Worthy Brief - 3/7/2023
Friend, the birthing of the great awakening!
1 Peter 4:7-9 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
On New Year's day in 1739, 60 Moravians, several Oxford ministers including John and Charles Wesley, the great revivalist George Whitfield, and some ministers of the Church of England gathered together at “Fetter Lane” for an event called “The Moravian Love Feast.” That night the power of God fell!
As they prayed in the New Year, John Wesley wrote, “About three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried 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!”
This was one of the great nights in church history and would be the starting point for the Wesleyan revivals as well as the revivals of George Whitfield. The Great Awakening had begun ... and if you study church history, you'll discover that those who met that night did not agree theologically.
John Wesley and George Whitfield were in sharp theological disagreement. Wesley held strong Arminian beliefs, which emphasized free will, while Whitfield was a Calvinist, which emphasized predestination. Yet despite their differences God used both men mightily to bring thousands to Himself!
A group of committed men of different denominations and theologies gathered together in love of their Savior and simply sought the power of God ... and the power of God came!
Friend, may we too simply seek the power of God realizing that His plan is greater than our differences. This gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to all nations ... then the end shall come. When our unity opens the way for His Spirit upon us, amazing things will be sure to follow; souls saved, healed and delivered.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Going to Christian College in Dallas, Texas)
Baltimore, Maryland
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