Sermons on Susannah Wesley:

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

Faith That Overcomes

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is about having faith that overcomes.

There is that guy in Greek mythology, I think, that pushes the boulder up the hill only to have it roll back down. He does this continuously. He pushes the boulder up the hill, and then it rolls back down, over and over and over without end. Doesn’t it feel that sometimes you are pushing a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Special Possession

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This sermon is about experiencing the Christian life in its fullest.

Turn with me to 1 John 5. Read 1 John 5:9-13. We are going to focus primarily on verse 12 as we talk about a special possession. John tells us several things in this verse. The first is … I. We have a Special Relationship with Jesus. John writes, “He who has the Son has the life.” These eight ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:9-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Is Worship? Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is a basic definition of worship.

Worship is a broad term. Some have said that it defies explanation. Merriam-Webster defines worship as, “to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power” or “to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion” following up with “to perform or take part in worship or an ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Heart Of Worship Is Our Heart Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is about authentic worship.

As I mentioned last week, worship is a broad term. It is often misunderstood. I want to come back to Rick Warren’s definition given in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, “Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship.” That’s a boiled down definition of worship. What happens ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:11-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

Can Worship Change Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This answers the question about worship and change.

We don’t do well at predicting the future. In 1962 Decca Recording Co said the Beatles would never make it. Gary Cooper once said, “I’m just glad that it’ll be Clark Gable who’s falling on his face and not Gary Cooper.” What was he talking about? Gone with the Wind. In 1899, the director of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-2

Denomination: Wesleyan

First Things First Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is about getting priorities straight.

Worship is bringing pleasure to God. One way we bring pleasure to God is by doing his will for us, and his church. We have two big problems though. The first is that we may think we are inferior, and the second is that we have our own ideas about what is best. I. We are not INFERIOR. When I was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:16-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Facing Temptation Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This sermon is about dealing with temptatoin. It is based on Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life.

Someone once said, “I wouldn’t be tempted if temptation wasn’t so tempting.” Sam Levenson said, “Lead us not into temptation. Just tell us where it is; we’ll find it.” Flip Wilson said, “The devil made me do it the first time, but ever since then I’ve been doing it on my own.” Oscar Wilde said, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

Where Is Your Citizenship? Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is designed to help people determine if they are citizens of earth or heaven

We can tell a lot about someone’s citizenship by how they act: dress, accent, language, food, and talk of their “homeland.” When we are in a foreign country, our actions often betray the fact that we are Americans. Haiti experience with Fred. Does your life indicate heavenly citizenship or ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Our Way Or God's Way Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This sermon is to help people realize that God’s way is the only way.

Read Isaiah 55:1-9. A few years back, McDonalds had an ad that talked about a “Big Mac Attack.” The implication was that your craving could be satisfied by getting two all beef patty, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. A whopper wouldn’t do. It’s been said that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan

Make Room For Him Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is a Christmas sermon.

Thousands of sermons on this most familiar passage have been preached. We know it well. Linus quotes it in Charlie Brown’s Christmas special. Read Luke 2:1-20. Jesus entered life in the shadow of a “No Vacancy” sign and not much has changed in our world. We often deride the unnamed innkeeper. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Responsibility Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is an Advent sermon.

Intro: Who was responsible? Brian Wells 46 year-old pizza man. Robbed a bank in Erie, Pa on August 28. Who was responsible? He was. Forced into it, or duped. Read Luke 3:7-18. We are responsible for our own spiritual condition. Our parents’ or grandparents’ faith doesn’t help or hurt us. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Wesleyan

Preparations Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is an Advent sermon.

Intro: Preparations for Christmas: decorations, shopping, food, company, travel, programs, parties, etc., etc. Read Luke 3:1-6. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry. Misconceptions about the Messiah’s first coming. Thought to be political and military. Reality it was spiritual. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Are You Ready Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is an Advent sermon.

Introduction Y2K fears. Water, food and guns. Companies spending thousands to fix it. Fear and anxiety. Read Luke 21:25-36. I. The fact of the Second Coming It is going to happen. A. Prophecy 332 prophecies in OT about Jesus 1st coming. All true. Statistically speaking it is impossible for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Lord Reigns

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is a Thanksgiving sermon.

It was interesting to watch the Chicago Cubs in the baseball playoffs last month. It was noted again and again that they had not won the World Series since 1908. Teddy Roosevelt was president then. We are on our seventeenth president since Teddy Roosevelt. Three presidents have died in office ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 93:1-5

Denomination: Wesleyan