Whitefield Preached to Crowds of Fifty Thousand (Clip)
Keith Malcomson highlights the powerful impact of God's Spirit through historical revivals, emphasizing the greater outpouring yet to come beyond Pentecost.
This sermon discusses the former rain, symbolizing the day of Pentecost and the beginning of a spiritual harvest. It emphasizes how the former rain, though moderate, paved the way for greater outpourings of God's Spirit in the future. The speaker highlights historical examples like Whitefield and D.L. Moody, who experienced powerful moves of God that impacted thousands and even millions of souls, illustrating the continuous work of God's rain over the past 2,000 years.
Full Transcript
I've given you the former rain moderately. What is the former rain, the first rain? The day of Pentecost. And so Joel says, when it comes on the day of Pentecost, the former rain will be moderate.
It's in Jerusalem, it begins in Jerusalem, it's the beginning of the harvest, but it's moderate, it is actually small compared to what I'm going to do in the following days. Do you know outside London, Whitefield stood preaching to crowds of 40,000, 50,000, 60,000. He could be heard preaching two miles away.
This city got stirred by D.L. Moody and almost a million souls come to listen and preach in this city of London as he evangelized the very heart of this nation. Over this 2,000 years, we have seen the rain of God fall.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Explanation of the former rain as the day of Pentecost
- Joel's prophecy about the former rain being moderate
- The significance of Jerusalem as the starting point
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II
- George Whitefield's preaching to massive crowds
- The impact of Whitefield's ministry in London
- Comparison of the former rain to greater outpourings to come
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III
- D.L. Moody's evangelistic influence in London
- The stirring of nearly a million souls through revival
- The ongoing rain of God over 2,000 years
Key Quotes
“I've given you the former rain moderately. What is the former rain, the first rain? The day of Pentecost.” — Keith Malcomson
“Do you know outside London, Whitefield stood preaching to crowds of 40,000, 50,000, 60,000. He could be heard preaching two miles away.” — Keith Malcomson
“Over this 2,000 years, we have seen the rain of God fall.” — Keith Malcomson
Application Points
- Recognize the significance of Pentecost as the foundation of spiritual revival.
- Be inspired by historical examples like Whitefield to boldly share the gospel.
- Anticipate and pray for greater outpourings of God's Spirit in our time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by the 'former rain'?
The 'former rain' refers to the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, symbolizing the beginning of God's harvest.
Who was George Whitefield?
George Whitefield was a powerful evangelist known for preaching to tens of thousands, significantly impacting revival in England.
Why is Pentecost important in this sermon?
Pentecost marks the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit, serving as a foundation for subsequent greater revivals.
What does the sermon say about future outpourings of God’s Spirit?
The sermon suggests that the initial outpouring at Pentecost was moderate compared to the greater spiritual awakenings that followed.
How does D.L. Moody relate to the message?
D.L. Moody is highlighted as a key figure who stirred massive evangelistic movements in London, continuing the legacy of revival.