We’ve added a few new resources to Blue Letter Bible and are highlighting each of them over the next few days. The first resource was a sermon by Jonathan Edwards. Today, we introduce a classic sermon from 18th century preacher George Whitefield, “The Method of Grace.”
GEORGE WHITEFIELD, THE LEGENDARY PREACHER
George Whitefield (October 5, 1703 – March 22, 1758) was an Anglican preacher and a co-founder of the Methodist movement. Like Jonathan Edwards, Whitefield played a big role in the Great Awakening, preaching several back-to-back revivals in Great Britain and the American colonies. As a result, he became one of the best-known and wildly recognized preachers in both regions.
Whitefield’s preaching was legendary. It is said that “he stormed in the pulpit as if he were a giant.” Another said, “his voice startled England like a trumpet blast.”
At a time when London had a population of less than 700,000, he could hold spellbound 20,000 people at a time at Moorfields and Kennington Common. For thirty-four years his preaching resounded throughout England and America. In his preaching ministry he crossed the Atlantic thirteen times and became known as the ‘apostle of the British empire.’
Though a clergyman of the Church of England, he cooperated with and had a profound impact on people and churches of many traditions, including Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Baptists. Whitefield preached more than 18,000 sermons in his lifetime, an average of 500 a year or ten a week. Many of them were given over and over again. Fewer than 90 have survived in any form.
THE METHOD OF GRACE
What does a genuine work of grace look like in a believer’s heart? That is the subject of Whitefield’s famous sermon titled “The Method of Grace.” In this sermon, Whitefield expounds on Jeremiah 6:14, encouraging believers to have a correct understanding of sin and to lay hold of righteousness in Christ. In the latter part of the sermon, he applies this method of grace to people of every spiritual condition—true believers, backsliders, and those who have never known Christ in their hearts. Simply put, this sermon is for everyone.
You can read the whole sermon at Blue Letter Bible under “text commentaries.”
Stay tuned for info on other new resources.
Michael says
September 2, 2014 at 6:58 pmBeen reading sermons of George Whitfield. Very long winded fellow but very good sermons but observed a very interesting difference in his sermons then what some of his letters are about calvanism. In his letters he is very elect opinioned but in his sermons he is more arminism. Curious if anyone has observed this as well? When I researched George Whitfield I was shocked to see they were claiming he was calvanist after reading so many of his sermons that taught free grace.