'The Wilderness State'

Got a bit behind with my Wesley sermon reflections!  Sadly, not enough time to go and take any pictures.

The Wilderness State

It is easy to end up there - in the wilderness state.

Have you been there before?

Are you there now?

It is...

 A place where doubts surface, and faith subsides;

 A place where the love of God, and the love from God - 

   a love which had burned so bright and felt so warm in former days -

   fades into the darkness;

 A place where joy in the Holy Ghost is but a distant memory

   and peace which once passed all understanding now feels like a dream;

 A place where power over all sin has crumbled.

And one is just left.

Feeling alone.

This is the wilderness state.

But how did it come to this?

It is easy to end up there - in the wilderness state.

It may begin with the neglect of private prayer.

  It won't hurt if I just miss one day will it?

  But one day leads to another, and another.

  Without prayer, our life in Christ will gradually die away.

It may begin with a sin - just a small one - innocuous surely?

Or it could be allowing pride or anger; desire or temptation to build within us.

Are we ignorant about the truth of God?

Have we just given up?
There needs no more than not to fight, and we are sure to be conquered.

It is easy to end up there - in the wilderness state.
But do we have to remain there?

NO WE DO NOT!

Arise, and shake yourself from the dust.
Find the medicine which will cure your illness,
Find the light that will guide you out of darkness.

For each the medicine will be different:
But for each illness there is a medicine.
  Was it through a neglect of prayer?
  Then start praying!
    Was it through allowing pride or anger or desire to build up?
    Then confess it all to God.

Being renewed in the image of God is a lifelong process,
Temptations will come.
But when they do pray - pour out your souls before God.

It is easy to end up there - in the wilderness state.
But do not stay there.
The Scripture nowhere says, that the absence of God best perfects his work in the heart.
God desires that you choose life.
God desires that you leave the wilderness state.
For it is when you leave the wilderness state that you can experience God's love, joy and peace. 

'Free Grace'

As with last week, this is a reflection on the John Wesley sermon we are considering today at college.  Again, any words in italics are words from the sermon.  Please do read to the end!  Feel free to comment.

Free Grace

Who may enter the kingdom of heaven?

On what condition is someone granted entry?

Can one earn their way in?

Surely no-one is good enough for that.

Maybe, God chooses those God would like.

Maybe, before the dawn of time,

before any person ever lived or breathed,

God picked those who would live, and those who would die.

Maybe, out of all the world, it is but a little flock that are the special ones.

Maybe people will strive and search,

looking for a way in;

but are told that the doors are closed,

you are not welcome,

there is to be no entry.

This is not the God of Scripture!

Jesus said 'Come to me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden'

Was Jesus an hypocrite, a deceiver of the people, a man void of common sincerity?

Surely not!

The grace given by God is grace for all.

We are presented with "life and death" and encouraged to choose life.

All have the option to accept or reject the grace of God,

nothing is forced.

If we make the choice for life, it is a life which starts now.

A life which involves holy living, making choices each step of the way.

Each day we must choose life anew.

We must be wary not to stray from the path;

it may involve danger;

but will also bring blessing - in this life and the life to come.

The gate stands open

God is ready to welcome you in.

Choose life.

'Catholic Spirit'

As part of our formational studies at Wesley House this year we will be considering some of the sermons of John Wesley.  As such, I have decided to write a reflection each week on the sermon we will be considering.  My aim is that they will be more devotional than critical and will also use photos from wherever I happen to be that day to consider how the words of Wesley may still have relevance to the world today.  Any words in italics are the words from Wesley's sermon, and taken from Albert Outler and Richard Heitzenrater's anthology of Wesley's sermons, unless otherwise stated.

Catholic Spirit

Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge

We don't have to agree, you and I.

We may think differently about God or worship;

but though we can't think alike, may we not love alike?

May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion?

We don't have to agree, nor should we be concerned to do so.

We can respect each other's differences;

We can allow each other to worship in which ever manner we believe most honours God;

Yet we can remain united as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge

This unity does not mean uniformity.

You may believe the episcopal form of church government to be scriptural

and I may not.

I may believe infants ought to be baptized

and you may not.

We must both act as each is fully persuaded in his or her own mind.

Eden Chapel, Cambridge

So to whom will we unite today?

How will we decide with whom to share this united love?

Are there any beliefs which can not be passed over?

Wesley Methodist Church, Cambridge

Is it enough or too much to say we can share a catholic spirit with all those who

believe in and love God;

believe in Jesus Christ;

are involved in doing the works of God;

serve God with fear

love their neighbour as themself

demonstrate their love in action?

Who else might we include or exclude?

Parker's Piece, Cambridge

So I offer you my hand.

Will you take it?

Will you also place opinions and practices to one side,
as I vow to do,

not as though they are unimportant,

but because they are not most important?

All Saints Church, Cambridge

Will you join me in love of one another,

in prayer for one another,

in encouragement of one another,

in service with one another?

St Andrew's St Baptist Church, Cambridge