John Wesley—First Methodist—Spreading the Good News in Anyway Possible

To understand the call on John Wesley you have to understand how he first learned about Jesus.  His father was a minister.  Even though his father was a minister his mom played a vital role to his first understanding of Jesus.  At a young age he learned about discipline, dedication and the love of God.

It was when he was five years old when his life was changed forever.  The house that his family lived in caught on fire.  Miraculously he survived even though he was on the second floor.  It was then that he knew that God saved him for something miraculously.

When he grew up his father wanted him to go away for more education.  It was his mother that convinced him to go into the ministry.  John and his brother Charles went on a mission trip to the United States. He had gone to the United States to change the religious views of Native Americans.  It was while he was in the United States that he experienced the second life changing event.  During a meeting he felt the Holy Spirit and realized that he was the one that was changed.

He returned to England and his true missionary work began.  He spent the remainder of his life traveling from one location to the next preaching.  He often had four or five services a day.  He composed many of the sermons as he was riding his house to the next site.

The biggest impact that he had on Christianity was the teaching of grace through faith alone.  He challenged Calvinism which believed in predestination.  Wesley believed that a person would have the opportunity to hear the word.  They then could come to find salvation by putting their faith in Jesus.  He believed that people were sinners who were saved.  Yet, he also believed that a person would come to the time that they would not commit sins and would live a different kind of life.

His theology and sermons have influenced many different religions.  The Methodist church now has millions of followers.  

Susanna Wesley—The Mother of Methodism—Teaching Us All the Values of Teaching Our Children About Christ

We usually think of John Wesley when we think of Methodism.  Yet, there is another person behind the scenes.  Susanna Wesley was the mother of John Wesley.  Her influence to Christianity has spanned all the generations that followed her.  To understand Susanna you have to look at her story and see how she was the Foundation of her Family.

Susanna did not go to school yet she was taught to read, be a homemaker and mother.  She married when she was young to a minister.  She had nineteen children.  Ten of those children would live to be adults.  She was a homemaker and a mother.

She didn’t have the best relationship with her husband because she believed differently about who should be King.  Yet, they stayed together until he passed away.  She then moved to live her son John.  Most have heard of her son, John Wesley.

What makes her special isn’t what she did as far as theological terms.  It wasn’t about anything that she wrote that made her special.  It was the way that she taught her children that has affected Christianity.  Susanna taught all of her children from her home.  She taught them how to read and how to do household chores. 

She most importantly taught them how to pray.  She taught them how to read the scriptures.  She taught them to love God.  The most important thing that she did was to teach her children how to love God from home.  She left a legacy that the home should be where children should start learning about God.

She experienced her second experience with Christ after she went to live with her son.  Yet, we have to remember what makes her important is that she was a mother.  She created a fundamental base for her two sons to impact society.  She was a foundation that taught them to stand up for what they believed.  She is the example of what all parents need to do.  All Christians need to take her lead and begin teaching their children about Jesus.  They need to teach their children how to pray to God.  Most importantly they need to lead by example and be the role models that children need to grow up to be Christians.  

Mary and Martha—Sisters of Lazarus—Showing Jesus Love in Their Own Ways

Mary is much more than the Sister of Lazarus.  Mary did several things that showed that her love of Jesus was very strong.  She put the care of Jesus above all other things.  She was a believer of Jesus.  Many people believe that Mary was a female disciple because of certain events that happened in her life.

Martha is not only the Sister of Lazarus she is a caring and loving person.  She was outspoken and put her duties before anything else.  She was a believer and friend of Jesus.  Martha showed love to Jesus in her own unique way

We first meet Mary as she is sitting at the feet of Jesus.  This would be a very unusual situation during the time.  The place that she sat at would normally be for the disciples.  This is what has people to think that Mary was considered a Disciple of Christ.  Mary believes that learning about God was the most important things she could do.

Let us look at the rest of this story.  Martha was also Mary and Lazarus’s sister.  She was busy preparing things for Jesus and the Disciples.  She became upset when she noticed that Mary was not helping her.    Martha was doing so much that she did not have time to hear the teachings of Jesus.  She confronts Mary and asks her to come and help.  The thing that is quite amazing is that Jesus tells Martha that what she was doing was good.  Yet the fact that Mary was not worrying about the little task but was listening to God she was doing something much more important.

Mary and Martha both were showing God love.  The difference is that Martha showed love by doing tasks to prepare a meal for Jesus and the Disciples.  Mary on the other hand took the time to prepare herself for things to come in the future.  We have to remember that we need to take time to be silent and listen to what God is teaching us.  There are also times that we need to serve others so that they can feel the love and presence of God.

Then we have to look at when Lazarus died.  Martha comes to Jesus asking why he wasn’t there to save her brother.  Jesus tells her to have faith.  He was teaching Martha that faith would lead to unbelievable things.  Martha needed to know that her faith would change the situation.  She had rationalized the situation.  She wasn’t emotional she understand that her brother would have been alive if Jesus had been there.

Martha runs to Mary and tells her that Jesus is there and she needs to come.  Mary falls to Jesus feet and begins to cry.  She tells Jesus if he had been there when Lazarus got sick he would have lived.  Jesus overcomes with her emotions and those around her proceeds to Lazarus’s tomb.  It is then that he calls Lazarus to come out of the tomb.

Mary and Martha both expressed to Jesus their understanding of Jesus’ healing power.  The difference is that Martha uses a rational approach to express her understanding.  She did not let her emotions overcome her.  Mary on the other hand fell to the feet of the Teacher and begins crying.  She allows her emotions to overcome her.  She puts aside all rational concepts and weeps at the fact that Jesus was not there when Lazarus needed him most.  There are times that we need to be rational.  There are many situations that we need to think through the situation and keep our emotions in check.  There are also times that we need to show our emotions.  Showing your emotions is not always a sign of weakness.  Sometimes when we show our emotions we understand that there is a power greater than us.

The last thing to look at is the anointing of Jesus by Mary.  Mary anoints Jesus with expensive oil.  The Disciples are shocked that she would do something like this.  They thought it was best if she had spent the money on the poor.  Jesus tells them that the poor would always be with them.  Jesus also tells them that he will not always be there.

Martha and Mary respond differently to the way that they minister to Jesus.  Martha is into the fine details of making things comfortable for her guest.  Martha is a rational thinker who doesn’t allow her emotions to rule over her.  Mary on the other hand allows her emotions to sway her decisions.  Martha learned that sometimes you have to give of yourself in an emotional way to help others.  Mary learned that service comes in many different ways including humbling yourself and doing the little things like serving someone a meal.

Judas Iscariot—a Simple Kiss that Changed the World

As soon as most people hear the name Judas they think of him as the betrayer of Jesus.  Judas was much more than the betrayer of Jesus.  Judas learned from Jesus and travelled three years with him.  He was sent out with the other disciples to teach the Good News and to cast out demons. 

There are two way people feel about Judas.  The first way they believe that Judas was full of sin.  Even though he had walked with Jesus he did not fully accept what Jesus was saying.  He is thought of a thief because there is a mention in the Gospels.  It is believed that since he carried the money bag that he had taken some for himself.  It is believed that Judas felt remorse after Jesus was found guilty and was sentenced to death.  He went to a tree and hung himself.  Yet, it is believed that he did not actually repent of his sin because of this action.

The second group of people sees Judas as a Hero.  They feel pity for him.  They believed that he great strength to betray Jesus.  They believe that there was no other Disciple who would betray Jesus therefor he was part of the ultimate plan for Jesus life. 

We need to remember that the Disciples and writers of the Gospel paint a negative picture of Judas.  We do not know what Judas that could paint a positive picture of Judas.  Who knows if Judas had asked for forgiveness of his actions before he died?  We do know that Judas gave the money back to the church leaders.  It makes you wonder if he really knew what they were going to do.  He could have been under the impression that they were going to just have him imprisoned.  He might have thought that they would scare Jesus. 

At the last supper Jesus announced that one would betray him.  The disciples began questioning if they were the one who would betray.  Judas and Jesus already knew who it would be.  Judas in that moment had to feel that he had no choice. Jesus told the group that it would have been better if the person who would betray would have never been born.  This statement goes along with the thought that Judas was full of evil.  That the betrayal was for his own selfish motives.

Judas delivered a kiss that changed the world.  It was common for people to kiss those that were considered family or teachers.  We also have to remember what Jesus said as Judas went to kiss him.  “Friend do what you came to do” (Matthew 26:50).  This may help point out that Jesus was not angry with Judas.  Who would call their betrayer friend?  Yet Jesus did just that.  This statement goes along with those that find pity on Judas.  They believe that he had been chosen as a disciple so that Jesus would die.

No matter how you look at Jesus you cannot deny his importance to the salvation of the people.  His kiss changed the world forever.  If you believe that he was full of evil and betrayed Jesus for his own good there is evidence in the scripture for this.  Yet, you need to remember that the Bible was written after the event and it very likely that Judas may have been slanted him in this way.  If you believe that Judas was a hero.  If you feel pity for Judas as if he was destined to betray Jesus there is evidence for this in the scripture. 

It doesn’t matter which way you believe.  Yet, what is important to note is that Judas did help lead Jesus to the cross.  Judas changed the world through a simple kiss.  It is important to note that we will never know how Judas really lived.  Was Judas an evil non repentant Christian?  Was Judas just part of the plan to get Jesus to the cross?

C.S. Lewis—Opening the Door to a New World

Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis was born in Ireland in November 1898.  Many in the world know him as the author of the Chronicles of Narnia.  He did write many different books.  He was a WWI veteran.  He was a teacher and as many contends him to be the leading Christian Apologist of his time.

The chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven children fantasy books.  It is amazing when you know the history of C.S. Lewis that you see that he was able to put so much of it in this series.  C.S. Lewis lost his mother when he was young and his best friend was his brother.  Due to illnesses that were happening in the country he was kept apart from people.  It was during this time that he wrote his first stories.  This merged India and morphed animals. 

During WWI he fought in France and was wounded.  He returned to England and continued his studies.  He came to have a closer relationship to Christianity.  He explained Christianity through reasoning.  He used his words and stories to engage people into a new understanding of God and the meaning of their life.

He wanted to go back into the army during WWII but wasn’t allowed to.  It was during this time that he became known for his broadcast on Christianity and the meaning of life throughout England.  These programs stories would later be collected in a book.  He also opened his home up to children who needed a safe place away from the bombing that was occurring in the city.

Looking at this history we can see how the Chronicles of Narnia explores each part of his life.  The book is about children who are living with their uncle for their own safety.  They find a closet full of fur coats.  When they step in and shut the door they are whisked away to a land of fantasy and intrigue.  They walk out of the closet into the world of Narnia in which animals are like humans.

They face situations evolving all types of religious situations.  They use their reasoning throughout the seven books to help understand what is happening in their environment.  The books teach about good and evil.  They shed light on how to be a faithful servant of God.  They explain to kids that they can help spread the story of good even though they are young.  For the adult reader they can use reasoning to discover more about the story.  Every time you read it the more you will learn.

C.S. Lewis was more than someone that wrote one book.  He was an educator and writer that put his name of the charts.  He was also considered the Strongest Christian Apologist of his era.  He opened a closet in his youth and created a new world.  As an adult he opened multiple doors that led him to different directions in his life.  He opened many to the world of Christianity through the opening of an Armoire into the world of Narnia.  What we all need to remember is that he didn’t let obstacles stand in his way.  Once he accepted Christ in his life he shared that gift with many people.  Always remember even though one door may be closed do not give up instead open a different door and see if it leads you to the path that God needs you to travel to help the world as a whole.

Corrie Ten Boom—Protecting the Innocent by Closing a Door

Cornelia “Corrie” ten Boom was born in the Netherlands in 1892.  Her family was Christians.  Her father was a watchmaker and she became the first licensed female watchmaker of the Netherlands.  They not only walked the talk but lived the talk of a Christian life.  Corrie and her sister worked with young people having Bible Studies.  Corrie also started a special group for kids that had special needs.  They continued doing work by helping take care of the kids of missionaries from Indonesia.  In WWII the Nazis invaded the Netherlands and took over the country in 1940.  The Nazis then proceeded to round up the Jewish people in the community.

The ten Boom’s continued their service to the community by taking in Jewish members who were seeking shelter.  The family built a secret room in Corrie’s bedroom.  They were able to help hundreds of people including babies who were to be killed at an orphanage.  Eventually the family’s house was raided.  Corrie and her family were arrested.  Her father would die soon after being her arrested.

Corrie and her sister would end up going to a concentration within Germany.  Her sister died, but not before she told Corrie that God had told her both would be released before the end of the year.  Her sister was giving several visions before her death.  One was of a house that they would have where people could come who were dealing with the consequences of the war.  A few weeks after her sister’s death Corrie’s number was called.  She did not know what it meant.  She was afraid that they may be taking her to the gas chamber.  Instead she was taken into a room and released.

After the war Corrie established a rehabilitation home.  In which refugees and those that sided with the Nazis were both given a place to heal and to recover.  She went on to write several books.  She became a public speaker and visited over 60 countries in the world.

We can all learn to live the walk of a Christian.  Imagine the bravery to open your life to people who were considering fugitives.  Knowing at any time you could suffer.  Going as far as building a safe place for them to hide in a door which was closed would keep the innocent safe, but at the same time you would be out in the opening.  We need to always help those that we can.  We need to remember there may be times that we have to close doors to follow God.  

Thomas Aquinas—Theologian of Modern Roman Catholicism and Protestantism

How can one man be responsible for both the Modern Roman Catholic Church and the Modern Protestant Church?  The fact is that is what he talked about became the basis of the theology of the Roman Catholic Church.  It was what he said that led many to begin questioning the theology of the Roman Catholic Church (Protestant Reformation).  To understand Thomas Aquinas you have to understand where he came from and what influenced his life.  It his early life that led Thomas to become the teacher and theologian that had the influence that still continues today.

Thomas was raised in the Aquino county of Sicily.  His family was quite wealthy.  His older brothers went into the military.  It was thought that Thomas was to go to the abbey.  He studied at several different colleges.  During this time he came under the influence of Aristotle.  This influence affected his later writings. 

He then did something that was very contradictory to what his family wanted.  He met a Dominican priest.  It was this meeting and understanding of the order of Dominicans that he changed his career path.  It is quite interesting to see how his family reacted to this decision.  His father had his brothers kidnap them.  They placed him in an upper room of the tower to convince him to change his way. 

After one year he was freed and his theologian career began.  Because of his influence of Aristotle his theology views were against his contemporary Augustine.  He believed that understanding God was able to be done through reasoning.  It was his theory that God was explained by the physical world around us.  God was the only thing that existed perfectly.  Simply put God has no beginning or end.  God is complete and is the only thing that is not affected by the cause effect theory.

He took his thoughts one step further and added humanity to God.  Many people felt that God did not have a human side.  This was a much different view than his contemporaries.  The humanness of God shows the expressed love, anger, and grief that were expressed by different writers in the Bible.

The most defining part of his theology revolves around his five views of Roman Catholic Doctrines:

11.      Mother Mary was born without sin

22.      Jesus provides the way to salvation, but the Roman Catholic Church distributes the salvation

33.      The church actually has seven sacraments

a.      Baptism

b.      Eucharist

c.      Penance

d.      Ordination

e.      Marriage

f.       Last rites

g.      Confirmation into the church

44.      The Bread and Wine once blessed by the Priest become the Body and Blood of Christ

55.      Purgatory

These beliefs are still held by the Roman Catholic Church.  Yet, the Protest Reformation came to debate all of these views except Baptism and Eucharist.  This is why Thomas Aquinas has made a major impact on both the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Revolution.  One man’s theory that became common thought in the Church at the time split the Church latter.  We can all imagine that Thomas did not attend this when he expressed his theological views.