The third in our series is
Wesley’s sermon “The Circumcision of the Heart” which was originally preached
in 1733.
In 1732, a derogatory
letter appeared in a weekly London publication that spoke about the "Sect
called Methodists." While it was a
work designed to defame the group, Wesley utilized the aroused curiosity of the
public to offer this sermon that focuses on the doctrine of holiness.
Knowing people might be
hearing him for the first time because of the curiosity stemming from the
article, Wesley spent over forty hours crafting and refining this sermon.
The sermon, preached in
January of 1733, contains one of Wesley's most distinctive doctrines: Christian
perfection understood as perfect love of God and neighbor, rooted in a radical
faith in Christ's revelation of that love and power.
Wesley's basic
understanding of salvation can be heard here: original sin, the redemptive act
of God in Christ, and justification by faith which leads to a fundamental
change of heart as well as participation in the renewal of self through the
power of the Holy Spirit.
It is important to note
that while Wesley emphasizes our sin, his emphasis is not to draw attention to
our "utter depravity in sin," but rather he wishes to emphasize the
grace and mercy of God that overcomes our sin.
As Rev. Kim Goddard once said, the emphasis in Wesley's theology is
"not man, oh so bad, but God, oh so good."
- Pastor Charles
No comments:
Post a Comment