Recently I read the sermon Charles Wesley preached at Oxford University, April 4, 1742, “Awake Thou That Sleepest.” I wish I was even half as poetic and even half as firey! Wesley said, “Shackled by misery and chains, the sleepers dream that they are free” and “You are sinking into the depth of damnation, the abyss of God’s final condemnation.” The responses were one of two, conviction followed by repentance or insult with indignation. Where has the fire gone? It wasn’t that Wesley necessarily disagreed with the theology of the Church of England, but quite to the contrary. The Wesleys disagreed with the lethargy and “Laodicean spirit” they encountered in the Church of England. Nor do I take issue with the theology and doctrine of the United Methodist Church, but I do take issue with the lethargy and “Laodicean spirit” with which so many United Methodists (and Christians of all denominations) approach God. We are “slumbering in the devil’s arms,” as Charles Wesley would say.

What then is the proper response? Approach prayer, fellowship, and Bible study with enthusiasm, excitement, and exuberance. We have no time for petty differences with Church leaders or with each other – Jesus is coming! If we would enter into enthusiastic corporate prayer, petty differences would dissipate and the fire of revival would be rekindled. I say rekindled, because at one point in the history of American Methodism it was estimated that 40% of the population of the United States were Methodists. This population explosion didn’t happen because of covered dish suppers, it happened because of prayer and evangelism. Let’s get back to the basics – prayer, fellowship, and Bible study. If we enthusiastically do these three, evangelism and church growth will follow. We must be more responsive to the call of God who calls us to engage Him and each other. Few churches can boast of success in ongoing corporate prayer meetings. Most churches start with 10% - 20% of church membership attending such prayer meetings but soon drop to 1% or 2% in attendance. A mere 2% of church membership at corporate prayer gatherings does not constitute enthusiasm! Granted we do better at Bible studies and fellowship events, although our fellowship is often segregated into typical and existing clicks (and I am as guilty as you). I suppose you will have one of two responses to this article: conviction followed by repentance or insult with indignation. Which will you choose?

Your servant,

Pastor John

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 10:46 am