Pastor’s Footnotes: (Listen to Sermons)
Late in the year of 1739 John Wesley was approached by eight to ten persons seeking his advice on how to flee from the wrath of sin and to have prayer with him. John began to meet with them weekly forming what became known as class meetings. These class meetings were to be “a company of men having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation.” The only condition of membership in these classes was “a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.” However, Wesley believed that being a part of these classes should be evident in one’s life. He therefore wrote what we now know as the General Rules of the Methodist Church. The following is the first of the three rules as written by John Wesley in 1808.
It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, First: By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced, such as:
The taking of the name of God in vain.
The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein or by buying or selling.
Drunkenness: buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity.
Slaveholding: buying or selling slaves.
Fighting, quarreling, brawling, brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying and selling.
The buying and selling goods that have not paid the duty.
The giving or taking things on usury – i.e., unlawful interest.
Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers.
Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us.
Doing what we know is not for the glory of God, as:
The putting on of gold and costly apparel.
The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God.
Softness and needless self-indulgence.
Laying up treasure upon earth.
Borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.
Once again in John Wesley’s own words from 1808 here is what he says about doing good, the second rule.
Secondly: By doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men:
Here is the third, and last, of our General Rules. We have contemplated what it means to do no harm and what it means to do good. The third general rule focuses on the things we must do in order to continue to grow in our faith. Once again, in John Wesley’s own words.
Thirdly: By attending upon all the ordinances of God; such are:
These are the General Rules of our societies; all of which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written Word, which is the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these we know his Spirit writes on truly awakened hearts.
It is my prayer that God truly awaken our hearts so that his Spirit may write his words therein. See you in church.
Mike
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April 20, 2008: "Now You Are God's People", Rev. Michael Sluder April 27, 2008: "What Do You Do With A Gushing Spring?", Rev. Michael Sluder