Missionary Renegade: The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 29 November 2017 "We Need Christ as Our King"

Thursday, November 30, 2017

The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 29 November 2017 "We Need Christ as Our King"

The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 29 November 2017 "We Need Christ as Our King"

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017
A Word from John Wesley
Q: Do we not then need Christ, even on this account [the perfect law of liberty]?
A. The holiest of persons still need Christ as their Prophet, as “the light of the world.” For He does not give them light but from moment to moment: the instant He withdraws, all is darkness. They still need Christ as their King; for God does not give them a stock of holiness. But unless they receive a supply every moment, nothing but unholiness would remain. They still need Christ as their Priest, to make atonement for their holy things. Even perfect holiness is acceptable to God only through Jesus Christ. (John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶25.)
A Hymn from Charles Wesley:
1. Partners of a glorious hope,
Lift your hearts and voices up.
Jointly let us rise and sing
Christ our Prophet, Priest, and King.
2. Monuments of Jesu’s grace,
Speak we by our lives his praise,
Walk in him we have received,
Show we not in vain believed.
3. Hence may all our actions flow,
Love the proof that Christ we know;
Mutual love the token be,
Lord, that we belong to thee.
4. Love, thine image love impart!
Stamp it on our face and heart!
Only love to us be given—
Lord, we ask no other heaven. (Collection-1781, #508:1, 4)
Questions for Reflection:

In John Wesley’s description of the character of a Methodist he wants believers to know that the holiest person, perfected in love, will never be in a place of spiritual independence from Jesus Christ. We are always in a relationship of spiritual interdependence. Why is this important to John Wesley? Is it important to you?
The gift and the challenge of the Wesleyan way of discipleship is this vision of Christian perfection and spiritual transformation. What difference does this make for you? For your family? For your church?
What is the meaning of Charles Wesley’s hymn for us today?

Prayer: You raised up your Son, O God, and seated him at your right hand as the shepherd and king who seeks what is lost, binds up what is wounded, and strengthens what is weak. Empowered by the Spirit, grant that we may share with others that which we have received from your hand, to the honor of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Wesley excerpts are from A Disciple’s Journal—2017: A Guide for Daily Prayer, Bible Reading, and Discipleship, by Steven W. Manskar. Copyright © 2017 Discipleship Resources, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The prayer is reprinted with permission from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002, Consultation on Common Texts.

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