Methodist theologian Albert Outler called The Scripture Way of Salvation “the most successful summary of the Wesleyan vision of the [order of salvation] in the entire sermon corpus.” Here we see Wesley outlining the movement of prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace in the life of the believer and salvation as "a present thing, a blessing which, through the free mercy of God, ye are now in possession of.” In this episode, host Bob Kaylor looks at the importance of entire sanctification and the optimistic view that we can expect it and expect it now.

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"There is scarce any expression in Holy Writ which has given more offense than this...And whosoever 'preaches perfection,' [and] asserts that it is attainable in this life, run great hazard of being accounted by them worse than a heathen or a publican." These opening lines to John Wesley's sermon indicate that Christian Perfection is a widely misunderstood doctrine, even though it is at the heart of the Scriptures. Understanding what this term means is essential to understanding the key emphasis in Methodism. In this episode, Bob Kaylor unpacks Wesley's explanation of "perfection" and how it is audaciously optimistic about what the grace of God can do in the life of the believer. 

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Read A Plain Account of Christian Perfection

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John Wesley believed that the doctrine of entire sanctification is the "grand depositum which God has lodged with the people called Methodists, and for the sake of propagating this chiefly He appeared to have raised us up." Christian perfection, entire sanctification, holiness of heart and life--all these are ways of describing the end goal of the Christian life. In this early sermon of Wesley's, written in 1733 and revised later for publication, John Wesley describes entire sanctification as a "circumcision of the heart" that marks us as people who have "a mind and spirit renewed after the image of himself who created it." Understanding and aiming toward this core doctrine is essential for authentic Methodism. 

Read The Circumcision of the Heart

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How does the grace of God come to us? The ways are limitless, of course, but John Wesley argues that there are some "ordinary means" or what we might call "holy habits" through which the grace of God becomes activated in us through the power of the Spirit increasing our capacity to love God and our neighbors. In this sermon, Wesley looks at three of these "instituted" means of grace--those specifically instituted or commanded by Christ. Prayer, searching the Scriptures, and the Lord's Supper are means of grace that convey to us "Christ and all his benefits." Join Bob Kaylor as he looks at these means of grace and as he makes an appeal for pastors and churches to consider making the Lord's Supper a central means of grace in every worship service. 

Read The Means of Grace

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On August 24, 1744, John Wesley ascended the pulpit at St. Mary's Church in Oxford and delivered a pointed sermon to the faculty and students on the nature of "scriptural Christianity." Wesley pulled no punches and knew that this would be the last sermon he would ever deliver in that place. In his Journal that day he wrote, "I preached for the last time before the University of Oxford. I am now clear of the blood of these men. I have fully delivered my soul." 

"Scriptural Christianity" is the sermon that marked the final transition of Wesley from Oxford don to itinerant field preacher and movement organizer. It's a sermon focused on the "ordinary" gifts of the Holy Spirit given to all Christians and calls its hearers to evaluate whether or not they are living lives of true holiness. It's a sermon that could just as easily been delivered to clergy and leaders in the church today, asking the question, "Where is this scriptural Christianity to be found?" It's a sermon that really cuts to the heart and calls for all Christians, particularly those in the Methodist tribe, to consider the state of their own lives and that of their churches and communities. 

Join host Bob Kaylor for a deep dive into this important and convicting sermon.

Read Scriptural Christianity

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What does it mean to be "born again?" How do Wesleyans understand the new birth? These are key questions for John Wesley who believed that being "born again" wasn't merely a state of being "saved" but was really the beginning of a new life marked by faith (including power over sin), hope, and holy love. Join host Bob Kaylor as he looks at these three "Marks of the New Birth" and their implications for understanding the Wesleyan way. 

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In this sermon, which was written shortly after his Aldersgate experience, John Wesley expounds on the core doctrine of the Reformation: salvation by grace through faith. For Wesley, however, that salvation is about more than just a ticket to heaven--it's the activation of God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, transforming him or her from the inside out, moving them toward sanctification, and giving him or her power over sin. Join host Bob Kaylor for a look at this important sermon and the distinctive Wesleyan accent it gives to the teaching of the Reformation. 

Read Salvation by Faith

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In this sermon, Wesley describes the difference between the "almost" and "altogether" Christian. The answer may surprise you. Join host Bob Kaylor for a deep dive into this important sermon and take some time to engage in the self-examination in which Wesley challenges his readers to engage. Are you "almost" or "altogether?"

Read "The Almost Christian." 

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Join host Bob Kaylor for a look at John Wesley's sermon "The Spirit of Bondage and Adoption" and its invitation to self-examination. Are you in the natural, legal, or evangelical state when it comes to your relationship with God? See also Charles Wesley's sermon "Awake, Thou That Sleepest" for a similar theme on spiritual awakening. 

Read "The Spirit of Bondage and Adoption"

Read "Awake Thou That Sleepest" 

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Wesley wrote this sermon in 1739 in response to the Calvinist doctrine of predestination. In this episode, Bob and Jason take a look at Wesley's critique and offer some contrasts with the Wesleyan idea of prevenient grace. Discover how Wesley's vision of God's grace is both "free in all" and "free for all." 

To read Free Grace, click here. 

Contact the show by emailing Bob at [email protected].