John Wesley on The Means of Grace (and Sacraments)

Summary

In this insightful discussion, the speaker delves into John Wesley's theology of grace, highlighting its alignment with ancient Christian beliefs. They explore the concept of grace as both a gift of God and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, essential for justification and sanctification. The Means of Grace, particularly prayer, Bible study, and sacraments, are emphasized as channels through which God conveys His grace. The talk underscores the importance of personal faith in receiving this grace, especially during Holy Communion, reflecting Wesley's blend of evangelical and sacramental practices.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Grace is a central theme in Christianity, often described as a gift or unmerited favor from God, essential for salvation and a relationship with God.
• 📜 The Greek word for grace is 'charis', which can be translated as 'gift', and in Christian theology, it refers to the undeserved gift from God to sinners.
• 🙏 John Wesley, a key figure in Methodism, defined grace as both the unmerited mercy that forgives sins (justification) and the power of the Holy Spirit that enables sanctification.
• ✝️ Wesleyan theology views grace as the power that not only forgives past sins but also enables individuals to overcome present temptations and grow in holiness.
• 🕊️ The concept of 'means of grace' refers to the ordinary channels through which God conveys His grace, such as prayer, scripture, and sacraments.
• 📖 John Wesley emphasized the importance of the sacraments, particularly Holy Communion, as a means of grace where Christians receive the body and blood of Christ spiritually.
• 🔄 The 'Duty of Constant Communion' sermon by Wesley encourages frequent participation in Holy Communion for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of the soul.
• 🤲 Receiving grace is not just about participating in religious rituals; it requires faith, which Wesley described as having an 'empty hand' to receive God's gifts.
• 🕊️ Wesley's views on grace and the means of grace are in line with the broader Christian tradition, including Anglicanism, emphasizing both personal faith and participation in sacraments.
• 📚 The script encourages Christians to engage with the means of grace actively, not just as part of a service but also through daily practices like prayer and Bible study at home.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the video script?

The central theme of the video script is the concept of grace in Christian theology, particularly as understood by John Wesley and its connection to the ancient church's teachings. It discusses how grace is received and the role of 'means of grace' in Christian spiritual practices.

What does the Greek word 'charis' signify in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'charis' signifies 'grace' and is often used in Christian theology to denote the gift of God given to unworthy sinners, which is undeserved.

How does John Wesley define grace in his sermon 'The Witness of Our Own Spirit'?

John Wesley defines grace as the free love or unmerited mercy by which a sinner is reconciled to God through the merits of Christ, and also as the power of the Holy Ghost working in us to will and to do God's good pleasure.

What are the two aspects of grace mentioned by John Wesley?

John Wesley mentions two aspects of grace: the unmerited favor or free gift of love that forgives sins and brings about justification, and the power of the Holy Spirit that enables sanctification, helping individuals to overcome temptation and grow more like Jesus.

What does the term 'means of grace' refer to in the script?

The term 'means of grace' refers to the outward signs, words, or actions ordained by God to be the ordinary channels through which He conveys preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace to individuals.

According to John Wesley, what are the chief means of grace?

According to John Wesley, the chief means of grace are prayer, searching the scriptures, and the Lord's Supper (holy communion).

What is the significance of the sacraments in conveying grace, as per the script?

Sacraments, particularly the Lord's Supper, are significant means of grace because they are outward signs that convey inward and spiritual grace, which is the body and blood of Christ, providing forgiveness of sins and strength to the soul.

How does the script connect the Wesleyan revival to both evangelical and sacramental aspects?

The script connects the Wesleyan revival to both evangelical and sacramental aspects by emphasizing personal conversion experiences and commitment to Jesus Christ, alongside the importance of sacraments and spiritual disciplines as means of grace.

What does John Wesley say about the frequency of receiving holy communion?

John Wesley encourages Christians to receive holy communion as often as possible, highlighting the great benefits of forgiveness of past sins and the present strengthening or refreshment of souls.

How does the script describe the role of faith in receiving grace?

The script describes faith as having an 'empty hand' that receives the gift of grace. It is through faith that individuals can access and appropriate the grace that God offers, making it real and transformative in their lives.

What does the script suggest about the continuity of Wesley's theology with the ancient church?

The script suggests that Wesley's theology is in continuity with the ancient church by affirming the real presence of Christ in the sacraments, the importance of means of grace, and the role of faith in receiving God's grace, all of which are consistent with the historic Christian orthodoxy.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Understanding Grace in Christian Theology

The speaker begins by introducing the concept of grace in Christian theology, emphasizing its significance as the unmerited favor of God. They discuss the term's origin from the Greek word 'charis' and its translation as 'gift.' The focus is on how grace is central to salvation, forgiveness, and the Christian life. The speaker highlights John Wesley's views on grace, which align with the broader Christian tradition, and explains how grace operates in justification and sanctification. Wesley's definition of grace is explored, emphasizing the free love and mercy of God that reconciles sinners to God through Christ's merits.

05:00

📚 The Means of Grace: Channels of Divine Connection

This section delves into the concept of 'means of grace,' which are the ordinary channels through which God conveys grace. The speaker clarifies that these are not works to earn grace but are places where God promises to meet us with His grace. John Wesley's sermon on the means of grace is referenced, highlighting that these means are outward signs, words, or actions ordained by God. The speaker also discusses the historical use of the term within the Christian church, particularly in the Anglican tradition, and how sacraments function as means of grace, conveying inward grace through outward signs.

10:03

🍞🍷 The Lord's Supper: A Primary Means of Grace

The paragraph focuses on the Lord's Supper as a primary means of grace, where the speaker discusses its significance in Wesleyan theology. It is presented as a way to receive the body and blood of Christ, which represents the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of the soul. The speaker emphasizes the real presence of Christ in the sacrament, aligning with historic Christian beliefs. The benefits of participating in the Lord's Supper are outlined, including the pardon of sins and spiritual refreshment, with a call to frequent participation as a response to Christ's command and the promise of grace.

15:04

🙏 The Role of Faith in Receiving Grace

This section underscores the necessity of faith in receiving grace. The speaker explains that while God offers grace through the means of grace, it is received by the individual through faith. They reference biblical passages to support the idea that faith is the channel through which grace is accessed and internalized. The speaker also touches on the idea of an 'empty hand' as a metaphor for the posture of faith in receiving God's gifts, and how this aligns with both Catholic and Evangelical understandings of grace.

20:07

📖 The Bible, Prayer, and Sacraments: Essential Means of Grace

The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of the Bible, prayer, and sacraments as essential means of grace. They discuss how these practices are not merely rituals but are active engagements with God's grace. The speaker encourages regular participation in these means of grace, suggesting that they are pathways for God's saving grace to enter one's life. The paragraph ends with an invitation to reflect on these teachings and to engage more deeply with the means of grace through personal study and participation in church services.

25:09

✝️ Embracing the Means of Grace for Spiritual Growth

In the final paragraph, the speaker summarizes the Wesleyan theology of the means of grace and how they are essential for spiritual growth. They reiterate the importance of engaging with prayer, studying the Bible, and participating in the sacraments as ways to receive and appropriate God's grace. The speaker concludes with an encouragement to commit to these practices with open and faithful hearts, and a prayer for the viewer's blessing and spiritual well-being.

Keywords

💡Grace

Grace, in the context of the video, is defined as the unmerited favor or free gift of love from God, particularly emphasizing God's forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit working within individuals to save them from their sins and to sanctify them. It is a central theme of the video, with the speaker discussing how grace is received through spiritual practices and is essential for the Christian life. The video references the concept of grace as both a gift that is undeserved and a power that enables individuals to live righteously.

💡John Wesley

John Wesley is a key figure in the video, known as the founder of Methodism. His theology is highlighted as a reflection of the ancient church's teachings on grace. The video discusses Wesley's views on grace as both a free gift of love and a power that works within individuals, as well as his emphasis on the means of grace, such as prayer, scripture, and sacraments.

💡Means of Grace

Means of Grace refers to the outward signs, words, or actions ordained by God to be the ordinary channels for conveying grace to individuals. In the video, it is explained that these are the ways God has promised to meet people with His grace, such as prayer, studying the scriptures, and participating in sacraments. The video emphasizes that these practices are not works done to earn God's grace but are places where God's grace is received.

💡Justification

Justification is a theological term used in the video to describe the act of being declared righteous by God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is part of the grace that comes from God, as it involves forgiveness of past sins and the restoration of the relationship with God. The video mentions that justification is a gift of grace and is one of the ways God's grace is experienced through the means of grace.

💡Sanctification

Sanctification is discussed in the video as the process of becoming more holy and righteous, enabled by God's grace. It is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, helping them to overcome temptation and to grow in their relationship with God. The video connects sanctification with the grace received through the means of grace, such as prayer and sacraments.

💡Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is mentioned as the power of God that works within individuals to will and to do God's good pleasure. In the video, the Holy Spirit is associated with grace, as it is the agent through which God's grace is actively at work in the lives of believers, enabling them to live in accordance with God's will and to grow in their faith.

💡Sacraments

Sacraments are defined in the video as outward signs of inward grace, which are means by which individuals receive the grace that God offers. The video specifically discusses the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion) as a sacrament, where the bread and wine are considered the outward signs that convey the inward grace of the body and blood of Christ, providing spiritual nourishment and strength to the soul.

💡Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper, also known as Holy Communion, is a central theme in the video. It is described as a means of grace where believers partake in the bread and wine as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. The video emphasizes the belief in the real presence of Christ in the elements of communion, suggesting that through this sacrament, believers receive the forgiveness of sins and spiritual strength.

💡Faith

Faith is discussed as the means by which individuals receive God's grace. It is portrayed as an 'empty hand' that is open to receive the gifts of God, such as forgiveness and spiritual strength. The video connects faith with the act of participation in the means of grace, suggesting that it is through faith that one truly experiences and benefits from God's grace.

💡Evangelical

The term 'Evangelical' is used in the video to describe the emphasis on personal conversion experiences and the commitment to Jesus Christ. The video highlights that Wesleyan theology combines this evangelical focus with a sacramental and liturgical emphasis, reflecting a balance between personal faith and participation in the means of grace.

Highlights

Grace is a critical concept in Christianity, often described as a gift or unmerited favor from God.

John Wesley's theology of grace is rooted in the ancient church and early church fathers' teachings.

Grace is necessary for salvation, eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and a relationship with God.

The Greek word for grace, 'charis,' signifies an undeserved gift from God to sinners.

Wesleyan theology emphasizes that grace encompasses both forgiveness (justification) and the power to live righteously (sanctification).

John Wesley defined grace as both unmerited mercy and the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.

Grace is given to us through what are known as the 'means of grace,' which are ordinary channels through which God conveys His grace.

The means of grace include prayer, scripture study, and sacraments, with a particular emphasis on the Lord's Supper.

John Wesley's view of the sacraments aligns with the Anglican tradition, seeing them as outward signs of inward grace.

The Lord's Supper is considered the chief means of grace, where Christians receive the body and blood of Christ spiritually.

Wesleyan theology maintains that Christians should participate in the Lord's Supper frequently for spiritual strength and growth.

The benefits of participating in the Lord's Supper include the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of the soul.

John Wesley's understanding of grace and the means of grace reflects a balance between sacramental and evangelical emphases.

Faith is essential to receive the grace offered through the means of grace; it is the hand that receives the gift from God.

Wesleyan theology invites Christians to a personal faith experience while also valuing the communal and sacramental aspects of the faith.

The Methodist Church's Articles of Religion affirm the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, similar to Anglican beliefs.

John Wesley's teachings on grace and the means of grace are a call to Christians to engage actively in spiritual practices for personal and communal growth.

Transcripts

hey everybody

i want to talk today about grace about

the

spiritual practices that we call the

memes of grace

and uh john wesley's theology and how it

is in fact a reflection of

the much older theology of the ancient

church the the

uh the faith of the catholic or

universal church all the way back

to the early church fathers so uh grace

is important obviously we talk about

we're saved by grace by grace alone

are we saved and we sing amazing grace

how sweet the sound that saved a wretch

like me

obviously grace is critical for the

christian life

excuse me i'm having a little tea here

it's a nice afternoon for tea

so we're saved by god's grace we have to

have god's grace if we're going to have

eternal life if we're going to have

heaven if we're going to have

relationship with god if we're going to

have forgiveness of sins all these

things that

our faith the christian faith promises

to us that comes to us by grace

so what do we mean by grace uh grace

the greek word is charis and it can

simply be translated as

gift but it's often in christian

theology used in a slightly more

technical sense

um it's the gift of god given to

unworthy sinners so it's

it's a gift that is undeserved and so

this is uh what wesley says as you'll

hear in just a moment

and it's a gift that is given in order

to save us to save us from our sins by

forgiving us in the past

and also we call it justification

and also grace enables us to overcome

temptation

in the present and be more holy and be

more righteous and we call that

sanctification these justification and

sanctification those moves are very

important in wesleyan theology as i

talked about in

one of my recent videos so that is all a

gift of grace

everything begins with god's grace so

here's how wesley defines grace and this

is from sermon 11 the witness of our own

spirit

he says by the grace of god is sometimes

to be understood

that free love that unmerited mercy

by which i a sinner through the merits

of christ

right not because i deserve it but

because christ has merited it

uh i a center through the merits of

christ am now reconciled

to god brought back in a relationship

with god that's justification i'm

forgiven

i'm brought back to god through the

merits of jesus christ so

wesley says that's sometimes what we

mean when we talk about grace that

unmerited

favor that free gift of love but then he

goes on to say

um but in this place and he's preaching

from second corinthians 1 12.

so he says in that verse when you read

the word grace

rather he says it means that power of

the holy ghost

which and he's quoting again

worketh in us both to will and to do his

good pleasure philippians 2 13.

so the holy spirit working in us to

will to desire what god wants and also

to do it to put it into action to live

the way god wants us to live

the holy spirit doing that work in us is

also sometimes called grace

in the bible and then wesley says

as soon as ever the grace of god and the

former sins the forgiveness

by his free gift as soon as the grace

and the former sense

his pardoning love is manifested to our

souls

then the grace of god in the latter

sense the power of the holy spirit

also takes place therein so we need the

grace of god to be forgiven of our sins

and we need the grace of god to

to overcome sin and to grow more like

jesus and to live a faithful

life as christians now so far what

wesley has said and as i'm

kind of laying it out here is i would

say pretty uncontroversial i mean roman

catholics

protestants eastern orthodox would

basically agree on these things

and certainly this is what's been

understood in the whole

church throughout the ages i mean you

can always find some

crazy sect or teacher uh on any teaching

that goes off on their own but but

wesley is right here in the mainstream

of classic christian orthodoxy

all right so how then

does god ordinarily give grace

to us and this is i think where you

begin to see

different christian denominations or

traditions emphasizing different things

but again what wesley is trying to show

is that he's standing right in the

mainstream of his own

anglican tradition which does stretch

back all the way to the early church

and and this is the historic this is the

universal this is the catholic

uh christian faith this is the classic

christian understanding so how does god

give grace through what we call

the means of grace well what is that the

first time i read john wesley's sermon

the means of grace i read the title and

i thought oh man he's talking about some

some works you do to earn god's grace

that's not what we mean by means of

grace we're not forcing god to do

anything

we are going to those places where god

has already promised

to meet us with his grace and god always

keeps his promises

that's really the foundation of our

understanding of the means of grace

so here's what john wesley says this is

from his sermon sermon 12

the means of grace uh roman numeral 2

section 1.

so here's what he says by means of grace

i understand

outward signs words or actions ordained

of god

and appointed for this end for this

purpose

to be the ordinary channels whereby he

might convey to men

preventing justifying or sanctifying

grace

so these are the ordinary channels the

usual ways not necessarily the only ways

god

can work however he wants but these are

the ordinary usual ways that god brings

pre pre-says preventing we say

prevenient nowadays

uh prevenient grace the grace that draws

us to faith

before we even believe justifying grace

that pardons us from our sins

and sanctifying grace it helps us grow

more like jesus

normally these movements of grace

are conveyed into our life through

the means of grace which we participate

in

so john wesley goes on to explain why he

uses that term means of grace and

wesley's not the only one

as i mentioned who uses it you will find

reformed and lutheran

uh and probably roman catholic teachers

as well using this phrase the means of

grace

to talk about these spiritual practices

so john wesley says i use this

expression means of grace

because i know none better and because

it has been generally used in the

christian church for many ages so all

the way back to the early church

uh this is our consistent theology and

because it has been generally

uh and he says it's been generally used

in the christian church for many ages

and in particular by our own church the

church of england the anglican church

which directs us to and now he's going

to quote from the prayer book

directs us to bless god both quote for

the means of grace

and for the hope of glory

so in the uh book of common prayer

the church of england the anglican

tradition which john wesley loved and

prayed with every day

in the morning and evening prayer

service in most modern prayer books

there is a prayer called

the general thanksgiving it's a

beautiful prayer it's also in the united

methodist book of worship

i think it's around 5 50 and um

it's without looking it up um and and it

it's this beautiful prayer i heard

somewhere that queen elizabeth wrote it

i'm not sure if that's true

uh but it's this beautiful prayer of

thanksgiving for all god's mercies and

one of the things that this prayer

teaches us to thank god for

is the means of grace and the hope of

glory

so the means of grace wesley is

basically saying this is

a phrase that's used in the anglican

tradition which he's a part of

and so it's a legit it's a legit

theological move to make

and um and then he says that uh his

church the anglican church

also teaches us that a sacrament is

an outward sign of an inward grace and a

means whereby

we receive the same so again he's

quoting from the prayer book of 1662

book of common prayer

and there's a catechism in there which

is question and answer

uh outline of the faith and it says

you know what is a sacrament a sacrament

is an outward sign of an inward grace

and a means whereby we receive the same

so this is important for our sacramental

theology and

wesley is in this sermon talk about

wesley in theology

uh wesley is endorsing the anglican view

which is

what he says he did on every topic um

a sacrament is an outward sign so you

think like water with baptism you think

bread and wine with holy communion the

outward

tangible physical sign of an inward

grace

and the means whereby we receive the

same that that inward

grace and so in a moment we're going to

talk about what is the inward grace

that god gives through the sacrament of

holy communion

but wesley is affirming the the anglican

position here this is the wesleyan

position as well that this is a means of

grace

the chief of these means so so he's

already explained then

we need god's grace to save us uh to

justify us forgive us

to sanctify us make us more like jesus

and god

normally gives that grace to us

through things called the means of grace

and he's already identified

that the sacraments are means of grace

he goes on and we're still looking at uh

sermon 12 the means of grace by john

wesley

he goes on in the next section to say

the chief or the the most important or

uh

the main ones the chief of these means

these means of grace

are prayer whether in secret or with the

great congregation so you pray at home

by yourself you go to church and pray

these inherited prayers you know or the

communion prayer

you pray with other believers so prayer

and then searching the scriptures which

implies

reading hearing and meditating thereon

so you're reading the bible at home by

yourself or you're going to church to

read the bible with the congregation and

hear a sermon based on the bible

that's a means of grace searching the

scriptures and finally

he says the other chief means of grace

is the lord's supper

eating bread and drinking wine in

remembrance of him of christ

and these we believe to be ordained of

god

as the ordinary channels of congress of

conveying his grace

to the souls of men okay

so the means of grace are the way that

god conveys grace into our souls

and the most significant or important of

them are prayer

studying learning from the bible and

receiving

the sacrament

and it is through these and the other

means of grace that

god works his his saving work within us

he conveys

justifying and sanctifying grace to save

us

uh through these means

um so i'm going to talk a little bit

more about what john wesley says about

holy communion in just a moment

uh but this is uh really important for

understanding the character of the

wesleyan revival

because the wesleyan revival certainly

an event

an evangelical revival evangelistic

revival

drawing people to have personal

conversion experiences to commit their

lives and their hearts to jesus christ

and

you know to say i confess i'm a sinner i

need jesus to save me and i've decided

to follow jesus and receive his grace

and

um all that good stuff that we think

about when we think about

an evangelistic revival or an

evangelical revival

but it was also for wesley

and uh people who stayed close to his

his line of thinking

it was also a sacramental revival

and uh it was a liturgical revival in

some ways as well

and so uh there's an emphasis within

methodist theology

on both the evangelical the the

evangelistic the personal conversion

uh the the i you know give your heart to

jesus and and

um and begin walking a new life be born

again

the kind of evangelical emphasis that we

had out on the the

frontiers of the big tent revivals

combined with

an emphasis on the sacraments and the

spiritual disciplines

as means of grace and you see this in

wesley and often in methodist circles

people tend to

pick one or the other but wesley holds

them both

together and i think everything i just

said is kind of true of anglicanism as

well they're anglicans that kind of lean

this way or lean this way

but the genius is to hold both together

and wesley always insisted

he was nothing other than a prayer book

anglican who was like

really doing the stuff that that

everybody had been talking about

so god says wesley gives grace

through holy communion now um

i think it's very easy to make that case

from the scripture

if you look at um passages like first

corinthians 10

excuse me

and first corinthians 11 and other

passages that talk about the lord's

supper

if you think about covenant and what

especially luke's gospel when the

institution narrative says you look at

john chapter 6 and

meditate on what does what does

communion with christ

mean in light of this means of grace

that he's given

and others um so uh

god definitely promises to give grace

through holy communion and the the

phrase that

is often used because this is the phrase

jesus uses

is the body and blood of christ are

given to us in holy communion

and different christians understand that

in different ways but the historic

catholic teaching of the universal

church all the way back to the early

church fathers is yes

in some mysterious sense when we receive

this bread and wine

we receive the body and blood of christ

and wesley as you're about to hear

affirms that this may come as a surprise

to some methodists but

the articles of religion the official

doctrinal statement

of the methodists affirms the same thing

that when we receive the bread and the

wine

we receive the body and blood of christ

and all the benefits of his passion

in a heavenly or a spiritual manner

and exactly what that means is you know

there are different schools of thought

but it is an affirmation

that we receive the real presence of

christ

so in his sermon

and this is uh did i mention the article

of religion

of the methodist church it's basically

cut and paste

straight out of the articles of religion

of the anglican church the 39 articles

so wesley just took the teaching on the

sacraments

and imported it to the methodist and i

hope to do a video series on the

articles of religion

when i have some time to do some more

research on that so we'll see

um but here's what he says okay so we

need god's grace to save us

the means of grace are the usual ways

that god

conveys that grace to us and what are

the means of grace well

prayer bible teaching

studying meditating on the bible and the

sacraments especially the lord's supper

which is something we wesley wants us to

do it

uh continually right constantly we have

a duty of constant communion

that's the title of one of his sermons

and that's the sermon that i'm quoting

from next

so he says a second reason this is uh

the duty of constant communion

section 1 roman numeral 1.2

and following a second reason why every

christian

should do this receive holy communion as

often as he can

is because the benefits of doing it are

so great

to all that do it in obedience to him

and what are those benefits well he says

the forgiveness of our past

sins and the present strengthening

or refreshment of our souls

so the grace of god given herein in holy

communion

confirms to us the pardon of our sins

and enables us to leave them

so again god is promising us forgiving

grace

and the power to overcome temptation so

justification

and sanctification are yours that's what

god is promising us

when we receive the bread and wine and

then wesley says

and but also giving strength and

refreshment to our souls so he goes on

to say

as our bodies are strengthened by bread

and wine

so are our souls by these tokens of the

body and blood of christ

this is the food of our souls this gives

strength to perform our duty and leads

us on to perfection

if therefore we have any regard for the

plain command of christ that's where he

started the first reason we should do

this often is because he says to

uh and then second reason because these

are the great benefits the grace that is

given here

so we if we if therefore we have any

regard for the plain command of christ

if we desire the pardon of our sins if

we wish

for strength to believe to love and obey

god

then we should neglect no opportunity of

receiving the lord's supper

so what is god giving you what are the

benefits of christ's passion to use the

the language of our old liturgy

that he's sharing with us well the

pardon according to wesley the pardon of

our sins

strength to believe and to love and obey

god

justification sanctification the grace

to forgive and to strengthen

that's what god shares with us when we

receive holy communion that's how

he gives us normally that grace

and finally in the duty of constant

communion

roman numeral 1 section 5

wesley says in order to understand the

nature of the lord's supper

it would be useful to carefully read

over those passages in the gospel

and in the first epistle to the

corinthians which speak of the

institution of it

hence we learned that the design of the

sacrament is

hold on

we learned that the design of this

sacrament is

the continual remembrance of the death

of christ

do this in remembrance of me by eating

bread and drinking wine

which are the outward signs of the

inward grace

the body and blood of christ so again

wesley affirms

the classic anglican definition and

understanding

bread and wine are the outward invisible

signs

that convey to us that inward and

spiritual grace and what is that inward

and spiritual grace

the body and blood of christ so that's

what wesley says

in the duty of constant communion this

is why

wesleyans if they're following wesley

believe in the real presence in exactly

the same terms that anglicanism

and anglicans believe in the real

presence of christ

so god works usually doesn't have to but

usually

through the means of grace in order to

share

saving grace with us that's how god

offers this stuff conveys it to us but

there's still

a piece on our end we have to receive it

uh we have to receive it how do we do

that

well we do it by participating in the

means of grace of course

but by doing that not merely as you know

a religious ritual that we have to do

but with real faith faith is what

enables

us to receive that grace and this is

again

exactly the classic anglican

understanding and wesley affirms in very

clear terms

and biblically you can look at a passage

like romans chapter 5 verse 2

it says through him jesus we have

obtained access

by faith into this grace

in which we stand and we rejoice in hope

of the glory of god so how do we

have access to this faith i mean to this

grace in which we now stand we have

access to grace

by faith here's what uh wesley's

says in his comment on ephesians chapter

2 verse 8

which is really fundamental for wesley's

theology

ephesians 2 8 by grace you have been

saved

through faith and here's what wesley

says

grace without any respect to human

worthiness

confers the glorious gift

faith with an empty hand and without any

pretense at personal desert or deserving

receives the heavenly blessing so god

gives us salvation by grace

and he normally conveys that grace

through the means of grace

through prayer through the bible the

study the receiving of the bible the

word

and through the sacraments

that's how god gives grace into our

lives but we on our

end must receive it how do you receive

it

by faith faith has like an empty open

hand

to receive it i mean you think about how

we actually receive holy communion

um the the usually pastor the minister

priest representing the body of christ

jesus active in the world through his

body

gives the gift and we open our hands and

we receive it

that's a great actual sign right there

and this is why wesley in sacramento

theology

is is both uh classic or catholic

representing the ancient faith all the

way back to the early church fathers

and evangelical because we're saying god

works to give grace

through the sacraments the grace that we

need to be saved but

you must have a personal faith if that's

going to be real for you if you're going

to receive it if it's going to change

your life

you have to receive it with faith

and so there's that evangelistic call

to turn and believe in jesus alongside

uh the sacramental offer uh here's the

gift of god

and it's offered to you and those

actually go together because if god

makes a promise and says i'm giving you

a gift

that creates an opportunity for you

either to believe the promise

have faith an opportunity for personal

faith has been created

by the giving of promise or or you can

you know reject the promise and say i

don't believe that in which case it

doesn't

change your life it doesn't it doesn't

do anything for you

um so that's a little bit uh almost 25

minutes so

what john wesley has to say about grace

the gift of god

the unmerited favor of god the power of

the holy spirit in our lives to love god

and obey god that's grace

and that's what god gives us and he

gives it to us

in any number of ways but usually

through the means of grace

and the most important means of grace

are prayer

the bible and the sacraments which are

outward invisible signs

that convey an inward and spiritual

grace

there are other spiritual practices

spiritual disciplines that we

also call means of grace those are not

the only three those are just the big

three

other means of grace are things like

fasting uh

giving generously giving alms you think

about what jesus the ones jesus talks

about in

matthew chapter six um you think about

things like solitude retreat

um there are many uh actual

means of grace or spiritual practices

that open us to the grace of god

even things like pilgrimage so um

yeah lots of means of grace but the big

ones prayer

bible sacrament all of which are

contained within the sunday service

every sunday and that's why it's

important to participate

but you can also pray and study

scripture uh on a daily basis at home as

well

and you should because these things are

means of grace

god works through them to convey saving

grace into our souls

into our lives and we grab hold of

and receive and appropriate

that gift we unwrap the gift as it were

by faith by trusting in christ

so that's the wesleyan theology uh

behind the sacraments behind

the means of grace in general and how it

is that we receive

god's grace so i hope if you're

interested in methodist theology or

anglican theology that that

is helpful for you maybe that will stir

some more questions you can put them in

the comments if you want

or go do some further research on your

own

and i hope if you found this video

helpful you will hit that thumbs up

button you will share it with people

and i hope if if nothing else i hope

this sends you back to the bible

uh to ponder these things and

to dedicate yourself anew to actually

participating in the means of grace and

receiving

the gifts with open and faithful hearts

that god

loves and delights to give until we

connect again i pray that the lord will

bless you

and keep you always amen