the work entrusted to me. Cultivate in me that spiritual thirst and hunger that I lack. I have been dulled by the power of sin in my life. Wake me up out of my lethargy and draw me back to you, O Lord.
152 Wesley, J How To Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer. http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/4468403-how-to-pray- the-best-of-john-wesley-value-book
153 Wesley. J.Journal , Volume 1, 332.
154 Wesley, J How To Pray.
155 Wesley. J.Journal, Volume 1, 337–8
PSALM 107
Psalm 107:7 “He led them by a straight way.”
A New and Living Way
Throughout June 1739, The Holy Spirit continued to move powerfully as John Wesley preached, as he wrote in his Journal:151
Friday 15 June 1739
In the evening I went to a society at Wapping, weary in body and faint in spirit ... I begged God to direct and (I) opened the book at Hebrews 10:19, “Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus; by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil that is to say, his flesh, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith; having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” While I was earnestly inviting all sinners to “enter into the holiest” by this “new and living way”, many of those that heard began to call upon God with strong cries and tears. Some sunk down, and there remained no strength in them; others exceedingly trembled and quaked: Some were torn with a kind of convulsive motion in every part of their bodies, and that so violently, that often five persons could not hold one of them. I have seen many hysterical and many epileptic fits but none of them were like these in many respects. I immediately prayed that God would not suffer those who were weak to be offended. But one woman was offended greatly; being sure they might help it if they would; no-one should persuade her to the contrary; and was got three or four yards when she also dropped down in as violent agony as the rest. Twenty-six of those who had been thus affected (most of whom, during the prayers which were made for them were in a moment filled with peace and joy) promised to call upon me the next day but only eighteen came; by talking closely with whom, I found reason to believe that some of them had gone home to their house justified. The rest seemed to be waiting patiently for it.
Friday 22 June 1739
While I was speaking, one before me dropped down as dead and presently a second and third. Five others sunk down in half an hour, most of whom were in violent agonies. “The pains as of hell came about them: the snares of death overtook them.” In their trouble we called upon the Lord and he gave us an answer of peace. One indeed continued an hour in strong pain; and one or more for three days. But the rest were greatly comforted in that hour and went away rejoicing and praising God.
Prayer
Direct our paths, Lord! you have opened up a new and living way into the Holy of Holies. We would follow hard after you on that narrow way, that straight way unto salvation. Rescue us from that broad way that leads unto destruction. Pour out your Holy Spirit in power and through the conviction of your Spirit-anointed word. Rend the heavens and come down, that we might be saved from hell and saved from a Christless eternity. So help us, God!
151 Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 172-175, 205–206.
DAY 22
EVENING
PSALMS 108–109
Psalm 109:4 “... but I am a man of prayer.”
Wesley on Prayer
Wesley wrote about prayer in his Journal:
“ Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer; it is almost essentially connected with it. One who always prays is ever giving praise, whether in ease or pain, both for prosperity and for the greatest adversity. He blesses God for all things, looks on them as coming from Him, and receives them for His sake — not choosing nor refusing, liking or disliking anything, but only as it is agreeable or disagreeable to His perfect will.”
“The end of your praying is not to inform God, as though he knew of your wants already; but rather to inform yourselves; to fix the sense of those wants more deeply in your hearts, and the sense of your continued dependence on Him who only is able to supply all your wants. It is not so much to move God who is always more ready to give than you to ask, as to move yourselves, that you may be willing and ready to receive the good things he has prepared for you.”
“I continue to dream and pray about a revival of holiness in our day that moves forth in mission and creates authentic community in which each person can be unleashed through the empowerment of the Spirit to fulfill God’s creational intentions.”
“When therefore we pray, that the will of God may be done in earth as it is in Heaven, the meaning is, that all the inhabitants of the earth, even the whole race of mankind, may do the will of their Father which is in heaven, as willingly as the holy Angels; that these may do it continually, even as they without any interruption of their willing service; yea and that they may do it perfectly, — that “the God of peace, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, may make them perfect in every good work to do his will and work in them all which is well-pleasing in his sight”. In other words we pray that we and all mankind may do the whole will of God in all things; and nothing else, not the least thing but what is the holy and acceptable will of God: We pray that we may do the whole will of God as he willeth, in the manner that pleases him: And lastly, that we may do it because it is his will; that this may be the sole reason and ground, the whole and only motive of whatsoever we think, or whatever we speak or do.”
Prayer
Where my prayer life has been dry and routine and where I have been preoccupied with other things, draw me back to you, Lord. Teach me to pray, to see prayer as the highest part of the work entrusted to me. Cultivate in me that spiritual thirst and hunger that I lack. I have been dulled by the power of sin in my life. Wake me up out of my lethargy and draw me back to you, O Lord.
152 Wesley, J How To Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer. http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/4468403-how-to-pray- the-best-of-john-wesley-value-book
153 Wesley. J.Journal , Volume 1, 332.
154 Wesley, J How To Pray.
155 Wesley. J.Journal, Volume 1, 337–8
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
DAY 21
MORNING
PSALM 105
Psalm 105:1 “Make known among the nations what he has done.”
“I Look Upon All the Whole World as My Parish”
John Wesley described early in the Methodist revival the reason why he preached the Gospel and the nature of his commission:144
11 June 1739
I do not think it hard to justify whatever I do. God in Scripture commands me, according to my power, to instruct the ignorant, reform the wicked, confirm the virtuous. Man forbids me to do this in another’s parish; that is, in effect, to do it at all, seeing I have now no parish of my own, nor probably ever shall. Whom then shall I hear, God or man? ... I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that His blessing attends it. Great encouragement have I, therefore, to be faithful in fulfilling the work He hath given me to do. His servant I am, and, as such, am employed according to the plain direction of His Word, “As I have opportunity, doing good unto all men”; and His providence clearly concurs with his Word; which has disengaged me from all things else, that I might singly attend on this very thing, “and go about doing good”.
When he was nearly 70 Wesley wrote to John Fletcher. Wesley had expected that Fletcher might be his successor. He wrote, “what an amazing work has God wrought in these kingdoms in less than forty years. And it not only continues but increases throughout England, Scotland and ireland; nay it has lately spread into New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Carolina.”145 However Fletcher’s health worsened and he died before John Wesley. The Lord would raise up others to further the work.146
Prayer
Thank you for calling us to this task of going into ALL THE WORLD to make disciples. We ask you for the NATIONS. They are your inheritance. Help us according to your power to instruct the ignorant, reform the wicked, confirm the virtuous, to make the glad tidings of salvation known among the NATIONS, to make known what you have done, Lord, IN ALL THE WORLD.
144 Wesley, J. Journal, June 11th 1739, Vol 1, 189, 190.
145 Wesley, J. Letter to John Fletcher January 1773 , Vol 12, 163.
146 Pollock, J. Wesley, 247. DAY 21
EVENING
PSALM 106
Psalm 106:6 “We have sinned, even as our fathers did ... yet he saved them for his name’s sake.”
Classes and Bands
At The Holy Club in Oxford and at the Fetter Lane society in London, practical holiness and openly confessing sin was a strong value for John Wesley. He saw that this practical holiness was the experience of the primitive Church. From the very beginnings of Methodism Wesley developed a system of classes and bands, where confession of sin in small groups became a lifestyle.
The classes consisted of a meeting once a week in the evening for about an hour. At these meetings the group members would report back to the other group members how they were doing spiritually, tell each other any needs or spiritual problems that they were facing and receive prayer.147 “Advice or reproof was given as need required, quarrels were made up, misunderstandings were removed. And after an hour or two spent in this labour of love they concluded with prayer and thanksgiving.”148
The bands were groups organised according to age, sex and marital status and they were usually smaller than class meetings.149 Wesley described them as follows:
The design of the band meeting is to obey that command of God, “Confess your thoughts one to another, and pray for one another that you may be healed.” To this end, we intend —
1 To meet once a week at least.
2 To come punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason.
3 To begin (those of us who are present) exactly at the hour, with singing or prayer.
4 To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in thought, word or deed, and the temptations we have felt, since our last meeting.
5 To end every meeting with prayer suited to the state of each person present.
6 To desire some person among us to speak his own state first, and then to ask the rest in order as many and as searching questions as may be, concerning their state, sins and temptations.150
Prayer
I John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Lord, I forsake all known sin: IN THOUGHT — convict me of any past sin; IN WORD — I choose to confess this past sin; IN DEED — show me, where appropriate, how I should correct this past sin. Thank you for your forgiveness and your cleansing. I follow you on your highway of holiness.
147 Snyder, H. The Radical Wesley, 55,
148 Wesley, J. Letter to Mr Perronet 1748 , Vol VIII, 253, 254.
149 Snyder, H. The Radical Wesley, 59,
PSALM 105
Psalm 105:1 “Make known among the nations what he has done.”
“I Look Upon All the Whole World as My Parish”
John Wesley described early in the Methodist revival the reason why he preached the Gospel and the nature of his commission:144
11 June 1739
I do not think it hard to justify whatever I do. God in Scripture commands me, according to my power, to instruct the ignorant, reform the wicked, confirm the virtuous. Man forbids me to do this in another’s parish; that is, in effect, to do it at all, seeing I have now no parish of my own, nor probably ever shall. Whom then shall I hear, God or man? ... I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that His blessing attends it. Great encouragement have I, therefore, to be faithful in fulfilling the work He hath given me to do. His servant I am, and, as such, am employed according to the plain direction of His Word, “As I have opportunity, doing good unto all men”; and His providence clearly concurs with his Word; which has disengaged me from all things else, that I might singly attend on this very thing, “and go about doing good”.
When he was nearly 70 Wesley wrote to John Fletcher. Wesley had expected that Fletcher might be his successor. He wrote, “what an amazing work has God wrought in these kingdoms in less than forty years. And it not only continues but increases throughout England, Scotland and ireland; nay it has lately spread into New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Carolina.”145 However Fletcher’s health worsened and he died before John Wesley. The Lord would raise up others to further the work.146
Prayer
Thank you for calling us to this task of going into ALL THE WORLD to make disciples. We ask you for the NATIONS. They are your inheritance. Help us according to your power to instruct the ignorant, reform the wicked, confirm the virtuous, to make the glad tidings of salvation known among the NATIONS, to make known what you have done, Lord, IN ALL THE WORLD.
144 Wesley, J. Journal, June 11th 1739, Vol 1, 189, 190.
145 Wesley, J. Letter to John Fletcher January 1773 , Vol 12, 163.
146 Pollock, J. Wesley, 247. DAY 21
EVENING
PSALM 106
Psalm 106:6 “We have sinned, even as our fathers did ... yet he saved them for his name’s sake.”
Classes and Bands
At The Holy Club in Oxford and at the Fetter Lane society in London, practical holiness and openly confessing sin was a strong value for John Wesley. He saw that this practical holiness was the experience of the primitive Church. From the very beginnings of Methodism Wesley developed a system of classes and bands, where confession of sin in small groups became a lifestyle.
The classes consisted of a meeting once a week in the evening for about an hour. At these meetings the group members would report back to the other group members how they were doing spiritually, tell each other any needs or spiritual problems that they were facing and receive prayer.147 “Advice or reproof was given as need required, quarrels were made up, misunderstandings were removed. And after an hour or two spent in this labour of love they concluded with prayer and thanksgiving.”148
The bands were groups organised according to age, sex and marital status and they were usually smaller than class meetings.149 Wesley described them as follows:
The design of the band meeting is to obey that command of God, “Confess your thoughts one to another, and pray for one another that you may be healed.” To this end, we intend —
1 To meet once a week at least.
2 To come punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason.
3 To begin (those of us who are present) exactly at the hour, with singing or prayer.
4 To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in thought, word or deed, and the temptations we have felt, since our last meeting.
5 To end every meeting with prayer suited to the state of each person present.
6 To desire some person among us to speak his own state first, and then to ask the rest in order as many and as searching questions as may be, concerning their state, sins and temptations.150
Prayer
I John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Lord, I forsake all known sin: IN THOUGHT — convict me of any past sin; IN WORD — I choose to confess this past sin; IN DEED — show me, where appropriate, how I should correct this past sin. Thank you for your forgiveness and your cleansing. I follow you on your highway of holiness.
147 Snyder, H. The Radical Wesley, 55,
148 Wesley, J. Letter to Mr Perronet 1748 , Vol VIII, 253, 254.
149 Snyder, H. The Radical Wesley, 59,
Sunday, June 1, 2014
DAY 20
MORNING
PSALMS 102–103
Psalm 103:5 “He satisfies your desires with good things.”
The Danger of Riches
Summary of Sermon preached by John Wesley.141
They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful desires which drown men in destruction and perdition.” 1 Timothy 6:9 The apostle does not here speak of they that will be rich by evil means, by theft robbery, oppression or extortion; simply they that will be rich. What it is it is to be rich? The preceding verse says, “Having food and raiment (literally coverings: including lodgings as well as clothes) let us be content.” They that will be rich are those who will have more than these, more than the necessaries and conveniences of life, In other words “they that will be rich” are those that endeavour to “lay up treasures on earth”.
In fact is not the laying up of treasures on earth expressly and clearly forbidden by our Lord as either adultery or murder? The text says they that will be rich enter into temptation, a snare of the devil which he purposely put in their way ... Riches either desired or possessed naturally lead to some or other foolish desires, the desire of the eyes, that is seeking happiness in gratifying the imagination, the desire of honour, the desire of ease. All these in the proportion as they prevail, “pierce men through with many sorrows.”
I ask then in the name of God who of you desire to be rich? Who of you desires to have more than the plain necessaries and conveniences of life? Stop! Consider! What are you doing? Evil is before you! Will you rush upon the point of a sword! By the grace of God, turn and live! By the same authority I ask of you, “Who of you are endeavouring to be rich?” To procure for yourselves more than the plain necessaries and conveniences of life? Lay each of you, your hand to your heart and inquire seriously “Am I of that number?” May the spirit of God say to everyone whom it concerns “Thou art the man!”
Are not you who have been successful in your endeavours to increase in substance, insensibly sunk into softness of the mind, if not of body too? You no longer rejoice to “endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.” You no longer rush into the kingdom of heaven, and take it by storm. You do not cheerfully and gladly “deny yourselves and take up your cross daily.” You cannot deny yourself the poor pleasure of a little sleep, or a soft bed, in order to hear the word that is able to save your souls! Indeed you “cannot go out so early in the morning; besides it is dark, nay cold, perhaps rainy too. Cold, darkness, rain, all these together I can never think of it.” You did not say so when you were a poor man. It is the change of circumstances which has occasioned this melancholy change in your body and mind: You are but the shadow of what you were! What have riches done for you? But, you say, “It cannot be expected, I should do as I have done, for I am now grown old.” Am not I grown old as well as you? Am not I in my 78th year? Yet by the grace of God, I do not slack my pace yet.
Prayer
All our riches are found in you, and in doing your will, Lord. If we are endeavouring to be rich and to procure more than the plain necessaries of life, show us, Lord, show us our hearts. You, Lord, are the one who satisfies all our desires with good things!
141 Wesley, J. Sermons Volume 7, ‘The danger of riches,’ 1,2.
DAY 20
EVENING
PSALM 104
Psalm 104:30 “When you send your Spirit ... you renew the face of the earth.”
Hearts Touched, Lives Changed
It is abundantly clear from reading the Journal of John Wesley that the Holy Spirit, particularly during the beginning of the Methodist awakening, was moving in power. Frequently there were outward manifestations during the delivery of his messages. There would be conviction, convulsions, sighs and sobs, some crying out apparently in agony, until within a short while they were praising God. Frequently individuals would find Wesley after the meeting was over, if they were in spiritual need, but sometimes Wesley had to wait till the next day before he knew what had happened as a result of his preaching. Wesley was preaching to a company of soldiers in Athlone and one soldier gave his testimony immediately afterwards: “I was going to a woman last night when one of my comrades met and asked me if I would go to the watch night. Out of curiosity I came; but for half the sermon I minded nothing that was said then God struck me to the heart, so that I could not stand, but dropped down to the ground. I slept none last night and came to you [Wesley] in the morning; but I could not speak. I went from you to a few brethren, and they prayed with me till my burden dropped off. And now, by the grace of God we will part no more. I am ready to go with you all over the world.”142
A significant indication that the Lord had really begun a work in the hearts of those who had heard him preach was their presence at the meeting that Wesley frequently organised early the next morning. If those had been spiritually impacted the previous day were sufficiently motivated to come the following day, he felt that this was a good indication that they would find the Lord Jesus, the lover of their souls. on one occasion in Rye he said in his Journal that the next day: “The number of those who came at five in the morning showed that God had touched many hearts.”143 For Wesley it was not enough for hearts to be touched, he wanted to see lives changed too.
Prayer
Send your Spirit, Lord. Renew me by your Spirit and change me. Change me into your image, Lord Jesus Christ. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me, Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
142 Wesley, J. Journal, July 3, 1750,Vol 3,483.
143 Wesley, J. Journal, October 13,1758, Vol 4, 288 quoted in Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart, 164, 165.
PSALMS 102–103
Psalm 103:5 “He satisfies your desires with good things.”
The Danger of Riches
Summary of Sermon preached by John Wesley.141
They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful desires which drown men in destruction and perdition.” 1 Timothy 6:9 The apostle does not here speak of they that will be rich by evil means, by theft robbery, oppression or extortion; simply they that will be rich. What it is it is to be rich? The preceding verse says, “Having food and raiment (literally coverings: including lodgings as well as clothes) let us be content.” They that will be rich are those who will have more than these, more than the necessaries and conveniences of life, In other words “they that will be rich” are those that endeavour to “lay up treasures on earth”.
In fact is not the laying up of treasures on earth expressly and clearly forbidden by our Lord as either adultery or murder? The text says they that will be rich enter into temptation, a snare of the devil which he purposely put in their way ... Riches either desired or possessed naturally lead to some or other foolish desires, the desire of the eyes, that is seeking happiness in gratifying the imagination, the desire of honour, the desire of ease. All these in the proportion as they prevail, “pierce men through with many sorrows.”
I ask then in the name of God who of you desire to be rich? Who of you desires to have more than the plain necessaries and conveniences of life? Stop! Consider! What are you doing? Evil is before you! Will you rush upon the point of a sword! By the grace of God, turn and live! By the same authority I ask of you, “Who of you are endeavouring to be rich?” To procure for yourselves more than the plain necessaries and conveniences of life? Lay each of you, your hand to your heart and inquire seriously “Am I of that number?” May the spirit of God say to everyone whom it concerns “Thou art the man!”
Are not you who have been successful in your endeavours to increase in substance, insensibly sunk into softness of the mind, if not of body too? You no longer rejoice to “endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.” You no longer rush into the kingdom of heaven, and take it by storm. You do not cheerfully and gladly “deny yourselves and take up your cross daily.” You cannot deny yourself the poor pleasure of a little sleep, or a soft bed, in order to hear the word that is able to save your souls! Indeed you “cannot go out so early in the morning; besides it is dark, nay cold, perhaps rainy too. Cold, darkness, rain, all these together I can never think of it.” You did not say so when you were a poor man. It is the change of circumstances which has occasioned this melancholy change in your body and mind: You are but the shadow of what you were! What have riches done for you? But, you say, “It cannot be expected, I should do as I have done, for I am now grown old.” Am not I grown old as well as you? Am not I in my 78th year? Yet by the grace of God, I do not slack my pace yet.
Prayer
All our riches are found in you, and in doing your will, Lord. If we are endeavouring to be rich and to procure more than the plain necessaries of life, show us, Lord, show us our hearts. You, Lord, are the one who satisfies all our desires with good things!
141 Wesley, J. Sermons Volume 7, ‘The danger of riches,’ 1,2.
DAY 20
EVENING
PSALM 104
Psalm 104:30 “When you send your Spirit ... you renew the face of the earth.”
Hearts Touched, Lives Changed
It is abundantly clear from reading the Journal of John Wesley that the Holy Spirit, particularly during the beginning of the Methodist awakening, was moving in power. Frequently there were outward manifestations during the delivery of his messages. There would be conviction, convulsions, sighs and sobs, some crying out apparently in agony, until within a short while they were praising God. Frequently individuals would find Wesley after the meeting was over, if they were in spiritual need, but sometimes Wesley had to wait till the next day before he knew what had happened as a result of his preaching. Wesley was preaching to a company of soldiers in Athlone and one soldier gave his testimony immediately afterwards: “I was going to a woman last night when one of my comrades met and asked me if I would go to the watch night. Out of curiosity I came; but for half the sermon I minded nothing that was said then God struck me to the heart, so that I could not stand, but dropped down to the ground. I slept none last night and came to you [Wesley] in the morning; but I could not speak. I went from you to a few brethren, and they prayed with me till my burden dropped off. And now, by the grace of God we will part no more. I am ready to go with you all over the world.”142
A significant indication that the Lord had really begun a work in the hearts of those who had heard him preach was their presence at the meeting that Wesley frequently organised early the next morning. If those had been spiritually impacted the previous day were sufficiently motivated to come the following day, he felt that this was a good indication that they would find the Lord Jesus, the lover of their souls. on one occasion in Rye he said in his Journal that the next day: “The number of those who came at five in the morning showed that God had touched many hearts.”143 For Wesley it was not enough for hearts to be touched, he wanted to see lives changed too.
Prayer
Send your Spirit, Lord. Renew me by your Spirit and change me. Change me into your image, Lord Jesus Christ. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me, Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
142 Wesley, J. Journal, July 3, 1750,Vol 3,483.
143 Wesley, J. Journal, October 13,1758, Vol 4, 288 quoted in Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart, 164, 165.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)