Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God Series

Revival quickly spread from the Presbyterians to the Puritans and Baptists of New England. By the 1740s, the clergymen of these churches were conducting revivals throughout that region, using the same strategy that had contributed to the success of the Tennents.

3. The Sermon

It is Edwards’s sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, that so many have fastened on as the excuse for disregarding him as a conscienceless exploiter of people’s emotional vulnerabilities.

In fact Edwards was not a highly emotional preacher who theatrically drew in listeners in order to exploit them.

In the case of “Sinners in the Hands of an angry God” he actually read the sermon word-for-word, hunched over the lectern, rarely lifting his head to look at the congregation -- and all of this in a drone-dull monotone guaranteed to anaesthetize the most focused listener.

What was the result of this dry presentation?

Congregants convulsed as the Spirit convicted them of their sin and their precarious position before a Holy and Just God whose judgement cannot be deflected.

To the message itself then!

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

By Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) Preached July 8th, 1741

Introductory Premise

"In due time their foot will slip"--Deut. 32:35

In this verse the vengeance of God is threatened upon the wicked unbelieving Israelites, who were God’s chosen people, and who lived under the means of grace; but who, despite all of God’s wonderful works towards them, remained without sense, having no discernment in them (Deut. 32:28). After all the cultivations of Heaven, they brought forth bitter and poisonous fruit; as shown in verses 32 and 33. The verse that I have chosen for my text, "In due time their foot will slide," seems to imply the following things, relating to the punishment and destruction to which these wicked Israelites were exposed.

1. That they were always exposed to "ruin;" as one that stands or walks in slippery places is always exposed to falling. This is implied in the manner of the destruction coming upon them, being represented by their foot sliding. The same is expressed in Psalm 73:18, "Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin."

2. It implies, they were always exposed to sudden unexpected destruction. As he that walks in slippery places is liable to fall at every moment, he cannot foresee from moment to moment whether he shall stand or fall; and when he does fall, he falls suddenly without warning: which is also expressed in Psalm 73:18-19, "Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!"

3. Another thing that is implied is, that they are liable to fall by "themselves," without being thrown down by the hand of another; as he that stands or walks on slippery ground needs nothing but his own weight to throw him down.

4. That the reason why they have not already fallen, and don’t fall now, is only that God’s appointed time has not yet come. For it is said that when that appointed time comes, "their foot will slip." Then they shall be left to fall, as they are inclined to do because of their own weight. God will not hold them up in these slippery places any longer, but will let them go; and then, at that very instant, they will fall into ruin; as he that stands in such slippery descending ground, on the edge of a pit, he cannot stand alone, when he is let go of then he immediately falls and is lost.