WesleyGospel Ministries

Originally from here.

Taken from ch. 6 on “Perseverance,” in Randolph Foster’s Objections to Calvinism As It Is.

John Wesley’s Serious Thoughts Upon the Perseverance of the Saints (1751):
his tract against eternal security. 

I see that you are FULL OF BITTERNESS.
–Acts 8:23 (NIV)–

Their mouths are FULL OF cursing and BITTERNESS.
–Romans 3:14 (NIV)–

²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and DO NOT GIVE THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. ²⁹ Do not let any UNWHOLESOME TALK come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ GET RID OF ALL BITTERNESS, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE to one another, FORGIVING each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
–Ephesians 4:26-32 (NIV)–

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
–Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)–

Faith is evidence of things unseen.

A journey not by sight, in search of what is hoped for.
Moving with confidence, regardless of the tides.
Learning how to love. Strengthened from above.

The shaping of a soul, forging a prudent character.
Through all we cannot see, the deepest mystery.
A lesson for the just.

Wisdom is to trust.
Faith is evidence of things unseen.

The sword of the Spirit will lead the way.
The incarnated Logos will reside in the secret chambers of those who believe.

We hold fast to what we know is our hope.
The shield that extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Learning how to love.
Strengthened from above.

And so we walk by faith, with eyes fixed on the Perfector.
Through every stage of life we grow.

Faith is evidence of things unseen.
Faith is evidence of things unseen.
Faith is evidence of things unseen.
–Fleshkiller, “Secret Chambers”–

Breath of God released faith
Creates all life perfect plan
Sin invades
Separates man from God
The fallen state

Lamb of God sacrifice fulfills
All law with sinless life
Love beyond all that’s known
God himself bore our sin

Jesus truth solution
Truth solution, the only solution

Before all time his plan was made
To give free will yet show the way
To give his son in our place
To die, to rise forever reign

Beware deception
All highs fade except God
Deluded path
Confront to blind eyes
From the, from the truth

The choice is free to all
Rejection receives Hell
There is no other way
Acceptance eternal life in

Jesus, truth solution
Truth solution, the only solution
–Living Sacrifice, “Truth Solution”–

Charismatics need to preach Romans. Not just Baptists.
–J.B.–

The natural person DOES NOT ACCEPT the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
–1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)–

You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: YOU ALWAYS RESIST the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?
–Acts 7:51-52 (NIV)–

Today, if you will hear His voice,
DO NOT HARDEN your hearts as in the rebellion.
–Hebrews 3:15 (NKJV)–

The Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever.”
–Genesis 6:3 (NKJV)–

The Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
–Acts 5:32 (NIV)–

Follow the way of love and EAGERLY DESIRE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
–1 Corinthians 14:1-3 (NIV)–

In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see VISIONS,
    your old men will dream DREAMS.
–Acts 2:17 (NIV)–

He wrote down the substance of his dream.
–Daniel 7:1 (NIV)–

Write the vision
and make it plain on tablets.
–Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV)–

Were not our hearts burning within us 
while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?
–Luke 24:32 (NIV)–

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I FELT MY HEART STRANGELY WARMED. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.
–John Wesley–

Begin to tell the people
what you have felt in your own heart,
and beseech the Holy Spirit
to make your heart as hot as a furnace for zeal.
–Charles Spurgeon–

—

WesleyGospel, “Why Cessationists Don’t Hear the Voice of God.”

—. “Debunking Cessationism.”

Dr. Jack Deere, Surprised by the Voice of God (Zondervan, 1996), chs. 16-19. Argues that cessationists don’t have charismatic experiences because of their unbelief and their stubborn pride of feeling they are right in their views (Acts 7:51); the same probably applies to most atheists, agnostics, and skeptics (Romans 1:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14).

Dr. James Goll, The Beginner’s Guide to Hearing God (Regal, 2008).

Dr. Craig Keener, Miracles Today (Baker, 2021).

Richard J. Foster, Streams of Living Water (HarperCollins, 1998).

Thomas Dubay, Fire Within (Ignatius Press, 1989).

Augustin Poulain, The Graces of Interior Prayer (Kegan Paul, 1910).

Ira Milligan, Understanding the Dreams You Dream (Treasure House, 1997).

Charles Finney, “The Self-Hardening Sinner’s Doom,” 1.3. Refers to belief in Hell dreams – adhered to by both Jonathan Edwards and Finney.

Daniel Jennings, The Supernatural Occurrences of John Wesley.

—. The Supernatural Occurrences of Charles G. Finney.

Jeff Doles, Miracles and Manifestations of the Holy Spirit In the History of the Church, ch. 7. John Knox and the Scottish Reformation preachers were all into dream interpretation and the gift of foretelling prophecy.

John Wimber, Power Evangelism (Harper & Row, 1986).

—. Power Healing (HarperCollins, 1987).

N. Clayton Croy, Prima Scriptura (Baker, 2011).

In a place of peace and confidence
Bring us to complete unity

Adopted, chosen – seekers of light

May all be one, like You are one
So we can see the glory of the Son

Conversion – a new perception of reality
Relinquish – in pursuit of relief, unyielding peace
Despised, rejected – for the sake of a name

Wisdom, vigor – transposed to the willing
Unveiling the obscure – the concealed truth
Anticipated Messiah – visible in the flesh
Believing, accepting – inseparable Father and Son

May all be one, like You are one
So we can see the glory of the Son

Guidance and strength – provided to endure
Alienated, separated – yet part of the scheme
Purified by blood – protected from malice
Enabled to testify – declaring eternal life

In a place of peace and confidence
Bring us to complete unity
You have overcome the world
A new way for humanity
–Extol, “Unveiling The Obscure”–

Why is a woe pronounced upon the rich who have received their consolation? (Luke 6:24), who are full, who laugh now, who “lie upon beds of ivory and stretch themselves upon their couches;” “join house to house,” and “lay field to field;” “and the harp and the viol, the tabret and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts,” (Amos 6:6; Isa. 5:8, 10). Certainly ivory and gold, and riches, are the good creatures of God, permitted, nay destined, by divine providence for the use of man; nor was it ever forbidden to laugh, or to be full, or to add new to old and hereditary possessions, or to be delighted with music, or to drink wine. This is true, but when the means are supplied to roll and wallow in luxury, to intoxicate the mind and soul with present and be always hunting after new pleasures, is very far from a legitimate use of the gifts of God. Let them, therefore, suppress immoderate desire, immoderate profusion, vanity, and arrogance, that they may use the gifts of God purely with a pure conscience. When their mind is brought to this state of soberness, they will be able to regulate the legitimate use. –John Calvin