Like a Trumpet Blast
E.A. Johnston emphasizes the call for consecrated, prayerful believers to become powerful trumpet blasts for God, awakening the church and bringing revival to their generation.
In 'Like a Trumpet Blast,' E.A. Johnston calls believers to a life of deep consecration and prayer, highlighting God’s raising of powerful servants throughout history to awaken the church and bring revival. Using examples like George Whitefield and John Song, Johnston illustrates the impact of surrendered lives on nations and souls. This prophetic message challenges listeners to seek God’s strength and become clear channels for His grace in their generation.
Full Transcript
A sovereign God raises up men, in certain epochs of history, to be trumpet blasts to their generation in the proclamation of the gospel, like Isaiah 58.1, cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet and show my people their transgressions. A man specially called of God and specifically trained by God to arouse a sleeping church and bring revival to a nation. Through their mighty preaching, the devil's strongholds are disturbed and captives are set free.
George Whitefield's preaching thundered through the colonies until a great awakening shook the land. John Song prayed to God to give him a hundred thousand souls in China and when God did, he prayed for another hundred thousand souls which were given as well as all of China was hit with a tidal wave known as John Song. The common denominators of God's choice servants were twofold.
They lived sacrificial lives of prayer and lived surrendered lives of consecration. John Song, after preaching six times a day, would be found up in the middle of the night on his knees reading his Bible and weeping over the souls of men. Whitefield lived such a consecrated life to God as he was crossing the Atlantic on a ship when he walked by a state room and passed a group of men who were playing cards and swearing.
When they saw Whitefield's holy face, they grew silent under deep conviction of sin. In 2 Chronicles 16.9 we read, For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Listen, friends, God's eyes are continually searching the earth for those rare individuals whose lives are completely sold out to him.
Men like Moses and John the Baptist, Whitefield and Wesley, Finney and Moody, men who live in a different atmosphere than other mortals, men who have annihilated self with the cross and whose lives are broken alabaster boxes from which fragrances arise to the heavens from the broken pieces of selflessness, self-sacrifice and self-crucifixion, human lives who have become clear and empty channels for the rivers of grace to flow through as a means of blessing to their generation. God is always on the lookout for such men. Great God, send us such men for our day.
Let us pray.
Sermon Outline
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I
- God raises up special men as trumpet blasts in history
- These men proclaim the gospel boldly to their generation
- Their preaching disturbs the devil's strongholds and frees captives
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II
- Examples of God’s chosen servants: Whitefield and John Song
- Their sacrificial lives of prayer and consecration
- Impact of their ministry on nations and souls
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III
- God searches for hearts perfect toward Him
- Men like Moses, John the Baptist, and revival preachers live consecrated lives
- Such lives become channels for God’s grace and blessing
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IV
- Call to pray for God to send such men today
- Encouragement to live selfless, surrendered lives
- The church’s need for revival through consecrated servants
Key Quotes
“A sovereign God raises up men, in certain epochs of history, to be trumpet blasts to their generation in the proclamation of the gospel.” — E.A. Johnston
“God's eyes are continually searching the earth for those rare individuals whose lives are completely sold out to him.” — E.A. Johnston
“Men who have annihilated self with the cross and whose lives are broken alabaster boxes from which fragrances arise to the heavens.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Commit to a daily life of prayer and Bible reading to cultivate a consecrated heart.
- Seek to live selflessly, surrendering personal ambitions to God’s will for revival.
- Pray earnestly for God to raise up and empower revival leaders in your generation.