228e

Does scriptural revival mean an increase of the church’s population? No. Even if a church is crowded with a large
congregation, society could still be corrupt; this indicates that it is not a scriptural revival. John Wesley’s revival was a
scriptural revival which made an impact on the society in England. From studying this history of revival, we can see how
their society had been transformed and renewed.
A church with a crowded congregation is either the work of the Holy Spirit, or the beginning of ruin. As Proverbs
16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (NIV).
If Methodist churches do not go back to when John Wesley started the church, we will lose our goal. We will put the
secondary goal as the first, and the first as the secondary.
Scriptural revivals are a right that has been given to the church. The Holy Spirit is only entrusted to the true, saved
Christians who experience scriptural revival. Since Methodism is the product of scriptural revival, we, then, should continue
to experience the fire of revival. May God be with us.
A BRAND PLUCKED FROM THE BURNING
A Reflection on lAMM’s Methodist studies couRse
One night in 1709, a pastor’s house caught on fire. The pastor and his wife had many
children and shepherded them out of the house. Once outside, to their horror, they
realised that one of the children was missing – their six-year-old son was still in the
burning house! The boy appeared at an upstairs window, but there seemed to be no
way to reach him and all hope seemed lost. However, in a moment of inspiration,
rescuers ran up to the house, stood on each other’s shoulders and plucked the boy
from the window. Moments later, the roof fell in.
Such a dramatic rescue led to the boy’s mother describing him as a “brand plucked from the burning”, a
description that is biblically inspired (Zechariah 3:2). She truly believed that the boy was saved by God for
a special purpose, and she was right - for that boy was John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.
This incident was one of the many interesting things I learned from LAMM’s Methodist Studies course in
April 2016 in Perth, taught by Bishop Rev Dr James Kwang and ably assisted by his wife Auntie Kim.
I would certainly encourage everyone to attend this course when they have the chance, the main reason
being it will give you a better appreciation of the rich history and spirit of the Methodist Church and our
identity as Methodists. There are many reasons people give for leaving the Methodist Church today. For
example, they may say that the church does not have inspired singing, or does not do enough for the
community, or is lacking in charisma and power. If that is the case, then that church is not holding true to
the history and spirit of Methodism and its founder and has actually lost its Methodist identity. Methodists
are meant to be singing people – Charles Wesley wrote some 6000 plus hymns! Methodists are meant to
be concerned about the community – early Methodists set up nursing homes and clinics and schools (ask
somebody from Sibu where they studied and there is a good chance they will say “Sibu Methodist”). And
Methodists are meant to be powerful people – Methodism was a movement that completely revitalised
England in the 1700s. An understanding of the rich history and spirit of the Methodist Church reveals the
shortcomings of the church today. However, armed with this understanding, may we Methodists not leave
the church, but instead rise up and revitalise the church and community as God intended Methodism to do.
So again I would encourage everyone to attend this course when they have the chance. It is not a coincidence
that we are in the Methodist Church today. God saved John Wesley from the fire for a special purpose.
Today, it is up to us to understand our place in that special purpose and continue the extraordinary
work that God has been doing through Methodist believers throughout history.
Richard Leong (Hope MC)
3