Podcasts about Charles Wesley

This Christmas Eve messages looks at the primary text that Charles Wesley was inspired by to write "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus." Preached on December 24th, 2025, by Jared Kress. Series: Christ in the Carols, Part 2. Primary Text: Haggai 2:7Join us in person on Sundays at 10:30am at 6325 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, or watch online at https://www.kirbywoods.org/live Follow us online! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirbywoodsmemphis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirbywoodsmemphis YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kirbywoods Podcast: https://kirbywoodspodcast.buzzsprout.com

I caught up with a good chunk of The Allegheny High boys in central Oregon while they were out doing what they do best: making Charles Wesley Godwin sound like a freight train and giving folks goosebumps. We posted up near Bend for a hang that starts off with “are we about to get murdered?” energy… and quickly turns into a full-on origin story: the Beaver County scene that shaped them, jam nights that built their chops, and the larger-than-life local legends who taught them the most important rule of all: never take a gig off, even if a guitar ends up in a popcorn machine. From there, we get nerdy in the best way: production philosophy (and why recording is basically 95% failure and 5% magic), the real behind-the-scenes of tracking big guitars, and that moment when a song hits so hard you have to sit in the dark and just… listen. Also: stoner-rock riffs hiding inside “country,” touring gear that makes your heart do the pitter-patter thing, Boss pedal picks, and a Pittsburgh-area pizza style that sounds fake until you try it. Keep up with the goings on here: https://www.charleswgodwin.com/ Support The Show And Connect! The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tonemob.com/reverb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tonemob.com/sweetwater⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tonemob.com/stringjoy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Advent Devo #17) In this penultimate advent devotional for 2025, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church explores the deep theological roots of the classic carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Drawing from Colossians 1:15–20, the session breaks down the dual nature of Christ—His cosmic divinity as the Creator and sustainer of the universe, and His humble incarnation as the Savior who reconciles humanity to God through the cross. Key highlights include: • A History of the Hymn: Learn how Charles Wesley's 1739 poem, originally titled "Hark! How All the Welkin Rings," was refined by George Whitefield and eventually paired with Felix Mendelssohn's upbeat melody in 1840 to become the masterpiece we sing today. • Theology in Song: A verse-by-verse look at how the lyrics proclaim Jesus as the "incarnate Deity," the "Sun of Righteousness," and the "Prince of Peace" who brings second birth to all. • Biblical Foundation: An exploration of Christ's preeminence as the "image of the invisible God" and the "firstborn from the dead." Join us for this insightful study as we celebrate the "newborn King" who lays His glory by to bring light and life to the world. #advent2025 #ChristmasTheology #HarkTheHeraldAngelsSing #BibleStudy #ForestHillPres #AdventDevotional #CharlesWesley #ChristianHymns

Title: A Christmas Carol Examined: Hark the Herald Angels Sing Text: Various FCF: We often neglect the deep theology in the Christmas carols we sing. Prop: Because Hark the Herald angels sing speaks much about the gospel, we should sing it with renewed vigor. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Genesis Chapter 3. We will reference several passages of scripture this morning but it might be wise for you to have this text open and in front of you. In light of the holiday season, I typically break for a couple weeks from whatever sermon series I am in, in order to better accommodate our traditions. What a joy it was to hear so many of our folks use the talents the Lord has given them to bring Him praise this morning. Next week I'll deliver my traditional year wrap up sermon. I'll give you some lessons I've learned and some recommendations I have. I'll also spend some time assessing where we as a church are and how we could improve. Today, I wanted to do something a bit different and a good deal shorter than I normally would. My wife actually gave me the idea, calling my attention to this particular Christmas Carol which was missing a verse or two in our hymn book. In looking into the carol, and to the distance between when most of the carols we sing were written and us singing them today, it became clear that I should devote time to taking a familiar carol and examining the rich theological depths which we unknowingly sing about each year. Today, we will consider the carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing. This is on page 192 in our hymnal. The Carol was written by Charles Wesley. He wrote five verses. Most hymnals, including our own, only have the first three verses. Primarily because George Whitfield, a good friend of the Wesley brothers, John and Charles, edited the song down to four verses, combining the last two verses into one. This edit was later removed and kept to 3 verses in most hymnals. This was not because of any theological differences or errors that Whitefield perceived, but primarily to shorten the song without repeating theological themes. Unfortunately, we will only have time to look at two verses this morning. But I will make it up to you by giving you two for the price of one. So, we'll look at the first verse which we always sing. Then we will look at Mr. Whitfield's cobbled together 4th and 5th verse, so you get some exposure to the last two verses that were later omitted from Charles Wesley's masterful carol. We'll follow the same general pattern. I will translate the idea into modern vernacular and then expand on the What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures in the line and prove it by quoting or referencing an appropriate scripture passage. But before we dive in, let's pray and ask the Lord to bless our study of this carol. Invocation: Loving Lord, we thank you for such a rich history of the church. For thousands of years your church has grown and your kingdom has spread. We can look to songs we sing today that were written hundreds of years ago and still find great and deep meaning in their words. Help us to be mindful of the things we sing and say. Help us to see the great meaning of this season and preach it to others with everything we are. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Transition: Well, let's get to the verse that we all know. I.) The gospel is at the center of this Christmas carol, so we must sing it as though we were preaching it. a. [Slide 2] Hark! The herald angels sing, i. What does this mean: 1. Hark is an interjection. It is calling those present to listen closely. 2. No, the angel's name is not herald. 3. Rather this is the job of the angels who pronounced the birth of Jesus the Messiah. 4. In the song they are said to Sing this to the shepherds. 5. So, in our modern vernacular it would be – Listen up, the Angels are singing a proclamation from God. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. When God has an announcement for us to listen to, He often prefaces the statement with something to get our attention. Like Behold. Or Truly Truly. Or Thus says the Lord God. 2. Although in Luke 2 we do see the angels announce this news – we do not have any record in the New Testament that they sang this news. It actually says they shouted. b. “Glory to the newborn King; i. What does this mean: 1. Glory means to give praise that is due to an important person. 2. Newborn King is self-explanatory 3. “Give the honor due to this child because he is THE KING ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. All the way back in II Samuel 7, God promised David that a King from his line would sit on the throne forever. 2. And in Luke 1:32-33 the angel Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would inherit the throne of His father David. c. Peace on earth, and mercy mild, i. What does this mean: 1. Peace here refers to the cessation of hostilities between two warring parties. 2. This is contrasted with the second phrase where this cessation of hostilities is instituted by this child who is merciful and humble – bringing salvation to sinners. 3. “Forgiveness and Rightness with God comes from this baby” ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. Isaiah 53 teaches that the first coming of the Messiah, Yahweh's Servant, will be meek and mild, a sacrifice for sinners. 2. Not coming as someone who would be esteemed highly. d. God and sinners reconciled!” i. What does this mean: 1. Reconciliation is when two parties settle up a dispute. All debts are paid. 2. This dispute, we are told in the song, is between God and sinners. 3. God and Sinners square. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. The dispute we have with God is that He made us to be His worshippers but we have rebelled against Him both in Adam and in our own sin. Gen 3 and Eph 2 and Rom 1-3 2. Yet God has made promises to preserve a remnant and save His people from their sins. 3. Christ then, meek and mild King, is the instrument to settle all the debts. e. Joyful, all ye nations rise, i. What does this mean: 1. Joyful is the attitude or the manner that is being commanded. 2. Nations rising is indicating the global nature of this announcement. 3. All the world get up and be joyful ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. Throughout the Old Testament, God desired Israel to be a light to the nations. 2. And in the prophets we see promises that the Messiah will finally succeed in what Israel was tasked to do. 3. The nations will be reclaimed as Yahweh's 4. And God ruling the nations will be praised and rejoiced in because the gentiles will be adopted into God's family too. f. Join the triumph of the skies; With th'angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” i. What does this mean: 1. This is what the nations are told to do. They are told to join the triumph. 2. What triumph? 3. It is actually going all the way back to the beginning of the song. The announcement being made about the triumph of God over sin and peace on earth. 4. How? By the Messiah being born this day in Bethlehem. 5. So joyfully the nations are to rise up and announce the same message that the angels are announcing to the shepherds. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. We see this happen in the New Testament. 2. The Gentiles not only inherit the gospel and become grafted into the promise of the Israelites, but they now become the heralds announcing the coming of the King. 3. A King who was born, lived, died, was raised, and ascended. All to save sinners and reconcile them to God. g. Summary of the Point: The first verse of this carol is nothing short of the gospel message. It is the announcement that Christ has come to make us right with God and change the world forever. Now not just Jews, but all the nations will rise up and announce this message as the world shifts and the Kingdom of God expands. So, as we sing this verse – we must recognize the potent dose of gospel truths being conveyed in a few seconds. And as we sing it out, we fulfill the words of this opening verse to joyfully join the triumph the angels sang about that Christmas night 2000 years ago. Transition: Let us move to the two verses not included in our hymnal. I.) Deep doctrine of redemption is found in this carol, so we must sing it as though we were preaching it. a. [Slide 3] Come, Desire of nations, come, i. What does this mean: 1. To be the desire of nations is to be the one thing that will truly fix the world. The one King that will bring everything back to what it is supposed to be. 2. This is, of course, the work of the Kingdom Christ began at His incarnation and will be completed when He returns to set up His Kingdom on the New Earth. 3. Come, one who will fix everything, Come! ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. We referenced psalm 2 just last week. 2. The eternally begotten Son of God - Jesus the Messiah, is this one that the nations must kiss lest He be angry and pour His wrath out on them. 3. Christ came first as a meek and mild child but will one day return as a conquering King. 4. The nations would be wise to kiss the son. To welcome Him. To pay homage to Him. 5. He is… after all… their only hope. b. Fix in us Thy humble home; i. What does this mean: 1. To fix is to establish something. 2. A home would be a residence. Humble of course meaning meager or unworthy. 3. Establish in us a little hovel for You to dwell in. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. This probably doesn't reference God living or dwelling with us in the New Kingdom. Although that could be it. 2. Givin the context this no doubt refers to the coming of the Spirit of God to indwell those who are partakers of the New Covenant which is inaugurated in the blood of Christ. 3. This is foretold in Isaiah 44 and Joel 2 where God tells the Israelites that He will pour out His Spirit… ON ALL OF THEM. 4. In the New Testament we are explicitly told that the Holy Spirit indwells all who believe by true faith. c. Rise, the woman's conqu'ring Seed, i. What does this mean: 1. Rise again means to come out and do something. 2. A seed is an offspring or a child. 3. Come conquering child of the woman ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. This is pulled straight from the protoevangelium, or the first gospel announcement given by God Himself in Genesis chapter 3. 2. After the fall of mankind, God promises that unto the Woman he would give an offspring that would undo what had been done in the fall. 3. This offspring would be at odds with the offspring of the serpent or the children produced by the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve, which was instigated by the serpent in the garden of Eden 4. Revelation 12:9 identifies the serpent as none other than the Devil, or Satan himself. 5. This harmonizes texts like Ephesians 2; John 8; and 1 John 3:12 which identify people who act like Satan as his children or belonging to him. 6. This sets up the idea that there are two families. The family of God and the family of Satan. The Family of Satan is the family we are all born into because of the fall of Adam. 7. God creates a new family, through seed of the woman, in which we can be adopted. More on that in a bit. d. Bruise in us the serpent's head. i. What does this mean: 1. The serpent's influence is truly IN us. 2. Otherwise, this is fairly self-explanatory. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. The term used in the Genesis promise is to strike, bruise, or crush. 2. Although many preachers have made the connection that Christ bruises his heel while crushing the head of the serpent – the scriptures do not overtly teach this. 3. But it is a logical and theological possibility. 4. Certainly, Paul says that if the forces of darkness knew that His death would lead to the salvation of His people, they wouldn't have done it. 5. The song references the destruction of Satan's power over us and the cessation of his claim on us as his children. e. Now display Thy saving power, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine. i. The rest of verse 4 goes on to speak of our restoration and salvation. ii. These are excellent lines, but Whitfield saw the next verse communicate similar teachings and decided to combine it together. iii. Still these words do add some to the meaning of the song. iv. But we'll have to cover them more deeply another time. f. [Slide 4] Adam's likeness, Lord, efface, i. What does this mean: 1. To efface something is to erase it. It is to undo something. 2. Adam's likeness refers to Adam as our first representative and how we have inherited his sin from him. 3. Erase the original sin of Adam from us ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. Although it has been attacked in recent years, the doctrine of Original Sin has been held to by the church since the beginning. 2. If something else were taught in scripture then we should cast the teaching aside. However, Romans 5, Ephesians 2 and many other passages seem to establish this doctrine not only as plausible but as orthodox. 3. Adam was our representative being the first man created. Because of his failure, we inherit the sin-disease through his line. 4. Seeing it this way helps us to understand the scriptures when they seem to paint our problem of sin beyond even just our own personal sin. National sins and even sins that we didn't commit but inherit culpability in. Even our sinfulness before we seem to be able to willfully commit sin (ie babies crying for no reason or crying when nothing is actually wrong) These all make sense when we understand sin as something like a hereditary spiritual disease. 5. This also explains and expands the teaching of the virgin birth, keeping Jesus from inheriting this same sin nature. By being born of a virgin, he is not technically a son of Adam. Truly and completely human, but not from Adam's line. Therefore, He is a second human representative. g. Stamp Thine image in its place: i. What does this mean: 1. To stamp an image is relatively clear. 2. Instead of Adam's likeness, give us your likeness God. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. As a New Adam, all under Christ's headship and representation inherit a new name, a new nature, and a new birth. 2. They are put into a new family and made into a new person. 3. The old has passed away and the new has come. h. Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love. i. What does this mean: 1. These last two lines we'll take together. 2. The first Adam was formed from the dust and given life by the breath of God. 3. The Second Adam was conceived by the Holy Spirit in dust (in Mary's womb). 4. He is not from earth as the first Adam was. He is from above. A true man… but with a different fountainhead. 5. Adam was once fully in the love and grace of God. He was sinless and in right standing with God. 6. The song asks for Christ to reconcile us to God… which provides bookends between the first verse and the last. ii. What doctrine is this showing us from the Scriptures: 1. This is the primary work of the second Adam. 2. Christ becomes our second representative both passively and actively. 3. Actively he did what Adam did not. He kept the whole law of God without sin. 4. Passively he paid for what Adam could not. He accepted the penalty for human sin by suffering the full wrath of God as a human. 5. 2 Corinthians 5 says that He became sin who knew no sin that we might become the righteousness of God. 6. He is a perfect substitute not only for us but for Adam, our first representative. 7. He alone is capable of returning us to the relationship we had with God in the garden… and even making that relationship closer, since we are now not just a created being of God's, but actually His children. i. Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man: O, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart. i. This is the rest of verse 5 which goes on to say similar things to what has been said already. j. Summary of the Point: Once again we must notice that the gospel is on display in these verses. And in these last two verses – the gospel is explained in rich and full theological detail. Details that are not found in the shallow end of the pool. This is well beyond the Sunday School answers of “Jesus died because He loved us.” But rather the representation of a Second Adam taking our place and restoring humanity's hope. Such are the words of this Christmas Carol. And when we sing it, we preach the gospel to one another and all who hear it. Make sure that you do that from now on. Conclusion: [Slide 5] I can think of no better application than to have the praise team come and we can sing this carol together. We'll sing Hark the Herald Angels Sing/King of Heaven but with one minor modification. We will add verse 4, which is the cobbled together verses 4 and 5 of Charles Wesley's original carol. You sing with us and sing it loud, knowing that you sing, you announce, you preach… the gospel of Jesus Christ in this carol. Benediction: May the God who humbled Himself to take on human flesh Who was wounded for our transgressions and chastised for our peace May the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace Bring to you a season of hope as you celebrate His birth and look ahead to His return Until We meet again… Go in peace.

Last week, Pastor Marcus encouraged us to both ponder (think intellectually) and treasure (engage emotionally) the coming of Christ. In this weeks message, Pastor Marcus unpacks the mystery of the incarnation through Charles Wesley's beloved hymn "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Drawing from John 1, he reveals how Jesus—the living Word—stepped into our story not just to save us, but to make himself knowable. Through vivid examples from C.S. Lewis to Dorothy Sayers, Pastor Marcus answers the question, "what difference does the incarnation of God make?" By displaying God's choice to dwell among us transforms our understanding of suffering and offers unprecedented comfort.

Christmas hymns can have deep theology and cause us to ponder the greatness of the child. Today, we meditate on his all-sufficient merit from a line of Charles Wesley's hymn, Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.

Inspired by the angels' appearance to the shepherds in Luke 2, Charles Wesley composed this hymn about the Savior King. We zoom in on this hymn with one important question in mind: How does it help us see Jesus?

Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today. "Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!" Charles Wesley penned these beautiful words to music that Mendelssohn wrote; and even now — hundreds of years later — you can still hear this song in the mall as you shop for Christmas. Did you know that many of our classic Christmas songs declare the Good News of what Jesus has done? God has given us a way to be reconciled with Him through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We celebrate this season Jesus coming as a baby born to a virgin. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross for our sins. The Bible says in Isaiah that "He was pierced for our transgressions/crushed for our iniquities." He brought peace to a people drowning in their wrongdoings and separated from God. Jesus offers the free gift of eternal life to all who would believe and place their trust in Him. For more, visit sharelife.today.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS EPISODE? It's a story that starts at the beginning of time. In this episode of Jesus Stories, we tell the entire story of Christmas. What happened in the beginning which created the need for Jesus to come to earth? How did that happen? (Yes, the familiar story you've heard all your life, maybe!) What does it mean for you and me today? How does Jesus brings us new life, reconciliation, and salvation? Without this coming we would still be looking for those life-giving attributes. SCRIPTURES USED IN THIS EPISODE: Genesis 1:1-2; 2:1; 1:26-28; 2:15-17 Genesis 3:1-13; 23 Isaiah 9:1-5 Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 9:6-7 Micah 5:2-5 Luke 1:11-17 Luke 1:26-38 Luke 2:1-7 Luke 2:8-20 1 Corinthians 15:22 Romans 5:6-11 John 3:16-17 MUSIC USED IN THIS EPISODE: O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles), attributed to John Francis Wade. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale I Come to the Garden Alone, by C. Austin Miles. Performed by Praise and Harmony TV. https://youtu.be/FxPXJmUqkaA O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel), M. Neale. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale Away in a Manger, attributed by Martin Luther. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale O Little Town of Bethlehem, by Phillips Brooks. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale Hark the Herald Angels Sing, by Charles Wesley. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale What Child is This?, by William Chatterton Dix. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale Why Did My Savior Come to Earth?, by J.G. Dailey. Performed by the West London ICOC. FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JesusStoriesThePodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesus_stories_the_podcast/ X: https://X.com/JesusStoriesPod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JesusStoriesthePodcast/podcasts We're on most of the podcast platforms. Just don't forget to subscribe where you listen and leave a rating for us there and on Apple Podcasts. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Jesus didn’t just come to teach us or inspire us; He came to reconcile us to God. In this Advent episode, Nicole explores Hark! The Herald Angels Sing—one of the most beloved Christmas hymns—and reveals how richly it is woven with Scripture. With more than 34 direct biblical references, Charles Wesley’s hymn is far more than a seasonal melody; it is a sweeping declaration of the Gospel. Nicole walks listeners through the incarnation, reconciliation, new birth, and the cosmic hope that Jesus brings. From Luke 2’s angelic announcement to Romans 5’s explanation of reconciliation, this episode unpacks why this hymn is actually a lyrical theology lesson celebrating Christ’s mission to redeem humanity. Main Takeaways: Why this Christmas hymn is actually a full retelling of the Gospel message How Luke 2 connects to the angels’ proclamation of peace and joy What “God and sinners reconciled” truly means according to Romans 5 The significance of Christ “laying His glory by” and becoming fully God and fully man Why being “born again” is the heart of the Christmas message How Jesus brings spiritual life that cannot die—even when our physical bodies do

Charles Wesley penned the words of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus as God stirred in his heart an anticipation for our Lord's eternal reign. Come and join us as we examine this beautiful Christmas carol and its message for us today!WEBSITE: http://www.heartlandfree.comFACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/heartlandevangelicalfreechurch/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandfree/

In this stirring and deeply encouraging Advent message, Pastor Karl continues the series The King Has Come with a raw and life-giving exploration of the second great gift Jesus brings: peace.Turning to the familiar yet profound scene in Luke 2:8–20, Pastor Karl invites us into the midnight terror of ordinary shepherds—suddenly confronted by the blinding glory of God—and shows how the very first words from heaven that night were not “Merry Christmas,” but “Fear not.” That first Christmas did not begin with sentimental calm; it began with paralyzing, mega-fear. And right there, in the middle of stacked-on-stacked fear, the angel announced good news of great joy: a Savior has been born who is Christ the Lord, the Prince of Peace.With pastoral tenderness and unflinching honesty, Pastor Karl unmasks fear as the mortal enemy of peace—how it magnifies threats, shrinks our view of God, and paints our future in colors darker than God ever intended. Yet the gospel is stronger: peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of a Person. Peace is not something Jesus gives; peace is who Jesus is—and He gives Himself.Through the shepherds' journey from terror to testimony, we're given clear, scriptural paths out of fear and into the unshakable peace of Christ: speaking God's truth over fear's lies, refusing to agree with the spirit of fear, drawing near to Jesus through spiritual disciplines, and taking bold steps of obedience that move us against comfort and toward surrender.This is a word for everyone whose heart has been ruled by anxiety, worst-case scenarios, or the quiet fears that steal joy—especially in this season. A tender yet urgent call to stop trusting the unknown future to our own control and start trusting it to the known God who entered our fear as a baby in a manger.Because the King has come, fear does not get the final word. Peace does. And when the Prince of Peace takes over a life, what spills out is no longer fear—but praise, testimony, and unshakable confidence in the goodness of God.Essential listening for anyone who longs to trade fear for the peace that passes all understanding this Christmas.Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

Join The Revd Steve Morris, Associate Priest of St Bride's, and St Bride's Choir for this week's reflection in words and music. Our reflection for the second Sunday in Advent opens with the words of the Venerable Bede in a paraphrased setting of the text by Andrew Carter in his anthem "A maiden most gentle." The French melody and sparkling organ accompaniment captures the simplicity of the Christmas scene with answering upper and lower voice verses which unite in the words "Ave Maria." The reading this week recounts John the Baptist's foretelling of the coming of Christ who will baptise not with water, but with the Holy Spirit. Steve reflects on this intriguing character. We close with the Advent hymn "Come, thou long expected Jesus" by perhaps the greatest hymn writer, Charles Wesley. A new episode of this online act of worship is released every Sunday morning. Information about our weekly Sunday services in St Bride's of Choral Eucharist at 11am (https://www.stbrides.com/worship-music/worship/regular-services/choral-eucharist/) and Choral Evensong at 5:30pm (https://www.stbrides.com/worship-music/worship/regular-services/choral-evensong/) can be found on the website. Find out what's happening at St Bride's at https://www.stbrides.com/whats-on If you enjoy listening, please leave a comment below or subscribe to our channel. It is great to get your feedback. SUPPORT ST BRIDE'S ================== We are hugely grateful for people's generosity which we wholly rely on to continue our work, maintain our wonderful architectural heritage and support world-class music-making. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

Send us a textThe First Great Awakening: John and Charles Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfieldhttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PADJzTnigWh4dr1LGzlxg7IfNyXKDvKe/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=100334557285826442166&rtpof=true&sd=true

In 1752 the Moravian preacher and minister John Cennick wrote a hymn called 'Lo he comes with countless trumpets' based on Revelation 1:7, referring to Jesus coming with the clouds in such a way that every eye will see Him. Six years later in 1758, Charles Wesley, the prolific composer of over 6500 hymns, substantially revised the piece to make it what it remains to this day: one of the best loved and most anointed of all Anglican hymns, cram full of Biblical references. It was first published that same year in John and Charles Wesley's 'Hymns of Intercession for all Mankind', a publication that sought to honour Paul's command in 1 Timothy 2:1: ‘I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men'. Amongst the forty hymns in that volume can be found hymns for monarchs (George II and Frederick the Great), institutions (courts, parliament, the army and navy, universities), childbirth, young children, prisoners and captives, widows, ‘our Enemies, Persecutors and Slanderers', and ‘our unconverted Relations' - as well as praying for those caught up in theological tangle, such as ‘Arians, Socianians (Unitarians), Deists and Pelagians.' for some of those we can substitute modern heresies! This exultant rendering led into an extended improvisation that became a beautiful and intimate worship song without words, including a remembrance of 'When I survey the wondrous cross,' and a cello solo that Jo Garcia played, just a couple of weeks before she went to join the Lord in glory. This is the full version of the words. Lo! he comes with clouds descending, once for favoured sinners slain; thousand thousand saints attending hail the King who comes again. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God appears, on earth to reign. 2. Every eye shall now behold him, robed in awesome majesty; those who mocked, despised and sold him, pierced and nailed him to the tree, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, shall the true Messiah see. 3. Those deep wounds of cross and passion still his dazzling body bears, cause of endless exultation to his ransomed worshippers: with what wonder, with what wonder, with what wonder, we shall see those glorious scars! 4. Now redemption, long expected, see with solemn joy appear: saints, whose faith this world rejected, meet their Saviour in the air. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! See the day of God appear. 5. Yes, Amen! let all adore you high on your eternal throne! Saviour, take the power and glory, claim the kingdom for your own. Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus! Everlasting God, come down! Enjoy and worship the coming King! 

In 1744, Charles Wesley published the hymn Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.This hymn, rich with theological truth, reminds us of the King who came and who will return, bringing true rest and freedom for His people.

Our second Advent devotional focuses on "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus," written by Charles Wesley in 1744.

Join The Revd Canon Dr Alison Joyce, Rector of St Bride's, and St Bride's Choir for this week's reflection in words and music. This week's reflection opens with a setting of the "Benedicite, omnia opera" – the great song of praise and blessing for all of creation that we traditionally sing in Advent. It is composed by the English cathedral organist and choirmaster, Robert Ashfield, who served as organist and master of the choristers at Southwell Minster then Rochester Cathedral. Today is Advent Sunday which marks the beginning of the season of Advent. Alison reminds us in her reflection that it is a season when we are encouraged to engage with the dark realities of our world so that we can truly value the light that comes into the world at Christmas and recognise our deep need for it. We close with the seasonal hymn "Lo! He comes with clouds descending" by the great hymnist Charles Wesley, set to the famous tune, Helmsley. Information about our weekly Sunday services in St Bride's of Choral Eucharist at 11am (https://www.stbrides.com/worship-music/worship/regular-services/choral-eucharist/) and Choral Evensong at 5:30pm (https://www.stbrides.com/worship-music/worship/regular-services/choral-evensong/) can be found on the website. Find out what's happening at St Bride's at https://www.stbrides.com/whats-on If you enjoy listening, please leave a comment below or subscribe to our channel. It is great to get your feedback. SUPPORT ST BRIDE'S ================== We are hugely grateful for people's generosity which we wholly rely on to continue our work, maintain our wonderful architectural heritage and support world-class music-making. People are often surprised to learn that St Bride's receives no external funding. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

Send us a textThe beloved hymn Rock Of Ages by Augustus M. Toplady was published in the late 1700s and came out of England.  The hymn itself is still popular and sung worldwide, all these years later.  While the hymns is well-known, some of the backstory and context surrounding Mr. Toplady is not.  Toplady and evangelist John Wesley had a very public feud over something that is still being debated today:  Calvinism vs. Arminianism.  Toplady as a Calvinist had strong disagreements with Wesley's views and how much Wesley was influencing the Church of England.  Today's podcast goes into this rift between these two men and the beautiful song that was written in the midst of it all:  Rock Of Ages.  Rock Of Ages CoverDerek's Hymns Playlist On YouTube

Charles Wesley | Ele Escreveu Hinos Que marcaram a história

Sarah Wesley | A Esposa de Charles Wesley

In his famous hymn, "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing," Charles Wesley exalted the name of Jesus by writing, "Tis music in a sinner's ear, tis life and health and peace." Unfortunately, our Christian walk often seems lifeless, weak, and sickly, filled with turmoil and restlessness. How can we experience the abundant life and all-surpassing peace that can come from daily intimate fellowship with the Lord? Tune in as Dr. Donald Barnhouse teaches from Romans 8:5-6 on Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/791/29

••• The Secret of Grace, Segment-2 of 2, Ep 400b . ••• Bible Study Verses: Ephesians 4:7-15, Hebrews 4:16, Daniel 11:32, Hebrews 5:12, Hebrews 10:25, James 1.25 . ••• PART-A's VERSES: 2 Peter 3:1-18, Romans 6:1-2, Romans 3.23, 1 Corinthians 1.10 . ••• “Bear up the hands that hang down, by faith and prayer; support the tottering knees. Have you any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down" John Wesley 1703-1791 † ••• “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ", Ephesians 4:7, KJV . ••• What are the 3-reasons why is it necessary for the believers to grow in grace? ••• What are the 4-benefits of growing in grace? STOPPED AT t16••• What are the 5-life actions to growing in grace?••• Are you going to ask your small group to pray that you will be more intentional about growing in grace of God through the power of Holy Spirit? ••• PART-A BIBLE STUDY QUESTIONS: What are at least 3-aspects of growing in grace? ••• How should the knowledge of the death, resurrection and return of the Lord Jesus Christ affect the way we live our lives?••• Pastor Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounter Radio Podcast originally aired on October 25, 2025 on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcast to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible. ••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is brought to you by Christian Leadership International and all the beloved of God who believe in its mission through prayer and support. Thank you . ••• Broadcaster's Website - https://www.lifelonganointing.com/ . ••• Exceeding Thanks to Universe Creator Christ Jesus AND photo by Stacey Franco, https://www.instagram.com/staceyfranc0/, on unsplash, Art Direction by gil on his mac with free mac layout software . ••• Study Guides at - https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes . ••• SHARING LINK: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/250927-the-secret-behind-the-believers-dominion-p8-s2-ep400b . ••• † http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/John-Wesley-Quotes/ . John Wesley was an Anglican cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, with founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield. In contrast to George Whitefield's Calvinism (which later led to the forming of the Calvinistic Methodists), Wesley embraced Arminianism. Methodism in both forms was a highly successful evangelical movement in the United Kingdom, which encouraged people to experience Christ personally. Wesley believed that this doctrine should be constantly preached, especially among the people called Methodists. In fact, he contended that the purpose of the Methodist movement was to "spread scriptural holiness across England." Throughout his life, Wesley remained within the Church of England and insisted that his movement was well within the bounds of the Anglican tradition. His maverick use of church policy put him at odds with many within the Church of England, though toward the end of his life he was widely respected . ••• RESOURCE - https://www.soundcloud.com/thewaytogod/ . ••• RESOURCE - https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/kjv/john.1%20 .••• FERP250927-Episode#400b GOT250927 Ep400b . ••• The Secret Behind the Believers Dominion, Part-8b: The Secret of Grace, Segment-2 .Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk about a lot of things…Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, but especially William Billings and his “erroneously” telling his readers to pair a text with tunes THAT DON'T MATCH! Did we crack the mystery?You can read and link to Chris' accomplishments here, and please check out his new book, “Hymns & Devotions for Daily Worship.”

One of Charles Wesley's greatest hymns is "And Can It Be That I Should Gain." Seizing upon the glorious truths of Chapter 8 in Romans, Wesley wrote: No condemnation now I dread; Jesus and all in him is mine. He knew that the amazing love of Christ had set him free from any possible condemnation and had made him sing with joy. Do you rejoice in the knowledge that there is no condemnation for you? Listen as Dr. Donald Barnhouse teaches from Romans 8:1 on Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/791/29

In a world that can be challenging and ever-changing, Wesleyan scholar Paul Chilcote shares how his new book, “Transformed by Grace,” and the wisdom of John and Charles Wesley can inspire us to love boldly, serve joyfully and lead courageously in our lives and churches. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are … Continue reading "‘Transformed by Grace': Wesleyan wisdom for today's UMC"

This weekend we are digging into a hymn in the Christian Warfare section of our hymnal. "Soldiers of Christ, Arise" was written by the prolific English hymnwriter, Charles Wesley. Wesley may be best known for his involvement in founding the "Methodist Church" with his brother John Wesley. He was the author of over 6,000 hymns during his lifetime, hundreds of which are still sung in Christian churches of many different denominations today.  This hymn was originally written with 16 stanzas of 8 lines each. You will find it dramatically reduced in the version we have, but this is a very popular hymn and because there were so many original verses, you will find it in many different forms in different hymns and traditions.  It is based on Ephesians 6:10-18 where Paul writes: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." This hymn reminds us that whether we realize it or want to acknowledge it or now, every Christian is engaged in a battle against forces that are greater than we are. But the LORD desires our deliverance and has provided everything necessary for us to win in the end. So, like David who fought Goliath, or Gideon or the Apostle Paul, we stand firm in this battle, upon God's Word, with the confidence of His strength, and know that we will win the battle and the war has already been won by Jesus! So fight on, fellow Christian! Go with the LORD's strength! "Wrestle and fight and pray" knowing that we will "overcome through Christ alone" and win at last! May the LORD bless your worship this weekend, and your ongoing fight against sin and temptation with the LORD on your side!

Charles Wesley’s hymn And Can It Be was born out of his own dramatic conversion, capturing the wonder of God’s amazing love. Generations later, this hymn still unites the church in awe and worship.

In this episode of Wesleyan Ways, Martha Stokes and Bishop Sue Halpert Johnson engage with Reverend Charlie Baber to explore the identity of United Methodists through the lens of John and Charles Wesley's teachings. They discuss the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ, the role of Scripture, and the necessity of holy living. The conversation emphasizes the Wesleyan tradition of interpreting faith through experience, reason, and community, while also addressing the need for a compassionate understanding of God's love. The episode concludes with a call to reclaim the essence of Jesus in modern contexts and to embody the transformative power of faith in everyday life.

Sterling Allen is a pastor in the Global Methodist Church, but he's also a musician with tremendous contributions to the world of worship. He has given us a hymnal of curated hymns from Charles Wesley's vault, and now he is working togetehr with Seedbed to produce worship planners for each liturgical year. We used the opportunity of this great resource to talk with Sterling about worship elements and planning for the year ahead. Especially if you're a pastor, this is a great listen! 

Most Christians are familiar with John and Charles Wesley, as well as George Whitefield, who were among the leading promoters of the English Revival. However, there is much more to discover about that period of church history. Listen as Trinity, Christian, and Mina talk to Rev. Lee Gatiss, director of the Church Society, about these and other remarkable people and significant discussions of this period in history.   Show Notes: Church Society: https://www.churchsociety.org Other episodes mentioned during the discussion of the English revival: Episode 73 – The Moravians: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/the-moravians/ Episode 78 – Phillis Wheatley: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/ Episode 52 – The Canons of Dort: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/the-canons-of-dort/

John and Charles Wesley were highly educated and important figures of their day and now.  What about their seven sisters?

••• Resurrection Glory, Segment-1 of 2, Ep 395a . ••• Bible Study Verses: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, 1 Kings 17:17-24, 2 Kings 4:18-37, 2 Kings 13:14-21, Luke 8:49-56, John 11:1-57, Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 16.10, John 2.19, Romans 1.4, John 10:17-18, 1 Corinthians 15:14-55, Romans 8:32, Romans 6:4-9, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Isaiah 53.5, 1 John 3:8, Hebrews 2:10, Galatians 3:13-14 . ••• "Receive every day as a resurrection from death, as a new enjoyment of life; meet every rising sun with such sentiments of God's goodness, as if you had seen it, and all things, new-created upon your account: and under the sense of so great a blessing, let your joyful heart praise and magnify so good and glorious a Creator" William Law 1686-1761 † ••• “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death", Philippians 3:10, KJV . ••• What is the definition of resurrection? ••• How many times were other people resurrected in the Holy Bible? ••• What are 9-reasons why the resurrection of the Lord Christ Jesus so special and controversial? ••• How do we know our lives are not futile and that we have eternal life? ••• What should change in the believers' lives through the resurrection of The Lord Christ Jesus? ••• LISTEN TO EPISODE 396b FOR THE REST OF THIS DISCIPLESHIP BIBLE LESSON . ••• Pastor Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounter Radio Podcast originally aired on September 6, 2025 on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcast to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible . ••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is brought to you by Christian Leadership International and all the beloved of God who believe in its mission through prayer and support. Thank you . ••• Broadcaster's Website - https://www.lifelonganointing.com/ . ••• Exceeding Thanks to Universe Creator Christ Jesus AND photo by Stacey Franco, https://www.instagram.com/staceyfranc0/, on unsplash, Art Direction by gil on his mac with free mac layout software . ••• Study Guides at - https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes . ••• SHARING LINK: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/250823-the-secret-behind-the-believers-dominion-p6-s1-ep395a . ••• † http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/William-Law-Quotes/ . William Law was an English cleric & Renown theological writer. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge & was elected a fellow in 1711, the year of his ordination. He declined to take the oath of loyalty to King George I, in 1714, & was deprived of his fellowship. He became the tutor of Edward Gibbon, father of the famous historian. Later he returned to his birthplace of King's Cliffe where he lived the rest of his life. His writing of “A Serious Call to a Devout & Holy Life” (1728), together with its predecessor, “A Practical Treatise Upon Christian Perfection” (1726), deeply influenced the chief actors in the great Evangelical revival like John & Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, Henry Venn, Thomas Scott, & Thomas Adam . ••• RESOURCE - https://www.soundcloud.com/thewaytogod/ . ••• RESOURCE - https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/kjv/john.1%20 . ••• FERP250823- Episode#395a GOT250823 Ep395b . ••• The Secret Behind the Believers Dominion, Part-6: Resurrection Glory, Segment-A .Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The message explored the depths of God's mercy through Charles Wesley's hymn "Depth of Mercy" and Paul's testimony in 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Pastor Todd Lovell reminded us that God's mercy is not just for the seemingly righteous, but for all of us, even those who consider themselves the "worst of sinners." This message challenges us to reconsider our understanding of God's grace and how it transforms our lives.

The message explored the depths of God's mercy through Charles Wesley's hymn "Depth of Mercy" and Paul's testimony in 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Pastor Todd Lovell reminded us that God's mercy is not just for the seemingly righteous, but for all of us, even those who consider themselves the "worst of sinners." This message challenges us to reconsider our understanding of God's grace and how it transforms our lives.

Step into a Wesleyan church on any given Sunday, and you might hear a Charles Wesley hymn followed by a modern worship chorus. In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Bob Black, we explore how this fusion of tradition and modernity reflects the church's core convictions. You'll learn how Wesleyans approach grace, baptism, communion, leadership, and what it means to pursue holiness today.

From abolitionist roots to women behind the pulpit, the Wesleyan Church stands as a significant case study in how theological conviction shapes a church. In this episode, Pastor Jeff sits down with Dr. Bob Black to unpack the history and theology of the Wesleyan denomination. They explore its stand against slavery, the legacy of John and Charles Wesley, and what sets Wesleyan churches apart today. 

What if heaven is more expansive and more inclusive than ever imagined? Dr. Spencer Fluhman dives into Doctrine and Covenants 76, exploring the revolutionary vision that defined eternity, challenged 19th-century norms, and reshaped the Saints' understanding of salvation.SHOW NOTES/TRANSCRIPTSEnglish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastDC228ENFrench: https://tinyurl.com/podcastDC228FRGerman: https://tinyurl.com/podcastDC228DEPortuguese: https://tinyurl.com/podcastDC228PTSpanish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastDC228ESYOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/PcssNkyTZUMALL EPISODES/SHOW NOTESfollowHIM website: https://www.followHIMpodcast.comFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookWEEKLY NEWSLETTERhttps://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletterSOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE00:00 - Part 1 - Dr. Spencer Fluhman06:16 followHIM history09:45 Come, Follow Me Manual11:12 The importance of The Vision16:04 A monument to the redemptive word of Christ19:19 Don't miss the confession of Jesus20:26 A mini scandal24:57 Universalism gets personal30:36 Faith differences in Joseph's home36:24 Faith reconciliation in the Smith home39:23 The backdrop of Calvinism42:08 John and Charles Wesley responds to Calvinism45:32 A blistering call to repentance48:35 What is the point of endless punishment52:56 Voices of the Restoration with Gerrit Dirkmaat55:37 Joseph rejoices to share revelatory and pastoral duties1:00:09 “John Johnson Home Hidden Mysteries Revealed”1:04:09 A profound beginning1:07:25 Bible translation as revelatory insight1:12:07 Wisdom functions to prioritize1:16:16 - End of Part I - Dr.  Spencer FluhmanThanks to the followHIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish TranscriptsAmelia Kabwika: Portuguese TranscriptsHeather Barlow: Communications DirectorIride Gonzalez: Social Media, Graphic Design"Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com

The Methodist Church has split and one side is growing fast. In this episode, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany Cocker unpack the theological roots of Methodism, why nearly 5,000 churches have joined the Global Methodist movement (a fairly new denomination), and what makes this tradition so distinct in today's world. They explore the historical foundations of Methodism, the influence of John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield, and how the movement developed across England and the American colonies.Here's What We Discussed:00:33 – The Roots of MethodismHow the term “Methodist” began as a slur, and how the Wesley brothers and George Whitefield formed a movement focused on prayer, discipline, and Scriptural devotion.03:04 – John Wesley in AmericaJohn Wesley's short-lived ministry in colonial Georgia and how his personal struggles helped shape the future of Methodism.05:58 – Charles Wesley's HymnsCharles Wesley's theological influence through music, and why his hymns remain central to Methodist worship today.10:06 – George Whitefield's Evangelistic ReachA look at Whitefield's powerful preaching ministry, which reached an estimated 80% of colonial America, and his foundational role in the Methodist revival.13:05 – United vs. Global Methodist: The Modern SplitKey reasons behind the recent division, including differing views on biblical authority and Scriptural application.17:11 – A Typical Methodist Worship ServiceWhat to expect on a Sunday in a Methodist church: a blend of liturgy, creeds, music (both hymns and contemporary), and Scripture-based preaching.20:10 – Church Leadership & Governance An overview of the Methodist church's conference-based structure, role of bishops, and lay participation in decision-making.22:05 – Wesleyan Theology & Sanctification What “Christian perfection” really means in Methodist theology, and why the emphasis on sanctification and personal salvation sets this tradition apart.Key Quote:“One of the things that sets Wesleyan theology apart is John Wesley's view on what came to be known as Christian perfection, or entire sanctification. Wesley didn't teach that Christians become sinless in this life, but that we can, through God's grace, grow into full maturity in Christ. That means being wholly devoted to God and to loving others. The deeper you go into the sanctification process, the less you're going to sin.” – Pastor Jeff CranstonWe love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, eamail me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.orgVisit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranstonRemember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!