Jonathan Edwards?

Question

Edwards talks about an "extraordinary opportunity" his congregation has. What is this opportunity? How does his sermon persuade the congregation to take advantage of this opportunity?

And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to him, and pressing into the kingdom of God. Many are daily coming from the east, west, north, and south; many that were very lately in the same miserable condition that you are in, are now in a happy state, with their hearts filled with love to him who has loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. How awful is it to be left behind at such a day! To see so many others feasting, while you are pining and perishing! To see so many rejoicing and singing for joy of heart, while you have cause to mourn for sorrow of heart, and howl for vexation <glossary1.htm> of spirit!

Therefore, let everyone that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come. The wrath of Almighty God is now undoubtedly hanging over a great part of this congregation: let everyone fly out of Sodom, "Haste and escape for your lives, look not behind you, escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed"

A Sermon by Jonathan Edwards

Preached : July 8, 1741

Answer 1

The &quot;extraordinary opportunity&quot; is to awake from the moral apathy of society and answer God&#039;s call to salvation and the overwhelming blessings of truly following Him.  The spiritual state of most of the colonies in 1741 was much like today; the church had gone so far as to not require that one be a Christian in order to become a member, but to &quot;proxy&quot; in based on their parents&#039; faith or membership.  This led to the understanding that simply going through the outward motions of church life equalled Christianity.  Various parts of society had moved far away from God, and instead of exhorting the people to return to God, the church had made it ok for them to do so.

Edwards talked about the state of society at that time, which was largely apathetic, and largely alienated from God.  Children were not brought up to understand who God was, so they grew up thinking that they didn&#039;t need him.  He was a man that spoke very passionate words to show people their need for God.  He spoke with a lot of vivid word pictures (literary devices) to allow people to visualize what their lives were really like, and to contrast that with what their lives could be.  Interestingly enough, he didn&#039;t speak in a passionate voice (at least according to some of his descendants that I went to college with), but God really used him to get the point across to thousands of people.  He had a way of stating his points that really hit home for many, while allowing them to see God&#039;s love.

(And for those who aren&#039;t Christian, and may post derogatory comments...I&#039;m explaining the social and historical background to answer the question - not trying to &quot;impose&quot; my views.)

Answer 2

Simpler than that.

God has given you a choice for ETERNAL LIFE  in place of continuing to LIVE in SPIRITUAL DEATH.  This is the MERCY of God given FREELY to all people if they accept this TRUTH.  

If you (who hear) accept the GIFT of Spiritual Life, in/of/through the power of Christ Jesus, you join others around the world who have allowed their EYES to be OPENED to the Love and Joy found in the Forgiveness through Jesus.  (commonly called GRACE)

If you refuse the GIFT, then you continue in this wrath of God in spiritual death of everyday living without knowing Love and Joy in freedom from Death&#039;s chains of the future.

Answer 3

what does this have to do with home schooling?