Jonathan Edwards: Preaching Grace and Awakening Revival
Summary
Jonathan Edwards, a pivotal figure in the history of American preaching, found himself at the helm of the second largest church in New England at the young age of 26. His journey began in Northampton, where he succeeded Solomon Stoddard, a revered pastor. Edwards' early years were marked by a significant event: his invitation to preach at Harvard's commencement, a prestigious occasion akin to the "Super Bowl" of New England's religious community. Despite being a Yale graduate and an outsider, Edwards delivered a sermon titled "God Glorified in Man’s Dependence," emphasizing the doctrines of grace and the sovereignty of God in salvation. This sermon was so well-received that it was published early in his career, a rare honor at the time.
Edwards was known for his meticulous sermon preparation, often writing and rewriting his sermons multiple times. His method involved creating small sermon booklets, which he memorized and delivered with precision. However, his preaching style evolved after 1741, influenced by the dynamic George Whitefield. Edwards shifted from writing full sermons to using outlines, allowing for a more spontaneous delivery.
The impact of Edwards' preaching was profound, sparking a revival in the Connecticut River Valley in 1734-35. His account of this revival, "A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God," was published in England and contributed to the Great Awakening, a transatlantic religious revival. Edwards' most famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," delivered during this period, is often mischaracterized as solely fire and brimstone. However, it also contains a powerful invitation to mercy and salvation through Christ.
The Great Awakening, with figures like Edwards, Whitefield, and the Wesleys, played a crucial role in shaping the American identity, fostering a sense of unity among the colonies. Despite facing detractors and fanatics, the revival laid the groundwork for the American Revolution by creating a shared experience and communication network through newly established newspapers.
Key Takeaways:
- Jonathan Edwards' sermon "God Glorified in Man’s Dependence" emphasized the doctrines of grace, highlighting that salvation is entirely a work of God for His glory. This foundational belief underscores the importance of humility and reliance on God in the Christian life. [01:49]
- Edwards' meticulous approach to sermon preparation reflects the seriousness with which he viewed preaching. His dedication to crafting and memorizing sermons demonstrates the importance of diligence and reverence in communicating God's Word. [03:05]
- The revival sparked by Edwards in the Connecticut River Valley illustrates the power of faithful preaching to transform communities. It serves as a reminder that genuine spiritual awakening begins with a return to the core truths of the gospel. [08:09]
- The Great Awakening, influenced by Edwards and others, was a unifying force among the American colonies, contributing to the development of a collective identity. This historical context highlights the role of spiritual movements in shaping societal change. [17:49]
- Edwards' famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," while often remembered for its vivid imagery of judgment, also contains a profound message of hope and mercy. It challenges us to hold both the reality of God's justice and the invitation of His grace in balance. [21:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - Edwards at Northampton
[01:01] - Harvard Commencement Sermon
[01:49] - Doctrines of Grace
[02:26] - Early Sermon Publication
[03:05] - Meticulous Sermon Preparation
[05:16] - Influence of George Whitefield
[06:37] - Change in Preaching Style
[08:09] - Revival in Connecticut River Valley
[09:41] - A Faithful Narrative
[11:00] - Great Awakening Begins
[12:35] - Outdoor Preaching Movement
[13:54] - Whitefield's Impact in America
[15:49] - Detractors and Fanatics
[17:49] - Awakening's Role in American Identity
[19:07] - Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
[21:20] - Gospel Mercy and Joy
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Jonathan Edwards and the Great Awakening
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
2. Romans 11:36 - "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."
3. James 4:6 - "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
Observation Questions:
1. What was the main theme of Jonathan Edwards' sermon "God Glorified in Man’s Dependence," and how was it received by the audience? [01:49]
2. How did Jonathan Edwards' approach to sermon preparation reflect his view of preaching? [03:05]
3. What significant change did Edwards make to his preaching style after 1741, and who influenced this change? [05:16]
4. How did the revival in the Connecticut River Valley contribute to the Great Awakening, and what role did Edwards play in it? [08:09]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the doctrine of grace, as emphasized by Edwards, challenge the idea of self-reliance in salvation? [01:49]
2. In what ways did Edwards' meticulous sermon preparation demonstrate his dedication to communicating God's Word effectively? [03:05]
3. How did the Great Awakening, as described in the sermon, contribute to a sense of unity among the American colonies? [17:49]
4. What balance does Edwards' sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" strike between the themes of judgment and mercy? [21:20]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own understanding of grace. How does the idea that salvation is entirely a work of God for His glory impact your daily life and faith? [01:49]
2. Consider your approach to studying and sharing God's Word. How can you incorporate more diligence and reverence in your preparation, similar to Edwards' method? [03:05]
3. Think about a time when you experienced a spiritual awakening or revival. What core truths of the gospel were central to that experience, and how can you return to them now? [08:09]
4. How can you contribute to fostering unity within your community or church, drawing inspiration from the unifying force of the Great Awakening? [17:49]
5. Reflect on the balance between understanding God's justice and embracing His grace. How can you hold these two aspects in balance in your personal faith journey? [21:20]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to rely more on God's grace rather than your own efforts. What steps can you take this week to shift your focus? [01:49]
7. How can you be more intentional in sharing the message of hope and mercy found in the gospel with those around you? [21:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Humility in Divine Dependence
God's sovereignty in salvation is a profound truth that underscores the necessity of humility and reliance on Him. Jonathan Edwards' sermon "God Glorified in Man’s Dependence" highlights that salvation is entirely a work of God for His glory. This foundational belief calls believers to recognize their complete dependence on God, fostering a spirit of humility. In a world that often values self-sufficiency, this doctrine challenges us to acknowledge our limitations and the need for divine grace. Embracing this truth can transform our relationship with God, leading to a deeper trust and reliance on His providence. [01:49]
"For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to rely on God, and how can you practice humility by acknowledging your dependence on Him today?
Day 2: Diligence in Communicating God's Word
Jonathan Edwards' meticulous approach to sermon preparation reflects the seriousness with which he viewed the task of preaching. His dedication to crafting and memorizing sermons demonstrates the importance of diligence and reverence in communicating God's Word. This commitment serves as a model for all believers, encouraging us to approach the study and sharing of Scripture with intentionality and care. Whether in formal teaching settings or casual conversations, the way we handle God's Word can have a profound impact on those around us. [03:05]
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be more intentional in your study and sharing of Scripture this week, ensuring that you handle God's Word with care and diligence?
Day 3: The Power of Faithful Preaching
The revival sparked by Jonathan Edwards in the Connecticut River Valley illustrates the transformative power of faithful preaching. This event serves as a reminder that genuine spiritual awakening begins with a return to the core truths of the gospel. When the message of Christ is proclaimed with clarity and conviction, it has the potential to change hearts and communities. This historical example challenges us to consider the role of preaching and teaching in our own spiritual growth and the life of the church. [08:09]
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when a sermon or teaching significantly impacted your faith. How can you support and encourage faithful preaching in your church community?
Day 4: Unity Through Spiritual Awakening
The Great Awakening, influenced by figures like Jonathan Edwards, was a unifying force among the American colonies, contributing to the development of a collective identity. This historical context highlights the role of spiritual movements in shaping societal change. The shared experience of revival fostered a sense of unity and purpose, demonstrating the power of the gospel to transcend individual differences and bring people together. This unity is a testament to the transformative impact of spiritual awakening on both personal and communal levels. [17:49]
"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." (Acts 4:32, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to unity within your church or community, fostering a spirit of togetherness and shared purpose through the gospel?
Day 5: Balancing Justice and Grace
Jonathan Edwards' famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," is often remembered for its vivid imagery of judgment, but it also contains a profound message of hope and mercy. This sermon challenges us to hold both the reality of God's justice and the invitation of His grace in balance. Understanding this duality is crucial for a holistic view of God's character and the gospel message. It invites us to live in the tension of acknowledging our sinfulness while embracing the grace offered through Christ. [21:20]
"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." (Hebrews 12:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you better balance the understanding of God's justice and grace in your life, ensuring that you neither take His grace for granted nor live in fear of His judgment?
Quotes
And Edwards preaches a sermon entitled, God Glorified in Man’s Dependence, and in that sermon Edwards stresses the doctrines of grace that had come to the Puritans through Calvin, through the reformers, that stressed that salvation is from start to finish a work of God, and that it has to be that way because salvation is to the glory of God. It’s not our work, it’s not for our glory; it’s God’s work for God’s glory: God glorified in man’s dependence. [00:01:21]
But as we come back to Edwards, week in, week out, Edwards preached. Now, Edwards was a meticulous sermon writer. Edwards would write out his sermons, and these early sermons, he would sometimes write them out three or four or five times. Now, he would hand write these sermons, this was a picture of about the actual size of one of Edwards’ sermon manuscripts. Edwards would take a large piece of paper, it was called folio paper; I can give you a sense, it was roughly this size paper – we’ll look at this one later, but that’s a folio piece of paper. [00:03:05]
Edwards would take it and make a series of folds until he got it down to about a four-inch square. And then he would cut the sides, and then he would take a needle, and he would poke a hole here, and he would poke a hole here, and he would get some thread, and he would tie some thread through there, and he made a little sermon booklet. These sermons, he could get about fifteen words across, and about 20 to 30 lines on a page, and a typical sermon booklet is anywhere between 40 to 60 pages. [00:03:38]
Now, his preaching style changed after 1741. After 1741 George Whitefield had come to town, had come to Northampton, had preached in Northampton’s church, even preached in Edwards’ house. This was very typical of Whitefield. Whitefield would preach a sermon, then he would go stay at an inn, or he would go stay in someone’s house, and the crowds would find out where he was, and they would literally stand outside and wait until he would come out and preach to them again. [00:05:23]
And from 1742 on Edwards stopped writing out his sermons. Instead, he would write out an outline, preach the sermon, and then on Monday, go into his study and write out the sermon he preached. So this is a remarkable mind. Don’t try this at home, to imitate this mind. This is a unique person we’re talking about. But Edwards wrote sermons. It’s estimated that Edwards’ sermon corpus is estimated at 1,200-1,400 hundred sermons. [00:06:50]
There was in 1734-35 a revival in the Connecticut River Valley largely due to Edwards’ preaching, both at Northampton and as he would go up and down the Connecticut River Valley and preach. And Edwards wrote up a story of the revival and sent it to the papers in Boston to be printed so that it would encourage religious revival there in Boston. And the editor in Boston sent the letter across the sea to his friend, a hymn writer in England; you might have sung one or two of his hymns, Isaac Watts. [00:08:16]
And that book was widely read, widely circulated, and many believe was the seed, one of the seeds that would very quickly emerge as the Great Awakening in 1740-1742. So, Edwards is preaching, he’s continuing to preach, and we come into these years of the Great Awakening – 1740-42. It is a transatlantic phenomenon; we have Edwards in New England and other ministers where there’s revival taking place, the Tenents in New Jersey, and of course we have the Brothers Wesley, and George Whitefield back in Old England. [00:11:08]
And both Wesley and Whitefield, I think Whitefield preached it first, but Wesley also preached a sermon by the same title, The Almost Christian. And the “almost Christian” is someone who thinks they’re a Christian because they were in the Church of England, but they were not a true Christian just by being in the Church of England – they were an “almost Christian.” Well, as you can imagine, very quickly both Wesley and Whitefield found themselves un-invited to preach in churches. No problem, they simply go outdoors. [00:12:07]
Whitefield gets invited to America, goes down in the Southern colonies, establishes an orphanage in Georgia, begins to make his way – actually he lands in Delaware his first time, realizes, “Well, this is a pretty small state, maybe I should look for another state,” no, I’m kidding. Travels up and down the colonies, and everywhere he goes, literally thousands come to hear him preach. Benjamin Franklin struck up a friendship with George Whitfield, published his sermons, loved to hear Whitefield preach, never believed in Whitefield’s God, never accepted Whitefield’s gospel, but he loved to hear Whitefield preach. [00:13:29]
And just as there were detractors, there were also fanatics, and one of these fanatics was Davenport. And Davenport got so excited about the dynamic ministry of the Holy Spirit that he began to say, “We don’t need any books, we don’t need any learning,” and he actually sponsored book burning in the streets. He was jailed on numerous occasions for public disturbance, and at least at the end of his life, he published a detraction apologizing for his actions, and also acknowledging how wrong he was. [00:16:36]
Edwards was right in the middle of the Great Awakening, and in fact he preached a sermon literally in the middle of it that is his most famous sermon – Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Now, people love – speaking of caricatures – they love to have caricatures of the Puritans. What is it H.L. Menken once said? “A Puritan is anyone who thinks that somewhere someone might just be having a good time.” [00:18:46]
There’s a wonderful image at the end where Edwards says, “Christ has flung the door of mercy wide open, and stands in the way crying unto poor sinners, ‘Come in, come home.’” So, yes, the sermon is about judgment; yes, the sermon is about God’s wrath; yes, the sermon is don’t assume, don’t presume; but there’s also plenty of gospel mercy invitation in that sermon as well. [00:21:04]
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