George Whitefield was probably the most gifted preacher since apostolic times.  He flourished in the eighteenth century and was used by the Lord in the conversion of many thousands of people.  He preached in the open air to vast crowds in days before microphones and his eloquence could be heard clearly for well over a kilometre.  Many of his sermons were written as he spoke and are still available.

Near the beginning of one of his sermons he said, with genuine humility, “If any here do expect fine preaching from me this day, they will, in all probability, go away disappointed.”   He went on to say that he was not going to impress people with clever speech but intended to speak to their hearts.  He continued and said that he would speak in a way that was understandable to the least educated and least experienced in the crowd.  Then followed an obvious but powerful statement.  He said that if those of little learning understand what he said then the high minded and highly educated “must” understand.

This is important for all of us because it is a reminder that when we talk about Jesus to others there is no need to use impressive words to anyone.  Whoever we speak to, if we tell them the message of the gospel clearly and simply, they will know exactly what we are saying.  They may ridicule from lofty heights of intellectual arrogance, but they will understand that we have declared Jesus to be the only saviour and their one hope.

David Johnston