NOTE: I am putting my weekly sermons on the church website. It will be on for two weeks (usually posted on Friday) and then placed in the Archives area by date. You can download in a matter of seconds.
Let me know what you think. The church Email is: SLUMC@att.net, Phone: 480.895.8766
July
13, 2003
Sermon: "The People Called Methodists -1748"
Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-22
Reverend Larry Gerber
The scripture
lesson this morning reminds us, as it did the Ephesians, that through Christ,
we are made one. No longer is there Jew or Gentile. We are being built together
through the blood of Jesus.
The people called Methodists followed John Wesley's understanding of who Christ
was to them, and who they should be for Christ. Wesley stated that the distinguishing
marks of a Methodist are: 1-we believe, indeed, that "all scripture is
given by the inspiration of God"; and herein we are distinguished from
Jews, Turks, and Infidels. 2-we believe the written word of God to be the only
and sufficient rule both in Christian faith and practice; and herein we are
fundamentally distinguished from those of the Romish Church; 3-we believe Christ
to be the eternal, supreme God; and herin we are distinquished from the Socinians
and Arians. But as to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity,
we think and let think.
We do not place our religion, or any part of it, in being attached to any peculiar
mode of speaking, any quaint or uncommon set of expressions. The most obvious,
easy, common words, wherein our meaning can be conveyed, we prefer before others.
We never deviate from the most usual way of speaking; neither do we affect to
use any particular expressions of Scripture more frequently than others.
Our religion does not lie in doing what God has enjoined, or abstaining from
what he hath not forbidden. Therefore we do not judge by our apparel, in the
posture of our body, or the covering of our heads; nor yet in abstaining from
marriage, or from meats and drinks, which are all good if received with thanksgiving.
Nor is a Methodist distinguished by laying the whole stress of religion on any
single part of it. We do not place the whole of religion (as too many do, God
knoweth) either in doing no harm, or in doing good, nor in using the ordinance
of God. A Methodist is not like a woman who fancies herself a virtuous woman,
only because she is not a prostitute; nor a man who dreams he is an honest man,
merely because he does not rob or steal. May the Lord God of my fathers preserve
me from such a poor, starved religion as this! Were this the mark of a Methodist,
I would sooner choose to be a sincere Jew, Turk, or Pagan.
"What then is the mark of a Methodist?" A Methodist is one who has
"the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto
him;" one who "loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with
all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength." God is
the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul; which is constantly crying
out, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that
I desire beside thee! My God and my all! Thou art the strength of my heart,
and my portion for ever!"
A Methodist is happy in God, yes, always happy, as having a well of water springing
up into everlasting life. A Methodist rejoices evermore having cast out fear
and having perfect love. Having found redemption through the blood, the forgiveness
of sin, one cannot but rejoice.
A Methodist cheerfully receives everyone, for he/she is taught that all are
blessed through the mercy of God who gives and taketh away. A Methodist is instructed
to be full and to be hungry, to abound and to suffer need; and whether in ease
or pain, in sickness or health, whether in life or death, to give thanks from
the ground of the heart, to Him who orders it for good; knowing that every good
gift comes from above. None but good can come from the Father, into whose hand
he/she has wholly committed the body and soul, as into the hands of a faithful
Creator. A Methodist casts all his/her care on Him that cares for him/her.
A Methodist prays without ceasing. Not that a Methodist is always in the house
of prayer, but is always aware of the house of payer; nor is one always on their
knees, but at all times the language of the heart is ever lifted up to God,
at all times, and in all places. Alone, or in company, off work, or at work,
quiet, or in conversation, the heart is always with God.
And a Methodist understands that to love God is also to love brothers and sisters;
and reaches out in love to ones neighbor as oneself; and to love every person,
as ones own soul. A Methodist also reaches out in prayer, even for the one who
do harm to him/her.
The love of God has purified the heart from all revengeful passions, from envy,
malice, and wrath, from every unkind temper or malign affection. All desire
is unto God, and to the remembrance of his name.
If one loves God, that same person keeps God's commandments; not only some,
or most, but all, from the least to the greatest. Whatever God has forbidden,
he/she avoids; whatever God hath enjoined, he/she does. A Methodist runs the
way of God' commandments, and joyfully does the will of God on earth, as it
is done in heaven, knowing that it is the highest privilege.
And finally, Wesley says, a Methodist does good unto all; unto neighbors, strangers,
friends, and enemies: and that in every possible kind; not only to their bodies,
by "feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those that are sick
or in prison;" but much more does one labour to do good to their souls,
as of the ability which God gives; to awaken those that sleep; and to bring
those who are awakened to the atoning blood, that being justified by faith,
they may have peace with God".
John Wesley concludes that these are the true marks of a Methodist. One is inclined
to say that those are the fundamental, common principles of Christianity. Wesley
would respond that that is exactly his point: they are no other; and I would
simply say that all who follow my judgement refuse to be distinguished from
others by any but the common principles of Christianity. Simply, Wesley, was
renouncing and detesting all other marks of distinction. One need only to be
outwardly and inwardly conformed to the will of God, as revealed in the written
word. One thinks, speaks, and lives according to the method laid down in the
revelation of Jesus Christ. His soul is renewed after the image of God, in righteousness
and in all true holiness. And having the mind of Christ, walks in the way of
Christ.
By these marks, by these fruits of a living fait, we labour to distinguish ourselves
from the unbelieving world, from all those whose minds or lives are not according
to the Gospel of Christ. But from real Christians, of whatsoever denomination
they be, we earlestly desire not to be distinguished at all; not from any who
sincerely follow after what they know they have not yet attained.
A Methodist gives the right hand of fellowship. If there is any consolation
in Christ, if any comfort of life, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any mercies;
let us strive together for all faith of the Gospel; walking worthy of the vocation
wherewith we are called; with all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering,
forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace; remembering there is one body, one spirit, even as we
are called with one hope of our calling: one Lord, one faith, one baptism -
one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all.
As Paul spoke to the Ephesians, Wesley spoke to the people of his time, and
we speak to the people of our time: There once was Jew and Christian; there
once was circumcised and uncircumcised; free and slave. In Eph. 2:19ff we hear:
You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people
and members of God's household, built upon the foundation of the apostles and
the prophets, with Jesus Christ as the Head Cornerstone. In Him the whole building
is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him
you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by
his Spirit.
The mark of a Methodist, or those people called Methodist from 1784 on, have
lived as nothing more than Christians, based on the Holy Book.
Let us pray.........
We would like now to invite those who are joining our fold this morning to come forward for the questions of intent.
Let me know what you think. The church Email is: SLUMC@att.net, Phone: 480.895.8766