Scripture Nugget 10.2.2015

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 … “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23

Scripture Nugget 10.1.2015

“Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’” Matthew 3:5-12

Wesleyan Core Term - Baptism

Baptism

Jesus, who was sinless and had no need of repentance, nevertheless submitted himself to be baptized by John. Jesus did this in order to identify the work set before him and to embody what he would later command of those who desire to take up his cross and follow him. Wesley wrote that God’s gift of baptism is necessary for all who hear the good news and want to unite with Christ. Baptism is the door to the church and the Christian life for infants and older persons alike. In baptism, sins are rejected, belief in God is expressed, and promises are made to persevere in the Christian faith. The revelation of the triune God at the Jordan Rover assures us that God is present at every Christian baptism. Baptism “in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit” is a reminder that God is with us from the beginning and throughout our Christian journey. -Wesley Study Bible page 1165

Scripture Nugget 9.30.2015

“Then those who revered the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the LORD and thought on his name. They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them. Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.” Malachi 3:16-18

Wesleyan Core Term - Means of Grace

Means of Grace

John Wesley taught that our becoming and growing as Christians is enabled by grace. Through grace we are invited into a transforming relationship with God, which largely takes place as we participate in the means of grace. The means of grace are practices that the Holy Spirit uses to either draw us to God (prevenient grace) or enable us to know our sins are forgiven (justification) and grow in love for God and our neighbor (sanctification). Means of grace include the devotional reading of Scripture, prayer, fasting, the Lord’s Supper, Christian conversation, and acts of compassion and service to our neighbors. It is in the means of grace that we encounter the presence of God in all its transforming and loving power. As we faithfully participate in means of grace through worship, sacraments, daily devotions, fellowship and service. God enables us to increasingly recover the divine image of love in which were created.

                                -Wesley Study Bible pg 1158
                                -C-V websites 9.30.2015

Scripture Nugget 9.29.2015

“‘Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is my associate,’ says the LORD of hosts. Strike the shepherd, that the sheep may be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones. In the whole land, says the LORD, two-thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one-third shall be left alive. And I will put this third into the fire, refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’” Zechariah 13:7-9

Scripture Nugget 9.28.2015

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or heed me, says the LORD. Your ancestors, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your ancestors? So they repented and said, ‘The LORD of hosts has dealt with us according to our ways and deeds, just as he planned to do.’” Zechariah 1:3-6

Wesleyan Life Application Topic & Core Term - Repentance

Life Application Topic Repentance

“Repent” means make a 180-degree turn: however well intended, you’re going the wrong way! Turn around. But not just to try a different direction. God says, Turn to me.” Repentance is the restoration of a fractured relationship with God. The prophet doesn’t grind our faces in guilt; instead he announces we’re about to get swept up in the marvelous grace of God. And we repent together: Zechariahs’ call is a plural imperative. Wesley called repentance “the porch” that leads into the house of true religion (see Sermon 14: “The Repentance of Believers,” para1). God is waiting for us on that porch with a sign: “Welcome Home.”

                            -Wesley Study Bible pg 1145

Core Term Repentance

Repentance represents godly sorrow for one’s sin, confession of it, and the resolve to turn from sin. It involves more than just confessing sin. Repentance involves sorrow over betraying God and others, and it results in resolve not to continue sinning. Wesley considers repentance an act of faith that leads to conversion (Sermon 1: “Salvation by Faith,” paraIII.4). Repentance includes turning away from sin and toward God. Thus it should become a lifelong habit of holy living. Sanctification heightens one’s sensitivity to and conviction of sin and the need to repent of sins – sins of commission and omission, personal and social sins, and so on. The Bible contains wonderful promises to those who repent. Penitents receive, for example, comfort and answers to prayer. Most important, they receive pardon for sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and eternal life. Zechariah speaks of the need for repentance and of the just consequences of not repenting (1:1-6). Certainly God responds compassionately to all who truly repent.

                        - Wesley Study Bible (pg 1143)

Scripture Nugget 9.27.2105

“At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs, those who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do well, nor will he do harm.’” Zephaniah 1:12

“The LORD has taken away the judgements against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak, The LORD, YOUR God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.” Zephaniah 3:15-18

“Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear.” Haggai 2:4-5