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Smith Wigglesworth
Smith Wigglesworth (1859–1947). Born on June 8, 1859, in Menston, Yorkshire, England, to a poor family, Smith Wigglesworth began work at age six in fields and factories. Illiterate until adulthood, he was taught to read by his wife, Mary Jane "Polly" Featherstone, whom he married in 1882. Initially a plumber, he joined the Salvation Army, drawn by their zeal, and began preaching despite a lifelong stammer. In 1907, at age 48, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at a Sunderland revival, transforming his ministry with boldness and a focus on divine healing. Wigglesworth became a global Pentecostal evangelist, traveling across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America, leading revivals marked by miracles, healings, and conversions. His unpolished, faith-driven preaching emphasized God’s power, often urging believers to act on Scripture alone. Married with five children, he was widowed in 1913 but continued his itinerant work until his death on March 12, 1947, in Wakefield, England. Known for his rugged faith, he once said, “Only believe! God will not fail you, beloved.”
Sermon Summary
Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the importance of lowliness and meekness in the Christian life, highlighting Jesus' commandment to love one another as He loved us. He asserts that true love, rooted in divine appointment, never fails, contrasting it with the failures of human love. Wigglesworth encourages believers to embrace their new creation in Christ, which empowers them to serve others selflessly and humbly. He stresses that this attitude of love and service connects us deeply with God and frees us from the power of sin. Ultimately, he concludes that the greatest plan Jesus presented was the ministry of service.
Scriptures
Lowliness and Meekness
I am among you as the One who serves. --Luke 22:27 Scripture reading: John 15:9-27 Jesus emphasized this new commandment when He left us: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John 13:34). To the extent that we miss this instruction, we miss all the Master's instruction. If we miss this commandment, we miss everything. All the future summits of glory are yours in that you have been recreated in a deeper order by this commandment to love. When we reach this attitude of love, then we make no mistake about lowliness. We will submit ourselves in the future in order that we may be useful to one another. And when we come to a place where we serve for pure love's sake, because it is the divine hand of the Master upon us, we will find out that we will never fail. Love never fails when it is divinely appointed in us. However, the so-called love in our human nature does fail and has failed from the beginning. Suppose a man corresponds with me, seeking to learn more about me and to establish a relationship. The only thing I would have to say in answering his letters is, "Brother, all that I know about Wigglesworth is bad." There is no good thing in human nature. However, all that I know about the new creation in Wigglesworth is good. The important thing is whether we are living in the old creation or the new creation. So I implore you to see that there is a lowliness, a humbleness, that leads you to meekness, that leads you to separate yourself from the world, that puts you so in touch with the Master that you know you are touching God. The blood of Jesus cleanses you from sin and all pollution (1 John 1:7). There is something in this holy position that makes you know you are free from the power of the Enemy. Thought for today: The greatest plan that Jesus ever presented in His ministry was the ministry of service.
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Smith Wigglesworth (1859–1947). Born on June 8, 1859, in Menston, Yorkshire, England, to a poor family, Smith Wigglesworth began work at age six in fields and factories. Illiterate until adulthood, he was taught to read by his wife, Mary Jane "Polly" Featherstone, whom he married in 1882. Initially a plumber, he joined the Salvation Army, drawn by their zeal, and began preaching despite a lifelong stammer. In 1907, at age 48, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at a Sunderland revival, transforming his ministry with boldness and a focus on divine healing. Wigglesworth became a global Pentecostal evangelist, traveling across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America, leading revivals marked by miracles, healings, and conversions. His unpolished, faith-driven preaching emphasized God’s power, often urging believers to act on Scripture alone. Married with five children, he was widowed in 1913 but continued his itinerant work until his death on March 12, 1947, in Wakefield, England. Known for his rugged faith, he once said, “Only believe! God will not fail you, beloved.”