Unlocking the Legacy: Fear & Confidence
Notes
Transcript
*** Image: John Wesley. 1) A story to tell, 2) Grace upon grace. Bringing us to another part of the legacy, Fear & Confidence. Specifically, the fear of death and confidence in its face.
The winds roared round about us…The ship not only rocked to and fro with the utmost violence, but shook and jarred with so unequal, grating a motion, that one could not but with great difficulty keep one’s hold of anything, nor stand a moment without it. Every ten minutes came a shock against the stern or side of the ship, which one would think would dash the planks in pieces.
*** Image: Ship tossed about. Two groups of people on the ship. The English, and the German Moravians who, in the midst of the terrifying ordeal, began a worship service.
In the midst of the psalm wherewith their service began, the sea broke over, split the main-sail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up. A terrible screaming began among the English.
The Germans calmly sang on. I asked one of them afterwards, “Was you not afraid?” He answered, “I thank God, no.” I asked, “But were not your women and children afraid?” He replied, mildly, “No our women and children are not afraid to die.”
*** Image, JW. The young John Wesley was distraught. He was, in fact, afraid of dying.
I went to America to convert the Indians; but O! who shall convert me? Who, what is he that will deliver me from this evil heart of unbelief? I have a fair summer religion.
I can talk well; nay, and believe myself, while no danger is near: But let death look me in the face, and my spirit is troubled. Nor can I say, “To die is gain!”
*** Image: JW. The young John wondered if he was really a Christian. He saw the faith of the Moravians and found his own faith weak and lacking. He wanted desperately to have the kind of faith that trusted God so deeply that it would not be shaken even by the prospect of death.
*** Image: Samuel Wesley. The family had the example of their father:
On April 25, 1735, Samuel Wesley died. His family gathered around him on his death bed. John read an old prayer expressing the wish that God would accept the dying person into his everlasting abode.
“Now you have done all,” whispered the old man when John had finished the prayer.
To Emilia, his oldest daughter, he said, “Do not be concerned at my death, God will then begin to manifest Himself to my family.”
To John he said, “The inward witness, son, the inward witness, that is the proof, the strongest proof, of Christianity.”
To Charles he said, “Be steady. The Christian faith will surely revive in this kingdom. You shall see it, though I shall not.”
“Sir, are you in much pain?” John asked
“God does chasten me with pain, yea, all my bones with strong pain; but I bless Him for all, I love Him for all!”
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.
The enemy of our souls uses the fear of death to hold us captive!
Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God,
who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
Romans 8:15–16 (NRSV)
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”
it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God...
1. Seek the Inward Witness
1. Seek the Inward Witness
2. Don’t live in denial
2. Don’t live in denial
*** Image: Dots
3. Trust God’s Promises
3. Trust God’s Promises
Help us to live as those who are prepared to die.
And when our days here are accomplished,
enable us to die as those who go forth to live,
so that living or dying, our life may be in you,
and that nothing in life or in death will be able to separate us from your great love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
*** Image: Jesus looking