Day 14: George Whitefield - “Preaching With Tears”
“Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.”
Introduction
The eighteenth century saw many great men and women of God. Even after nearly 300 years, their impact on evangelism is still felt today. One of them is George Whitefield. Dubbed as “The Grand Itinerant,” Whitefield preached over 18,000 times throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and the American colonies.
Able to speak to crowds of 20,000-30,000 people without amplification, Whitefield was famous for his thunderous voice. Certainly a remarkable physical gift. But this wasn’t the only ability God used to lead people to Christ. Though lesser known, Whitefield preached the gospel with emotional, heart-wrenching tones. He didn’t just boldly proclaim God’s truth. He spoke with personal conviction.
Preaching With Tears
“The Grand Itinerant” often preached to coal miners, and their darkened faces would have clear streaks under their eyes from their tears. But they weren’t the only ones crying. The preacher himself would weep with them as he delivered his sermon. Whitefield felt the weight of the gospel and the life-or-death situation for his listeners. He spoke, not as a lecturer, but as a shepherd who saw sheep walking away from God. Whitefield didn’t stand on the pulpit to simply offer information; he spoke, not merely to their minds but to their hearts.
This is not to say that we experience God and His renewal only when we are emotionally charged. Whitefield’s critics accused him of manipulating his audience. It might even be safe to say that among those who cried during his sermons, some didn’t genuinely repent and give their lives to Christ. Yet Whitefield teaches us that emotion is not for its own sake; it is conviction rooted in truth. Sharing the truth about Christ involves speaking from the heart. For Whitefield, the good news of Jesus never grew dull or repetitive. It was the message of salvation from a loving God, and people desperately needed to hear it.
Reflection
Do we feel what we say? We ought to share the gospel with our hearts, not just our minds. Learning from Whitefield’s example, let’s pray for God to renew our own hearts for the gospel. Familiarity with the gospel can lead to dullness. We need God to widen our hearts to that wonder again. Also, do we feel for the people who don’t know Christ? If God earnestly desires for them to be saved, we should pray for His heart. May we become little shepherds who look to others and speak the love of Christ with compassion.