Three Simple Rules: Week 2

Tim Sisk

Booneville First Methodist Church

Wednesdays with Wesley • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago • Presented 4 years ago • 13:55

Colossians 3:12–14

Galatians 5:22–26

John Wesley (Founder of the Methodist Movement)

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Wednesdays with Wesley

“What then is the mark? Who is a Methodist, according to your own account?” I answer: A Methodist is one who has “the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy ghost given unto him;” one who “loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength. God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul; which is constantly crying out, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee! My God and my all! Thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever!”

The World In Which We Live

Last month, I preached a sermon series called “Us vs. Them” in response to a social phenomenon that has really been bothering me which is the increasingly fractured and divided society that we in which we are living. Now, I know that part of this is because we are in an election season. Election seasons seem to bring out our most divisive nature. But to be honest, in the past, it has seemed to me that we have gotten a break after one presidential election was over…at least for a few years before the campaign starts up again. But now it seems like it is a constant campaign. Whatever my angst regarding this new partisan society that we are living through, I am resigned to the fact that it is probably only going to get worse. One of the more troubling things for me has been the way that I have observed Christians engaging in divisive ways that deny our role as Christ followers in a world that doesn’t follow Christ. And that is why I preached the sermon series Us vs. Them.

Well I’m not going to re-preach that sermon again. We have it saved on our website so if you missed any part of that series, I encourage you reserve some time catch up on that set of Biblical teaching.

This evening, I am teaching from the book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living written by Bishop Rueben P. Job. And this book is a reflection on the General Rules of the Methodist Church that were written by John Wesley to address the status of each one who is a Christ-follower.

We read in Colossians 3:12-14:

Colossians 3:12–14 NIV

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Chosen People

By now you know that I’m found of encouraging you to have a Bible that you can journal in and mark words. I think it helps us to pay close attention to the text in way that invites the Holy Spirit to speak to us.

See how Paul identifies us as Christ-followers: chosen people, holy and dearly loved. These are words that should stand out to you in the text. They reflect a special status (chosen).

When we are talking about a society that is divided and full of conflict, what is the role of Christians in that society? Bishop Job puts it this way:

The division, partisanship, and sharp criticism, not only of positions but also of persons, have not strengthen denominations, communities, congregations, families, or individuals. The louder our voices and the more strident our rhetoric, the weaker and more wounded we ourselves become. Our witness to the redeeming love of God loses it authenticity and its power as our unwillingness to be reconciled continues.

So how are Christians to respond, to act? We begin by asking the question: are we living up to our calling as Christians? If we are “chosen” people how can we live out our faith? The answer I think is found in the next word… “holy”.

Holy and Dearly Loved

Our United Methodist website tells the story of How John Wesley addressed the issue of holiness:

In the latter end of the year 1739 eight or ten persons came to Mr. Wesley, in London, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption. They desired, as did two or three more the next day, that he would spend some time with them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to come, which they saw continually hanging over their heads. That he might have more time for this great work, he appointed a day when they might all come together, which from thenceforward they did every week, namely, on Thursday in the evening. To these, and as many more as desired to join with them (for their number increased daily), he gave those advices from time to time which he judged most needful for them, and they always concluded their meeting with prayer suited to their several necessities.

John Wesley then developed three simple rules to help Christ-followers understand how they are to be “chosen people, holy and dearly” loved. Those rules, as we have shared them are:

1. Do no harm.

2. Do good.

3. Stay in love with God by attending to God’s ordinances.

Notice how these rules are rooted in love for that is the nature of holiness. And see how they are faithful to our Colossians text we read earlier:

Colossians 3:12–14 NIV

And notice how these virtues, as Paul describes them contrast with that of the world as Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-26:

Galatians 5:22–26 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

And notice how these virtues, as Paul describes them contrast with that of the world as Paul describes in s conceited, provoking, and full of envy. A world that wants to do you harm not do you good. So Paul (and John Wesley) are providing for us a map that promises to take us nearer to God and explain what God’s chosen way is for his people. Because when we fail to practice our faith, we not only harm ourselves but we harm our witness as well. And that is why discipline is required in our lives, not only for ourselves but for those we would influence positively or negatively.

We come now to the end of these week’s mid-week devotion. We will continue our Wednesdays with Wesley next Wednesday night by focusing on the first rule: Do no harm.

It is my prayer that you will have a holy and safe week. I encourage you to call or text me if you have any needs, guidance, or help that I can provide. May God bless you all.