Scripture Nugget 10.22.2015

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written one does not live by bread alone.’

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I will give it to anyone I please. If you, then will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord you God, and serve only him.”’

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone”’. Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’.

When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:1-13

                                                                                            Temptation

The temptation to sin does not go away, not even, John Wesley argued, for those who have matured to Christian perfection. Jesus is filled with and led by the Spirit (4:1) even as he is tempted. In the account of the temptation of Jesus, the Gospel writer notes that the devil does not give up on tempting Jesus; the devil simply waits for a better time (4:13). This reality cautions us not to feel that a temptation once conquered is permanently conquered. -Wesley Study Bible pg 1244

Scripture Nugget 10.2.2015

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple;” …. Luke 2:25-27a

“There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.” Luke 2:36-37

“John Wesley, who was active in ministry until his late eighties, notes Anna’s advanced age (84) and comments on the importance of people continuing to serve ‘even at that age.’ Wesley exhorts his readers: ‘Let the example of these aged saints animate those whose grey heads, like theirs, are a ‘crown of glory.’” Wesley Study Bible, pg 1241

Scripture Nugget 10.20.2015 with Wesleyan Life Application Topic - Magnify the Lord

“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made forever.’” Luke 1:46-55

                                               Magnify the Lord - Wesleyan

Life Application Topic

Does Mary have it backward? She praises God for what seem to be the wrong reasons. Rather than celebrating God’s gifts to the proud, the powerful, and the rich, she offers joy that God has turned such values upside down (1:51-53). Wesley, who thought that work among the poor was a means of grace, might well sing along with Mary. God’s name is magnified when the lowly and vulnerable are lifted up in love. -Wesley Study Bible pg 1239

Scripture Nugget 10.19.2015

“And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet not what I want, but what you want.’” Mark 14:34-36

Life Application Topic - Prayer

Prayer

There is agony in honest praying. Jesus has the courage and trust to be totally honest with himself and his beloved “Abba.” Therefore he is able to move from the cry of his heart that God take away the agony of the cross, to the cry of his heart that the will of his beloved “Abba” be accomplished in his life and death. Our prayers often begin with the cry of self-interest, “Save me from this” or “Give me that.” But loving and trusting God will always lead us to a cry of self-giving. “Not what I want but what you want.” This is prayer and life at its finest and fullest. -Wesley Study Bible pg 1231

Wesleyan Core Term - Character of a Methodist

Character of a Methodist

In a small treatise “The Character of a Methodist,” published in 1742, John Wesley attempts to describe what he means by a disciple of Christ perfected in love. It is a striking portrait of noble simplicity, deeply rooted in Scripture, and dominated by the image of growth in grace and love. Wesley reflects a realistic attitude about the limitations of the human condition, but displays an even more profound optimism in what God’s grace can accomplish in the life of any child desiring to walk with greater integrity in the way of the gospel. In his many subsequent publications on the theme of Christian perfection, Wesley seldom deviates from the essential portrait of the mature Christian. Those perfected in Christ “love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength” and they love their neighbors as they love themselves.” This dual love, as Charles Wesley sings, “Sanctifies, and makes us whole;” it “forms the Savior in the soul.” -Wesley Study Bible (pg 1227)

Scripture Nugget 10.18.2015

“’Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, ‘Hear O Israel; the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all you soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’ Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher, you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ – this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices,’ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’” Mark 12:29-34a

Scripture Nugget 10.17.2015

“Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’” Mark 11:22-25

Righteousness through faith, prayer, and forgiveness.

Scripture Nugget 10.16.2015

“Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given this generation.” Mark 8:12b&c

“Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember?” Mark 8:17b-18

“He asked them, ’But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’” Mark 8:29

“He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.’” Mark 8:34-35

“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Mark 9:7b

“Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able! – All things can be done for the one who believes.’” Mark 9:23

“He said to them, ‘This kind can only come out through prayer and fasting.’” Mark 9:29

“He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’” Mark 9:35

“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good: but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” Mark 9:49-50

Scripture Nugget 10.15.2015

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many were sick and cured them.” Mark 6:7-13