Scripture Nugget 12.9.2015

“I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Now re-read this passage substituting your sin(s) into this line: "even though I was formerly a ____, a _____ and a man/woman of _______. And put emphasis on the the later phrase "Of whom I am foremost."

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Wesleyan Life Application Topic - Gratitude

Gratitude

Paul’s gratitude stands out all the more because it comes in the middle of hard service. The grateful believe we have better than we deserve. Instead of taking things for granted, we see good things in life as gifts. Instead of assuming we are entitled, we assume grace underlines all we have. Gratitude gives thanks for mercy. Complaints focus on what we don’t have. Gratitude notices the good and is thankful. Gratitude sets us up for joy in life. Rather than merely consuming or existing. The grateful choose to embrace what life gives and enjoy life’s mercies. -Wesley Study Bible pg 1462

Scripture Nugget 12.8.2015

“But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth our by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Wesleyan Core Term - Persoanl Holiness

Personal Holiness

For John Wesley, there was both an inward and an outward dimension to personal holiness. Inward holiness refers to the cleansing and renewing of our hearts and minds, which begins with faith. When we recognize God’s forgiving love in Jesus Christ, we are filled with love for God. Out of this love, the Holy Spirit cultivates thoughts and habits in us that are pleasing to God, including the love of our neighbors. With this inward change in place, outward holiness becomes possible. Outward holiness refers to words and actions that demonstrate loving obedience to God. Personal holiness, then, reflects the transformation of sinful lives into lives that demonstrate love of God and neighbor. Such renewal is made possible by the work of the Holy Spirit, which calls for and enables our response to God. Despite the apparent strength of sin Wesley was confident in the Holy Spirit’s ability to make personal holiness a genuine reality in our lives. -Wesley Study Bible pg 1454

Scripture Nugget 12.7.2015

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Scripture Nugget 12.6.2015

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-17

Scripture Nugget 12.5.2015

“And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11

“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:1-5

Wesleyan Core Term - Mind of Christ

Mind of Christ

Wesley desired for Christ to be understood as the common Head of all believers, as God is the common Father and as all drink from one Spirit. The fruit of this recognition is that all are unified into one (Notes, 2:2-3). Every pastor and teacher has struggled with a lack of unity, maturity, and humility in the body of Christ. Although Paul is filled with joy concerning the body at Philippi, he struggles with those around him who preach Christ out of envy and rivalry instead of goodwill (1:15). To solve this issue, he encourages all to allow the mind of Christ to be their minds (2:5). This mind does not remain individually focused but is other-centered, striving for unity. Our rigid mind-sets need the softness of Christ’s mind. Our confident minds need Christ’s humility to leave behind what is unnecessary so that we will serve others. This transformed mind, in Christ, confesses Jesus Christ as Lord.

-Wesley Study Bible pg 1441

Scripture Nugget 12.4.2015

“So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Scripture Nugget 12.3.2015

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, this putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in who you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” Ephesians 2:13-22