Wesley at 81: Still Serving Others Faithfully
Daily Scripture
Matthew 25:14-23
14 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was leaving on a trip. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them. 15 To one he gave five valuable coins [Or talantas (talents)], and to another he gave two, and to another he gave one. He gave to each servant according to that servant’s ability. Then he left on his journey.
16 “After the man left, the servant who had five valuable coins took them and went to work doing business with them. He gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two valuable coins gained two more. 18 But the servant who had received the one valuable coin dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five valuable coins came forward with five additional coins. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good and faithful servant! You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’
22 “The second servant also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’
Daily Reflection & Prayer
John Wesley himself was a “good and faithful servant” all his life. Imagine the dedication it took to do what he recorded in his Journal when he was 81 years old. He wrote, “On this and the four following days I walked through the town and begged two hundred pounds in order to clothe them that needed it most. But it was hard work as most of the streets were filled with melting snow… so that my feet were steeped in snow water nearly from morning till evening.” *
- Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25 did not tie either servant’s “good and faithful” quality to the amount he brought the master. (The second servant brought less than the first servant began with!) It was their energy and willingness to do the master’s will that made each one a good and faithful servant. In what particular ways is God calling you to serve? How are you energetic and willing to answer the call and do your master’s will?
- Richard Foster, author of the classic Celebration of Discipline, also wrote Freedom of Simplicity. ** He ironically titled the first chapter “The Complexity of Simplicity.” Jesus calls you to share Wesley’s simple devotion to God and serving others. It gets more complex as you realize that in an ever-changing world, you can’t just copy what Wesley did. How do you cultivate a listening spirit open to God’s direction? What do you believe being a “good and faithful servant” means for you today?
Prayer
Lord God, this day I face many choices. Guide me by your Spirit, that I may make those choices in ways that honor you as my King and my Lord. Amen.
GPS Insights
Darren Lippe
Darren Lippe, who serves as a Couples Small Group co-leader and Men's Group Leader, while volunteering in a variety of other capacities at Resurrection, wrote today’s Insights. He and his wife, Doris, first met in a Resurrection Single Adult Sunday School class in 1997 and were married in what is now the Student Center. They are empty nesters with 2 college-aged sons, Matthew and Jacob.
I’ve been on Resurrection’s informative, inspirational tour of John Wesley’s stomping grounds in England this week. (Yes–this blog post came all the way from England!–Editor) As a younger brother myself, I’ve been intrigued by the life & faith of John’s younger brother, Charles Wesley. So today’s Insight will be a tad off-topic. (Thanks for the warning, though I doubt anyone would have even noticed the difference with your Insights blog– Editor.)
Aside: As we think of other famous brothers, a little-known fact is that Wilbur & Orville Wright were charged with trespassing after their famous excursion at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on December 17, 1903. The judge refused to grant them bail, deeming them a high flight risk.
Charles was born in 1707, the 18th child of an Anglican cleric, Samuel Wesley, & Susanna Wesley. He went to Oxford & started a Bible Small Group of 4 guys that others derisively called the “Holy Club.” The club members set aside time for praying, examining their spiritual life, studying the Bible, fasting every Wednesday & Friday, & gathering for discussions. Charles would ask his older brother, John, to lead the group 2 years after its formation. (Charles was first. Atta boy, Charles!) The group was mocked for their devotion to the “methods” of their faith walk & became known as “Methodists.” Many members of the club would become prominent theologians & leaders of the Methodist movement.
Aside: Another famous pair of siblings is the Parker Brothers of board-game fame. I always thought it was unfair that only 1 company is allowed to produce the Monopoly board game.
Charles’ Holy Spirit Moment/Spiritual Conversion was May 21, 1738, three days before John’s famous Spiritual Transformation on Aldersgate Street. (Atta boy, Charles!) Here is Charles’ description: “I felt a strange palpitation of the heart. I said, “I believe, I believe.” A calm peace spread over me. I was full of joy, & said, “I will believe. I do believe for Jesus is mine & I am His.” *
He wrote a hymn that day (“Where Shall my Wondering Soul Begin?”) that reflects the joy, the awe, & the gratitude of the moment. Here’s the opening stanza:**
Where shall my wondering soul begin?
How shall I to heaven aspire?
A slave redeemed from death & sin,
A brand plucked from the fire!
How shall I equal triumphs raise,
O sing my great Deliverer’s praise?
Charles would be so inspired by this experience that he would go on to compose over 6,500 hymns. For comparison’s sake, Dolly Parton has “only” composed around 3,000 songs. (Atta boy, Charles!) Some of his greatest hits include: “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” & “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.”
Aside: Another famous pair of siblings is the Ringling Brothers of circus renown. The youngest brother, John, was in charge of cleaning up after the elephant’s parade each evening. Legend has it that a bank owner approached John to offer him a job. John turned him down saying, “What? And leave show business?”
While John’s sermons elaborated on the doctrines of faith, Charles also “preached” through his poems & hymns. His lyrics are chock full of Biblical references & theological themes like Justification by Faith, Prevenient Grace, Sanctification & Holiness, & emphasizing again & again the belief that God was an active & loving God.
Though Charles would travel with John to America & across England as they preached the need for a revival of faith, he wasn’t thrilled with the idea of Methodism becoming its own denomination. He was of a more conservative bent, wanting to utilize the ideas of Methodism to revive & reform the Church of England from within.
I would submit that the ministries of John & Charles illustrate the ideal worship experience. Depending on the Sunday, we may hear God’s Word via various mediums. It could be a convicting Scripture reading one week, a moving illustration via the Sermon the next week, or perhaps an inspirational Song the following week. This is what makes worship each week so unique–you never know how or when you’ll sense God’s inspiration.
We’ll wrap up with the story of two brothers who, after watching Disney’s “Robin Hood” cartoon movie, were enamored with role-playing as Robin Hood & Little John. The younger sibling was tired of playing second-fiddle & insisted that today he should be Robin. The older brother agreed saying, “Okay. You can be Robin today. I’ll be Batman.”
© 2025 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* John Wesley’s Journal, January 4, 1785–https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/J_Wesley/20.
** Richard J. Foster, Freedom of Simplicity: Revised Edition: Finding Harmony in a Complex World. HarperOne, 2010.
