Concord United Sermons

The Best of All, God is with Us | Rev. Sabine Collins

As Wesley laid on his deathbed, these were the words he sang and spoke, “The best of all, God is with us!”.  In the 1700s, Methodist were known to “die well”.  When asked about this, Wesley responded that it is because Methodist “live well”.  From Wesley’s fear of death being exposed on the ship across the Atlantic years before to a place of peace as he approached his death, God’s grace, love, and living a life rooted in the truths of God’s love and living a way of loving others is at the heart of following Jesus.  Dying well is much more about living well. 

Scripture - 2 Timothy 4:6-8

More Than a Place | Rev. Brooke Hartman

For Wesley, his work was not confined to a church building.  Wesley left the church to “go be more vile”, in his own words.  He used the practice of field preaching to meet people literally where they were.  He preached to coal miners and the least of these.  He was faithful in visiting those imprisoned, those who were sick.  Wesley argued against slavery.  Just as Jesus words remind us of the importance of being the hands and feet of Jesus, so Wesley’s influence on his community was significant. 

Scripture - Matthew 25:31-40

More Than a Place | Rev. Wil Cantrell

For Wesley, his work was not confined to a church building.  Wesley left the church to “go be more vile”, in his own words.  He used the practice of field preaching to meet people literally where they were.  He preached to coal miners and the least of these.  He was faithful in visiting those imprisoned, those who were sick.  Wesley argued against slavery.  Just as Jesus words remind us of the importance of being the hands and feet of Jesus, so Wesley’s influence on his community was significant. 

Scripture - Matthew 25:31-40

The Spirit of Christian Unity | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Scripture - 2 Kings 10:15 & John 13:34-35

John Wesley saw the dangerous potential for Christians to defend their Christian (and denominational) beliefs in unchristian ways. He subscribed to the saying: “In the essentials unity. In the nonessentials liberty. In all things charity.”

 

John & Charles Wesley often debated George Whitfield on matters of predestination, grace, and justice. However, towards the end of their lives Charles wrote a letter to George in which he says, “We loved more when we knew less.” It’s our goal as Methodists to only let our knowledge increase our love never lessen it.

 

This is why as Methodists we hold to the historic orthodox Christian faith, believe in social principles which contain a consistent ethic of the sanctity of life which cuts across partisan politics, and believe the Holy Spirit is at work in Christians with theological and political beliefs different from our own.

The Spirit of Christian Unity | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Scripture - 2 Kings 10:15 & John 13:34-35

John Wesley saw the dangerous potential for Christians to defend their Christian (and denominational) beliefs in unchristian ways. He subscribed to the saying: “In the essentials unity. In the nonessentials liberty. In all things charity.”

 

John & Charles Wesley often debated George Whitfield on matters of predestination, grace, and justice. However, towards the end of their lives Charles wrote a letter to George in which he says, “We loved more when we knew less.” It’s our goal as Methodists to only let our knowledge increase our love never lessen it.

 

This is why as Methodists we hold to the historic orthodox Christian faith, believe in social principles which contain a consistent ethic of the sanctity of life which cuts across partisan politics, and believe the Holy Spirit is at work in Christians with theological and political beliefs different from our own.

Ordinary Being Extraordinary | Rev. Brooke Hartman

We often hear in church that we should pray and read the Bible.  Those seem like good answers to the question of how to be a good Christian.  For John Wesley, praying, reading scripture, fasting, and Holy Communion weren’t just about being a good Christian. Participating in the “means of grace” for Wesley was about engaging in the means which convey God’s grace.  These means are not about earning God’s grace, but experiencing God’s grace.  As individuals and as a community of faith, engaging in the means of grace are a part of who we are. 

 

As Jesus gathered with his disciples on the night in which he was betrayed, he shared in The Last Supper, a meal far more than bread and wine.  John Wesley described the sacraments of Holy Communion and baptism as “outward signs of inward grace”.  Each time we come to the communion table or baptize someone, we are claiming the truth about God’s grace at work. 

Scripture - Acts 2:42-47; Luke 22:14-20

Ordinary Being Extraordinary | Rev. Wil Cantrell

We often hear in church that we should pray and read the Bible.  Those seem like good answers to the question of how to be a good Christian.  For John Wesley, praying, reading scripture, fasting, and Holy Communion weren’t just about being a good Christian. Participating in the “means of grace” for Wesley was about engaging in the means which convey God’s grace.  These means are not about earning God’s grace, but experiencing God’s grace.  As individuals and as a community of faith, engaging in the means of grace are a part of who we are. 

 

As Jesus gathered with his disciples on the night in which he was betrayed, he shared in The Last Supper, a meal far more than bread and wine.  John Wesley described the sacraments of Holy Communion and baptism as “outward signs of inward grace”.  Each time we come to the communion table or baptize someone, we are claiming the truth about God’s grace at work. 

Scripture - Acts 2:42-47; Luke 22:14-20

Life Together | Rev. Sabine Collins

Following Jesus is not limited to one hour a week on Sunday.  The “method” part of Methodism comes from the methodical ways that Methodists live.  A part of the method is living in a community together.  For Wesley, this community of small groups was not limited to teaching and listening.  For Wesley, being part of a weekly group where folks really knew you was significant for growing in faith and following of Jesus.  There were two types of groups: class meetings and bands.  The class meetings were approximately 12 persons who met weekly with a leader with the purpose to “watch over one another in love”.  These groups were focused on checking in on the condition of one’s soul and to encourage, loving God and loving others. 

Scripture - Matthew 22:37-40; Hebrews 10:19-25

Life Together | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Following Jesus is not limited to one hour a week on Sunday.  The “method” part of Methodism comes from the methodical ways that Methodists live.  A part of the method is living in a community together.  For Wesley, this community of small groups was not limited to teaching and listening.  For Wesley, being part of a weekly group where folks really knew you was significant for growing in faith and following of Jesus.  There were two types of groups: class meetings and bands.  The class meetings were approximately 12 persons who met weekly with a leader with the purpose to “watch over one another in love”.  These groups were focused on checking in on the condition of one’s soul and to encourage, loving God and loving others. 

Scripture - Matthew 22:37-40; Hebrews 10:19-25

A New Way | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, comes to Jesus at night.  Their conversation focuses being born again.  Jesus explains that this is a birth of the spirit not of the flesh.  In John Wesley’s sermon, The New Birth, he speaks of justifying and sanctifying grace.  Wesley used the analogy of a house to describe grace.  The driveway/porch is prevenient grace, God’s love drawing us to him.  Justifying grace is the door entering the house.  We walk through.  We move from unbelief to belief.  This is not our own doing, but God’s work in us. Sanctifying grace is God’s grace in our lives as we seek to live a life following him.  The inside of the house completes Wesley’s analogy of grace, signifying our lives are a process of God’s love at work in and through us.  Coming to faith is not an event, it is a process for a lifetime. 

Scripture - John 3:1-17