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George G. Findlay
George G. Findlay (June 20, 1849 – October 7, 1919) was a British preacher, biblical scholar, and author whose ministry within the Wesleyan Methodist Church focused on expository preaching and theological education across the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, England, to George Findlay, a Wesleyan Methodist lay preacher, and Ann Gillanders, he grew up in a devout family with Scottish roots. Educated at Wesley College in Sheffield and the University of London (B.A., 1871), he trained for ministry at Richmond College and was ordained in 1875, later earning an honorary D.D. from the University of Glasgow. Findlay’s preaching career began in Wesleyan circuits like Alnwick (1875–1878) and progressed to significant pastorates in Manchester and Birmingham, where his sermons drew acclaim for their intellectual depth and spiritual insight. In 1881, he became Professor of New Testament at Headingley College, Leeds, serving until 1909, shaping ministers with his lectures and writings, including commentaries on Ephesians, Galatians, Colossians, and Thessalonians for The Expositor’s Bible. A frequent preacher at Wesleyan conferences, his sermons—preserved on SermonIndex.net—emphasized Christ’s centrality and practical faith. Married to Mary Ellen Parker in 1878, with whom he had three children—two sons and a daughter—he died at age 70 in Leeds, England, after a prolonged illness.
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Sermon Summary
George G. Findlay emphasizes the significance of Christ's ascension as a divine affirmation of His identity as the Son of God. He explains that Jesus' ascension completes the resurrection and serves as a final confirmation of His supernatural life and authority. Findlay reflects on the calmness of this event, portraying it as a natural return to His heavenly origin, akin to a son returning home after completing his tasks. The sermon highlights that Jesus' departure was not just an end but a transition back to the Father, fulfilling His mission on earth. The promise of His return is also underscored, reminding believers of the hope that lies in His ascension.
Ascension of Christ
"Our Lord ascended as the Son of God returning to His proper place," writes George Findlay. Jesus told Mary Magdalene, "Tell My brethren, I ascend unto My Father." The ascent of Jesus is a final seal put upon His divinity; it consummates the resurrection, by which He was "declared to be the Son of God with power." It is the resurrection finished, as the incarnation of the eternal Son was, in a sense, His death begun. "What," He said once to His questioners, "if you should see the Son of man ascending up where He was before," would you still doubt His origin and challenge His authority? The mode of His exit certifies that He bore a supernatural life and was here upon a heavenly errand. He entered this world as never man did; he lived and spoke and wrought in it as never man did; He died, and rose again, as never man did; and He took His departure as no mere son of man ever did or could have done,--He who was "separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens." How quiet and calm, in the deepest sense of the word how natural, the account of His departure which is given by another of the Evangelists. To the witnesses it must have seemed quite beautiful and in the fitting order of things that Jesus should thus part from them. . . He breaks the chains of sense as naturally as he had burst the bands of death, for in neither case "was it possible that He should be holden of it" longer than He chose. . . By the same law He gravitates upward--the heavenly heavenwards, the Divine to the Divine. . . . as the son sets his face homewards when evening comes and the day's task is over, so Jesus goes back to His native sphere. "Now, Father," He cries, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do; and I come to Thee." The Son of God returns to the Father's house ("The Ascension of Jesus," Great Sermons on the Resurrection of Christ, compiled by Wilbur Smith, pp. 185-186). And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven (Acts 1:9-11).
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George G. Findlay (June 20, 1849 – October 7, 1919) was a British preacher, biblical scholar, and author whose ministry within the Wesleyan Methodist Church focused on expository preaching and theological education across the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, England, to George Findlay, a Wesleyan Methodist lay preacher, and Ann Gillanders, he grew up in a devout family with Scottish roots. Educated at Wesley College in Sheffield and the University of London (B.A., 1871), he trained for ministry at Richmond College and was ordained in 1875, later earning an honorary D.D. from the University of Glasgow. Findlay’s preaching career began in Wesleyan circuits like Alnwick (1875–1878) and progressed to significant pastorates in Manchester and Birmingham, where his sermons drew acclaim for their intellectual depth and spiritual insight. In 1881, he became Professor of New Testament at Headingley College, Leeds, serving until 1909, shaping ministers with his lectures and writings, including commentaries on Ephesians, Galatians, Colossians, and Thessalonians for The Expositor’s Bible. A frequent preacher at Wesleyan conferences, his sermons—preserved on SermonIndex.net—emphasized Christ’s centrality and practical faith. Married to Mary Ellen Parker in 1878, with whom he had three children—two sons and a daughter—he died at age 70 in Leeds, England, after a prolonged illness.