Sermons on Susanna Wesley:

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

God Encounters: Simeon And Anna Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 31, 2004

This is about Simeon’s and Anna’s encounter with Jesus in the Temple.

We’ve been looking at God encounters: Abe, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. They pointed to the Messiah (Christ). We turn now to encounters in the NT; encounters with Christ. Outside of the shepherds, this is the first one. Read Luke 2:21-38. Verse 21 was eight days after ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-38

Denomination: Wesleyan

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

God Encounters: On The Road To Emmaus Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Sep 7, 2004

This is about Jesus’ walk with the two on the Road to Emmaus.

We don’t always get all the facts right away when something momentous happens. The day of 9/11 was filled with confusion and speculation. More confusing the closer to NYC and WTC. Recap Passion Week: triumphal entry, Last Supper, prayer, arrest, trial, execution, and burial. Now there were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Wesleyan

Passion Week Act V: Praying Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 11, 2005

This is about Jesus praying in the Garden.

Passion Week Act 5 Praying After the Last Supper, Jesus and 11 disciples left the Upper Room and headed to the Garden of Gethsemane. On the way, Jesus told them that they would abandon him, and Peter would even deny Jesus three times. Read Matthew 26:36-46. We have a vivid picture in this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Wesleyan

Day Of Prayer For The Persecuted Church

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Nov 12, 2004

This is for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

[[A word about this sermon. This was a message for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. This sermon was preached in four movements, or parts. We gathered. We read Psalm 23 responsively. We sang 2 songs. I then preached Part I. We sang 3 songs. I then preached Part II. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

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