John Wesley always referred to himself as a brand plucked out of the burning (Zec 3.2) after he was rescued from a disastrous fire that destroyed the rectory in Epworth in 1709. There John was born in 1703 the ninth child of a family of thirteen children. Educated at Lincoln College Oxford he was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church and appointed lecturer in Greek in 1726. Together with his younger brother Charles and some other friends he formed what became known as the Holy Club devoted to good works in and around Oxford. They quickly gained a reputation for piety and strictness of conduct and were called Methodists as a result.
Following the death of his father John went to America as a missionary to the Indians. He returned to England in 1730 after his failure as a missionary and an unhappy love affair. On board ship Wesley came into contact with some Moravians and he became troubled that he knew nothing of their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He admitted that he had gone to convert the Indians while he himself was unsaved, and he saw that all his efforts to do good works were only establishing his own self-righteousness. He recounts his conversion in a prayer meeting in Aldersgate while listening to Luther's "Preface to Romans" on Wednesday May 24,1738." About a quarter to nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death".
From that time John Wesley devoted his boundless energy and talents to preaching the good news about his newly found saviour. Like Whitefield his preaching was not acceptable to many in the Anglican Church and so he took to open air preaching to reach the common people. Rising at 4.00am he preached at 5.00 to catch the working people. This continued for the next 52 years, when he travelled over 225,000 miles mostly on horseback, and preached more than 50,000 sermons. In the early years he faced much opposition and persecution from local clergymen and his life was often in danger from drunken mobs.
One is again struck by the sheer amount of work done by this great man of God. He produced grammars, histories, biographies, and a collection of hymns and tunes. "Leisure and I have taken leave of one another. I propose to be busy as long as I live. Lord let me not live to be useless". Wesley never intended to found a new denomination but was forced after 1748 to ordain his own men to be preachers. He never left the Anglican Church, and looked upon Methodism as a means of reviving the Church from within.
Many of us would find much to disagree with Wesley when we consider his teachings on Arminianism and holiness. Also his dealings with his former friend George Whitefield were not to his credit, but this merely goes to show that God uses imperfect instruments to do his work. When John Wesley died at the age of 88 the whole country had been revived and drawn back from the brink of civil war. He left 750 preachers and 77,968 Methodists in this country alone. His final words were, "The best of all, God is with us" and the first words of the hymn "I'll praise my maker while I've breath; And when my voice is lost in death; Praise shall employ my nobler powers".
Monday 27 April 2015
Monday 20 April 2015
Revival - Part 8: The 18th Century Awakening in England and Wales
In the early 18th century the country was becoming increasingly decadent. Drunkenness was rampant; gambling was so extensive that one historian described England as "one vast casino." Newborn children were left exposed in the streets; 97% of the infant poor in the workhouses died as children. Bear baiting and cock-fighting were accepted sports, and tickets were sold to public executions as to a theatre. The slave trade brought material gain to many while further degrading their souls. Unrest was general among the poorer classes and the conditions were ripe for rebellion.
As it was in the country so it was in the church. Bishop Berkeley wrote that, “Morality and religion in Britain has collapsed to a degree that was never known in any Christian country."
Sir William Blackstone visited the church of every major clergyman in London, but "did not hear a single discourse which had more Christianity in it than the writings of Cicero." In most sermons he heard, it would have been impossible to tell just from listening whether the preacher was a follower of Confucius, Mohammed, or Christ! A French visitor remarked that the English had no religion at all. JC Ryle later wrote that, “These times are the darkest that England has passed through in the last three hundred years”.
But cometh the hour cometh the men of God! Under the mighty preaching of the Gospel by George Whitfield, John Wesley and Daniel Rowlands, the whole country was revived for the remainder of the century.
Numerous agencies promoting Christian work arose as a result of the eighteenth century revival in England. Antislavery societies, prison reform groups, and relief agencies for the poor were started. Numerous missionary societies were formed; the Religious Tract Society was organized; and the British and Foreign Bible Society was established. Hospitals and schools multiplied. The revival cut across denominational lines and touched every class of society. England and Wales were transformed by the revival.
Many historians believe that the revival saved the country from a revolution such as took place in France at the end of the century. People’s minds were diverted from the ills of society to be concerned with more spiritual matters.
Our own day is one of spiritual and moral declension and it may seem to have gone too far to be reformed. But God has not changed, and He can revive our land again, as He has done in the past.
As it was in the country so it was in the church. Bishop Berkeley wrote that, “Morality and religion in Britain has collapsed to a degree that was never known in any Christian country."
Sir William Blackstone visited the church of every major clergyman in London, but "did not hear a single discourse which had more Christianity in it than the writings of Cicero." In most sermons he heard, it would have been impossible to tell just from listening whether the preacher was a follower of Confucius, Mohammed, or Christ! A French visitor remarked that the English had no religion at all. JC Ryle later wrote that, “These times are the darkest that England has passed through in the last three hundred years”.
But cometh the hour cometh the men of God! Under the mighty preaching of the Gospel by George Whitfield, John Wesley and Daniel Rowlands, the whole country was revived for the remainder of the century.
Numerous agencies promoting Christian work arose as a result of the eighteenth century revival in England. Antislavery societies, prison reform groups, and relief agencies for the poor were started. Numerous missionary societies were formed; the Religious Tract Society was organized; and the British and Foreign Bible Society was established. Hospitals and schools multiplied. The revival cut across denominational lines and touched every class of society. England and Wales were transformed by the revival.
Many historians believe that the revival saved the country from a revolution such as took place in France at the end of the century. People’s minds were diverted from the ills of society to be concerned with more spiritual matters.
Our own day is one of spiritual and moral declension and it may seem to have gone too far to be reformed. But God has not changed, and He can revive our land again, as He has done in the past.
Monday 13 April 2015
Revival - Part 7: Revival at the Kirk O’Shotts
A great crowd had gathered in the churchyard at Shotts near Edinburgh on June 2, 1630. A pale nervous young man of seventeen years of age made his way to the front and announced his text from Ezekiel 36:25and 26. The sermon continued in an unremarkable way for about one and a half hours and was coming to its conclusion when a shower of rain caused the people to put on their cloaks and seek any available shelter.
When the sermon was resumed there was a new note in the preacher's voice that now riveted the attention of the congregation. If a few drops of rain could cause such a commotion how much greater would be their discomfort, horror, and despair if God was to deal with them as they deserved. They deserved that God should rain fire and brimstone upon them as he had done on Sodom and Gomorrah. He then turned to the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ as a shelter from the wrath of God and pleaded with them to fly to him. So the sermon continued for about an hour.
That day five hundred people were saved and the surrounding district was revived in a remarkable and unexpected way.
At that time in Scotland communion was celebrated very infrequently and was regarded as a great occasion. In the days before the Sunday the people gathered from a wide area to listen to preaching and to prepare themselves to take part in the service. On this occasion it was decided to have a final preaching service on the following Monday which was quite unusual. A young man John Livingston was called upon but who only consented after much persuasion. He was at that time a chaplain to the Countess of Wigtown and was not yet ordained to the ministry. From his diary we learn of what happened before the service.
Much of the Sunday night was spent in prayer and preparation but when morning came he was so overwhelmed with feelings of unworthiness and weakness that he started to run away and was only drawn back by his conscience. The sermon that followed was never to be repeated in his life and by the following week all power had left him. When he preached at Irvine on the following Monday he felt so deserted that he was unable to get out the words that he had prepared. In despair he decided to give up preaching and was only dissuaded by the advice of some godly minister friends. He wrote in his diary, “So it pleased the Lord to counterbalance his dealings and to hide pride from man".
The revival at the Kirk O’ Shotts is an example of the sovereignty of God in revival. A previously ordinary man, from whom little was expected, was used on this one occasion to bring revival to God's people. This should give us expectancy that God can at any time use our faithful preachers to accomplish great things. Let us pray that we will know something of such occasions in our own days.
When the sermon was resumed there was a new note in the preacher's voice that now riveted the attention of the congregation. If a few drops of rain could cause such a commotion how much greater would be their discomfort, horror, and despair if God was to deal with them as they deserved. They deserved that God should rain fire and brimstone upon them as he had done on Sodom and Gomorrah. He then turned to the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ as a shelter from the wrath of God and pleaded with them to fly to him. So the sermon continued for about an hour.
That day five hundred people were saved and the surrounding district was revived in a remarkable and unexpected way.
At that time in Scotland communion was celebrated very infrequently and was regarded as a great occasion. In the days before the Sunday the people gathered from a wide area to listen to preaching and to prepare themselves to take part in the service. On this occasion it was decided to have a final preaching service on the following Monday which was quite unusual. A young man John Livingston was called upon but who only consented after much persuasion. He was at that time a chaplain to the Countess of Wigtown and was not yet ordained to the ministry. From his diary we learn of what happened before the service.
Much of the Sunday night was spent in prayer and preparation but when morning came he was so overwhelmed with feelings of unworthiness and weakness that he started to run away and was only drawn back by his conscience. The sermon that followed was never to be repeated in his life and by the following week all power had left him. When he preached at Irvine on the following Monday he felt so deserted that he was unable to get out the words that he had prepared. In despair he decided to give up preaching and was only dissuaded by the advice of some godly minister friends. He wrote in his diary, “So it pleased the Lord to counterbalance his dealings and to hide pride from man".
The revival at the Kirk O’ Shotts is an example of the sovereignty of God in revival. A previously ordinary man, from whom little was expected, was used on this one occasion to bring revival to God's people. This should give us expectancy that God can at any time use our faithful preachers to accomplish great things. Let us pray that we will know something of such occasions in our own days.
Saturday 11 April 2015
The Holy Spirit, Working in the World: John 16:5-15
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, whose work is indispensable to regenerate the sinner, to lead him to repentance, to give him faith in Christ, to sanctify the believer in his present life and fit him to enjoy fellowship with God. For spiritual power and effectiveness His ministry is essential to the individual Christian and to the Church.
Thus we affirm our belief in:-
Why will the Spirit do this? He will reprove or convict - 'Of sin, because they do not believe in me' (v9). Here we see the - essence of Sin - what Sin really is. What we commonly recognise as Sin - is in reality the outcome, the outworking of Sin. Lying, murder, stealing, adultery, arise - because we believe not. Adams sin lies not in the action taking and eating of forbidden fruit but in not believing a holy and righteous God.
The root of sin is - unbelief, this is why those who are morally upright yet outside of Christ, and the blatant sinner suffer the same condemnation. As Romans 3:23 says, 'All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God'. Verse 10 confirms, 'There is none righteous, no, not one.' The work of the spirit, is to convince the world, concerning this unbelief and to persuade men of the truth concerning Jesus Christ, that Jesus is the Son of God. That his death on the cross was an atoning once for all sacrifice for Sin. It was the conviction that Jesus Christ was indeed the Son of God that wrung from three thousand souls, at Pentecost the cry, 'Men and brethren what shall we do' (Acts 2:37). Christ's promise concerning the convicting power of the Spirit has been abundantly and gloriously fulfilled, and would continue to do so as the Church continued to grow. Man will not go to hell just because he is a sinner, but because he believes not the testimony of God concerning His Son, effectively calling God a liar. 'He that believeth not God, hath made him to be a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son' (1 John 5:10).
What is God’s record concerning His Son? Well as Jesus is baptised in the Jordan river at the commencement of His ministry the heavens open and a voice from heaven declares 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased' (Matt 3:17). And again on the mount of transfiguration 'This is my beloved Son; hear Him' (Mark 9:7). Yet it was this beloved Son God gave to become the Saviour of the world 'God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life' (John 3:16).
We have already noted that the work of the Spirit is to convince the world, but more particularly the work of the Spirit is to convince you, for Salvation is a very personal work. How would you reply to the question - Do you believe on the Son of God? Remember the blind man Christ healed (John 9)? His reply to that question was, 'Who is he Lord that I might believe'. As Christ revealed himself to him, so he believe. Likewise notice Christ's reply when Peter confessed 'You are the Christ the Son of the living God'(Matt 16:16-17): '...flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you, but my Father, who is in heaven.'
Note, the Spirit having come from the Father now does the will of the Father even as Christ did the Fathers will. We see the Spirit at work in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8). The Spirit led Philip to him. Then wanting to be baptised - he confessed 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' Evidently the Spirit is as much at work in the bringing of Philip as in the convincing of the Eunuch.
What about you? Has the Spirit been patiently leading and guiding, these many years, many times have you heard the story of Jesus - as a child - many times have you heard the Gospel message. Why did you attend church last Lord’s day? Is it a tradition - because you like the company - the singing. Why do you find it difficult to stay away? It is the blessed Holy Spirit of God tenderly wooing you, showing you your need of Christ. He has sought you for many years - to bring you into the fold of God. Through many difficult situations, with infinite love and patience - His mercy has brought you - to this day - to this hour to confront you once more with your need of a saviour.
Will you not yield to his gentle persuasion and confess Him today?
'Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more' (v10). The world accused Him of blasphemy (Matt 26:65), of consorting with sinners (Matt 9:11), and of breaking the Sabbath by healing woman crippled eighteen years (Luke 13:14); they despised the lowly carpenter of Nazareth. They vented their fury on the back of the Son of God. They nailed Him to a cross as a common felon, preferring the company of the murderer, Barabbas.
His righteousness would be revealed by His death and acceptance by God. A centurion at the cross was the first to acknowledge His righteousness as Jesus commended His spirit to the Father, 'Certainly this was a righteous man' (Luke 23:47). The Spirit is at work in a Gentile convincing him of the righteousness of the man upon the cross. At Pentecost, Peters asserts that Jesus had been raised by God, to His right hand, the Spirit convicted the crowd. Willing now to accept Him who they had previously rejected accepting Christ's righteousness on their behalf, to Salvation. If God had accepted Jesus, then surely Jesus must be righteous.
The work of the Spirit is to convince you not only Christ's righteousness but also that you have no righteousness of your own in which you may stand before a holy God as ISA 64:6 reminds us '... we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags’. Thus in order to stand in the presence of a holy and righteous God we need the aid of one who is righteous, and now stands in the presence of God. 'For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us' (Hebrews 9:24). Not only is he in the presence of God but he has been exalted and given a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. When you acknowledge his righteousness, calling upon Him for Salvation, confessing Him as Lord in your life, the Spirit has achieved His purpose in your life.
'Of judgement, because the prince of this world is judged' (v11). Satan, was judged, and condemned at Calvary, because of this YOU also stand in the same condemnation, subject to the same final punishment. Here then is the final work for us to consider today. The soul that is persuaded of Gods final judgement for Sin and sinners is the soul that will fly to the cross for safety. The soul that fears the wrath of God - pleads his mercy - as David pleaded the - 'tender mercies' of God. When you come by the Spirit to realise that God IS just, the Son is righteous, that you need a saviour it is the same Spirit that bids you confess Christ as Lord. When we confess Him He will confess our name in the presence of God 'Whosoever - shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father, who is in heaven' (Matt 10:32).
To those who love him, He has promised the same Spirit, to dwell within 'And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever (John 14:16), - and he shall be in you.' v 17. 'He that believeth on the Son of God has the witness in himself' (1 John 5:10). This great work of bringing mankind to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is the primary work of the Holy Spirit. Will you not yield to the Spirits patient wooing - today, for today is the day of salvation.
Thus we affirm our belief in:-
- The Person of the Holy Spirit
- The work of the Spirit in Regeneration
- The work of the Spirit in Sanctification
- The work of the Spirit in Enabling, and Empowering for service
Why will the Spirit do this? He will reprove or convict - 'Of sin, because they do not believe in me' (v9). Here we see the - essence of Sin - what Sin really is. What we commonly recognise as Sin - is in reality the outcome, the outworking of Sin. Lying, murder, stealing, adultery, arise - because we believe not. Adams sin lies not in the action taking and eating of forbidden fruit but in not believing a holy and righteous God.
The root of sin is - unbelief, this is why those who are morally upright yet outside of Christ, and the blatant sinner suffer the same condemnation. As Romans 3:23 says, 'All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God'. Verse 10 confirms, 'There is none righteous, no, not one.' The work of the spirit, is to convince the world, concerning this unbelief and to persuade men of the truth concerning Jesus Christ, that Jesus is the Son of God. That his death on the cross was an atoning once for all sacrifice for Sin. It was the conviction that Jesus Christ was indeed the Son of God that wrung from three thousand souls, at Pentecost the cry, 'Men and brethren what shall we do' (Acts 2:37). Christ's promise concerning the convicting power of the Spirit has been abundantly and gloriously fulfilled, and would continue to do so as the Church continued to grow. Man will not go to hell just because he is a sinner, but because he believes not the testimony of God concerning His Son, effectively calling God a liar. 'He that believeth not God, hath made him to be a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son' (1 John 5:10).
What is God’s record concerning His Son? Well as Jesus is baptised in the Jordan river at the commencement of His ministry the heavens open and a voice from heaven declares 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased' (Matt 3:17). And again on the mount of transfiguration 'This is my beloved Son; hear Him' (Mark 9:7). Yet it was this beloved Son God gave to become the Saviour of the world 'God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life' (John 3:16).
We have already noted that the work of the Spirit is to convince the world, but more particularly the work of the Spirit is to convince you, for Salvation is a very personal work. How would you reply to the question - Do you believe on the Son of God? Remember the blind man Christ healed (John 9)? His reply to that question was, 'Who is he Lord that I might believe'. As Christ revealed himself to him, so he believe. Likewise notice Christ's reply when Peter confessed 'You are the Christ the Son of the living God'(Matt 16:16-17): '...flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you, but my Father, who is in heaven.'
Note, the Spirit having come from the Father now does the will of the Father even as Christ did the Fathers will. We see the Spirit at work in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8). The Spirit led Philip to him. Then wanting to be baptised - he confessed 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' Evidently the Spirit is as much at work in the bringing of Philip as in the convincing of the Eunuch.
What about you? Has the Spirit been patiently leading and guiding, these many years, many times have you heard the story of Jesus - as a child - many times have you heard the Gospel message. Why did you attend church last Lord’s day? Is it a tradition - because you like the company - the singing. Why do you find it difficult to stay away? It is the blessed Holy Spirit of God tenderly wooing you, showing you your need of Christ. He has sought you for many years - to bring you into the fold of God. Through many difficult situations, with infinite love and patience - His mercy has brought you - to this day - to this hour to confront you once more with your need of a saviour.
Will you not yield to his gentle persuasion and confess Him today?
'Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more' (v10). The world accused Him of blasphemy (Matt 26:65), of consorting with sinners (Matt 9:11), and of breaking the Sabbath by healing woman crippled eighteen years (Luke 13:14); they despised the lowly carpenter of Nazareth. They vented their fury on the back of the Son of God. They nailed Him to a cross as a common felon, preferring the company of the murderer, Barabbas.
His righteousness would be revealed by His death and acceptance by God. A centurion at the cross was the first to acknowledge His righteousness as Jesus commended His spirit to the Father, 'Certainly this was a righteous man' (Luke 23:47). The Spirit is at work in a Gentile convincing him of the righteousness of the man upon the cross. At Pentecost, Peters asserts that Jesus had been raised by God, to His right hand, the Spirit convicted the crowd. Willing now to accept Him who they had previously rejected accepting Christ's righteousness on their behalf, to Salvation. If God had accepted Jesus, then surely Jesus must be righteous.
The work of the Spirit is to convince you not only Christ's righteousness but also that you have no righteousness of your own in which you may stand before a holy God as ISA 64:6 reminds us '... we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags’. Thus in order to stand in the presence of a holy and righteous God we need the aid of one who is righteous, and now stands in the presence of God. 'For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us' (Hebrews 9:24). Not only is he in the presence of God but he has been exalted and given a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. When you acknowledge his righteousness, calling upon Him for Salvation, confessing Him as Lord in your life, the Spirit has achieved His purpose in your life.
'Of judgement, because the prince of this world is judged' (v11). Satan, was judged, and condemned at Calvary, because of this YOU also stand in the same condemnation, subject to the same final punishment. Here then is the final work for us to consider today. The soul that is persuaded of Gods final judgement for Sin and sinners is the soul that will fly to the cross for safety. The soul that fears the wrath of God - pleads his mercy - as David pleaded the - 'tender mercies' of God. When you come by the Spirit to realise that God IS just, the Son is righteous, that you need a saviour it is the same Spirit that bids you confess Christ as Lord. When we confess Him He will confess our name in the presence of God 'Whosoever - shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father, who is in heaven' (Matt 10:32).
To those who love him, He has promised the same Spirit, to dwell within 'And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever (John 14:16), - and he shall be in you.' v 17. 'He that believeth on the Son of God has the witness in himself' (1 John 5:10). This great work of bringing mankind to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is the primary work of the Holy Spirit. Will you not yield to the Spirits patient wooing - today, for today is the day of salvation.
Back from the Dead
The death of Sir Terry Pratchett, author of many best-selling fantasy novels, was one of the most-reported stories of recent weeks. Whether or not you had read any of his books – I must admit I hadn’t – you are probably familiar with his face and seen him on television. That was because as well as being a novelist, he had, in his last years, become a well-known campaigner about the Alzheimer’s Disease which eventually took his life. After being diagnosed with the early onset of the disease, he also filmed a television programme about his experiences of suffering with it, and gave and raised a lot of money towards research relating to it.
I was interested to read how different people responded to the event. Quoting from one of his books, after Pratchett's death, his assistant wrote from the official Terry Pratchett Twitter account: “At last, Sir Terry, we must walk together. Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under endless night. The End.”
Perhaps you read too, about the fact that several of his fans began a petition which urged death to ‘bring back Terry Pratchett’. According to some press reports, over 5000 of his fans signed the online petition. The petition needless to say has been unsuccessful.
Death doesn’t ‘give people back’. That is why we rightly respect it and do so much to fight against it. There was a time, of course, when it had to give people back. When the Lord Jesus walked on earth we read of three cases where dead people did come back to life. A widow’s son in Nain (Luke 7), Jairus’s daughter in Capernaum (Matthew 9) and a man called Lazarus from a village called Bethany (John 11) all came back from the dead. This was not because death willingly gave them up, but because Someone more powerful than death overpowered it! He went on to prove that in His own life.
It’s Easter time again, and on Easter Day we will be remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, Victor over death and the grave. We will examine the overwhelming evidence for the truth of the resurrection and find it convincing! We will also rejoice in the great significance and meaning that the resurrection of the Saviour carries with it. The sacrifice for sin that He had made on the cross has been accepted by a holy God. We can know forgiveness, peace with God, and, what is more, eternal life as a result, because the resurrection of Christ means that the locked door of death has been opened from the inside. Heaven, shut to us because of our sin, can be ours through Him.
Look again at those final words on Sir Terry Pratchett’s twitter account. “Black desert … endless night … the End”. He never wrote anything more powerful or profound. But when the Risen Lord Jesus is real to us, dwelling in our hearts by faith, they could not be further from the truth. If we know Christ, death to us will be gain! We won’t go to endless night, but to eternal day! Death won’t be the end, but a new beginning that will never end! Do you have the hope of Easter Day?
I was interested to read how different people responded to the event. Quoting from one of his books, after Pratchett's death, his assistant wrote from the official Terry Pratchett Twitter account: “At last, Sir Terry, we must walk together. Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under endless night. The End.”
Perhaps you read too, about the fact that several of his fans began a petition which urged death to ‘bring back Terry Pratchett’. According to some press reports, over 5000 of his fans signed the online petition. The petition needless to say has been unsuccessful.
Death doesn’t ‘give people back’. That is why we rightly respect it and do so much to fight against it. There was a time, of course, when it had to give people back. When the Lord Jesus walked on earth we read of three cases where dead people did come back to life. A widow’s son in Nain (Luke 7), Jairus’s daughter in Capernaum (Matthew 9) and a man called Lazarus from a village called Bethany (John 11) all came back from the dead. This was not because death willingly gave them up, but because Someone more powerful than death overpowered it! He went on to prove that in His own life.
It’s Easter time again, and on Easter Day we will be remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, Victor over death and the grave. We will examine the overwhelming evidence for the truth of the resurrection and find it convincing! We will also rejoice in the great significance and meaning that the resurrection of the Saviour carries with it. The sacrifice for sin that He had made on the cross has been accepted by a holy God. We can know forgiveness, peace with God, and, what is more, eternal life as a result, because the resurrection of Christ means that the locked door of death has been opened from the inside. Heaven, shut to us because of our sin, can be ours through Him.
Look again at those final words on Sir Terry Pratchett’s twitter account. “Black desert … endless night … the End”. He never wrote anything more powerful or profound. But when the Risen Lord Jesus is real to us, dwelling in our hearts by faith, they could not be further from the truth. If we know Christ, death to us will be gain! We won’t go to endless night, but to eternal day! Death won’t be the end, but a new beginning that will never end! Do you have the hope of Easter Day?
Monday 6 April 2015
Revival - Part 6: John Calvin
John Calvin was born in Noyen France and his father was Gerard Cauvin the secretary of the local diocese. He was educated in Paris and Orleans to be a lawyer but on his "sudden conversion" in 1533 he began to preach the new Reformed doctrines. When persecution broke out in France Calvin sought refuge in Basel. Calvin was asked by Farel to assist him in his work in Geneva where an attempt was made to establish a theocratic state, that is one in which God is the accepted supreme ruler. However, the city was not ready for such reforms and Calvin's enemies known as the Libertines forced him and Farel to be expelled in 1538. During his exile in Strasbourg Calvin married a converted Anabaptist. Recalled to Geneva in 1541 he continued to put into practice his ideas of the Godly society. He founded a College of Pastors and Doctors and a Court of Discipline to regulate the lives of the citizens. Gradually Calvin overcame the opposition of the Libertines and became virtual dictator in 1555.
A study of the lives of such men as Calvin can cause us to gasp at how much work they were able to get through. His great work "The Institutes" was worked on and revised over many years from 1536 to 1559. It is a systematic theology divided into four books.
It is sometimes claimed that Calvin was not interested in missionary work but this is far from the truth. He sent preachers into France and his influence was felt all over Europe through the work of men such as John Knox who spent some time in Geneva. Calvin also sent missionaries to South America. In common with all of the Reformers Calvin was a man of his time and should not be judged by present day standards. His persecution of the Anabaptists and execution of Servetus cannot be condoned but need to be understood in the context of that time.
Calvin built on the foundation laid by Luther and his great contribution was to put the doctrines of the Reformation into a systematic form and to organise the worship and practice of the Church. Some of us today complain that there are too many meetings in the church. I wonder how we would have managed in Calvin's Geneva. There were two meetings on a Sunday with a children's service in between. There were also early morning meetings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday when candles were provided for the people to see. Attendance was compulsory, enforced by civic officers, and all work stopped while the services were going on. Communion was celebrated four times a year and each person was visited by a minister and an elder to make sure that everyone who took communion was fit to do so.
Calvin and the other Reformers were not perfect but were men that God used to accomplish a great revival of true religion in Europe that has had a profound influence on the Church and Western Civilisation as we know it today. Let us continue to pray for our ministers of the Gospel, who will never be perfect in this life, that God will place in them the same spirit that animated Luther and John Calvin and that in our day we shall see the power of God reforming the Church and society.
A study of the lives of such men as Calvin can cause us to gasp at how much work they were able to get through. His great work "The Institutes" was worked on and revised over many years from 1536 to 1559. It is a systematic theology divided into four books.
- God the creator.
- God as Redeemer in Christ.
- The way of grace in the Christian.
- The Church.
It is sometimes claimed that Calvin was not interested in missionary work but this is far from the truth. He sent preachers into France and his influence was felt all over Europe through the work of men such as John Knox who spent some time in Geneva. Calvin also sent missionaries to South America. In common with all of the Reformers Calvin was a man of his time and should not be judged by present day standards. His persecution of the Anabaptists and execution of Servetus cannot be condoned but need to be understood in the context of that time.
Calvin built on the foundation laid by Luther and his great contribution was to put the doctrines of the Reformation into a systematic form and to organise the worship and practice of the Church. Some of us today complain that there are too many meetings in the church. I wonder how we would have managed in Calvin's Geneva. There were two meetings on a Sunday with a children's service in between. There were also early morning meetings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday when candles were provided for the people to see. Attendance was compulsory, enforced by civic officers, and all work stopped while the services were going on. Communion was celebrated four times a year and each person was visited by a minister and an elder to make sure that everyone who took communion was fit to do so.
Calvin and the other Reformers were not perfect but were men that God used to accomplish a great revival of true religion in Europe that has had a profound influence on the Church and Western Civilisation as we know it today. Let us continue to pray for our ministers of the Gospel, who will never be perfect in this life, that God will place in them the same spirit that animated Luther and John Calvin and that in our day we shall see the power of God reforming the Church and society.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)