Lessons to learn from George Whitefield's life and ministry
by David Rogers
Following up on last month’s instalment, where I discussed the life and background of George Whitefield, this month we will be looking at some key lessons I personally have learned from reading about his life and ministry - and I will discuss ways that we as Christians can seek to put these lessons into practice in our own lives.
There were many examples I could have chosen from across the two volumes; however, to remain concise, I have chosen to expound on three key lessons which stood out to me the most.
1. Whitefield – a man of humility
Last month we saw that Whitefield had preached his first sermon at 21 years of age, and it had been clear that Whitefield had an innate gift for studying and preaching the word, but nevertheless he didn’t presume that this was his calling and he specifically waited for God to call him into the ministry.
In one of his printed sermon’s entitled “The Good Shepherd” he writes:
“I have prayed a thousand times… that God… would not let me enter the Church before he called me and thrust me into his work. I remember once in Gloucester… I said, ‘Lord, I cannot go; I shall be puffed up with pride and fall into the snare of the devil.’ “
What is interesting here is that he recognises the temptation of those in ministry to become proud, and to potentially end up seeing the work of God as being their own success. He is clearly very mindful of this danger and ensures that he prays frequently over the matter.
Similarly, it is important for us Christians to pray regularly and seek God’s will in all that we do, and to be mindful that what we do in our calling is about serving God and building God’s Kingdom. For instance, I always try to be mindful when leading worship to avoid turning it into a performance, but I must confess there have been times in the past where I have fallen into this trap. In recent years I have tried to be more mindful that it is more important to engage the congregation in worshiping God, than to simply perform my favourite songs!
A further lesson here is that we should also never overlook the fact that God can use the very ordinary and humble to bring about the miraculous. One of the most astonishing revivals that took place during Whitefield’s ministry occurred at Cambuslang in Scotland. Here there were two faithful ministers, William McCulloch and James Robe, who had simply served God week after week in their Scottish parishes, but for many years had seen little fruit for their labours.
They were both apparently humble men, with little in the way of any exceptional abilities. The author of the biography puts it as follows:
“Robe’s abilities as a public speaker were but ordinary, and those of McCulloch were somewhat less. Indeed, it is said of McCulloch, he was given the nickname… ‘Ale-minister’ for when he rose to speak, many of the audience left to quench their thirst in the public house.”
These ordinary men, with average (to less-than-average) ability at public speaking, simply kept faithfully preaching the scriptures week in and week out. They had set the groundwork faithfully, such that when Whitefield visited Scotland in Autumn 1741, it led to a chain of events that saw a great revival in that area. Societies for Prayer which were nearly extinct were revived, with hundreds of people across the region coming back to the Lord. Even in McCulloch’s small parish he spoke of: “the awakened ones numbering at least three hundred”.
It just goes to show that humbly and faithfully planting the seeds can lead to miraculous results in the long run when the power of God moves. We all have our part to play in this, no matter how small it may seem to us at the time.
2. Whitefield – a man of grace
Another key lesson I learned from Whitefield’s life is how to deal with adversity in a Christ-like manner. As might well be expected, Whitefield’s popularity brought with it immense opposition. Not only from the established Church of England, but also at times between Whitefield and the Wesleys in the Methodist movement itself where they disagreed on key points of doctrine.
What particularly struck me about Whitefield, is in the way he responded to his fiercest critics. He was quick to point out his own shortcomings whenever he recognised them, and he took reproof willingly and graciously.
Here is Whitefield responding to a time when [John] Wesley had seen fit to reprove him:
“I thank you for your kind reproof. Henceforward I will beg of God to keep the door of my lips, that I offend no more with my tongue. I would not willingly have one unprofitable word proceed out of my mouth… I love you the more for reproving me.”
I can’t help but compare his attitude to my own whenever I am challenged or criticised. I am usually very quick to be defensive, or at the very least to try and explain my side of the story in a positive frame - even if deep down I might acknowledge (to myself at least) that I was probably in the wrong.
I think this stems from our modern society’s general approach to life. We are used to bolstering our successes, from our CVs to job interviews, and even in everyday conversation about our lives. We tend to emphasize our achievements and we try to paint ourselves in the best possible light in any situation.
Not so with Whitefield. He had many chances to set the record straight with his critics, not only in front of his peers back in the 18th Century but also to protect his legacy in terms of how history would remember him. However, he never particularly tries to defend himself or his reputation. He simply indicated that it was sufficient for him to know that the truth would eventually come out for all to know in “the great day of judgment.”
3. George Whitefield – unashamed speaker of truth
The final lesson I learned from reading about Whitefield, is that whilst he was very humble and gracious with his responses, he never compromised with the truth of the gospel in doing so.
This I believe to be one of the great challenges of the modern Church. How do we demonstrate Christ’s love to the world, yet at the same time stand firm in the truth of the scriptures?
Several denominations appear to think that it is more important to be relevant to the world, in order to maintain attendance numbers. Yet in doing so they compromise, embracing the world’s standards and neglecting the scriptures.
By contrast, let’s consider how Whitefield tackles the issue of challenging unsound doctrine:
“Reverend and very dear brother,
God only knows, what unspeakable sorrow I have felt on your account… I confess that Jonah could not go with more reluctance against Nineveh, than I now write to you. I am very apprehensive that our common enemies will rejoice to see us differing amongst ourselves. But what can I say? The children of God are in danger of falling into error… I have no respect to persons, further than is consistent with my duty to my Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.
This letter will no doubt lose me many friends… perhaps God has laid this difficult task upon me, even to see whether I am willing to forsake all for him.”
Here Whitefield goes on to provide a lengthy explanation of the scriptures, and why he believes the interpretation to be in error, before closing the letter as follows:
“God knows my heart… nothing but a single regard to the honour of Christ has forced this letter from me. I love and honour you for his sake, and when I come to judgment, will thank you before men and angels for what you have, under God, done for my soul…
Your affectionate, though unworthy, brother and servant in Christ.”
Whitefield remains humble and gracious, but equally he will not stay silent and compromise. Even if, by his own admission, it might lose him friends and having to forsake everything to defend the truth.
The question we in the modern Church need to ask ourselves is: are we willing to risk the same in standing for the truth?
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