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- Editorial -
God’s Power in the Ministry
of John Wesley
John Wesley was born in 1703 and
lived 88 years. From the time he was saved, to the time of his
death, he manifested the power of God in his life.
May 24, 1738 was when Wesley listened
to some Moravians read a passage written by Martin Luther and was
"strangely warmed". From that point, he was greatly used of God in
simple and heroic efforts.
These efforts produced a "Great
Awakening" in England. His travels took him to hamlets all over
this nation and those people were still shaken for God many decades
later.
There is a much told story about a nobleman
arriving at Cornwall and looking for a tavern to buy strong drink.
When a villager was approached with the question, "How is it that I
cannot get a glass of liquor in this wretched village of yours?", he
replied, "My lord, something happened over 100 years ago, a man
named John Wesley came to these parts."
How was Wesley able to have so much of God's power
on his life? Wesley wrote in his journal that he longed for a
deeper experience.
He also said, "about 3 in the morning, as we were
continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon
us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to
the ground. As soon as we were recovered a little from that awe and
amazement at the presence of His majesty, we broke out with one
voice, ‘We praise thee, 0 God, we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.’”
John Wesley preached with unusual anointing and
power as it provoked conviction in the hearts of people everywhere
he went.
Upon reading his sermons today, one might wonder
how people could have been affected by them. The answer is, of
course ...
God's outpouring of
His spirit on this surrendered man.
Under Wesley's preaching folks of all ages often
suddenly cried out great soul anguish, falling on the ground from
the hand of God upon them as they repented. Then shortly they would
be rejoicing with a wonderful assurance of forgiven sin and an
awareness of the peace of Jesus Christ.
People seemed to see themselves as God saw them
and would settle for nothing less than deliverance.
On April 21. 1739, at Weaver's Hall, Bristol, “a
young man was suddenly seized with a violent trembling all over, and
in a few minutes, the sorrows of his heart being enlarged, sunk down
to the ground.” Soon he found peace.
On April 25 of the same year, while Wesley was
preaching “immediately one, and another, and another sunk to the
earth, they dropped thunderstruck.” Even doubters were so overcome
with conviction, that many were saved without further witness. "One
strong opponent was suddenly knocked off his chair and fell, calling
on God."
Wesley is quoted, “One and another and another was
struck to the earth; exceedingly trembling at the presence of his
power. Others cried with a loud and bitter voice, ‘What must we do
to be saved?’”
There were many who opposed Wesley and his witness
for Jesus. The preacher wrote, “The power of God came upon his
word; so that none scoffed, or interrupted, or opened his mouth.”
While others, “sunk down and there remained no strength in them.
Others exceedingly trembled and quaked.”
Wesley never tried to stop or encourage this
phenomenon, he could only see God at work and he was content to let
Him.
Even in adverse weather, whether raining or bitter
cold he labored with Bible preaching. Large crowds heard him at
long length. On December 23, 1744, at Snow Fields, he wrote, “I
found such light and strength as I never remember to have had
before.”
As a diligent and vigorous preacher he was often
exhausted. On March 17,1740, he relates in his writing that he and
his horse were quickly finding it difficult to go further. “I then
thought. 'Cannot God heal either man or beast by any means, or
without any?' Immediately my weariness and my headache ceased, and
my horse's lameness in the same instant.”
The best way to explain John Wesley's efforts is
to simply express, God had His hand on him.
TOP
G. Steven
Andres
Psalms 45.17
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