GEORGE WHITEFIELD (1714 – 1770)

1. GEORGE WHITEFIELD(1714 – 1770) The Great Evangelist of the 18th Century

2. GEORGE WHITEFIELD’S BIRTH • Born at Gloucester on December 16, 1714. • Father died when he was only 2 years old. Bell Inn, the birth place of George Whitefield

3. OXFORD • 1732, age 17 • Entered Pembroke College, Oxford, and met the Wesley brothers – John and Charles The Holy Club, Oxford

4. CONVERSION • 1735, age 20 • Converted about seven weeks after Easter. • God used books to bring this about. • Also Matthew Henry’s Commentary was used as he read the Bible.

5. ORDINATION & GRADUATION • 1736, age 21 • Ordained as deacon at Gloucester, preached his first sermon, graduated with a B.A. at Oxford, preached in London The church where Whitefield preached his first sermon

6. REVIVAL BREAKS OUT • 1737, age 22. • Revival broke out in Bristol and London. • Whitefield became instantly popular and crowds went to hear him preach the gospel. Charles Wesley

7. FIRST TRIP TO AMERICA • 1738, age 23 • Left England for Georgia, America, for 5 months and later returned to England. • He found John and Charles Wesley recently converted. John Wesley many years later John Wesley many years later

8. OPEN-AIR PREACHING • 1739, age 24 • Ordained as priest in Church of England. • Began open-air preaching in Kingswood, Bristol, and London. Gave the work to John and Charles Wesley. • Doctrinal differences with the Wesley brothers. • Sailed to America and preached in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina Whitefield preaching in the open air in England

9. BETHESDA ORPHANAGE • 1740, age 25 • Preached in South Carolina, Georgia (commenced orphanage), Charleston, back to Pennsylvania, back to Georgia, preached in Boston, Northampton, New Haven, New York, Philadelphia and back to Georgia. • His concern for the negro slaves results in conversions & “the negro spirituals”.

10. MARRIAGE & BUILDING OF TABERNACLE • 1741, age 26 • He returned to England & found a cold reception there until he defended his doctrinal position. • He preached in Scotland and parted with the Erskine brothers. • He married in Wales, & preached there & in Bristol, Gloucester and London. • A “Tabernacle” was built for him in London. Whitefield’s mobile pulpit, which he used in open air preaching

11. SCOTLAND • 1742, age 27 • He returned to Scotland. There was a revival there. • 1743, age 28 • Took attackers to court and won the case Whitefield preaching in the open air

12. THIRD VISIT TO AMERICA • 1744, age 29 • Third visit to America • 1745, age 30 • Commenced preaching tour of Massachusetts, Boston, New Hampshire, North Yarmouth, etc. The church pastored by Jonathan Edwards

13. “Let the name of Whitefield perish!” • 1748, age 33 • Preached in Bermuda, returned to England to hand over movement to John Wesley, damaged his health while preaching due to bad weather

14. BUILDING PROJECTS • 1753, age 38 • Built new Tabernacle in London and in Bristol • 1755, age 40 • Built large Chapel in Tottenham Court Road

15. COLLEGE AT BETHESDA • 1762, age 47 • Sixth visit to America • 1765, age 50 • Returned to England, applied for charter to start College at Bethesda

16. HOLLAND • 1761, age 46 • Left for Holland on preaching tour

17. THE WIFE’S DEATH • 1768, age 53 • Whitefield’s wife died

18. LAST VISIT TO AMERICA • 1769, age 54 • 9th & last visit to America, began construction of College, preached in Philadelphia, New York and New England

19. HIS DEATH • 1770, age 55 • Died in Newbury Port, America

20. Where Whitefield is buried

21. More on Whitefield’s burial

22. Characteristics of Whitefield • Deep and unfeigned humility • Burning love to our Lord Jesus Christ • Unwearied diligence and laboriousness • Eminent self denial • Remarkable disinterestedness and singleness of eye • A singularly happy and cheerful spirit • Extra ordinary charity, catholicity and liberality

23. Characteristics of Whitefield’s Preaching • Whitefield preached a singularly pure gospel • Whitefield’s preaching was singularly lucid and simple • Whitefield was a singularly bold and direct preacher • Whitefield’s preaching had a singular power of description • Whitefield’s preaching was tremendously earnest • Whitefield’s preaching had an immense amount of pathos and feeling

24. Doctrinal Distinctives • The sufficiency and supremacy of Holy Scripture • The total corruption of human nature • The death of Christ upon the cross as the only satisfaction for man’s sin • The absolute necessity of justification by faith

25. More Doctrinal Distinctives • The need of heart conversion and a new creation by the Holy Spirit • The inseparable connection between true faith and personal holiness • God’s eternal hatred for sin and God’s love towards sinners

26. Challenges from George Whitefield’s Life • We need to renew our faith in the power of God’s Word • We must pray for revival • Our evangelism must be on the offensive • Evangelistic preaching must be doctrinal • Altar calls are not an essential ingredient of evangelism • We must have a spirit of magnanimity even in our doctrinal differences