A People Called - Letter from Rev. Chellis

John Wesley published the pamphlet “Thoughts upon Methodism” in 1786. His writing begins with one of the most recognizable quotes of Mr. Wesley. He writes,

 I am not afraid that the people called Methodist should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.[1]

 Wesley wrote this letter towards the end of his life. Methodism, as a movement within the Church of England, was well-established in Europe; and, in America, Methodism as a denomination was little over a year old. “Thoughts Upon Methodism” is a little bit history, a small part theology, but ultimately a word of caution — loose the heart of this religion and you will have lost this religion of the heart.

 Wesley’s encouragement, if not his command, is for the people called Methodist to “hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.”[2] The renewed attention I have given to the doctrine, spirit, and discipline of the people called Methodist extends beyond curiosity. The religion of the heart we have received as people called Methodist is a beautiful expression of faith, repentance, and holiness; it is a powerful testament to the grace of God, the hope of the Resurrection, and the joy of a life hidden with God in Christ!

Our congregation has been offered an extraordinary blessing. Our congregation is being given the opportunity to be the people called Methodist of Summerville. Fear not, as Wesley was unafraid, that our “religion” should suffer and die if we do not hold fast to the doctrine, spirit, discipline upon which Methodism was established. Our Methodist heritage is more than a way of the past; rather, it is a life-giving call to “salvation by faith, preceded by repentance, and followed by holiness.”[3]

Maybe you have wondered what you can expect of me as a pastor. Or, furthermore, what you can expect of SMC under my pastoral care. Wesley asks, “What was [the Methodists’] fundamental doctrine?”[4] The response he offers to his question succinctly reveals the expectations I hold for myself and the prayer I have for SMC. Wesley writes,

That the Bible is the whole and sole rule of Christian faith and practice. Hence they learned, (1.) That religion is an inward principle; that it is no other than the mind that was in Christ; or, in other words, the renewal of the would after the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness. (2.) That this can never be wrought in us, but by the power of the Holy Ghost. (3.) That we receive this, and every other blessing, merely for the sake of Christ: And, (4.) That whosoever hath the mind that was in Christ, the same is our brother, and sister, and mother.[5]

 Grounded in the scriptures of the Old and New Testament, and by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we will strive at every moment to grow in true holiness and righteousness, not for our well-being, but for the glory of God, and all will be welcome as a sister and a brother, who have the same mind that was in Christ. Or, as I phrase it at communion, all will be welcome to the table of our Lord who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to be restored to a right relationship with the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

  The Season of Lent is three weeks away. Our Lenten sermons will give attention to the holiness of which we are in pursuit. Before turning our attention to the meaning of a “holiness of heart,” I want us to give a moment of consideration to a term Wesley used in “Thoughts Upon Methodism” and elsewhere. Wesley references “the people called Methodist” when he talked about these society gathers and holiness pursuers! As Summerville Methodist Church begins its journey to “hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which [the people called Methodist] first set out,”[6] we would be wise to acknowledge the identity we bear before others.

We are a people called! Instead of identifying what we are called to do, we will take a moment to consider what our calling allows us to be. 1 Peter 1:3-4 declares, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into and inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading…” We are a people called hopeful! Our hope is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! Because we are hopeful, we are a people called joyful! Our joy is in the Lord, through whom we have received a newness of life. Having discovered a new life with God in Jesus Christ, we are a people called holy! Our newness of life frees us to pursue the glorification of God through the transformation of our heart by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We will dive deeper into the themes of hope, joy, and holiness over the next three weeks through the sermon series “A People Called.”

 My family and I look forward to joining you this Sunday for worship. May we come together with hearts prepared to praise God for the hope we have in Christ! One thing I will ask of you, please bring your Bibles! If we agree with Wesley’s assessment “that the Bible is the whole and sole rule of Christian faith and practice,” then let us come with our Bibles in hand and our hearts open to the reception of God’s word!

[1] Wesley, John. “Thoughts Upon Methodism”. 1786.

[2] Wesley, John. “Thoughts Upon Methodism”. 1786.

[3] Wesley, John. “Thoughts Upon Methodism”. 1786.

Wesley, John. “Thoughts Upon Methodism”. 1786.

[5] Wesley, John. “Thoughts Upon Methodism”. 1786.

[6] Wesley, John. “Thoughts Upon Methodism”. 1786.