Romans 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
The Great Awakening of the mid 1700’s was the impetus that formed the United States of America. This is a subject no longer taught in history classes of our public schools because it is no longer politically correct. However, it is historically correct and should be taught.
The Great Awakening was a spiritual movement that revived the people of the American Colonies. They had escaped the tyranny of the King of England, but they were not living Holy Spirit filled lives. Rather, they were “going through the motions” of attending the church of their choice and respecting each other’s right to do so.
This mundane spiritual lifestyle all changed when a preacher named George Whitefield arrived in America in 1740. Whitefield was different than the common preachers of the time who would stand in the pulpit of their church and present a dry sermon to those who faithfully attended week after week.
Whitefield would preach anywhere and to anyone. He didn’t care what church they were associated with or if they had ever been to church at all. He came to America under the calling of the Lord God Almighty and with the goal of waking the people from their drowsy spiritual condition.
The Colonists had heard stories of this man and his “out of the box” style and he sparked curiosity and enthusiasm in them unlike anything they had ever known. Needless to say, when Whitefield arrived in Newport in 1740, he was greeted with great expectation! The people considered him an Apostle sent by God to them and they were excited!
Whitefield wasted no time and immediately began his ministry in the Colonies. He did not seek a proper and formal invitation to stand in the pulpit of another Pastor and address his congregation. He preached outside in the streets and in fields. He would get up on a tree stump and preach the Word of God to anyone who would listen. It is recorded that he even preached sermons while on horseback at times.
Enthusiasm! That’s what Whitefield brought to the spiritually dead Church in America and that’s what we need today! It’s time for another Great Awakening in America. As the great Apostle Paul said, now it is high time to awake out of sleep…
Wake up because God is about to……..turn the tide
Awake! Doreen
