Pastor John Wright

Last night I dropped down by the church for awhile as we opened the downstairs in light of the rain. Wesley's quotes have a certain poignancy there. New folk are coming in from downtown -- a wonderful gift to us. A new friend from the neighborhood dropped in as well. We were well into the mid-teens. Eric Lee worked very hard to make accommodations appropriate and comfortable. Thank you Eric and those who followed and worked this morning.

The guest were very gracious. As I left, several were watching "50 First Dates." Yet I noticed some new challenges for us. Since some had come from downtown, they had had to leave downtown without supper in order to get to us. Folk were hungry and thirsty -- though not complaining, but inquiring. I was also very humbling just to find people grateful for such humble accommodations.

I again have to see myself and others differently because of the witness of the congregation and our involvement in the works of mercy. Pettiness, "entertainment", seeking personal honor just don't seem as important when one engages in a faith in Christ that works by love. The Spirit works within, challenging the sinful patterns that we don't even know are there -- which is why Wesley also recognized the works of mercy as works of mercy. These are means by which the Spirit cleanses us from our inward sin by living life from God and to God through Christ.

This is the subject of the quote from Wesley's sermon, "The First-Fruits of the Spirit." If yesterday gave the goal as love of neighbor, here Wesley describes the problem and means to work towards our end in God as God's creatures.

II. 5. That the corruption of nature does still remain, even in those who are the children of God by faith; that they have in them the seeds of pride and vanity, of anger, lust, and evil desire, yea, sin of every kind; is too plain to be denied, being matter of daily experience. And on this account it is that St Paul, speaking to those whom he had just before witnessed to 'in Christ Jesus' (1 Cor 1:2,9) to have been called of God into the fellowship' (or participation) 'of His Son Jesus Christ' yet declares "Brothers and sisters, I cold not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ' (1 Cor. iii.1); 'babes in Christ'; so we see they were 'in Christ'; they were believers in a low degree. And yet how much of sin remained in them! of that 'carnal mind, which is not subject to the law of God'!

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IV. 4. Be not afraid to know all this evil of your heart, to know yourself as also you are known. Yes, desire of God, that you may not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Let your continual prayer be,

Show me, as my soul can bear,
The depth of inbred sin;
All the unbelief declare,
The pride that lurks within

But when God hears your prayer and unveils your heart; when God shows you thoroughly what spirit you are of; they beward that your faith fail you not, that you suffer not your shield to be torn from your self. Be abased. Be humbled in the dust. See yourself nothing, less than nothing, and vanity. But still, 'let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' Still hold fast, 'I even I have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.' 'And as the heavens are higher than the earth, so is God's love higher than even my sins!' Therefore God is merciful to you s sinner! such a sinner as you are! God is love, and Christ has died! Therefore the Father Himself loves you! You are God's child! Therefore God will withhold from you no manner of thing that is good. Is it good, that the whole body of sin, which is now crucified in you, should be destroyed? It shall be done! You shall be 'cleansed from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit! Is it good that nothing should remain in your heat put the pure love of God alone? Be of good cheer! "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and mind, and soul and strength.' 'Faith is the One that has promised, who also will do it! It is your part, patiently to continue in the work of faith, and in the labor of love; and in cheerful peace, in humble confidence, with calm and resigned and yet earnest expectation to wait till the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this.