"An Epoch Making Day." What is the link between these bible verses? "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be made partakers of the divine nature.." 2 Peter 1 verse 4. "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, Oh Lord" Psalm 130 verse 1. "Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God." Mark's Gospel 12 verse 34. Yes, these are the words which Rev. John Wesley read on the day of his conversion to Christ. It was the 24th May 1738. This year Methodist hearted people across the world will celebrate the tri-centenniel of his natural birth which took place on the 17th June 1703. But it was the new birth experience in his thirty fifth year of life that Dr Skevington Wood refers to as "An Epoch Making Day." Charles his brother came to the knowledge and joy of sins forgiven and peace with God on the 21st May 1738. Together the lives of these brothers influenced the people of England toward national repentance. The 18th century Evangelical Awakening brought tens of thousands to the Saviour. But we move too quickly. Let us make a short review of that eventful day in the life of John Wesley. A Seeking Soul. In the days immediately prior to his experience he had been earnestly seeking to know the assurance of salvation. Through the instruction of his friend Peter Boeler, a godly Moravian missionary from Germany, then living in England, he learned that salvation is not earned by good works, but by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ alone. Early morning dawned to find Mr Wesley reading the opening verses of Peter's epistle. This was followed by the arresting message of Mark's gospel. During the afternoon he attended a service at St Paul's cathedral and heard the choir singing the psalm already mentioned. But it was at the evening gathering in the company of a small group of worshipping people that God revealed his mercy and extended his grace to John Wesley. He recorded the event as follows, "About a quarter before nine while the speaker was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust Christ, Christ alone for my salvation: and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." It was with great joy that he and some friends ran to the house where Charles was staying. As the good news was shared they celebrated with the singing of a hymn. A Saving Message. Now the brothers had a message they must share with all who would listen to them. Charles became the prolific hymn writer penning some 6700 hymns and religious poems. Bernard L. Manning spoke of Wesley's hymns as, "setting forth the peculiar and pungent doctrines of uncompromising Christianity." John was pre-eminently the preacher with the burning heart. His objective was clear and concise, namely, "to reform the nation, particularly the church, and to spread scriptural holiness over the land." He was first and foremost an evangelist. He told his associate preachers some years later, "You have nothing to do but save souls.... " The central thrust of the Wesleyan messages were: A. All men need to be saved. This is still a fact. Why? Because all are lost. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3 verse 23. B. All men can be saved. Praise God this is also true today. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3 verse 9. C. All men can know they are saved. The assurance of salvation is a must in the heart of the believer. God's Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. Romans 8 verse 16. D. All men can be saved to the uttermost. Hebrews 7 verse 25 becomes the proof text for an uttermost salvation through Jesus Christ. The distinctive message of full salvation as declared by the Wesley's led great numbers of new believers into the experience of heart purity and the fullness of the Spirit. Thank the Lord heart holiness is a blessing still available to all who will pay the price and go through with God. As we approach the 265th anniversary of the John and Charles Wesleys' conversion let us thank the Lord for so great salvation. Let us pray for a fresh visitation of God on our nation. Let us seek to reach others for Christ who will become soul winners also. If you would like spiritual counsel and feel you would like to talk to our pastor then click HERE to e-mail him directly. Written for this website by Rev. E. Stewart. Due to be updated: June Archived Messages. 20/04/03 All hail the risen Lord. 22/03/03 Heart Cry for Revival. 02/01/03 The Church of the Open Door. 02/12/02 The River of Blessing. 01/09/02 The Revelation of the River. 04/05/02 The Greatest Watershed in History. 29/01/02 Knowing and doing the Will of God. 22/11/01 Things Which Cannot Be Shaken. 07/07/01 The Soulwinner's conflict 24/04/01 The Divine Dividend 17/03/01 The Move That Made The Difference 10/01/01 Marching On In The Will of God 15/12/00 Christmas Message 07/10/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (2) 15/09/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (1) 28/07/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (4) 15/06/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (3) 07/05/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (2) 09/04/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (1) 22/04/00 Easter Message