Charles Wesley wrote over 9000 hymns and sacred poems in his lifetime. His last a few days before he died was this:
In age and feebleness extreme,
Who shall a sinful worm redeem?
Jesus, my only hope Thou art,
Strength of my failing flesh and heart;
O could I catch a smile from Thee,
And drop into eternity!
May we have that same hope when our turn comes!
Just finished reading biographies about George Whitefield, Charles Wesley, and John Wesley – the three leaders of the Great Awakening in England. I confess I was most interested in Whirefield as I am more at home with his theology. The Wesleys were interesting when they weren’t railing against the Biblical doctrine of predestination or pushing their unBiblical view of Christian perfection. Okay that was strong – but that was Whitefield’s view. Of course, the Wesleys thought Whitefield’s views were unBiblical. And yet, for most of their lives, they were friends.
They met and became friends at school before any of them were saved or famous. After they were born again, they ministered together preaching the gospel around England (and beyond). But then, despite Whitefield’s plea, John began preaching against and writing against predestination. Whitefield felt he had no choice but to respond and defend the doctrine. The cord of three was broken. But over time they came together again. The gospel was central in each of their lives and it was around this that they came together. They agreed to disagree on the other issues – the main thing was the gospel. Indeed at the end they were preaching for each other again. When George Whitefield died, John Wesley led the service in England. Charles Wesley wrote a long poem about his friend. In particulars they differed, but they were friends in the gospel.
Which brings us to today. Calvinism is on the rise – and I praise God for it. Yet it is often antagonistic toward non-Calvinists. On the other side is a responding antagonism against Calvinism. Can we agree to disagree? Can we come together around the gospel like Whitefield and the Wesleys? Can we keep the main thing the main thing? Whitefield didn’t want Wesley to publish against predestination because he didn’t want to divide the church and hurt the revival that was going on. For the sake of the church, and the hope of revival, can we keep the gospel central and rally around it?
We have much to learn from these men. For further reading, check out these biographies that I just read:
George Whitefield – Arnold Dallimore (I read the one volume edition, there is also a much more complete two volume edition)
George Whitefield and the Great Awakening – John Pollock
Assist Me To Proclaim: Life and Hymns of Charles Wesley – John Tyson
John Wesley – Stephen Tomkins
George Whitefield was a great preacher and revivalist who God used along with others to bring about the First Great Awakening. Crowds of thousands flocked to hear him. Yet he knew it wasn’t about him, but about Christ. Consider these Whitefield quotes I found in Dallimore’s Whitefield biography:
“Let the name of Whitefield perish, but Christ be glorified.”
“Let my name die everywhere, let even my friends forget me, if by that means the cause of the blessed Jesus may be promoted.”
“But what is Calvin, or what is Luther? Let us look above names and parties; let Jesus be our all in all – So that he is preached….I care not who is uppermost. I know my place…even to be the servant of all.”
It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s only about Jesus. Lord, help us share Whitefield’s attitude, and let your glory be over all the earth!
I finished reading a good biography about George Whitefield by Arnold Dallimore a few weeks ago. Whitefield prayed in 1737, “God give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love and a single eye, and then let men or devils do their worst.” Read that again slowly – phrase by phrase. Is that our desire? Do we trust God that much? Can we pray this?
Friday: Returning – With the Lord
Prayer: Father, thank you for the assurance that those who die in the Lord will one day be raised even as Jesus died and was raised. Thank you for the hope that one day we will be with our Lord forever. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: How does the assurance that you will one day be with your Lord encourage you?
Praise: Sing “When We See Christ”
Saturday: Reborn – Hope in your Inheritance
Read I Peter 1:3-4
Prayer: Father, thank you for your great mercy to me that you have caused me to be reborn to living hope through Christ’s resurrection. Thank you for the certain and unending inheritance that awaits me. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: How might remembering your unending inheritance in heaven diminish your pursuit of temporary earthly treasures?
Praise: Sing “What A Day That Will Be”
Sunday: Ransomed – Praise to the Lamb
Read Revelation 5:1-14
Prayer: Father, thank you for the Risen Lamb who has ransomed me by his spilt blood. Help me to praise him today with a heart full of gratitude. To you and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: How has reflecting this week on the many benefits of Christ’s resurrection helped you to join the heavenly beings in worshipping the Lamb?
Praise: Sing “Crown Him With Many Crowns”
Resurrected – Victory over Death
Read I Corinthians 15:20-23, 50-58
Prayer: Father, as Christ has been raised, so one day we will be raised. We will be changed. Our perishable mortal bodies shall be made imperishable, immortal. Death will be no more. Thank you for this promised victory over death through Jesus Christ our Lord. Until that day, help me to live and labor for you. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: How does the assurance of victory over death affect your thoughts and emotions at the prospect of facing death one day?
Praise: Sing “Because He Lives”
Reigns – Submit to your King
Read Ephesians 1:19-23
Prayer: Father, by your great power that now works in me you raised Jesus from the dead, and have made him King over all and Head of your church. Help me to submit to my life to my Risen King. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: What rule and authority and power and dominion do you see on this earth today? How does Jesus’ higher and greater reign encourage you?
Praise: Sing “All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name”
Raised – Live your New Life
Read Romans 6:1-4
Prayer: Father, as Christ died, so in Christ I too have died to sin. Help me to not live that way any longer. As Christ was raised, so you have raised me to a new life in Christ. Let me live this new life you have purchased for me through Jesus. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: How has Jesus changed your life?
Praise: Sing “O To Be Like Thee”
Received – Embrace the Gospel
Read I Corinthians 15:1-7
Prayer: Father, thank you for the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ – that he died for my sins, was buried, and rose from the dead. Thank you that he demonstrated his resurrection by appearing to your early disciples. Thank you for the opportunity to receive this good news and have my sins forgiven. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: What is the gospel? Have you received it? How do Christ’s many appearances encourage or strengthen faith?
Praise: Sing “One Day”
Easter Sunday: Rejoice – Celebrate His Resurrection
Read Luke 24
Prayer: Father, what glorious news! The tomb is empty! He is not here, but has risen! Let me join with your disciples in joyous worship and praise to you. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: What evidence does Jesus give of his resurrection, and how does that strengthen your faith and joy?
Praise: Sing “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”
