George Whitefield Quotes on Christ, the New Birth and Grace
George Whitefield preached to more people than almost anyone before him, in fields, streets and churches on both sides of the Atlantic. His printed sermons are plain and earnest, full of questions aimed straight at the hearer, and they keep coming back to Christ, the new birth and the free grace of God.
Many Whitefield quotes online have no source, and some famous ones come from reports of what he said rather than from his own writings. Every quotation below is copied exactly from his sermons and letters in TheWay Library, with the sermon or letter it comes from, so you can read each one in its setting. Eighteenth-century spellings are kept as printed. For his life story, see who was George Whitefield. For a guide to his books, see George Whitefield books.
On Jesus Christ
Whitefield preached Christ in almost every sermon. He couldn't stay away from the subject.
My brethren, if Jesus Christ be not very God of very God, I would never preach the gospel of Christ again.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, What think ye of Christ?
Jesus Christ is the way; Jesus Christ is the truth; and Jesus Christ is the life.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, The Folly and Danger of being not righteous enough
Eternity itself will be too short to set forth the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, Christ the Support of the Tempted
I cannot, indeed I cannot forbear speaking again, and again, and again, of the Lord Jesus.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, Christ the Support of the Tempted
His love, like himself, is from everlasting to everlasting.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, Christ the Believer's Husband
Others could unloose his grave-cloaths, but Jesus alone could unloose the bands of death.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, The Resurrection of Lazarus
On Christ our righteousness
"The Lord our Righteousness" was one of his favorite texts. A sinner is accepted only in the righteousness of Christ, and that righteousness must be his own by faith.
As I have often told you, so I tell you again, an unapplied Christ is no Christ at all.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, The Lord our Righteousness
Christ not only died, but lived; not only suffered, but obeyed for, or instead of, poor sinners.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, The Lord our Righteousness
Jesus Christ must be your whole wisdom, Jesus Christ must be your whole righteousness, Jesus Christ must be your whole sanctification, or He will never be your eternal redemption.
Selected Sermons of George Whitefield, A Penitent Heart the Best New Year's Gift
Christ, by his sacrifice, and perfect obedience, has every way fulfilled the law for us; and God will not require to be paid twice.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 4, A Letter to the Religious Societies of England
On free grace
He was a Calvinist, and he loved to say that salvation is God's work from beginning to end.
Glory be to God, our salvation depends not upon our own free will, but upon God's free grace!
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, The Righteousness of Christ, an everlasting Righteousness
God's grace, my brethren, is free, rich, and sovereign.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, A Penitent Heart, the best New Year's Gift
No, our salvation is all from God, from the beginning to the end.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, The Gospel Supper
The grace of Christ is as rich, as free, and as powerful as ever.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, The Gospel Supper
We have nothing but what is freely given us from above: if we love God, it is because God first loved us.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, Christians, Temples of the living God
Faith is the means whereby that salvation is applied to our hearts, and good works are the necessary fruits and proof of that faith.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 4, Answer to the Bishop of London's Last Pastoral Letter
On the new birth and real religion
His great warning was against a religion of form without power.
In short, he is fond of the form, but never experiences the power of godliness in his heart.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, The Almost Christian
Indeed, you must feel the power of God here, or the wrath of God hereafter.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, The Folly and Danger of being not righteous enough
We are called Christians, after Christ's name, because made partakers of Christ's nature.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, Christ the Believer's Husband
Kneeling and standing are indifferent, if the knee of the soul be bent, and the heart upright towards God.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, The Pharisee and Publican
Never did any one enquire truly after Jesus Christ, but Christ made a saving discovery of himself, to his soul.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, Saul's Conversion
On prayer and the Bible
The spirit of grace is always accompanied with the spirit of supplication.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, Walking with God
Meditation to the soul, is the same as digestion to the body.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, Walking with God
Reading is a good preparative for prayer, as prayer is an excellent means to render reading effectual.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, The great Duty of Family-Religion
Look, therefore, always for Christ in the scripture.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, The Duty of searching the Scriptures
On trials and temptation
We often pray, Lord, give us Abraham's faith, but never pray, give us Abraham's trial at the same time.
Selected Sermons of George Whitefield, Glorifying God in the Fire
Jesus never denies us one thing, but he intends to give us something better in the stead of it.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, The Resurrection of Lazarus
Satan may tempt, but cannot force; he may sift, but Christ will pray.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, The Temptation of Christ
We should farther consider, that being proud of grace, is the most ready way to lose it.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, Satan's Devices
The scourge of the tongue, is generally the first cross we are called to bear for the sake of Christ.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, Saul's Conversion
On preaching and the church
Last, a few lines that show the preacher himself.
I would speak, till I could speak no more, so I could but bring you to Christ.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, The Folly and Danger of being not righteous enough
My heart is full, it is quite full, and I must speak, or I shall burst.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, The Folly and Danger of parting with Christ for the Pleasures and Profits of Life
The poor are dear to my soul; I rejoice to see them fly to the doctrine of Christ, like the doves to their windows.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, The Conversion of Zaccheus
Saul did not preach Christ before he knew him; no more should any one else.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 6, Saul's Conversion
There is nothing grieves me more, than the differences amongst God's people.
The Works of George Whitefield, Vol. 5, Marks of a true Conversion
Where to read more Whitefield
If you want to read one book first, try the Selected Sermons of George Whitefield, six sermons with a short introduction on how he preached. For "The Lord our Righteousness" and many of the lines above, read the fifth volume of his Works. All his books are on the George Whitefield author page, and our reading guide explains what's in each one.