A Garden of Beautiful Flowers
E.A. Johnston emphasizes the importance of Christian unity despite theological differences, urging believers to focus on brotherly love rather than division.
In this devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston draws from his expertise as a revival historian to address the divisions caused by theological differences among Christians. Using the example of John Wesley and George Whitfield, Johnston highlights the importance of unity and brotherly love, grounded in the teaching of Jesus in Luke 9:49-50. He encourages believers to appreciate the diversity within the body of Christ and to focus on the true enemy, the devil, rather than each other. This message is a timely call for reconciliation and harmony within the church.
Full Transcript
There is a false impression and a bitter controversy going on that I feel I must address as a revival historian. I did my Ph.D. dissertation on the revival of religion under Wesleyan Whitfield in England during the 18th century. I'm very familiar with the ministry of John Wesley as I am the ministry of George Whitfield.
Whitfield and Wesley differed greatly on their theology. Wesley was an Arminian and Whitfield a Calvinist. There was such a great division among their followers, theologically, to such a sad degree.
One of Whitfield's converts asked him one day if he thought he'd ever see John Wesley in heaven, implying Wesley wouldn't make it there because of his theology. Whitfield answered carefully by saying, Shall I see my friend John Wesley in heaven? No, I don't believe I shall, for he shall be so close to the throne of Jesus, and I so far away, I doubt I shall ever see him. There's a passage in the Gospel of Luke, friends, which I believe can resolve much of our divisions and conflicts today.
It's found in chapter 9 and in verses 49-50, which states, And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not, for he that is not against us is for us. There's too much acrimony, friends, between Christians who hold different theological views.
It's practically split Southern Baptists down the middle, and that's a crying shame. I say this, and I believe it with all my heart, for it's true. There are other flowers in a garden besides tulips.
John Wesley is in heaven, just as George Whitefield, Asahel Nettleton, a strict Calvinist, is in heaven, alongside Charles Fanny, who was a Pelagian-leaning Arminian. God won't kick you out of heaven, friend, because of your theological views, so long as you are a believer in Christ Jesus and are washed in the blood and born from above. I literally cringed years ago when I heard Leonard Ravenhill say he doubted he'd ever see John Calvin in heaven.
Such remarks are unnecessary from good men. We live in a day when the church needs to be united by the bonds of brotherly love and not divided over heated theological issues. Our enemy isn't each other, friends.
It's the devil. Like I said, a garden has many flowers. There are tulips, as well as roses.
The variety makes the garden more beautiful. Let us pray.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Historical context of Wesley and Whitfield's revival ministries
- Theological differences between Arminianism and Calvinism
- The resulting division among their followers
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II
- A story illustrating theological division and its impact
- Jesus' teaching in Luke 9:49-50 on tolerance
- The call to avoid forbidding those not aligned with us
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III
- The damage caused by acrimony among Christians
- Examples of faithful believers from different theological backgrounds in heaven
- The need for unity and brotherly love in the church
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IV
- The church's true enemy is the devil, not each other
- The beauty of diversity likened to a garden with many flowers
- A prayer for unity and love among believers
Key Quotes
“Forbid him not, for he that is not against us is for us.” — E.A. Johnston
“There are other flowers in a garden besides tulips.” — E.A. Johnston
“God won't kick you out of heaven, friend, because of your theological views, so long as you are a believer in Christ Jesus and are washed in the blood and born from above.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Seek to foster unity within your church community despite differing theological views.
- Remember that salvation is based on faith in Christ, not on specific doctrinal positions.
- Focus on loving fellow believers and resisting division, recognizing the devil as the true adversary.