On March 9th, 1791, when John Wesley was carried to his grave,
he left behind him a good library of books, a well-worn clergyman's gown,
and a much abused reputation. But also, an England moved to the very depths
and a Church thrilled through and through with an awakened spiritual life.
John Wesley was a man who truly possessed both apostolic vision and gifts,
but
most importantly he was a man who lived in view of eternity. "Consumed
by the thought of the shortness of time, the great work to be done, and
the need for haste in doing it, on he marched, preaching, pleading, warning
and guiding . . ."
John Wesley was a man mighty in faith and prayer. Time and again people
possessed with devils were brought to him and in answer to prayer the demons
were cast out. Not only were evil spirits cast out, but the sick were healed
as well. As Wesley preached, the power of God often came upon his listeners,
and hundreds would fall under the power of the Spirit. Then, in
answer, to prayer their souls and bodies were healed. A physician became
offended at the cries of many who fell under the power of God. He attended
Wesley's meeting and a lady he knew fell under the power. "Great drops
of sweat ran down her face, and all her bones shook. But when both her
soul and body were healed in a moment he acknowledged the finger of God."
On another occasion when Wesley was traveling the preaching circuit,
his horse suddenly became lame. With no one near to offer help, he stopped
and prayed. "Immediately the horse's lameness was gone."
Wesley pleaded with men to repent and by faith make peace with God or
suffer in an everlasting hell. People who had entertained false hopes of
salvation had their masks torn away by his plain preaching. Wesley believed
that those who failed to warn the sinner and backslider, themselves stood
under the judgement of Christ. He was determined to declare the whole
counsel of God, offering the love of God in Christ and giving warning
of the dreadful consequences of rejecting the gospel. Wesley wrote, "Before
I can preach love and grace, I must preach sin, law and judgement."
John Wesley, as well as the other early Methodist preachers, was both a bold advocate and a living example of sanctification. Wesley preached with unceasing zeal that complete holiness was the primary fruit of a vibrant faith in Christ. Counseling another minister, Wesley wrote, ". . .till you press believers to expect full salvation from sin, you must not look for any revival."
If John Wesley were to make an anonymous visit to the Methodists of today, it is doubtful whether many of it's churches would welcome him. They would most likely resent his fervent zeal and enthusiasm. When he was eighty-three he made a note that he was regretful that he could not write more than fifteen hours a day without hurting his eyes. Wesley faithfully preached almost up to the very day he died. Truly his vigor and zeal in old age were the reward of his faithful stewardship of time. He seemed to consider every thought, word and deed in light of eternity.
"Amid all his arduous labours, his innumerable engagements, his coming
and going, Wesley lived a hidden life of intimacy with God. When worn out
with overwork he often found new strength in answer to prayer." It was
Welsey's strict habit to daily spend one hour in prayer in the morning,
and then another hour in the evening. John Wesley shook the world by his
preaching
because he first shook heaven and hell with his praying. His preaching
had a sense of eternal urgency because he had touched eternity on his knees.
References Used:
"The Journal of John Wesley"
"Revivals -Their Laws and Leaders" by James
Burns
"Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians"
by James Lawson
This article was taken from The Watchword (Issue 31), a newsletter
calling the body to watch and pray for revival.
Visit the Heart of God Ministries