Download Jonathan Edwards Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Jonathan Edwards
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
Edward’s sermon begins with a thesis – God is allpowerful and keeps you from harm
He attempts to persuade his congregation through fear
Humans, his congregation, take their good health as a
sign that they will be kept from hell
In reality, if it were not for God, all would fall straight
to Hell
“…wickedness is as heavy as lead”
• A simile comparing wickedness to a tangible (touchable) item
• Lead drops just as people weighted with sin would
Man’s attempt to keep out of Hell is ineffective
•Edwards compare it to a spider’s web stopping a
falling rock – impossible
Imagery – black clouds of God’s wrath, full of
storm and thunder (meant to instill fear)
God keeps the storm from rushing
upon you
The wrath of God is like great waters dammed;
His power, over time, builds
God may temporarily withhold his vengeance,
but your guilt builds greater and greater
God is the only one that keeps you from death
YOU=spider, loathsome insect, hateful
venomous serpent
If you are not born again (achieve grace) then
you are in danger of receiving God’s wrath
Not all people have the opportunity to repent for
their sins; those that do are lucky
Edwards end with hope for his congregation to
receive salvation