Inspired By The Masters

Inspired By The Masters

In the past few posts we considered the importance of having prayer support if you are a preacher.  Today we

turn to the theme, “Inspired by the Masters of preaching.   Recently, I came across the blog of another preacher, Brandon Kelley.  He listed 51 quotes about preaching and leadership from some of the great preachers and leaders of the past.  I found it inspiring to read these quotes of people who mastered the art of preaching.  Therefore, I’ve decided to share some of them with you in this blog.  For each one, I will  give you a description of these people that God used to impact his Kingdom, and then the quote to meditate on.  Inspired by the masters is my goal.  So, let’s dig in.

Inspired by this Master: John Wesley

John Wesley was born on June 17, 1703, and died on March 2, 1791.  He is credited with beginning the Methodist Church and instigating a time of revival in England.  Here is how the Britannica encyclopedia describes the beginning of Methodism.

John joined his brother Charles, Robert Kirkham, and William Morgan in a religious study group that was derisively called the “Methodists” because of their emphasis on methodical study and devotion. Taking over the leadership of the group from Charles, John helped the group to grow in numbers. The “Methodists,” also called the Holy Club, were known for their frequent communion services and for fasting two days a week. From 1730 on, the group added social services to their activities, visiting Oxford prisoners, teaching them to read, paying their debts, and attempting to find employment for them. The Methodists also extended their activities to workhouses and poor people, distributing food, clothes, medicine, and books and also running a school.

This methodical approach to faith stuck with John, but he didn’t find “peace.”

The Conversion of John Wesley

His study, ordination, and mission work in Georgia still left a void in his spirit.

On his journey back to England from America, Wesley met some Moravians.  This group of believers emphasized salvation by grace, and that faith shows itself in love.  Wesley noted that they had the peace that he lacked.  Upon returning to England, he continued to interact with representatives of this group.  A side note here: Moravians sent missionaries and prayed for the mission enterprise 24 hours per day for over 100 years.

From Intellectual to Personal Faith

On May 24, 1738, John received an invitation.  As a result, he attended a reading of the introduction to Luther’s Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Romans.  Here is how he described it in his journal:

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before 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.

After this, the Ministry of John Wesley changed.  He dedicated his life to preaching salvation by faith through grace.  The Church of England banned him from preaching in their churches.   So he moved to the open town squares and fields for preaching.  And God blessed.  A revival began in England that changed the nation.

Inspired By The Master’s Quote

Here is the quote I encourage you to reflect on as you go about your ministry of preaching:

Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom for Heaven on Earth. 

Are you one of them?