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RENEWING OUR COVENANT WITH GOD: SUNDAY 8 JANUARY, 10.30 AM
The modern Methodist movement began with a meeting of undergraduates at Christchurch, Oxford, in 1725. Charles Wesley was one of the founder members of the group. When his older brother, John, returned to Oxford in 1729 to take up tutorial duties at Lincoln College, he joined the group of young Methodists and soon became its natural leader, moulding the group to his own notions.

In preparation for his ordination, John Wesley had read a great variety of books and some of them influenced him greatly. He began a concerted effort to live a holy life. For the next 13 years he organised a more and more demanding programme of personal devotion and good works. He rose early in the morning and accounted for every minute of the day. If anyone could make themselves right with God by religion John Wesley would surely have achieved it – but peace with God eluded him.

In an effort to make himself right with God, John Wesley even journeyed to Savannah, Georgia, undergoing perilous transatlantic journeys. His strict ways, tactless service and a failed romance combined to dispirit him. What is more, while a group of German Christians, Moravians, seemed fearless in the face of death during a fierce squall, John Wesley knew that he was desperately frightened of dying. Feeling a failure, unsure of the future and frightened of dying, John Wesley returned to Oxford.

In Oxford John Wesley met one of the leaders of the Moravians, Peter Böhler. Although Wesley had learned German on the ship bound for America, he and Böhler spoke mainly in Latin. The Moravians were the spiritual descendants of the Bohemian Brethren, who learned the nature of Christian faith from Jan Huss, who had been martyred at the Council of Contance (1415) for his Protestant views. In turn, Huss had read the works of the Oxford scholar John Wycliffe, sometimes called the morning star of the Reformation. The works of Huss had so inflamed the Papacy that, on the insistence of the Pope, 44 years after his death his body was exhumed and burned.

While in England today relationships between the Christian denominations are rightly more convivial that is not the same as saying that it does not matter what you believe. The essence of Christianity as Methodists have received it is the evangelical faith based on the fundamental principles of the Protestant Reformation. The fundamental principles of the Protestant Reformation are often summarised using five Latin tags: Sola Scriptura; Solus Christus; Sola Gratia; Sola Fide; Sola Deo Gloria. Here is a selection of comments on the five by James Montgomery Boice:

"When the Reformers used the words sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) they were expressing their concern for the Bible's authority, and what they meant is that the Bible alone is our ultimate authority. The church of the Middle Ages spoke about Christ. The medieval church had added many human achievements to Christ's work, so that it was no longer possible to say that salvation was entirely by Christ and his atonement. It was the work of God plus our own righteousness. The Reformation motto solus Christus (Christ alone) affirmed that salvation has been accomplished once for all by the mediatorial work of the historical Jesus Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification. The words sola gratia (Grace alone) mean that human beings have no claim upon God. That is, God owes us nothing. Apart from this grace and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that flows from it, no one would be saved. By insisting on 'grace alone' the Reformers were denying that human methods, techniques, or strategies in themselves could ever bring anyone to faith. It is grace that brings us to Christ, releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from death to spiritual life. The Reformers never tired of saying that 'justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone.' Justification is a declaration of God based on the work of Christ. It flows from God's grace and it comes to the individual not by anything he or she might do but by 'faith alone' (sola fide). This is summed up in the fifth Reformation motto: soli Deo gloria, meaning 'to God alone be the glory.'"

It was this Reformation message that John Wesley heard most clearly not only through Peter Böhler but also through the unnamed reader of Martin Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans that by the grace of God caused his heart to be strangely warmed and enabling to him to write, "I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation." Wesley felt that this synthesis of the message was a faithful reading of the New Testament. The classic Methodist emphasis is that this gospel message is for all, that all need to be saved, that all can be saved, that all can know (or have assurance) that they are saved and that all can be saved completely (that is we do not need to carry on sinning – even though we do). The emphasis of the Covenant Service is that we entrust our lives afresh (or even for the first time) completely to God, to do his will. The demands of the traditional covenant promise are exacting but whether being Methodists is important to us or not giving our lives wholly to God through faith in Jesus Christ is vital for every Christian.

BEING A MEMBER OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
The Methodist Church began as a society and therefore people expressed their faith and commitment by becoming members. Membership is still an important part of our system and it really helps if everyone expresses their faith and commitment by being a member. If you come regularly and receive Holy Communion with us but are not a member and would be willing to explore the possibility please speak to me, a steward or make contact through the office. I am hoping to have four membership preparation groups in Lent so that we can receive some new members on Easter Day.

WITH THANKS
I am very grateful to everyone who worked hard to cover the period of my absence during the autumn. It was a difficult time for Rae Nelson as she had only just arrived but I am pleased that with the help and support of stewards and other members that Rae has done exceptionally well. I am also grateful to Monica, in the office, and the ministers and local preachers who covered my services and Bible studies. In all the circumstances, I wondered if God were guiding me to move to a new appointment. After talking it over with trustworthy friends I decided to ask to move and am pleased to be taking up a new appointment in the Torbay Circuit from next September.

MINISTER'S BIBLE STUDY
This term we are looking at Hebrews, 1 & 2 Peter, Jude and Revelation. We begin with a time of singing and prayer, move into the study and share afterwards in tea/coffee and a selection of superior biscuits. No prior knowledge is expected or assumed and everyone is welcome. We meet weekly from Monday 9 January at 7.30 pm in the lounge.

God bless.