--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Preaching with his whole heart…" description: "\"“Preaching with his whole heart, Whitefield was fully engaged in all that he said. That is why on one occasion he told his listeners, “I shall return h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_george-w_preaching-with-his-whole-heart-whitefiel_3182154.jpg" --- # Preaching with his whole heart, Whitefield was fully… ![“Preaching with his whole heart, Whitefield was fully engaged in all that he said. That is why on one occasion he told his listeners, “I shall return home with a heavy heart, unless some of you will arise and come to my Jesus; I desire to preach Him and not myself; rest not in hearing and following…” quote by Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_george-w_preaching-with-his-whole-heart-whitefiel_3182154.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_george-w_preaching-with-his-whole-heart-whitefiel_3182154.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_george-w_preaching-with-his-whole-heart-whitefiel_3182154.jpg) > ““Preaching with his whole heart, Whitefield was fully engaged in all that he said. That is why on one occasion he told his listeners, “I shall return home with a heavy heart, unless some of you will arise and come to my Jesus; I desire to preach Him and not myself; rest not in hearing and following me.”54 With that, he begged and pleaded with his listeners to believe upon Christ and be saved. It is this kind of passionate preaching that we need again in this present hour. We could certainly do with fewer stale, exegetical lectures in the pulpit. Save these for the classroom. We could do with fewer frivolous, lighthearted personalities in the pulpit. Instead, what is desperately needed in this day are more intensely urgent pleas and pressing appeals as exemplified by this gifted evangelist, George Whitefield.”” [Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A call for heartfelt, urgent preaching over dry academic lectures, urging listeners to act on faith. **In simple terms:** Preach passionately, not just academically. Key Takeaway Prioritize urgent, sincere appeals. Themes faith preaching urgency authenticity Mood inspired serious Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - church services - online sermons - faith gatherings - personal evangelism Key Concepts evangelism persuasion spiritual leadership Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance passion with sound doctrine? - What makes a plea truly urgent? A Different Perspective May lack theological depth; risk emotional manipulation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Heavy heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heavy-heart/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [I used to think this notion of preaching to the choir was a problem, and we kind of use it in a bit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-king/i-used-to-think-this-notion-of-preaching-to-the-choir-was-a-problem/) [Shaun King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-king/) > [Preaching is the pastor's main work, and preaching is heart work, not just mental work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/preaching-is-the-pastor-s-main-work-and-preaching-is-heart-work-not/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [I will tell you what this people need, with regard to preaching; you need, figuratively, to have it rain pitchforks, tines downwards, from this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigham-young/i-will-tell-you-what-this-people-need-with-regard-to-preaching-you/) [Brigham Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigham-young/) > [One of my great goals in life is to live long enough to where I am in the pulpit, preaching my heart out, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/one-of-my-great-goals-in-life-is-to-live-long-enough-to-where-i-am-in/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [“Remember that, as George Whitefield said, man is immortal till his work is done (though God alone defines the work), and get on with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/remember-that-as-george-whitefield-said-man-is-immortal-till-his-work/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If a man is to be saved it will be through faith, or not at all. But because he is spiritually lifeless (Eph. 2:1-2),…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-a-man-is-to-be-saved-it-will-be-through-faith-or-not-at-all-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I'd rather wear out than rust out," he'd once said years before, echoing the words of the evangelist George Whitefield.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-frantz/i-d-rather-wear-out-than-rust-out-he-d-once-said-years-before-echoing/) [Laura Frantz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-frantz/) > [Words of encouragement give a lift to a heavy heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/words-of-encouragement-give-a-lift-to-a-heavy-heart/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If I can, by a lucky chance, in these uneasy days, rub out one wrinkle from the brow of care, or beguile the heavy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/if-i-can-by-a-lucky-chance-in-these-uneasy-days-rub-out-one-wrinkle/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [“How kind is weariness sometimes! 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I had always assumed the latter was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/and-another-claimed-it-was-inherited-through-a-parent-who-was-a/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Life is too short to end our day with a heavy heart. Exhale stress. Inhale forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-too-short-to-end-our-day-with-a-heavy-heart-exhale-stress/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can choose to work with a heavy heart or with a light heart, but you're still going to have to finish the work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-choose-to-work-with-a-heavy-heart-or-with-a-light-heart-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Steven J. Lawson > [“We do not merely add Jesus Christ to our lives and continue in the same direction. 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