Embracing the World: The Wesleyan Call to Mission

Devotional

Day 1: The Great Commission: Go and Make Disciples Everywhere

Jesus calls His followers to move beyond comfort and tradition, sending them out to share the good news with all people, everywhere, promising His presence always. This command is not about staying within familiar boundaries but about carrying the message of grace to every corner of the world, trusting that Christ is with us as we go. The call is ever-expanding, inviting us to see the world as our parish and to participate in God’s mission of transformation for all nations. [39:57]

Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: Who in your daily life—whether at work, in your neighborhood, or among strangers—might need to hear or see the good news of Jesus through you today, and what is one step you can take to reach out to them?

Day 2: The World Is Our Parish: Mission Without Boundaries

The gospel is not confined to church walls or traditions; it is meant to be carried into the fields, streets, and places where people live, work, and struggle. John Wesley’s willingness to break with convention and preach to those outside the church—especially the overlooked and marginalized—reminds us that God’s grace is for everyone, wherever they are. We are called to meet people where they are, listening well and offering hope, even if it means stepping outside our comfort zones. [35:31]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Reflection: Where is God inviting you to step outside your usual routines or comfort zones to share His love with someone who might otherwise be overlooked?

Day 3: Revival, Rhythm, and Courage: The Wesleyan Way

A vibrant faith is sustained by a continual flow: revival in our hearts, rhythm in our spiritual practices, and courage to act in the world. Personal renewal leads to disciplined habits that keep our faith alive, and from there, we are empowered to serve others with boldness and compassion. This pattern—being revived, establishing holy rhythms, and stepping out with courage—enables us to be agents of transformation in our communities and beyond. [49:28]

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV)
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Reflection: Which part of the Wesleyan flow—revival, rhythm, or courage—do you most need to nurture right now, and what is one practical way you can do so this week?

Day 4: Listening and Responding: Meeting Needs in Our Community

Being the church means not just gathering for worship but being attentive to the needs around us and responding with compassion and action. Early Methodists organized schools, relief for the poor, and care for the sick, modeling a faith that listens to the community and seeks to serve. Today, we are called to educate ourselves about the needs in our neighborhoods, to listen well, and to find ways to give back—whether through volunteering, advocacy, or simple acts of kindness. [45:18]

James 2:14-17 (ESV)
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Reflection: What is one concrete need in your community that you can help meet this week, and how will you take the first step to respond?

Day 5: Every Circle Matters: Faith That Moves Outward

Our influence as followers of Jesus begins with our own hearts and moves outward—into our relationships, our community, and even the broader society. Not everyone is called to every circle in the same way, but each of us is invited to let God’s love flow through us, shaping our homes, workplaces, and the world. By recognizing our unique gifts and spheres of influence, we can be part of God’s work of justice, mercy, and hope wherever we are placed. [48:33]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Reflection: In which “circle” of your life—personal, relational, community, or societal—do you sense God nudging you to make a difference, and what is one intentional action you can take this week to live out your faith there?

Sermon Summary

Today’s journey took us to Bristol, the third and final stop in our exploration of the Wesleyan way—revival, rhythm, and courage. Bristol, unlike the polished cities of London and Oxford, is a place marked by grit, resilience, and a vibrant mix of tradition and struggle. It was here that John Wesley, moved by the needs of the people, stepped outside the established boundaries of the church and declared, “The world is my parish.” This bold act of preaching to coal miners in the open fields, rather than within consecrated walls, marked a turning point where the Methodist movement became a mission without boundaries, reaching those who had been overlooked and excluded.

Bristol’s lesson is that the gospel is not confined to church walls or traditions. The “new room” Wesley built was not just a chapel, but a hub for mission—organizing schools, relief for the poor, and care for the sick. This model continues to inspire us today, reminding us that our faith is meant to be lived out in the world, meeting people where they are, and responding to real needs with tangible acts of grace.

Jesus’ commission in Matthew 28 calls us to go and make disciples of all nations, promising his presence with us always. This is not a call to wait for people to come to us, but to move outward—first in our own hearts, then in our relationships, our community, and even into the broader systems and structures of society. Each of us is uniquely gifted to serve in different circles of influence, but all are called to carry grace beyond the familiar, to those hungry for hope.

The Wesleyan way is a flow: revival in our hearts, rhythm in our practices, and courage to step out in mission. We are invited to see the world as our parish, to listen deeply, to serve boldly, and to trust that Christ goes with us. As we remember our Methodist heritage, may we be people who open doors to hope, who notice and respond to the needs around us, and who carry the good news wherever it is needed most.

Key Takeaways

1. The Gospel Breaks Boundaries John Wesley’s willingness to preach outside the church walls in Bristol reminds us that God’s grace is not limited by tradition or geography. True faith often requires us to step beyond comfort and convention, meeting people in the places where life is raw and real. The world is our parish, and the call of Christ is to carry hope to those who may never enter our sanctuaries. [35:31]
2. Mission Begins with Listening Effective ministry starts with attentive listening—to God, to our own hearts, and to the needs of those around us. Before launching new initiatives or programs, we are called to notice who is missing, who is hurting, and what stories are going untold. This posture of listening allows us to respond with compassion and relevance, rather than assumption or routine. [41:02]
3. Faith Flows Outward in Expanding Circles Our influence as followers of Jesus moves from the personal to the interpersonal, then to our communities, and finally to the broader society. Each circle requires different gifts and forms of engagement, but all are vital. Whether through personal piety, building relationships, community involvement, or advocating for justice, we are called to let God’s love ripple outward from our lives. [43:55]
4. Courage to Be “More Vile” for the Sake of Grace Wesley’s phrase, “I submitted to be more vile,” captures the courage required to break with convention for the sake of the gospel. Sometimes faithfulness means risking misunderstanding or criticism in order to reach those on the margins. The courage to act, even when it feels uncomfortable or countercultural, is essential for a living, outward-focused faith. [37:17]
5. Revival, Rhythm, and Courage: The Wesleyan Flow The Methodist tradition teaches us to seek revival in our hearts, establish rhythms of spiritual discipline, and then move outward with courage. This flow sustains us when passion wanes and empowers us to serve when the task feels daunting. By embracing this pattern, we become people who are continually renewed and sent, carrying Christ’s hope into every corner of the world. [49:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Announcements and Creative Arts Introduction
[03:10] - Opening Worship and Prayer
[05:00] - Introduction to the Wesleyan Way Series
[07:30] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
[09:00] - Recap: London and Oxford—Revival and Rhythm
[12:15] - Arrival in Bristol: A City of Grit and Character
[15:00] - Charles Wesley’s House and the Story of Bristol
[18:00] - Field Preaching: Wesley Steps Outside the Walls
[21:00] - The New Room: Mission Hub, Not Just a Chapel
[24:00] - The World Is My Parish: Breaking Boundaries
[27:00] - The Socio-Ecological Model: Circles of Influence
[31:00] - Living Outward: From Personal Faith to Social Action
[35:00] - Revival, Rhythm, and Courage—The Wesleyan Flow
[38:00] - Prayers, Mission Recognition, and Sending Forth
[41:00] - Benediction and Call to Serve

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) — Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 28:16-20, what specific instructions does Jesus give to his disciples before he leaves them?
In the sermon, what was significant about John Wesley preaching to coal miners outside the church walls in Bristol? ([35:31])
What was the purpose of the “new room” that Wesley built in Bristol, and how was it different from a traditional chapel? ([38:31])
The phrase “The world is my parish” was used by Wesley. What did he mean by this, based on the sermon? ([39:57])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus’ command in Matthew 28 is not just about waiting for people to come to us, but about going out to others? How does this challenge traditional ideas of church? ([39:57])
The sermon describes Bristol as a place of “grit, resilience, and a vibrant mix of tradition and struggle.” How might this environment have shaped Wesley’s approach to ministry? ([30:25])
Wesley said, “I submitted to be more vile.” What does this reveal about the kind of courage required to break with tradition for the sake of the gospel? ([37:17])
The sermon talks about faith flowing outward in “expanding circles”—from personal faith to relationships, community, and society. Why is it important for faith to move beyond just the personal level? ([43:55])

Application Questions

Wesley stepped outside the church walls to reach people who were overlooked. Who in your life or community might be “outside the walls” and in need of hope or grace? What is one step you could take to reach out to them this week? ([35:31])
The “new room” in Bristol was a hub for mission, not just worship. In what ways could your small group or church become more of a “mission hub” for your community? ([38:31])
The sermon emphasizes that effective mission begins with listening—to God, to ourselves, and to others. When was the last time you intentionally listened to someone’s story or need? How might you practice deeper listening this week? ([41:02])
Wesley’s courage meant risking criticism and breaking with convention. Is there an area where you feel called to act courageously for the sake of the gospel, even if it feels uncomfortable? What holds you back? ([37:17])
The “Wesleyan flow” is revival, rhythm, and courage. Which of these three do you most need to focus on right now in your faith journey, and why? ([49:28])
The sermon describes faith as moving outward in circles of influence. Identify one “circle” (personal, relational, community, or societal) where you sense God nudging you to make a difference. What is a practical next step you could take? ([43:55])
Jesus promises, “I am with you always.” How does this promise encourage you as you consider stepping out in mission or service this week? ([39:57])

Sermon Clips

What mattered is that he showed up faithfully and told people, this grace is for you too. And that was enough to change hearts, and indeed that moment changed him as well. The gospel belonged to whoever needed it, and wherever they needed to hear it. [00:36:36] (20 seconds) #GraceForAllHearts

He wrote later of that day in his journals, he took very good notes in his journals, he wrote thinking of how it took breaking church rules and traditions to reach people who needed to hear grace. He said, I submitted to be more vile, and proclaimed in the highways the glad tidings of salvation. I submitted to be more vile. In other words, I submitted to go against the grain when I needed to, in order to go to the highways, and the byways, and the fields, to people who needed to hear that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ was for them too. [00:36:56] (39 seconds) #BreakingRulesForGrace

The new room became a staging ground for grace. Not a sanctuary to hide in, but a base to be sent from. At the very beginning of our movement, we have this model of the church to be a place that's really the home base from which we're sent. [00:39:10] (20 seconds) #ChurchAsMissionBase

London is an example of God rekindling the personal fire in our heart, Oxford is how we have those rhythms and methods that keep the fire burning, and Bristol is where fire leaps the walls and lights the world. The continual flow of Methodism, revived hearts, disciplined lives, and mission without boundaries, and again, we'll find the revival, be led inward and then outward. [00:41:42] (28 seconds) #FireLeapsWalls

All of this starts with that first circle and moves out with the spirit. And so as I think about the Wesleyan way, I want you to remember, if there's nothing else you take away from this, this series, it's these three words, revival, rhythm, and courage. Revival in our hearts, being filled with the spirit and knowing God in a, in a deeply personal way. Rhythm that, that keeps us on God's time, that keeps the wheels of our faith turning so that when the fire of the revival maybe grows dim, we have that rhythm and discipline to get us back on track. And then courage to be able to take what we know in our hearts and, and use our hands and feet and, and arms and legs and our lives to magnify the Lord. Revival, rhythm, and courage. [00:50:02] (64 seconds) #JusticeMercyDignityInAction

And so here's where we land, knowing our history, knowing that the flow of our faith, that Jesus still now is calling us to go, therefore, and make disciples, to be sent, which means we have to be willing to be sent, right? To carry grace wherever people are hungry for hope. And, and you and I know that if we are hungry for hope, then there are people out there who are desperate for hope. [00:51:06] (36 seconds) #RevivalRhythmCourage

``The world is my parish, John said. And if he, sometimes stiff, at first reluctant, and perfect as he was, could step out, step outside and change lives, then so can we. Friends, the world is still our parish, and Christ is with us even to the end of the age. That is good news for all of us in here, and that is good news for people out there who need to hear it. Whoever and wherever they might be. [00:51:41] (40 seconds) #SentToCarryGrace

To hear this benediction Which is to go ye into the world Which is your parish Which is our parish To listen for the voices That need to hear grace And be the ones with the courage To bring it in the name of Jesus Christ Go to serve your neighbor In all you do Amen Go in peace In all you do Amen Amen [01:19:17] (31 seconds) #KingdomBeyondWalls

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean that the world is our parish?

How do revival, rhythm, and courage shape faith?

In what ways can believers expand their influence beyond church walls?