George Whitefield preached over 18,000 sermons and died in America at 55, saying he'd rather wear out than rust out. John Wesley traveled 240,000 miles on horseback through England, built small Bible study groups, and lived by the motto the world is my parish.
About 18,000 sermons.
In the crypt of the Old South Presbyterian Church, Newburyport, Massachusetts.
"I would rather wear out than rust out."
Age 55 (in 1770).
About 240,000 miles.
George Whitfield made a greater impact in his ministry in America than in England and in the 18th century. Apart from the monarchy, he was perhaps the the best known name on the whole of the East Coast. Virtually every man, woman and child had heard the great itinerant preach at least once. He preached over 18,000 sermons in the course of his life. At the age of 55 in 1770, he was still preaching regularly despite ill health. He once famously said, I would rather wear out than rust out. He died whilst on a trip to America in Massachusetts and is buried in the crypt in of the Old South Presbyterian Church, Newburyport, Massachusetts.
John Wesley, on the other hand, chose to stay here in England and through the course of his long ministry he would have a huge impact here. After he settled in London, John Wesley lived in this house here. However, he spent most of his time away from here, traversing the country on horseback, preaching and visiting, visiting the numerous small Bible study groups that he had set up through the course of his life. It is estimated that he traveled over 240,000 miles on horseback, often reading as he rode so as not to waste time.
He once said, the world is my parish. These words are engraved on his statue outside his home. He explained this by saying that wherever he was in the world, it was his duty to witness and minister there.
Prayer was an integral part of John Wesley's life and he wanted a special place to pray. So he had an extension built on the back of his house. You can see it today around the back, protruding out the back. You know, sometimes today those of us who own houses, we sometimes will build a bigger kitchen, a bigger living area or, or a bigger garage if we have some money. And yet, Wesley took the time and money that he had to build a special place dedicated for prayer. This room is sometimes called the engine room of Methodism. And you can visit it today and pray there, where John Wesley used to pray every day.
It is sometimes said that big things come in small packages. John Wesley was only 5 foot 3 or 161 centimeters, yet he was a giant of a man. He never intended to start his own denomination. And yet the movement that started as just a collective of small Bible study groups mushroomed into its own denomination. He died on 2nd March, 1791. And as he lay dying with his friends surrounded him. He grasped their hands and said repeatedly, farewell, farewell. Then summoning up all his strength, he said, the best of all is God is with us. Then raising his arms one last time, he said, the best of all is God is with us.
To Wesley. It was granted to arouse the church in England from a state of stagnation and backsliding. And yet he was faithful in this duty. Two things that stand out from his life and ministry are the importance of the preaching of the Word and the importance of small group Bible study. These two methods, I believe, divinely ordained, if done today, will cause the same revival in our lives and ministry that they caused back then. Wherever you are, whether it's preaching the Word in your home church or in your home area, or whether it's doing small group Bible study in your family or in your home, or or in your workplace or amongst your friends, be faithful in doing these things. For that we can have the same revival that Wesley had several hundred years ago, and God can use those methods again today in our lives.
It.
Why Is There so Much Killing in the Old Testament? Part 2 | Table Talk S03 E10
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