Once more a remnant of the house of Judah
will take root below and bear fruit above.
2 Kings 19:30
These are wonderfully gracious words spoken by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah to
the king of Judah during one of that wayward nation’s returns to the Lord. It reminds us
of our Lord’s deep desire to bless His people when they turn back towards Him and look
to Him.
Commenting on this verse in his “Notes on the Old Testament” John Wesley suggests
three things: firstly, such a people will be well and solidly foundationed; secondly, they
will be provided for; and thirdly, they will then do good to others. These words are for
you and for me as well. Are these three things desires of your heart?
Outside my study window there is an evergreen lemon tree and a little way behind it a
very similar looking lime tree. I’m not always sure which is which until I taste the fruit.
Folk in my office often comment on the trees and ask for some fruit which I gladly offer
but I always feel obliged to tell them that the trees straddle the septic tank and French
drain which have serviced the home for the last twenty five years……….and sometimes
the request for fruit is subsequently forgotten.
People today, more than ever before, want to know what has gone into the food they eat
because they believe it can affect them.
What are you “rooted” in? Where do you look for nourishment? What is the source of
your strength? Jesus claims that the Sermon on the Mount is a rock solid foundation for
your life. Spend some time committing yourself to turning back to His way, feeding off
His teaching and looking forward to the possibility of new fruit in your life.
Come, and partake the gospel feast,
Be saved from sin, in Jesus rest
O taste the goodness of your God
And eat his flesh, and drink his blood. (2)
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John Wesley (1703 - 1791)
Was an Anglican cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield. In contrast to Whitefield's Calvinism, Wesley embraced the Arminian doctrines that were dominant in the 18th-century Church of England. Methodism in both forms became a highly successful evangelical movement in Britain, which encouraged people to experience Jesus Christ personally.Wesley helped to organise and form societies of Christians throughout Great Britain, North America and Ireland as small groups that developed intensive, personal accountability, discipleship and religious instruction among members. His great contribution was to appoint itinerant, unordained preachers who travelled widely to evangelise and care for people in the societies. Under Wesley's direction, Methodists became leaders in many social issues of the day, including the prison reform and abolitionism movements.
John Wesley was an Anglican cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, with founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield. In contrast to George Whitefield's Calvinism (which later led to the forming of the Calvinistic Methodists), Wesley embraced Arminianism. Methodism in both forms was a highly successful evangelical movement in the United Kingdom, which encouraged people to experience Christ personally.
Wesley believed that this doctrine should be constantly preached, especially among the people called Methodists. In fact, he contended that the purpose of the Methodist movement was to "spread scriptural holiness across England."
Throughout his life, Wesley remained within the Church of England and insisted that his movement was well within the bounds of the Anglican tradition. His maverick use of church policy put him at odds with many within the Church of England, though toward the end of his life he was widely respected.
John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist movement which grew from the 'Holy Club' of his Oxford friends into a great religious revival. An indefatigable traveller, preacher and writer, Wesley averaged 8,000 miles a year on horseback and gave 15 sermons a week. The reluctance of the Anglican clergy to lend him their pulpits led him to give some of his sermons in the open air, a decision which enabled him to reach those among the poorer sections of society who were not accustomed to going to church.