Select Sermons of George Whitefield With An Account Of His Life By J.C. Ryle

by George Whitefield, J.C. Ryle, R. Elliot

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Genres: Christian, Theology, Biography, Church History, Religion, History

199 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1986

About the author

George Whitefield, also known as George Whitfield, was an English Anglican priest who helped spread the Great Awakening in Britain and, especially, in the British North American colonies. He was one of the founders of Methodism and of the evangelical movement generally. He became perhaps the best-known preacher in Britain and America in the 18th century, and because he travelled through all of the American colonies and drew great crowds and media coverage, he was one of the most widely recognized public figures in colonial America.

Reviews

[Parker Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intro to this work is from JC Ryle’s book on Christian leaders from the 18th century and then a sermon from a funeral service held for Whitefield. They are both helpful in understanding a little more about the man and the theological issues going on during his life and ministry, in particular the close connections with the Wesley's and the popular Arminian doctrines of the times.
Some notable things about the sermons are how gospel-filled they are, the clarity in the exposition of a passage, and the sense of urgency portrayed to the audience.
Another cool fun fact is that this was one of the first few books that Banner of Truth published when they started in 1958. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote the foreword and noted that Whitefield has been neglected in church history since the Great Awakening (likely due to the influence of Wesleyan theology during that time), but that the zealous preacher who the Lord used in a tremendous way can still speak to us today and that we should listen.

[Matthew C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent introduction to the sermons of George Whitefield. Having only known about him from second-hand sources, it was refreshing to hear the actual content of this legendary pioneer of open-air preaching. The brief bio by J.C. Ryle and the summary of his doctrine by R. Elliot were welcome additions to this collection. I especially appreciated Whitefield's ability to harness the dread of the law's demands to shepherd lost souls to the mercies of Christ; as he says best, "there is no going to Mount Zion but by the way of Mount Sinai." I also found his 7 means of maintaining a walk with God (starting in p.169) very helpful.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"They that are not led to see this [the doctrine of election], I wish them better heads; though, I believe, numbers that are against it have got better hearts."

"Religion never thrives under too much sun-shine."

"My friends, we mistake a historical faith for a true faith."

"Christ, having once loved you, will love you to the end."

"Beware of resting on your first conversion."

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone interested in George Whitefield, this is an enjoyable way to get acquainted with him.

It consists of a biographical sketch and evaluation of the impact of George Whitefield, written by J.C. Ryle. This alone is worth the price of the book, even if Ryle's praise proves too lavish. Then a funeral sermon summing up the doctrines Whitefield preached by R. Elliot (one of Whitefield's friends) and six sermons by Whitefield make the book a treat for anyone who loves solid Bible teaching and church history.

His life as sketched by Ryle and his sermons "The Method of Grace," "Christ the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption," and "Walking with God" are all gold, even if old-fashioned in style.

I come away humbled by Whitefield's courageous single-mindedness for the gospel.

[Randy Rosso · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! A very brief overview of his life and doctrine, which were great and helpful, before getting to read a handful of his sermons. When you read them, you immediately understand how he was such an influential preacher and evangelist for God’s kingdom. No wonder the masses would flock to hear him speak and stand in the fields for an hour to listen to him preach the Word. It is so abundantly evident that he loved the Lord with all his soul and all his heart, and wanted nothing else but to see lost sinners come to know and worship Jesus as he had. His passion for godliness, the gospel, the Word, and the Lord’s work I aspire to attain, by the Lord’s grace.

[Matthew Prydden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of sermons that give a fascinating peek at the ministry of the greatest evangelist since the Apostle Paul! It was always going to be hard to reproduce a sense of, a) the great elocution and oratorical skills of Whitefield, and; b) of even greater importance to Whitefield's ministry: the powerful workings of the Holy Spirit from a time of the English-speaking world's greatest revivals.

Even though Whitefield's sermons were considered to be theologically light compared to many of the contemporaries of his day, they are theologically richer and denser than most ministry today.

Perhaps the greatest delight found in these sermons of such an evangelist is the gospel appeals that full much of Whitefield's sermons space. Whitefield pleads with saint and sinner alike (though usually in different ways) to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation, life and joys that are found only in Him.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Solid, biblical truth, held and preached in the right spirit, and designed to humble guilty sinners and to magnify the love, the grace, and the glory of Jesus. Here the free offer of the gospel is most freely preached, consistently with the doctrines of grace he held. This is food for our souls and strength for our bones. Amazing grace!