Embracing Holy Love: The Wesleyan Journey of Giving
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today, we embark on a new sermon series called "Wesleyan Rooted," where we delve into the teachings and principles of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Wesley emphasized that giving is rooted in God's very being, and as we are created in God's image, we too are called to give. This series will explore how we, as Methodists, grow in our faith and community.
We began by tracing the history of the Christian church, from its early days in the Book of Acts to the Great Schism of 1054, and the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in 1517. John Wesley, raised in the Anglican Church, started the Holy Club at Oxford University, which eventually led to the formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784. Wesley's intention was not to create a new church but to reform the Anglican Church by fostering small groups that focused on spiritual growth and community service.
Wesleyan theology can be summarized by the concept of holy love—love for God and love for neighbor. This love is rooted in God's unbounded love and is transformed by God's universal grace. Our journey of faith is not a single moment but a continuous process of growth and transformation. Salvation is a journey, and we are constantly being made new and reoriented to see the world through the lens of God's holy love.
Wesley believed in the importance of community and small groups for spiritual growth. He left behind communities wherever he preached, emphasizing that worship alone is not enough for spiritual growth. We need to be part of a community where we can be challenged, convicted, prayed for, and held accountable.
As we continue this series, I encourage you to reflect on why you are here and what it means to be a United Methodist. Let us grow together in our faith, support one another, and live out the principles of holy love in our daily lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Giving as an Expression of God's Image: John Wesley taught that giving is rooted in God's very being. As we are created in God's image, we are called to give as an expression of our divine nature. Reflect on how your acts of giving mirror God's generosity and love. [25:25]
2. Salvation as a Journey: Salvation is not a single moment but a continuous journey of growth and transformation. Each step in our faith journey, whether exciting or challenging, contributes to our spiritual development. Embrace the journey and trust that each moment is part of God's plan for your growth. [38:55]
3. Transformation and Renewal: We are constantly being made new in Christ. This ongoing process of transformation allows us to grow deeper into our identity in Christ. Celebrate the changes God has brought in your life and look forward to the new ways He will continue to transform you. [41:10]
4. Reorientation through Holy Love: As we grow in our faith, we start to see the world through the lens of God's holy love. This reorientation can be uncomfortable, but it is essential for our spiritual growth. Embrace the process of being reoriented and trust that God is leading you to a deeper understanding of His love. [42:19]
5. The Importance of Community: Wesley emphasized the importance of small groups and community for spiritual growth. Being part of a community where we can be challenged, convicted, prayed for, and held accountable is crucial for our spiritual development. Seek out and engage in communities that support your faith journey. [45:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:25] - Introduction to Wesleyan Rooted Series
[25:55] - The Concept of Giving in Wesleyan Theology
[27:01] - Opening Prayer
[28:12] - Resources for Study
[29:12] - The History of the Christian Church
[30:13] - The Protestant Reformation
[31:18] - John Wesley and the Holy Club
[32:24] - The Formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church
[35:09] - The Character of a Methodist
[36:44] - Ephesians 3:14-19
[38:20] - Holy Love in Wesleyan Theology
[38:55] - Salvation as a Journey
[41:10] - Transformation and Renewal
[42:19] - Reorientation through Holy Love
[45:02] - The Importance of Community
[49:52] - Closing Prayer and Communion
[01:06:30] - Reflecting on Our Methodist Identity
[01:09:03] - Announcements and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)
> "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 3:14-19, what does Paul pray for the believers in Ephesus to experience and understand?
2. What historical events led to the formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784? ([32:24])
3. How did John Wesley's Holy Club contribute to the spiritual growth of its members? ([31:18])
4. What does the term "holy love" mean in the context of Wesleyan theology? ([38:20])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "rooted and established in love" (Ephesians 3:17) relate to John Wesley's emphasis on holy love? ([38:20])
2. Why is the journey of salvation described as a continuous process rather than a single moment? ([38:55])
3. How does being part of a community contribute to one's spiritual growth according to Wesleyan principles? ([45:02])
4. What does it mean to be reoriented through holy love, and why might this process be uncomfortable? ([42:19])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own acts of giving. How do they mirror God's generosity and love? What changes can you make to better reflect this aspect of your faith? ([25:25])
2. Think about your personal faith journey. Can you identify moments of transformation and renewal? How can you embrace these changes and look forward to future growth? ([41:10])
3. In what ways can you actively participate in a community that supports your spiritual growth? Are there specific groups or activities you can join or initiate? ([45:02])
4. How do you handle moments of disorientation in your faith? What steps can you take to allow God to reorient you through His holy love? ([42:19])
5. Consider the importance of small groups in Wesleyan theology. How can you contribute to or benefit from such a group in your church? ([45:02])
6. Reflect on the idea that salvation is a journey. How can you stay motivated and trust in God's plan during both the exciting and challenging times of your faith journey? ([38:55])
7. Why are you here in this church and community? How can you live out the principles of holy love in your daily life and interactions with others? ([01:07:20])
Devotional
Day 1: Giving Reflects God's Generosity
John Wesley taught that giving is deeply rooted in God's very being. As humans created in God's image, we are called to give as an expression of our divine nature. This act of giving is not just about material possessions but also about our time, love, and compassion. Reflecting on how our acts of giving mirror God's generosity and love can help us understand our role in the world better. Wesley emphasized that giving is a way to participate in God's work and to show His love to others. By giving, we become conduits of God's grace and love, making His presence felt in the lives of those around us. [25:25]
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Think of a recent opportunity you had to give—whether it was your time, resources, or love. How did this act reflect God's generosity, and how can you continue to embody this divine attribute in your daily life?
Day 2: Salvation as a Continuous Journey
Salvation, according to Wesleyan theology, is not a single moment but a continuous journey of growth and transformation. Each step in our faith journey, whether exciting or challenging, contributes to our spiritual development. This perspective encourages us to embrace the journey and trust that each moment is part of God's plan for our growth. Wesley believed that salvation involves an ongoing process of being made new and reoriented to see the world through the lens of God's holy love. This journey requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to be transformed by God's grace. [38:55]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge in your faith journey. How can you see this challenge as part of God's plan for your growth and transformation? What steps can you take to embrace this journey more fully?
Day 3: Transformation and Renewal in Christ
We are constantly being made new in Christ, an ongoing process of transformation that allows us to grow deeper into our identity in Him. This transformation is not just about changing our behaviors but about renewing our hearts and minds to align with God's will. Wesley emphasized that this renewal is a continuous process, one that requires us to be open to God's work in our lives. Celebrate the changes God has brought in your life and look forward to the new ways He will continue to transform you. [41:10]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: Think about a specific area in your life where you have experienced transformation through Christ. How has this change impacted your relationship with God and others? What new areas of your life do you feel God is calling you to renew?
Day 4: Reorientation through Holy Love
As we grow in our faith, we start to see the world through the lens of God's holy love. This reorientation can be uncomfortable, but it is essential for our spiritual growth. Wesley taught that holy love involves both love for God and love for our neighbor, and this love is rooted in God's unbounded love and universal grace. Embrace the process of being reoriented and trust that God is leading you to a deeper understanding of His love. This reorientation helps us to act more compassionately and justly in our daily lives, reflecting God's love in all we do. [42:19]
1 John 4:12 (ESV): "No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you felt challenged to see through the lens of God's holy love. How did you respond, and what can you do to better embrace this reorientation in future situations?
Day 5: The Importance of Community
Wesley emphasized the importance of small groups and community for spiritual growth. Being part of a community where we can be challenged, convicted, prayed for, and held accountable is crucial for our spiritual development. Wesley believed that worship alone is not enough; we need to be part of a community that supports our faith journey. Seek out and engage in communities that support your spiritual growth, and be open to the ways God can work through others to shape and strengthen your faith. [45:02]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Think about your current involvement in your faith community. How can you deepen your engagement and support others in their spiritual growth? What steps can you take to be more active in fostering a supportive and accountable community?
Quotes
1. "And one of the things he said is that we give because it is rooted in our very being. A phrase from Wesley. Giving is rooted in God's being. Therefore, we give because God gave. Kind of an interesting concept. We are created in the image of God. Therefore, we do the things in our very essence that God did." [25:25] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Friends, our history is important because how we got here, why Wesley did these things, it matters today. See, Wesley did not intend for us to be a church. For many of that 50 years, he had holy clubs everywhere which were small groups. And those small groups, they were still attending the Anglican church. They would go to church and they'd come home and they'd study together and they would go out and serve the community together and they would share the love of God with other people and they would do good holy things." [32:24] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Friends, it is all about love. You can summarize all of Wesleyan theology with the idea of love. Specifically what we call holy love. Holy love rooted in God's unbounded love transformed by God's universal grace restored into God's image and growing deeper into a love we can never 100% grasp in this life. Love for God and love for neighbor. And every day we get a little bit better understanding of how deep and how long and how wide and how high that love is." [38:20] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Salvation is a journey. It is not single moments. You do not have to say did I get saved on this date? Yes or no? Did I do it right or wrong? There is no right or wrong. There are no perfect words. It is not this moment. It's all the moments. The moment you start a hike is fantastic. Who gets excited when you start hiking? Have you ever, like, you're excited, right? You're like, oh, I'm going on a hike. Who's excited two miles in?" [38:55] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are transformed and made new. This is an ongoing process as well. You are not just transformed once. You are transformed again and again and again. Because as we grow deeper into our identity in Christ, we continue to be made new. I am so happy that I am not the person I was 10 years ago or 20 years ago. And I hope 20 years from now, I am still being made new. Amen?" [41:10] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We become reoriented. That means as we grow, we start to see the world through the lens of God's holy love. This is not always a comfortable thing. There's a process. And I am so thankful that I heard this amazing thing about orientation from our bishop. But he talks about the process where we may start oriented and we're doing good and feel comfortable in our orientation. And something happens that disorients us." [42:19] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Wesley did something Whitfield didn't. Everywhere Wesley preached he left groups. He left communities established. He didn't just give people this moving message and say, Peace, I'm out. Drop the mic and go on. He said, I'm so glad God has touched your life. Let me give you support to keep growing. That's the key. That's what the church has to offer today. Support to grow in your life." [45:02] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Wesley had new people come to small groups, not worship. You actually couldn't come to worship if you hadn't had your small group attendance card punched. That would be interesting today, wouldn't it? Could you see me checking your attendance cards at the door? I can see y'all's faces now if I look at you. I'm like, you did not attend group for the past four weeks. You're going to have to go and wait in the car for a couple hours so we can get another group on." [47:24] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "That living life to where people are being challenged, they're being convicted, they're being prayed for, and being held accountable, that was where the transformation happened. And friends, our movement has birthed some mighty actions in our country, around the world. We reformed the Anglican church. John Wesley is revered as one of the great fathers of the Christian faith. And we are in a season where we need to be ready to do the work that God has us to do. Amen?" [48:34] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "It means something to be United Methodist. And the world needs us to live into it and needs us to love them. And holy love. Love each other and holy love and to love the world. And we need to know. We're all here. Not just showing up, but that we are here. So I would love for you to pray over that over the coming weeks. If you've got questions and you're not sure, come talk to me." [01:07:20] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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