Ever wonder what a true life in Christ looks like? Well, wonder no more, for today we will take a quick look at the life of one of the world’s greatest saints.
At the time of his death, all he had to his name was the cloak that he preached in, a few cents reserved for the men who would carry his coffin and the Methodist church. Who is he? His name is John Wesley and he was only one of the world’s greatest saints!
John Wesley
Born in 1703, John Wesley’s introduction to Christ started in the home. Being one of nineteen children, John’s parents began teaching their children how to read as soon as they could walk and talk. By the age of eleven, John was on the path to living the holy life that follows his name to this day.
By the age of thirty two, John had began work in ministry and was asked to sail to “the colonies” to minister in one of the newly founded parishes in Savannah, Georgia. It was during this journey that John came across a group of people who called themselves the Moravians.
The Moravians
During, John’s voyage he crossed paths with a group of people who called themselves the Moravians.
During that time, the Moravians were living for one reason and that was to follow Christ. Though, John only spent a short time with this group of saints, the encounter would leave a lasting impact on John’s life.
David Brainard
Around this same time, John would come across a copy of the “Life and Diary of David Brainard”.
David Brainard, is also one of the world’s most precious saints and in his remarkable life so many would find the spark that they needed to go set the world on fire for Christ; John Wesley was no different!
Coupling his Moravian experience with the spark that he found in the life of David Brainard; John Wesley was ready to go on to lead a life that would leave it’s mark on this world for Christ!
Holy Ghost fire
John, would soon start preaching and it would soon become very evident, that John Wesley had something that his counterparts did not; that was Holy Ghost fire.
John, would preach with the full power of the Holy Ghost; a preaching style that often was not welcome. Most places John visited would not allow him to preach. Finding no discouragement, John would just take his preaching outdoors!
With the Holy Ghost power on him, he would lead and the crowds would follow him. Or, in his own words:
“I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn!”
-John Wesley
A prophet not accepted
As recorded for us by Luke in his version of our Lord’s Gospel; our Lord states:
"And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country." (Luke 4:24 KJV)
John, would see this come true in his life! When John returned home to preach, he realized that even in his home town; he was not welcome. As was customary for him, he would just simply lead the crowds to one of his favorite spots; the cemetery. The only difference this time was that this sermon would be given from the top of his fathers tombstone!
His counterparts and slavery
Unlike his counterparts, John explicitly opposed the demonic institution that was slavery. In a time when his counterparts, looked the other way; John would spend his time working to help demolish the barbaric and inhumane institution.
John, would write a pamphlet detailing the atrocities of slavery. In an effort, to get those who enjoyed participating in this institution to stop. John’s main rebuke was the pity for those innocent men, women and children and the fear of the Judgment Seat of Christ!
Secret to his ministry
John would reveal the secret to his ministry, his preaching, his work, his life. One evening, after a day with one of the prominent men of that time; John was asked to stay and relax for a little while. John’s response was, “No, I have to go I have a meeting at four o’clock in the morning.”
After a little pressing, John would reveal that this meeting recurred every morning of his life. When asked who the meeting was with; John’s response was…with God!
God is with us
John, was saved soundly at the age of thirty five; for fifty three years John would labor for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Though, many despised him and he earned a lot of beatings for the gospel that he preached; there was no ceasing in his efforts! For he knew that the world would hate him because it first hated his Christ!
"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." (John 15:18 KJV)
For eighty six years, John was blessed to have impeccable health but that would soon change. Around the age of eighty six, John’s health would quickly begin to deteriorate. As John laid in his bed awaiting his time to meet his Christ; he could be found laying with his arms lifted in the air while repeating the words:
“The best of all is, God is with us”
–Hurst 1903, p. 298.
Eternity awaits
On March 2, 1791, John Wesley’s journey through this life had come to an end.
John Wesley, had a lot of money, he spent it building orphanages, printing bibles, printing Methodist hymn books, he woke up every morning at four o’clock to speak with our God!
In John Wesley’s life, we see a true example of a life well lived for Christ!
Great distinctions in Heaven
At the Judgment Seat of Jesus Christ; our Lord will put the fire to John Wesley’s life. How do we know? Our precious brother Paul told us:
"Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (1 Corinthians 3:12-15 KJV)
Those who belong to Christ will have the opportunity to witness the fire being tried to the life of the man who once said; “I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn”.
Yes, there will be great distinctions in heaven and John Wesley will be one of them! John Wesley, one of the world’s greatest saints and one of whom the world was not worthy.
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Read about more precious saints at:
“The world’s most precious saints”
One of the World’s Most Powerful Prayer Warriors
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