THE RIVER OF GOD – ALWAYS FLOWING

From Chapter 4-The Awakening Comes
In 1730, some of the Moravians began to travel to America. They settled in eastern Pennsylvania where we have the names Bethlehem, Emmaus, and Nazareth. This writing does not allow for detailed memories of small but wonderful gatherings I enjoyed In Nazareth centered upon the Lamb of God. But I will mention that a few steps to the northwest of the Center Square stands a large building built as a house for Nicolaus and his wife. Why so much concerning the Moravians? They understood prayer as the basis for all spiritual endeavor. They knew the presence of the Lord in their everyday lives. When John Wesley was among them on an English ship bound for Georgia, he witnessed great peace as they continued to worship during a terrible storm. Wesley continued fellowship with Moravians in England and it is well recorded that he, and his brother Charles, experienced a deep touch of the love of Christ, and personal rest in His salvation, through those German immigrants.
I believe the Moravians planting in America was an undergirding of the Great Awakening. Of course, it was not them alone, but their practices of prayer and worship and daily following of Christ were a less obvious yet powerful presence during that period. Wesley is rightly regarded as one of the significant preachers and teachers of the period. He was greatly impacted by the Moravians in America and back in England. We see continued movement between England and her colonies during this time. In some ways England had supplanted Rome and the remainder of the European empires. It is noteworthy that as the Lord used Rome and her infrastructure to spread the gospel, England became a similar earthly vehicle. No pride here as we recall that Babylon herself was God’s instrument for His purpose. The Lord uses the earthly nations to work upon His own nation, as well as to provide infrastructure for the spread of the gospel.
George Whitefield was perhaps the most significant preacher of the day and a powerful force during the awakening. He attracted huge crowds and I recall he once spoke to 20,000 in Boston. Without amplifier technology, God’s Spirit must have carried the words. As I have watched videos and read accounts of this man’s ministry, I appreciate him very much. I think it significant that in that time, 280 years ago, he was preaching, “You must be born again!” We have heard that phrase repeated a multitude of times in the 20th century right up to the present. Considering that Jesus spoke those words to a religious and seeking man, Nicodemus, it is no surprise that it is still spoken to people who have belief in God but are not yet alive to Him. Unless we have been impregnated with the Holy Spirit, we remain dead in sins. If any individual has not the Spirit of Christ, that one is not His. (Rom. 8:9) We only need to respond with a yes when we are aware of Him. He will come and reveal Himself when He sees we are ready to follow Him.
Whitefield spent himself preaching such a message. His messages were outside the experience of many of the clergy who remained in Anglican formalism and doors were shut. So Whitefield went out into the fields and the people came to hear him. As they did with the Lord Himself, hungry souls go where their spirits are fed. Whitefield had opportunity to join with Jonathan Edwards who welcomed him and shared his platform. They were moving by the Spirit and so had an immediate affinity. Much has been written about Edwards and my comments regarding him will be limited. He certainly is a wonderful servant of the Lord.