The Means of Grace "Ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them." Mal. 3:7.
I. 1. But are there any ordinances now, since life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel? Are there, under the Christian dispensation, any means ordained of God, as the usual channels of his grace? This question could never have been proposed in the apostol ...read
The Ministerial Office [a.k.a. ^PROPHETS AND PRIESTS^ (Sermon 121 in the Bicentennial Edition)]
[Respecting this Sermon the following information is given by Mr. Moore, in his "Life of Mr. Wesley," vol. ii., p. 339: -- "I was with Mr. Wesley in London when he published that Sermon. He had encouraged me to be a man of one book; and he had repeatedly invited me to spea ...read
The More Excellent Way "Covet earnestly the best gifts; And yet I show to you a more excellent way." 1 Cor. 12:31.
1. In the preceding verses, St. Paul has been speaking of the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost; such as healing the sick, prophesying (in the proper sense of the word; that is, foretelling things to come), speaking with strange tongues, such as the ...read
The Mystery of Iniquity "The mystery of iniquity doth already work." 2 Thess. 2:7.
1. Without inquiring how far these words refer to any particular event in the Christian Church, I would at present take occasion from them to consider that important question, -- In what manner the mystery of iniquity hath wrought among us till it hath well-nigh covered the whole earth. ...read
The Nature of Enthusiasm "And Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself." Acts 26:24.
1. And so say all the world, the men who know not God, of all that are of Paul's religion: of every one who is so a follower of him as he was of Christ. It is true, there is a sort of religion, nay, and it is called Christianity too, which may be practised without ...read
The New Birth "Ye must be born again." John 3:7.
1. If any doctrines within the whole compass of Christianity may be properly termed fundamental, they are doubtless these two, -- the doctrine of justification, and that of the new birth: The former relating to that great work which God does for us, in forgiving our sins; the latter, to the great work which Go ...read
The New Creation Behold, I make all things new. Rev. 21:5.
1. What a strange scene is here opened to our view! How remote from all our natural apprehensions! Not a glimpse of what is here revealed was ever seen in the heathen world. Not only the modern, barbarous, uncivilized Heathens have not the least conception of it; but it was equally unknown to the refined, ...read
The Reformation of Manners Preached before the Society for Reformation of Manners
On Sunday, January 30, 1763
At the Chapel in West-Street, Seven-Dials
"Who will rise up with me against the wicked?" Ps. 94:16.
1. In all ages, men who neither feared God nor regarded man have combined together, and formed confederacies, to carry on the works of darkness. And herein they ...read
The Repentance of Believers "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15.
1. It is generally supposed, that repentance and faith are only the gate of religion; that they are necessary only at the beginning of our Christian course, when we are setting out in the way to the kingdom. And this may seem to be confirmed by the great Apostle, where, exhorting the Hebrew Christ ...read
The Reward of Righteousness Preached before the Humane Society
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matt. 25:34.
1. Reason alone will convince every fair inquirer, that God "is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." This alone teaches him to say, "Doubtless there is a reward for the righteous;" ...read
The Rich Man and Lazarus "If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:31.
1. How strange a paradox is this! How contrary to the common apprehension of men! Who is so confirmed in unbelief as not to think, "If one came to me from the dead, I should be effectually persuaded to repent?" But this passag ...read
The Righteousness of Faith "Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again f ...read
The Scripture Way of Salvation 'Ye are saved through faith.'
Ephesians 2:8.
1. Nothing can be more intricate, complex, and hard to be understood, than religion, as it has been often described. And this is not only true concerning the religion of the Heathens, even many of the wisest of them, but concerning the religion of those also who were, in some sense, Christians; yea, ...read
The Scripture Way of Salvation "Ye are saved through faith." -- Ephesians 2:8.
1. Nothing can be more intricate, complex, and hard to be understood, than religion, as it has been often described. And this is not only true concerning the religion of the Heathens, even many of the wisest of them, but concerning the religion of those also who were, in some sense, Christians; ye ...read
The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption "Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father." Romans 8:15.
1. ST. PAUL here speaks to those who are the children of God by faith. "Ye," saith he, who are indeed his children, have drank into his Spirit; "ye have not received the spirit of bondage again ...read
The Trouble and Rest of Good Men Preached at St. Mary's in Oxford, on Sunday, Sept. 21, 1735.
Published at the request of several of the hearers.
[This appears to have been the first Sermon that Mr. Wesley ever committed to the press. It was preached about a month before he sailed for Georgia; and published the same year by C. Rivington, in St. Paul's Church-Yard. After remain ...read
The Unity of the Divine Being "There is one God." Mark 12:32.
1. And as there is one God, so there is one religion and one happiness for all men. God never intended there should be any more; and it is not possible there should. Indeed, in another sense, as the Apostle observes, "there are gods many, and lords many." All the heathen nations had their gods; and many, whole ...read
The Use of Money "I say unto you, Make unto yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into the everlasting habitations." Luke 16:9.
1. Our Lord, having finished the beautiful parable of the Prodigal Son, which he had particularly addressed to those who murmured at his receiving publicans and sinners, adds anot ...read
The Way of the Kingdom The kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15
These words naturally lead us to consider, First, the nature of true religion, here termed by our Lord, "the kingdom of God," which, saith he, "is at hand;" and, Secondly, the way thereto, which he points out in those words, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel."
...read
The Wilderness State "Ye now have sorrow: But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." John 16:22.
1. After God had wrought a great deliverance for Israel, by bringing them out of the house of bondage, they did not immediately enter into the land which he had promised to their fathers; but "wandered out of the way i ...read
John Wesley