John Wesley (1703-1791) & Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
READ: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
The early 18th C to
the late 19th C spanned a period of spiritual revival known as the
Great Awakenings. Through the preaching of godly men and women, the Spirit
moved, bringing heartfelt revival across America. John and his brother Charles
were key players in the First Great Awakening of the 1730s and 40s, though their
impact would come from afar. The brothers were born and raised in England, and
aside from a few months on missions in British America, remained there throughout
their lives. However they greatly influenced the movement through their
teaching and development of Methodism.
While attending Oxford, both boys
got serious in their faith and started a “Holy Club” – a small group providing
encouragement and accountability for those who sought to live a holy life.
Their methods to holy living (fasting, abstaining from amusements, weekly
communion, small groups, etc.) gained them the name “Methodists” by those who
ridiculed them. Holiness was the focus of their teaching. Both had an intense desire for spiritual
perfection, and so they sought to do good works as the Bible commanded and to
experience the sanctification spoken of in the scriptures. The Wesleys were
radical because they took their responsibility as Christians very seriously in
a time when the church was full of apathy and immorality. Their focus on
personal holiness, repentance, the possibility of sanctification, and
evangelism paved the way for revival – and a great revival it would be! Psalm
45:7 seems a fitting verse in memory of these men: “You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God,
your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the
oil of joy.”
George Whitefield (1714-1770)
READ: Romans 12
George Whitefield was America’s
first cultural hero. By 1750, virtually every man woman and child in America
had heard him speak, and other than royalty, he was perhaps the only name that
all colonial Americans would have recognized.
Whitefield was born and raised in
England and met John and Charles Wesley while attending Oxford. He quickly
joined their Holy Club and even took on leadership when the brothers went to
America. George was an unparalleled communicator who knew how to get beyond the
head and touch the heart. He loved the stage and knew how to captivate any
audience, bringing passion to his messages through tears, body language and
emotion. Whitefield had a lasting impression on American religion. He felt
called to New England and came over on a number of preaching tours throughout
his life, traveling from place to place, and captivating crowds with his
passionate preaching. He was not a man to waste time. He arose at four each
morning and lay down at ten. He travelled constantly and preached multiple
times a day, sometimes up to 60 hours in a week, and is said to have taught
30,000 sermons by the time he died.
Whitefield wasn’t perfect – his
ministry lacked a method of discipleship, leaving some of his hearers
floundering after he moved on. His marriage also lacked intimacy and care. He was
afraid of marriage and when he did finally marry, he spent most of his time
away from his wife, leaving her feeling lonely and rejected. Nonetheless, George
Whitfield had a lasting impression on American religion. Though he was deemed a
Methodist preacher, his message was non-denominational – anyone and everyone
came to hear him speak and be impacted. The vitality and emotion that he
brought to the pulpit set the stage for centuries of evangelists, pastors and
youth pastors who would seek to minister in his footsteps. Whitefield embodied
Romans 12:11 “Never be lacking in zeal,
but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.
