“The First Fruits of the Spirit”
John Wesley Sermon Series
(taken from John Wesley on Christian Beliefs, The Standard Sermons in Modern English, Vol. 1, Abingdon Press:2002)
Romans 8:1-17
July 13, 2003
I. Introduction – How many of us have ever felt condemned? What’s the first word that comes into your mind when I say condemnation?
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Story – Martin Luther. In his search for salvation, found himself at a monastery. In the Catholic faith, salvation comes through the church, through its priests and the sacraments. For Luther, this system wasn’t working.
As a monk, Luther denied himself all the creature comforts. He gave up food. Often slept outdoors with only his cloak to cover him even in the midst of winter, and even beat himself causing open wounds in order to identify with this Christ and the salvation he sought.
But then it came to him. As a Bible professor in a small Catholic seminary, he came across this passage in Romans and of others which spoke of grace and benefits of that grace…and it changed his life.
So much so that he began to teach, preach, and live out this “new form” of grace-filled, Spirit-filled living. He even began to write about it. And on the evening of May 24, 1738, a young troubled-filled Anglican priest, by the name of John Wesley, heard the words of Martin Luther on this very text, and his heart became strangely warmed.
So warmed it was that 265 years later, we sit here with Methodist in our name, representing our belief that grace is the greatest gift ever given, because Martin Luther made the discovery and decided to share it.
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Romans 8 is a powerful chapter in the Bible, not only were Martin Luther and John Wesley affected by its words, even St. Augustine was convincted by its 13 & fourteenth verses.
But Romans 8 is also one of those passages of Scripture that has been frequently and dangerously misunderstood. On one extreme, some Christians read this passage and then neglect repentance and personal discipline.
On the other hand, some Christians get so overwhelmed with a sense of guilt about their sin, that they lose sight of the joy, peace and victory that the Gospel message brings leading them to depression and despair. In reality, this passage talks about a Christian principle that says we hold both tendencies in tandem with one another.
For those who have come to a living relationship with Jesus Christ, who have accepted the free gift of God’s grace, we realize that sin cannot be ignored or overlooked in our lives. Our willful transgressions and involuntary human weaknesses often try to outdo us.
But, we do not have to be overwhelmed. We do not have to be depressed. We don’t have to be in despair. We are not condemned! Even though our sins may overwhelm, depress, and create despair, we have a hope, we have a peace, we have a joy, and that is found in the mercy of the One who invited us to His table of redemption in the first place, Jesus Christ.
For those who may not have that relationship, I invite you to listen closely, this message is one of the greatest benefits of walking the journey with Christ.
For those who have that relationship, I invite you to listen closely as well. We all need to be reminded of the sanctifying nature, the continual loving and grace-filled nature, of Christ that allows “our spirit to witness to the Spirit.”
But some may ash how do we know that we are walking, that we abide in the
Spirit? Wesley gave us some characteristics of the first-fruit Spirit-filled Christian.
II. Characteristics of the First-Fruit Spirit-filled Christian…
As we talked about two weeks ago,
They are not the almost Christian…they are all together in that they love God, love one another, and love living out the faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
As we talked about last week,
They are not the one trying to work for their salvation…
…they have come to salvation by faith,
…they have found redemption in the cross,
…they are the engrafted branch into the vine,
…they have a relationship with Jesus Christ that they never realized the wonder of before their conversion.
According to Paul, Those who walk in the first-fruits of the Spirit no longer look to their human nature for answers, walking according to their flesh. Instead, they live by the Spirit, and the Spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, which are not only evident in their lives, but are lived-out in their personal faith.
Wesley said of these, “In the whole course of their words and actions, they hold in their hearts and demonstrate in their lives the genuine fruit of the Spirit of God…they give full proof to everyone that they are truly motivated by the same Spirit, ‘who raised Christ from the dead.’”
The question is “do these characteristics sound familiar”? If so, good. If not, then I invite you to take that step of faith. Including in that faith are many benefits, one of those is assurance of no condemnation.
III. First Fruit, Spirit-filled Benefits…
Those who have accepted Christ have had their past sins forgiven. For God “has cast all their iniquities as a stone into the depths of the sea” and “remembers their sin no more.” Once we have confessed, “the very memory of our sin perishes.” Past sins are forgiven…benefit #1
Benefit #2 - For those who have experienced salvation by faith, present sins do not condemn.
John in his writings said, “Those who have been born of God do not continue in sin, because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot continue in sin, because they have been born of God.”
When we abide in Christ, we cannot continue in sin even if we wanted to, because our spirit which is communication with God’s Spirit knows better.
Wesley said that “While the sinner is judged by God and is held by even the thoughts of their conscious minds, the believer even when attacked by the world, by Satan, or (more frequently) by our own evil hearts, can rest assured in that they do not need to come under that same judgment. God does not condemn them for their foolishness but rather shows kindness to them as “a father has compassion for this children.” Present sins do not condemn, they show us a way to get closer to our heavenly father. – benefit #2.
Benefit #3 – Those who have experience salvation find no condemnation within.
Having been justified by faith, they have the peace of God which removes any sense of guilt, or any dread of God’s wrath. “Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony written in their hearts.” Wesley said, “there peace flows from a constant sense of God’s pardoning mercy and the appeal of a good conscience.” Within themselves, there is no condemnation. – benefit #3
Therefore, if Christ abides in you, then there is no condemnation, past, present or within. Which leads us to ask the question, how does this affect the way I live today?
IV. Well, Wesley gave some practical suggestions…
First, we do not live as people with “little faith.”
Just as the disciples woke Jesus because of the storm which they faced, we too may face life without fear of condemnation. As the Scripture tells us, “Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God alone who justifies. Who is able to condemn?” All the sins that we have committed from our birth to this very hour have been swallowed up by God’s grace. Through our confession, our transgressions gone, they are absent, they are remembered no more.
Wesley said, “Away with your fears! God does not call you to fear; God has give you ‘a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.’ Under- stand your calling! Rejoice in God your savior, and give thanks to God your Father through Christ!” “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do let them be afraid.”
We can live as a people with great faith.
Second, even if sinful tendencies remain, there is not condemnation in them unless they lead us into a constant sinful existence.
There is a certainty that we will be tested. But continue to hold steady. We will be humiliated and humbled, but we survive because we can hold steady in the promise that we have “an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the one who is righteous.”
Third practical point., we cannot be hesitant to call upon our Lord for help.
Wesley said, “Your sorrow will be a precious balm. Pour out your heart before him, and tell him about your distress. With all your heart, pray to God who ‘sympathizes with your weaknesses’ that he will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you so that you will not fall again.”
As Paul told us, “We cannot and should not be afraid to cry out “Abba Father” knowing full well that our cries will not fall upon deaf ears.”
As we continue the work of faith in the labor of love, we can be assurance that as we wait in confidence that “he who promised is faithful, and he will do it.”
As the familiar verse in 2 Timothy says, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep all that I have committed unto Him until that day.”
We need not be hesitant to call upon our Lord when we need him. There’s no condemnation there!
Conclusion
Wesley ended his sermon by saying, “We have nothing to fear. ‘Fear that has to do with punishment’ we have no need of it. When we love the One who loves us, it is enough. More love produces more strength. And it’s when we love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength will be “mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”
The first-fruits of the Spirit are simply this…our forgiven sins- yesterday’s, today’s, and tomorrow’s – gvien without condemnation. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Will you join me in prayer?
Heavenly Father,
There are times when we feel condemned…
There are times when we feel unworthy…
There are times when we fall short of your plan for us…
Lord, in those times remind us…
…remind us loving you and loving one another is enough.
…remind us that living out our faith means we stumble and fall.
…remind us that you are always there to lift us up again.
In you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, we have no condmenation. Instead, you love us as father loves his children, as someone who cares, as someone who wants the best for our lives.
How can we sinners know that our sins are forgiven?
We know because we’re not the same person we used to be, our mind has been transformed, our will has become your will, and our spirit has become a witness to yours.
Lord, may it be so. In the name of Christ we pray…Amen.
#372 – How Can We Sinners Know?
Benediction…
Leave here not as a condemned people…but as a saved people.
Love God…love one another…live out your faith….that is enough!
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit…..Amen.
Note: If for any reason you did not find this sermon helpful, please let me know by contacting me at gb@clergy.net. Your input will help me personally and my congregation as I learn professionally.
