Sermons on Susanna Wesley:

Where's The Love? Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Apr 18, 2004

This is the first of a seven part series: "Seven Letters to Seven Chruches" based on the letters to the seven churches in Revelation.

Intro to the “Seven Letters to Seven Churches” series. Seven churches enduring difficult times: persecution. As we go through this the next 7 weeks, let’s ask ourselves, “Is this our church? What is similar? What can we learn?” I remember the “Where’s the beef?” Wendy’s commercials. It had ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

Comfort For Difficult Times Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Apr 25, 2004

This is on the Letter to Smyrna.

This is the only mention in the Bible about the Church of Smyrna. Smyrna was very close to Ephesus, which we looked at last week. Paul likely started the church while he was in Ephesus for three years. Acts 19:10 says, “This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Responding With Thanks To God

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Nov 22, 2004

This is a Thanksgiving sermon.

Sometimes Thanksgiving seems a bit perfunctory. Turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and the like set on the table. Christmas is coming: trees, gifts, travel and cards. Thanksgiving often becomes a stop over on the way from Halloween and Christmas. Read ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Jesus Brings Peace

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Nov 29, 2004

This is an Advent sermon.

Advent is a time of preparation, not just for Christmas, but for the coming of Jesus. The celebration of Advent is more than a memory of Jesus’ birth. It is also a realization that he is coming again. There will be a Second Advent. Are you ready for Christmas? Are you ready for Jesus’ coming ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5

Denomination: Wesleyan

A World Turned On Its Head

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Dec 6, 2004

This is an Advent sermon.

Read Isaiah 11:1-10. Jesus turned the world upside down, or more appropriately, right side up. People never really understood Jesus. Paul said, “For those who live in Jerusalem…did not recognize him” (Acts 13:27). Everyone expected a military-political leader. Jesus closest disciples didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

True Christmas Joy

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Dec 13, 2004

This is an Advent sermon.

Joy is a big word this time of year. In the song “How Great Our Joy,” we sing “Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!” seemingly over and over. We have “Joy to the World,” “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You,” “Good Christian Men, Rejoice.” We talk of spreading “Christmas joy.” Where does Christmas joy come ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Fatal Flaws Of Samson

Contributed by Wesley Hutchcraft on Dec 30, 2003

This sermon goes through the life of Samson and touches on the flaws that lead him to physical and spiritual death. These are flaws that many people deal with today.

Judges 13:1-5 One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Samson, because of his amazing strength. HE WAS THE MAN!!! One thing I never when I was young, though his feats were legendary, his flaws were disastrous. Throughout these chapters we see the life of Samson. - Samson was ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Encounters: Nathanael Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Aug 8, 2004

This is about Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus.

Jesus is beginning his ministry. John the Baptist had baptized him. He has just called Andrew and Peter. He had been a carpenter. Read John 1:43-51. I. Proposal. Jesus makes a proposal to Philip: “Follow me.” He was from the same town as Andrew and Peter. It was a simple and direct proposal. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: The Samaritan Woman Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Aug 13, 2004

This is about Jesus and woman at the well.

This is a rich passage. I could spend a couple months preaching from this passage. Give background of animosity between Jews and Samaritans. Women were marginalized. Read John 4:1-42. What does it mean that Jesus had to go through Samaria? Was it divine or geographically necessary? ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Zacchaeus Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Aug 21, 2004

This is about Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus.

Sing “Zacchaeus was a Wee Little Man.” Share recollections of Zach from Sunday school: short, tree, etc. Read Luke 19:1-10. Who was Zacchaeus? What happened to Zacchaeus? Who was Zacchaeus? The only biographical info is right here: “a tax collector and rich.” * He was DESPISED. To say that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: The Thief On The Cross Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Aug 30, 2004

This is about Jesus’ encounter with the criminal next to him.

Read Luke 23:39-43 using Lectio Divina method. Can you see it? Can you visualize the scene? Can you see the blood and the agony? Can you hear the mockers? Experience the moment. There are some things we can take away from this.  REVILING the REDEEMER This reflects the words of Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Spirit Of Unity

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 17, 2004

This is a Pentecost sermon.

The late 1960s was a time of great disunity in our nation. People were protesting the war in Vietnam. Race riots occurred in many major cities. Upheaval was prevalent on college campuses. Meanwhile, in baseball, the New York Mets had been the laughingstock of Major League Baseball for the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Verse

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 17, 2004

This is about Jesus conversation with Nicodemus.

It is perhaps the best known verse of the Bible. Almost anyone can quote it, at least in paraphrase. It is the verse that every child learns in Sunday school and VBS. I remember making a little wall plaque in Bible school with the verse on it. I remember that 15 to 20 years ago, you would see ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Jeremiah Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 17, 2004

This is about Jeremiah’s God encounter.

Too Young the Hero is a movie about 12 year old Calvin Graham who managed to enlist in the Navy during WWII. Read Jeremiah 1:4-10. Jeremiah was young. How young? We don’t know. The word translated “youth, child, boy” could mean an infant to a young man. I. God’s CALL. We typically think of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Ezekiel (Religious Experience Vs. Religious Action) Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 24, 2004

This is about Ezekiel’s God encounter. It explores the difference between religious experience and religious action. Religious EXPERIENCE means nothing without ACTION.

Read Ezekiel 1:4-3:15. This is a bizarre vision. Not all God encounters are alike. We see here two things: Religious Experience (ch. 1) and Religious Action (chs. 2 & 3). What is the difference between the two? * Religious Experience is… In chapter 1, we see Ezekiel’s strange religious ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan