In 1784, John Newton started a 50-Serman series on Handles Messiah.

In the first sermon, he wrote this conversation in almost every company.

For two or three weeks past, has much turned upon what is called the commemoration of

Handle, and the grand musical performances at the Abbey on that occasion, and particularly

the performance of the Messiah.

Well this was the summer of 1784.

Handles Messiah was first performed in London back in 1743 during his lifetime, but in 1784

it was performed again, and it was the musical event of the century.

As Newton says, conversation in almost every company was dominated by this event of

the commemoration, these five performances from May through June of Handles Works and

of the Messiah, a 535 voice choir filled Westminster Abbey to perform the Messiah.

Elaborate broadsides were plastered all over London to make sure every single soul knew

about this concert, it was hailed as the musical performance event to date.

And there sat John Newton in his study in his church in London, St. Mary Wolneth, on

Lombard Street.

Newton loved to preach about Christ, and in that first sermon he mentioned how preaching

about who Christ is, about the effects of his obedience unto death, even the death on

the cross, that that is the center of preaching.

He says that he had often wished for some sort of form that could help him paint a picture

for his congregation, for his hears to know who Christ is and be able to think through

the stages of the incarnate Christ through his life of obedience and onto the cross and

his resurrection and ascension.

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