Thoughts for Life: #12 God's Power in the Ministry of John Wesley

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: John Wesley (1703-91), the evangelist with the burning heart, is one whose ministry was repeatedly characterized by the power of the Holy Spirit.

His conversion story is well known. His godly home environment during his childhood, his intention throughout youth methodically to discipline himself for a holy life, his promotion of the Holy Club at Oxford, his two-year missionary experience in North America, and his deep piety yet lack of the assurance of salvation—these are often cited. (Google image, John Wesley). [This page gives more information about John Wesley, if you'd care to check it out].

Then came his life-transforming new birth on May 24, 1738, when this deeply committed clergyman found Christ while a passage from Martin Luther was being read.

Wesley reported that his heart was "strangely warmed," and from that day on he became the proclaimer of the glorious witness of the Spirit to salvation.

What was the secret of his prodigious ministry from that day forward? Respected secular historians have said that through the ministry of John Wesley and his helpers and converts and the great awakening across England that resulted, the nation was saved from the bloodbath that characterized the French Revolution which began two years before Wesley's death.

Robert Southey added that Wesley was"the most influential mind" of his century, whose life would influence civilization for "centuries or perhaps millenniums" if the human race lasted that long!

For fifty-three years of a tireless ministry Wesley called himself "a man of one book"—the Bible. Yet he wrote over 200 books, edited a magazine, compiled dictionaries in four languages—all in his own handwriting.

He crisscrossed England on horseback for a total of some 250,000 miles. For years he averaged twenty miles a day and often rode fifty to sixty and even more miles in a day, stopping to preach along the way. He preached 40,000 sermons—rarely less than two a day and often seven, eight, or even more.

What was the secret of his tremendous energy, or, even more, the secret of God's tremendous continuous seal upon his ministry? His journal entries for October 3 and 15, 1738, point to his longing for a deeper experience. Historians point to an occasion six months after his new birth.

[Dr. Duewel then writes of the love-feast, of continuing instant in prayer with friends and his brother, Charles].

"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, O God, we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.' "

From that time on Wesley preached with such new authority and power that thousands came to the Lord. His journals, which he kept faithfully over the years, tell of people seized suddenly with tremendously deep Holy Spirit-given conviction for sin.

The accounts remind one of Paul's experience when God's power struck him down on the road to Damascus. Under Wesley's preaching people often suddenly cried out aloud in great soul anguish, many falling on the ground from the hand of God upon them as they repented.

Within minutes they would be rejoicing with a wonderful assurance of sins forgiven and a deep awareness of the peace of Christ. People saw their sins as they appear in the sight of our holy God and cried out for deliverance. Some were seized with trembling before God's awesome presence.

The evangelist was repeatedly and heatedly opposed, often mobbed, and in danger of his life. But of his preaching Wesley wrote, "The power of God came upon his word; so that none scoffed, or interrupted, or opened his mouth."

[Dr. Duewel goes on to relate the anointing that Wesley often felt, and the actions of the Holy Spirit in various meetings].

I, (Dr. Duewel), cited only a few of the many instances of God's power on Wesley. There is no human explanation except his life of prayer and repeated sense of God's power. It was nothing worked up. He did not seek emotion or outward demonstration. God simply clothed his constant ministry with power.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.

Ablaze for God
#12 God's Power in the Ministry of John Wesley
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

(pp. 55 - 59) ZondervanPublishingHouse

Lisa Buffaloe.com

Our prayer today-

Father, thank You for having us learn about John Wesley, how he was a man with a burning heart, repeatedly characterized by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The secret of Wesley's tremendous energy was Your Spirit's continuous seal upon his ministry, resulting from his longing for a deeper experience, and enabled him to move in the Spirit's power.
From the time he preached with new authority and power, thousands came to the Lord. He wrote in his journals of people seized suddenly with tremendously deep Holy Spirit-given conviction for sin.
Shortly afterwards they would be rejoicing with the assurance of sins forgiven and have a deep awareness of the peace of Christ. People saw their sins as they appeared in the sight of our holy God and cried out for deliverance.
May our plea be for our leaders to experience more of Christ's power in their ministries.
We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Today's quote-

Thanksliving brings God close.

~ Ronald P. Hutchcraft: "As you become a God-watcher, you sense His closeness as never before. At our house, we talked about the day's "God-sightings" around the dinner table. He's all over your day - if you're looking for Him. That encouraging text, the parking place, a child's hug, a "just for me" Bible verse, a beautiful sunrise, a good night's sleep.
Your Father's love, expressed through little daily "goodnesses."
Reminding us that "we are His people, the sheep of His pasture."
So, "enter His gates with thanksgiving" (Psalm 100:3-4).

Today's question-

Do you live a lifetime of faith?

We can walk in the Life Jesus gives us as we face daily the enemy of our souls, Satan. He tempts us to do evil, but it's our choice whether or not to submit to it. His aim is to steal from us our faith, destroy whatever teachings we've had about God, and kill us outright, if he can.

The following is for us to consider; using the word BELIEF.

Buy into all Jesus offers

Expect His benefits and help

Love God wholeheartedly

Initiate on the behalf of others

Engage culture to find ways to reach others for Christ

Forge ahead! Do all the Lord directs you to do.

Today's Bible verses-

(Acts:4:7, 8, 13, 31 KJV)."And when they had set them
in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name,
have ye done this?
(v. 8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto
them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel . . .
(v.13) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John,
and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant
men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them,
that they had been with Jesus. (v. 31) And when they had
prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled
together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and
they spake the word of God with boldness."