Ignitable Men
E.A. Johnston calls for a revival of ignitable men who, like historic revivalists, passionately fear God, hate sin, and zealously spread the gospel to shake the spiritual foundations of society.
In 'Ignitable Men,' E.A. Johnston challenges believers to embody the fiery passion of historic revivalists like Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley. He emphasizes the urgent need for men who fear God alone, hate sin, and zealously spread the gospel in a spiritually complacent age. Drawing from powerful examples of ignitable men throughout church history, Johnston calls the church to rise and shake the gates of hell through bold faith and revival.
Full Transcript
It was said of the Great Awakening that it began under the preaching of Jonathan Edwards, and then George Whitefield came and threw gasoline on it. I was in a gas station this week, and one of the gas pumps wouldn't turn off, and gasoline was spewing everywhere and making a winding course down the pavement where we were all standing, putting gas in our cars, and folks were beginning to get nervous once we realized all it would take for us to be in sudden grave danger was for a fool to toss a cigarette over there by mistake on that spilled gasoline, and the whole gas station would blow up. A fire gets people's attention, and a revival is like a fire that spreads that grabs attention.
Both Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were ignitable men whose preaching was combustible. John Wesley was ignitable as he and Whitefield turned England upside down during the revival of religion in the 18th century. John Wesley was a little man like Zacchaeus, small in stature, but he was a human fireball who feared God more than man, and he said, give me 100 men who fear nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I will shake the gates of hell, and he went out and did just that, and that's the need of the hour, friends.
We need men who are ignitable, and that's the title of my message today, Ignitable Men. We need men today who are so sold out to Christ and the gospel that they will ignite others with their zeal and passion. Gideon had an army of 300 who got the job done and routed the enemy.
I believe if we got Wesley's 100 men today, we could go out and get the job done. 100 men who fear nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I believe we could then go shake the gates of hell. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and this nation sits on the very brink of destruction while the church plays church on Sunday.
Listen, friends, we need ignitable men like these today, men like the Apostle Paul, Luther, Wesley, Whitefield, Knox, Edwards, Finney, Spurgeon, Moody, each shared a calm denominator of fire in their belly. They were each so eaten up with the gospel and thirsty for Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost. They could not stand idly by while others perished.
They saw nothing but eternity, worshipped a holy God and served a risen Christ, living not for earth nor its gains but living only for heaven and its rewards. When they preached, they linked the devil with sin and the cross with salvation. They preached hell and its fire and Christ and him crucified.
Not one of them feared king, queen, or pope, and not one of them sought the compliments of men.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Legacy of Ignitable Men
- Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield's revival impact
- John Wesley's fiery passion and influence
- Historical examples of men who shook spiritual realms
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II. The Need for Ignitable Men Today
- Current spiritual apathy and danger
- The call for men who fear God and hate sin
- The power of a committed few to change nations
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III. Characteristics of Ignitable Men
- Zeal for the gospel and thirst for Christ
- Fearlessness before man and reverence for God
- Living for eternity, not earthly gain
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IV. The Mission and Impact of Ignitable Men
- Preaching Christ crucified and warning of hell
- Rejecting worldly approval and authority
- Igniting revival and shaking the gates of hell
Key Quotes
“Give me 100 men who fear nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I will shake the gates of hell.” — E.A. Johnston
“They were each so eaten up with the gospel and thirsty for Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost.” — E.A. Johnston
“Desperate times call for desperate measures, and this nation sits on the very brink of destruction while the church plays church on Sunday.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Commit to fearing God above all and hating sin in your daily life.
- Seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit to ignite passion for the gospel.
- Be willing to stand boldly for Christ without seeking human approval.