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If we look at the early church, one of the keys to their power is that they were awestruck. The book of Acts tells us, "Everyone was filled with awe" (2:43). These first Christians were inspired by the resurrection, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Yet we´re shown another factor here in their effectiveness to shine as the people of God in this world: they walked in awe of God. These followers of Jesus had seen the big picture - a God glorious enough to spend the whole of their lives on, and powerful enough to uphold them as they did so. They had seen enough of His glory and love to risk their lives for the cause.

A look at the deaths of the disciples (as detailed in Fox´s Book of Martyrs) gives us a powerful demonstration of this. James, son of Zebedee, was beheaded for his faith. Andrew was crucified, as were Philip, Bartholomew, Jude and Simon Zelotes. Matthias was stoned to death in Jerusalem. Simon Peter was crucified upside down. And James the Less had his brains beaten out with a club at the age of 94. Many of the other disciples and early followers of Jesus were also tortured and martyred for their faith.

Their courageous choice to persevere was a response to the revelation of the worth of God. They had encountered Jesus - the nearness of His friendship and the power of His resurrection. They had seen the glory of His ascension, and now lived and moved in the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit. They had seen enough to endure.

Look through the history of the church and you´ll find many extraordinary worshippers who lived with this grand view of God. Awestruck at the sight of the Almighty, divine encounters lead us to lives of passionate and powerful kingdom ministry. Take, for example, John Wesley. His journal entry on January 1st, 1739 reads:

"Mr. Hall, Hinching, Ingham, Whitefield, Hutching, and my brother Charles were present at our love feast in Fetter Lane with about 60 of our brethren. About three in the morning as we were continuing instant in prayer the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exulting joy and many fell to the ground. As soon as we were recovered a little from the awe and amazement at the presence of His majesty, we broke out with one voice, ´We praise Thee, O God, we acknowledge Thee to be Lord.´" (The Works of Wesley, Third Edition, Vols 1 & 2 (Baker, 1998). Reprint of 1872 edition in London, Vol. 1, p.170.)

These awed and amazed worshippers went on to change the spiritual climate of a nation. In the early eighteenth century, Britain was in a terrible condition - drunk on gin and morally corrupt. The church was filled with deism, and Christianity in the nation had, according to Bishop Berkeley, corroded "to a degree that was never known in any Christian country". (www.gospelcom.net - Glimpses, Issue no. 38: Evangelical revival in Britain.)

In this spiritual climate, Wesley travelled continuously throughout Great Britain, preaching the gospel in prisons, workhouses, chapels, and fields, and covering close to a quarter of a million miles by horseback as he did so. (Ibid). Along with George Whitefield and others, he was greatly used to bring about a revival affecting every class of society. As Archbishop Davidson wrote in 1928, "Wesley practically changed the outlook and even the character of the English nation." (Songs and sermons: John Wesley and Charles Wesley (Fount Classics), p vii of intro.)

Extract taken from Chapter 8 of ´Facedown´ by Matt Redman, Copyright Kingsway Communications Ltd.