Original Posting At http://umcworship.blogspot.com/2013/09/world-communion-sunday-2013-and.html
How much faith do we need? World Communion Sunday might be a ripe opportunity to preach on what John Wesley thought about this, especially when it comes to presenting ourselves at the table of the Lord.
This World Communion Sunday might be a good opportunity to review and clarify the nature of Wesley’s statement in light of the reading from the gospel of Luke (Luke 17:5-10).
“Converting Ordinance” in Context: Philip Molther, Stillness, and the Fetter Lane (Moravian) Society
After this he discusses the subject of whether Christians are required to keep the ordinances. He identifies the ordinances of Christ as “prayer, communicating [participating in and receiving Holy Communion], and searching the Scriptures.” Christ, he says, commands all, believers and unbelievers alike, to follow his commandments. So yes, these are required, but not as “works” but as the very ways we relate to God and God to us. He goes on to talk about sin, and prayer, and the reading and meditating upon the Holy Scriptures.
Finally, after all of this, he comes to the subject of a sermon he recently preached on Holy Communion. He writes:
“Converting Ordinance” Then and Now
To such folks, then and now, Wesley would say, “Come!”
Leave a Reply