The Pilgrim Path---Luke 16: 9 (5--1--20)

And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

CHANGE & DEDICATION

---John Wesley was one of 18 children (eight died in infancy).

---When he and his brother Charles started the "Holy Club" at Oxford University in 1729---it's believed only 6--7 members of the House of Commons even attended church at all!

---He went "off" to Georgia as a missionary---with his brother Charles---already ordained as a minister as an Anglican Minister: yet would testify later---he was unaware of genuine "saving faith---faith in God."

---It was onboard ship, in a terrible storm, that the solid faith of converted Moravians moved him. They sang in testimony to God's goodness---even in the face of death! Peter Boehler (Moravian), told him that he needed, "true faith in Christ---peace from a sense of forgiveness."

---Back in London, he records the work of God's grace in him---From John Wesley's Journal, May 24, 1738: "In the evening, I went very unwillingly to a Society in Aldersgate-treet, where one was reading Luther's preface from the Epistle to the Romans. About the quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust Christ; Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death..

---And the preaching began. The clear, biblical nature of his messages, was often too much for the church of the day---plus the crowds were too large. It was not unusual for Wesley, on a circuit, to preach before sunrise---travel on to the next society of souls. He easily preached three (3) times a day for much of his life. He rode 250,000 miles on horseback during his ministry---and preached over 40,000 sermons! He organized his "men" ---and they organized societies for prayer and mutual accountability and growth as disciples of Jesus Christ. These "methods"---made Wesley famous (Methodists).

---The text at the "top" of today's post (Luke 16: 9)---is drawn from one of Wesley's favorite verse's---and topic's, "The Use of Money." Here's a direct quote from Rev. Wesley himself: "Render unto God, not a tenth, not a third, not a half, but all that is God's, be it more or less; by employing all on yourself, your household, the household of faith, and all mankind, in such a manner, that you may give a good account of your stewardship . I entreat you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, act up to the dignity of your calling! No more sloth! Whatever your hand findeth to do, do it with your might! No more waste!

---Again, Classic Wesley, "...have you been almost a Christian? Do you desire nothing but him? Are you happy in God? Is he your glory, your delight, your crown of rejoicing? And is this commandment written in your heart, That he who loveth God love his brother also? Do you love your neighbor as yourself?" Even your enemies?...Hast thou indeed redemption through his blood, even the remission of thy sins? And doth his Spirit bear witness with thy spirit, that thou art a child of God?"

John Wesley's Rule for Christian Living:

Do All the Good You Can,

By All the Means You Can,

In All the Ways You Can,

In All the Places You Can,

In All the Times You Can,

To All the People You Can,

As long as Ever...You Can!

Thee will I love, my joy, my crown;

Thee will I love, my Lord, my God;

Thee will I love, beneath Thy frown

Or smile, Thy scepter or Thy rod;

What though my flesh and heart decay,

Thee shall I love in endless day.

Johann Scheffler (1624-1677) translated by John Wesley (1703--1791)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our LORD , Pastor Jason