In this series, 60 of Wesley's sermons will be summarized into about 250 words. I'm using the work of Collins/Vickers as my source (for transcripts and order), but the summaries are mine (so any misrepresentations of Wesley may be attributed to me).
THE WAY TO THE KINGDOM
The kingdom of God (which is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, Romans 14:17) is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).
The kingdom of God refers to true religion. It is all about God reigning in your heart.
True religion is not about what you do with your hands (whether it be rituals or good works). Certainly bad behavior (or the absence of good deeds) is evidence one does not have true religion, but good behavior is no guarantee of a person’s true religious state.
True religion is also not a matter of mere mental assent to the right creeds, doctrines, and opinions. It’s not about what’s in your head (after all, the devil holds the right religious opinions). Rituals, good works, and right beliefs have their place, but they are not true religion.
True religion is about righteousness. Righteousness is inseparable from love… love for God and love for your neighbor. Love is a matter of the heart. True religion is a matter of peace and joy in the heart due to the presence of the Spirit. True religion is in the heart.
The way to this ‘true religion’ is, first, repentance (a deep sense of personal sin and hopelessness) and then believing the Gospel (trusting in Jesus Christ). True religion is confirmed by a loving relationship with God.
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