Permit me to speak plainly. If by Christian principles you mean any other than Scriptural, they weigh nothing with me. I allow no other rule, whether of faith or practice, than the Holy Scriptures. But on scriptural principles, I do not think it hard to justify whatever I do. God in Scripture commands me, according to my power, to instruct the ignorant, reform the wicked, confirm the virtuous. Man forbids me to do this in another’s parish, that is, in effect, to do it at all, seeing that I have no parish of my own, nor probably ever shall. Whom then shall I hear, God or man? If it be just to obey man rather than God, judge you. A dispensation of the Gospel is committed to me, and woe is me if I preach not the Gospel.
Last evening while reading the Journal of John Wesley I happened upon the quote from a letter he wrote to some religious church folks that were disturbed, to say the least, about him preaching outdoors to the common man. He was on fire to preach the simple Gospel but was being forbidden by the Church of England. He took it outdoors and the thousands upon thousands of simple folks that came staggers the imagination. For many it was there first time ever hearing the simple Gospel that was directed at them. An amazing fact that I’m discovering when reading the journals is that the call upon a person then is no different than the call nowadays. And with the call came the terrible realization that Protestant England’s Christianity was a mere empty shell of what Christianity is in the scriptures. Again, an amazing parallel to today’s modern Christianity.
I can only read at most ten pages a night, the print is small and I can’t go very far without being shaken deep in my soul reading about a man that had the same questions and concerns that I do today. The journey he undertook is amazing, the faith journey that is. And how he was despised by man because of declaring the simple Word of God. The churches, one by one told him to never come back and preach. Because when a person preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ the world gets offended, big time. And a worldly church most of all.
Can the same results happen today when the simple Gospel is preached? Not an ear pleasing, prosperity driven, watered down, me, me Gospel, but the Gospel of Scripture. And on the other side of the road, not an overly religious Gospel that depends mostly on the dry traditions of man, one that requires our own works to get us to heaven’s gates. Will God sweep down as in the times of Wesley and literally overcome thousands of hell bound souls, dropping the people to the ground screaming for mercy from a just God? I ask myself, why doesn’t this happen today? Are we so much better that God doesn’t have to make His Holy presence known to us like back then? Or was it the power of God Himself that would literally sweep through thousands of folks because His Word was being preached as it should be preached? What are we missing today?
I hear many say that God is going to be working in all new ways, and with this I disagree. God always works in the way that His Word says he’ll work. We don’t need a brand new experience, we need to get back to scripture and then I believe the power of God will descend upon us as never before. We need that simple faith, that simple direct preaching of God’s Word to shake this world to its roots. We need people that won’t look for the world to pat em on the back for their preaching and lifestyles, but only do as God commands us to do in scripture. Oh Lord, it was raining today and I couldn’t chop silage, and this afternoon so many revelations hit me while just doing some regular work around the place, so many questions answered that I stand amazed. I love when God does that, all of a sudden multiple things seem much clearer. The path is more visible. The old straight and narrow makes allot more sense.
Great post brother!!!
Concerns that I ask myself time and time again. I agree with so much but I would like to share a thought or 2…
1) I was ordained in UPCI, holiness pentecostal, spirit flowing etc etc. After I was preahcing for a while I happened on some of Finney’s and Wigglesworth’s and Wesley’s writings. I was wrecked I tell you!!! As a result of those and His workings within me I began to preach bible. Convicting, truth working messages directly from Father. Thing is we would see repentance and altar calls but no real change, no revival nor the fruits. So I questioned and realized I was preaching in my power, my intents etc. Even though the messages were truth it wasnot backed with Him confirming. He leads to repentance etc. So I left it all. Surrendered my license, stopped preaching on the radio just stopped and saught Him.
2) You mentioned so many are speaking of God doing a ‘New’ thing. I also do not feel He will send another Pentecost however…the Apostles, after Peter and John spoke over the beggar on the porch were persecuted, charged not to preach and heal in His name and released. They joined the other disciples and shared what they went through. Then they prayed and asked Father for Boldness and for Him to confirm His word with signs wonders and miracles. Bam!! Second filling if you will.
So, even though I feel your heart about preaching NOW I MUST wait until it burns within me. He will release me to go and do.
And in a way I am expecting a second baptism if you will. The power and conviction with Him confirming.
Just my $.02
Bless you brother,
Brian
Hey Brian!
I think I read every book on Wigglesworth that our little church had, and there were quite a few! Loved reading them! The thing that gets me about reading Wesley is that he went through the exact same things that I’m going through and he had the God given sense to journal it all. I haven’t even scratched the surface on it. Thanks for sharing all that about yourself. I want to add that in reading Wesley, he had the same concerns you wrote right here, about “repentance and altar calls but no real change, no revival nor the fruits”. But he persisted and followed the calling no matter what.
About my statement concerning “new ways”, I mean new ways that are not in scripture. Personally I believe that God will work as in the days of Acts again as the end of the age draws closer. My concern are the “new” unscriptural ways that are coming from every direction, mix of new age and wicca and then passed off as a new way of God moving. On our what we believe page on this blog I have a quote from FF Bosworth:
” Many men of God have been aware that the Reformation has never been completed, that God seems to be systematically working towards a return to New Testament faith and simplicity so as to eternally silence man’s excuse of ignorance of God’s message. Fundamental Christianity has suffered great damage through the efforts of some theologians to excuse their own spiritual impotence through regulating everything supernatural into an imaginary transition period of dispensational truth, which cannot be scripturally proven. It can only be substantiated through their own interpretation of isolated passages and is perpetrated through blind traditionalism not unlike that which Christ faced. Yet, deep within the hearts of sincere men, there is a longing to rescue the book of Acts from becoming nothing more than a historical record and to put it back in its proper place as a pattern for the modern church. In this way God can continue to confirm His Word and give proof of the resurrection of His Son in this day of universal unbelief.”
This quote was directed to the church at the time, where unbelief in scripture was the norm. On the other side are those that will call unscriptural ways a “new” move of God. I have to stand firmly in the middle and declare that what the Bible says is the way it really is. And I do believe that God is directing the church back to a Book of Acts church with all the signs and wonders and boldness of preaching that they had back then. What I see in many of these “new” ways is just man made religion hyping up some folks.
I know now that preaching the Word doesn’t necessarily mean that the one preaching is going to see earth shaking results. Don’t matter none, speaking out the Word is all that’s important. Look how they rewarded Jesus for His three year ministry.
Oh, there’s so many things I could add to this but I just haven’t it in me tonight. Just got in from 11 hours straight on the tractor chopping silage, and that ain’t counting the rest of the day on the farm
I just had to attempt to answer you a little tonight, and thank you for commenting here. It means allot to me when folks add their $.02 here. Makes me think, makes me clarify things, makes me write a bit more, and I enjoy it!
May that fire burn within you!
God Bless!
Morning Morning,
So I was wondering Tom if you were choppin this weekend. I got out a little and mowed some of the pastures down. I would call it grooming, but none of mine will end up in no beauty pagent with this ol raggely equipment.
Picked some okra and peppers out of the garden, the “groomed” that thing too. Right now it seems time is something I don’t have. That poor ol garden was sure suffering. Still growing stuff though even though the weeds were higher than the vegetables.
They had two masses for Kathy this last weekend. God speaks freely in all religions, I can attest to that. We had a guest speaker that was talking about dealing with the crosses we have to bear. It sure did hit home. Not often can the boys and I talk about a sermon where we all understand it (kinda the new wave generation gap I guess), but this one we could. Since they had back to back masses for her we got to hear the thing twice. Really let it sink in. Thank you God!!!
I think I read the same quote you started this post with in that ol Asbury book this weekend. He was quoting from some Wesley journal.
Well better git on here. This week the goal is to start back on those P of T lessons. I better start trying to get around to some kind of routine here. Mopein’ ain’t doing no good…..
Have a GREAT day,
Brad
Morning Brad!
I’ll finish up chopping today if all goes well. Only have about four loads to go and very little help today but don’t make any difference with only four loads. Rained this week end or we’d be done. Had us a good soaker rain for getting the plants all healthy and stuff for winter. The pit is full for the first time in history, the corn got chopped in record time, and it was kinda fun doing all that in such a short time. That newer chopper is something else! What a difference. I’m going to “baby” that thing! Clean it all up and make sure every little thing is perfect on it before storing it away for the season.
I’m in kinda a daze yet after the rush, rush week of chopping. Very intense time. So many weeks of worrying about it and now its durn near done. Won’t know how to act! Everything here was put on hold as far as faith matters and will try and get back into the swing of things this week. Go back to teaching Children’s Church Wednesday evenings again. That’s about it till I get my head screwed on straight again.
Didn’t get much reading in this weekend but should be able to get back to that this week. Days are getting much, much shorter and that forces me into the house, which is fine by me, them summer days can sometimes get a tad bit longs for a tired old farmer. Finding quote after worthy quote in that journal and I can hardly get five pages done a day, always just stopping and dwelling on the simplicity of the Gospel that I just read about. I really think we try to complicate things to much. Because I was always wondering about all of that. Jesus came to set us free, not to put us in an unbearable bondage which happens so often with church theologies and stuff. Just simple!
Now I gotta get for the day, looks like clear skies out there, stars are shining.
God Bless!
Morning Tom,
Well, I feel pretty good this morning. Must of been the reading material last night. Got my first issue of the Christian Ranchman. Its a pretty nice little paper. You know they got a chapter not 15 miles away?? I might head over to one of their get togethers, although I think they might be horse people more than cow people. Of course if I get the mule like Jan suggested, I’d be half a horse person…….
Whewy…. Ol Asbury is taking it on the chin lately. The revolutionary war is about to break out. Americans are twisting the church around for their own benefit. People are preaching about materialistic wealth and power rather than the word of God….. Sound familiar???
Well, around here the hurricanes have all blown through and I’ve been waking up to low 60’s in the morning and 70’s during the day. Perfect weather for the last hay to be cut. Hoping to cut tomorrow after a meeting with the Social Security people and bale this Saturday. Slowly getting back into the farm work here. The ol laziness is starting to leave, sure wish this loneliness would……
Well, better get back at it here. I need some coffee to wake me up proper here.
Have a GREAT day,
Brad
Morning Brad!
I noticed that a while back about a chapter being so close to you. There used to be one in Minnesota for years about an hour east of us, even went there one time and it sure was different and I enjoyed it allot. Sometimes I think someone should start a chapter again around here, but then I just don’t have it in me for that kind of thing as far as I know.
Hmm, my interest has peaked this morning when you write about the condition of the preaching back then. I’ll search the library here on something about Asbury. I should set a limit of five hundred pages on the Wesley stuff and then take a break before I get a little touched reading that heavy stuff to long at one time
Have to take a breather and re-read old Sheffey just to get my feet back on the ground.
Lookin like a beautiful stretch of weather here this week. Finished chopping yesterday, and will cover the pile tonight after supper when the air calms down usually. Take care!
God Bless!
Morning Tom,
Well, it took 4 months to take new equipment and make it into raggely ol stuff. One of the things I seem to be growing real good is boulders. Didn’t see one yesterday while I was cutting hay and hit it with the mower. Dinged er up pretty good. Nothing a little heat and an 8 lb hammer couldn’t fix though. Hopefully I’ll be mowing again this afternoon.
Wesley’s are stirring up trouble in America. Not sure if its the Wesley you readin’s sons or not. Poor ol Asbury’s having a time of it though. Seems the revolution thinks of the Methodists as tories. I had to read two chapters last night it was so interesting. Good thing those Methodists kept journals.
Well bad news again. This time for my oldest son. One of his ol girlfriends was riding her bike between college classes and was hit by a car and died. We went to the visitation last night. He’s heading to the funeral today. I tried to say something, but comfort was more Kathy’s department.
I sure hate it when troubling times come to the younger folks. They’re having a hard enough time dealing with the regular problems of figuring out their life. He was pretty down yesterday. It’s been a tough month. Please say a prayer for ol Sean if you get a chance.
Well, better git at it. I gotta wrassel with the Social Security office this afternoon….. Yuck!!!
Have a GREAT day,
Brad
Morning Brad,
Worked till after dark last evening covering the silage pit. The wind cut down after supper just as I figured it would and made life a little easier doing that job.Gotta put some more tires on it and a little more sand around the edges but that’s about it.
Had a call from the outfit that I had my application sent to a while back. All is good so I’ll be waiting by the mailbox come a couple weeks from now and then the impossible, or should I say, the highly unbelievable thing happens, I get licensed to preach. Hmm, never would have figured that would happen in my life
Sean and all of you are in our prayers and also in the prayers of other readers here continually. Again I have to say that I wished I lived closer to you folks, the computer just don’t quite cut it in these matters.
Well, I gotta stagger out of here and try to get to work, tired out somewhat by the breakneck rush around here lately and still have a million small jobs to catch up on. Plus tonight’s church which will be a welcome break in the routine.
God Bless!
Morning Tom,
Well, not a whole lot good to say about yesterday. The oldest boy had it rough and I did too. His was worse. Mine was walking out of a field back to the truck after a breakdown. Off to find parts this morning.
I decided to do the Tom Scepan……. Scep…… Sc…Tom version of Wednesday night and hung around with the youth group. Now, I’m not up to talkking to em yet, I’m the one who puts the cheese on their sandwiches….. Hey we all gotta start somewhere…
Well, back at the hay today after I go get three bolts that I was supposed to have tightened yesterday but forgot…. dagnabit….. Anyway, looks like a Saturday night Mass and hayin on Sunday.
Man. this Asbury book is just flying by. The loyalist Wesley brothers (John I think) are stirring up trouble. Seems they got a little riot going because the Anglican Methodists mention the king and queen of England in all their prayers. Whew Tom, this is great history…. lots of action if you like the tarrin and featherin of Methodist circuit riders. Now I’m gonna have to read the wesley book to see if its sons who are causing all these problems.
Well, time to get on. Sorry about the book reports. Not a whole lot else goes on in the evening around here.
Have a GREAT day,
Brad
Morning Brad!
The funny part is how it can be so intimidating to so many, (including me in the beginning). But now I just love it. Last night was a good one, good teaching, (I learned allot), I didn’t get mad or nothing and I slept good after four cups of coffee at church, (which should be written in my list of personal miracles).
So here we are, my first ever event that I guess I’m kinda in charge of and its not on church grounds or in any of the church buildings, hmm. Is this a sign? 
Beyond the walls, I think I like it!
I gotta look up an Asbury book at our local library. He’s mentioned here on the side bar on the page, “Televangelist vs Circuit Rider”. I’m still trying to get things back in order since doing silage. That’s one intense week to say the least.And I’d better remember not to complain about anything I do for the church, I mean look what these guys did and who am I to complain about an hour and a half a week with some good kids!
Now if you need any pointers on how to survive in youth or a children’s church you’ve come to the right place
Plus the second annual Hillbilly Night is going public of all things. But I just got to remember what the circuit riders went through before I start moping and groaning in despair
That’s OK if you only come around with a daily book report here and there, cause it more than lifted me up with my slight worrying about doing an event in a small out of the way forgotten town. I needed that this morning and am thankful how God works even in little morning comments here! I guess I shouldn’t worry about it all, just do it for the Glory of God and nothing else. Yup, that sets me allot straighter this morning!
We gotta move a herd of cows this morning onto some belly deep grass. I should say that it could take all day, plus them cows ain’t going on that grass with their calves. Might have a moonlight serenade for the next couple of nights
God Bless!