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| John Wycliffe, 1330 - 1384 |
I picked up
John Wycliffe biography first and read through it. I want to share a sample of
his sermon on ‘The Name of Jesus.’ Read and be blessed:
“Whoever desires to love God, if you will neither
be deceived nor deceive, if you will be saved and not fail, if you will stand
and not fall, study to have this name Jesus constantly in mind. If you do this,
the enemy shall fall and you shall stand, and the enemy shall be enfeebled and
you shall be strengthened. Therefore, seek this name, Jesus, hold it and forget
it not. Nothing so quenches flames, restrains evil thoughts, cuts away venomous
affections, or alienates from us vain occupations.
This name, Jesus, truly held in mind, roots
up vices, plants virtues, brings charity or love to men, gives men a taste of
heavenly things, removes discord, produces peace, gives everlasting rest, and
does away with fleshly desires. All earthly desires, all earthly things, it
turns into heaviness. It fills those that love it with spiritual joy. The righteous
man deserves to be blessed, for he hath truly loved this name, Jesus. He is
called righteous, because he seeks earnestly to love Jesus. What can go wrong
for him who unceasingly yearns to love Jesus? He loves and he desires to love,
for thus we know the love of God to stand; for the more we love, the more we
yearn to love.
It is said, ‘They that eat me shall not
hunger, and they that drink me, shall not thirst.’ Therefore the love of Jesus
by itself is delectable and desirable. Therefore no joy shall be lacking for
those that seek earnestly to love Him whom angels desire to behold. Angels see
Him always, and ever desire to see Him; for they are filled so full that their
filling does not take away their desire, and they desire so much that their
desire does not take away their fullness. This is full joy; this is glorious
joy.
Therefore many men wish to joy with Christ,
but as they love not His name, Jesus, they shall have sorrow without end,
whatever they do. And if they give all things that they have to poor men,
unless they love this name, Jesus, they shall labor in vain. For only such
shall be gladdened in Jesus who have loved Him in this present life. Those that
defame Him with vices and foul thoughts, and turn not again, there is no doubt
but they are put out from the glory of God. Therefore a man shall not see the
glory of God that has not joyfully loved this name Jesus.
In truth, an evil man does not find Jesus
for he sees Him not where he is. He tries to seek Jesus in the joys of this
world, where He shall never be found. Why therefore do you say, ‘We shall be
saved in Jesus,’ while you cease not to hate Him, without whom you cannot have
health?
I am not surprised that a man, being
tempted, falls, if he does not have the name of Jesus lasting in his mind. Truly
this name cleanses the conscience, makes the heart clear and clean, and drives
away fear. It gets man warmth of love and lifts up the mind to heavenly melody.
O what a good name! O what a sweet name! O
glorious name! O healthful name! O name to be desired! Wicked spirits will not
abide with you when they behold Jesus, either in mind or hear you proclaim His
name out loud. I sought to love Jesus, and ever the more I grew complete in Him
love, so much the sweeter His name became to me. Therefore, blessed be the name
of Jesus forever and ever. Amen.” (Refer to page 171 – 172).
Because of this
name, Jesus, John Wycliffe burned with a desire to make God’s Word accessible to
every individual. He was the first man who makes God’s Word available in
English language. And for the rest of his remarkable story, get a book and read
his biography… Enjoy reading! God bless you.
THINK
BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.
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