STORM HELL'S GATES WITH
THE CHURCH
March 23, 2025
The churches in England and America were dying in the mid 1700s. But Jonathan Edwards stepped into his pulpit in Massachusetts and preached “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” He read the manuscript up close to his face because he was nearsighted. He spoke in a monotone. Nevertheless, the Spirit of God moved in a powerful way, and people gave their lives totally to Christ. The Great Awakening began. It was a revival movement that spread throughout England and the Colonies.
Edwards invited George Whitefield to come from England to preach. Huge crowds turned out to hear him, including Benjamin Franklin. A great moving of the Spirit ran throughout England and the colonies.
These revivals united the colonies as never before, and taught people the beauty of an individual faith without the traditions of dead religion.
Many people believe that this led to the American Revolution, because of the unity it brought to the colonies and because people rejected the authority of English rule.
This movement definitely prepared Americans to face the trials of the Revolution. It also gave America a nation founded “under God.”
We need another great awakening. Like the first one, it needs to come from the church, the very body and bride of Christ.
Sunday I’m preaching on “Storm Hell’s Gates with the Church” from Matthew 16:13-19. We’ll look at “Know the Lord of the Church,” verses 13-17; and “Use the Church to Overcome Hell,” verses 18-19.
Please come and help us impact eternity!
Love,
Jim Meek
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