Sermon: Grace, Free Will, Reason, and Method

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8

Last week we covered a quick history of the movement which became the United Methodist Church. This week we are considering the theological contributions and emphases that the movement has given to the Christian community. We have a unique and wonderful place in the Christian community. Our focus on grace and the three distinctions of grace: prevenient grace, Justifying grace and sanctifying grace. The emphasis on conversion (transformation). An awareness of the importance of actions to go along with faith. Wesley used the example of a quadrilateral to remind us that the lenses that help us see God and God’s will are scripture, tradition, reason and experience. John Wesley was so desperately seeking God and God’s plan that he sought to use a method (“methodist”) to be made perfect (mature/complete) in God’s love.