Revival 1 of 6: Precursors

• First Sunday after Epiphany

With Revelation 2:1-7

1 of 6 on a series with Adam Hamilton’s 2014 book Revival: Faith As Wesley Lived It

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• Why a series on Adam Hamilton’s book? Why not the Bible?

First of all, we do not preach the gospel of Adam Hamilton or of John Wesley; we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in whom there is salvation.

Second, over 250 years ago a dying church was revitalized by John Wesley, into a global church today that has over 80 million members now. Adam Hamilton has shared some of his thoughts regarding how such a revival came to be.

• When I speak to couples getting married, we talk about how there will be ups and downs, how feelings will change. The people that marry at 25 years old are not the same as they are when they turn 35. Marriage includes the agreement & commitment to persevere, and to remember why we married in the first place. Churches have ups and downs, too…

• Look at the church of Ephesus, at the end of the first century: See Rev. 2:1-7.
Were they righteous? Yes. Did they demonstrate perseverance? Yes. Were they faithful? Yes. But they had lost their enthusiasm, their mission, their first love. And it showed. Lost vitality. They were no longer the lampstand the Lord wanted. The Lord says I love you, yet the Lord also desires a functional lampstand to shine his light in the world.
So the church is told Repent. Return. Remember your first love.

What is the church’s first love? Sharing the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. And works of mercy.

John Wesley was born into times of lost love. For 200 years England had wandered back and forth between Catholicism and Protestantism, pretty much for political reasons… the nation went (had to go!) the way of the monarch, the monarchs were finicky, and folks were weary of it.

Remember first love. Make disciples of all nations, for transformation of world. Teach, save.

• John Wesley was (maybe the) 15^th child of Rev. Samuel & Susanna. Maybe 19 total.
Susanna was a classically educated pastor’s kid who educated her children, and spent one hour per week with each one one-on-one, asking about their faith, their hopes and dreams, the state of their souls. (spent an hour a week with each of more than a dozen children. Imagine that!).

Not to mention the task of running a household of so many and tending to her own soul and leading public devotions (that drew greater numbers than church!)

Paul, in 2 Tim 1:5, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.”

Teach your children and grandchildren by example (what they see you do) as well as intentionally (what you do when you’re with them).

• JW was also influenced by father and grandfather, who had weathered the shifting seas of the monarch’s chosen religious practice while remaining true to their own faith and practices… In the midst of theological division, JW found a middle way – via media – that recognized the truth on both sides. “Wesley had the ability to value and listen to people on opposite sides… [and to embrace] the best of both sides.” (p.25) His desire was to build bridges rather than walls.

Divisiveness and conflict drain us of our spiritual vitality… Let us embrace the words of Paul, who said “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interest, but to the interest of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:3-5).

A disciple, a Christian should demonstrate humility and grace and love, should listen willingly search and diligently for the good in others and treat others with respect.

• One other lesson JW learned from father: When suffering, tragedy, and opposition come, turn to God and don’t give up (DGU).

Samuel and Susanna endured the death of 9 children. (DGU). They endured financial troubles, even debtors prison. DGU (even witness!). They lost almost everything in a house fire. DGU. Samuel preached until he died.

• So. These are some things we can learn from how the Wesleys responded to current events.
Remember why.
Make it a family affair.
Demonstrate humility and grace and love.
And persevere.

• Hymn 2149 Living for Jesus

Revelation 2:1-7        (Common English Bible)                                       1/11/15

2 “Write this to the angel of the church in Ephesus:

These are the words of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven gold lampstands: ² I know your works, your labor, and your endurance. I also know that you don’t put up with those who are evil. You have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and you have found them to be liars. ³ You have shown endurance and put up with a lot for my name’s sake, and you haven’t gotten tired. ⁴ But I have this against you: you have let go of the love you had at first. ⁵ So remember the high point from which you have fallen. Change your hearts and lives and do the things you did at first. If you don’t, I’m coming to you. I will move your lampstand from its place if you don’t change your hearts and lives. ⁶ But you have this in your favor: you hate what the Nicolaitans are doing, which I also hate. ⁷ If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. I will allow those who emerge victorious to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise.

Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived It, by Adam Hamilton

Chapter One: Precursors to Revival
Hamilton takes us to Epworth, in the north of England, ca. 1700, where John and Charles Wesley were born, the fifteenth and seventeenth children of the Reverend Samuel and Susanna Wesley. England was weary from 200 years of spiritual upheaval. Susanna not only educated her children, she gave them a solid faith foundation. Susanna is known as the “Mother of Methodism.”