Renewing Our Covenant with God

Sunday, December 31, 2023 ~ Sermon Notes

Renewing Our Covenant with God ~ Psalm 103

Today, we gather to reflect on the tradition of John Wesley's Covenant Renewal Service. In this timeless ritual, Wesley invited believers to reaffirm their commitment to God—a commitment not taken lightly but embraced with deep conviction. Wesley believed in the power of intentional relationship with God, and the Covenant Renewal Service became a pivotal moment for Methodists to renew their vows of love, faith, and obedience. It's a reminder that our journey of faith is not a one-time decision but a continuous, intentional walk with our Creator. As we engage in this service, we echo the words spoken by those who have gone before us, committing ourselves afresh to God's guidance, grace, and love. It's a moment to examine our hearts, acknowledging areas where we may have strayed, and seeking forgiveness and renewal.
The Wesleyan Covenant Prayer was adapted by John Wesley for the renewal of the believer's covenant with God. Wesley says that The prayer was first used in a covenant renewal service held on Monday, August 11, 1755, in London, with 1800 people present. Since then, the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer is often used in Methodist churches around the world on the first Sunday of the year, or in watch night services on New Year’s Eve. 

Not to Be Taken Lightly
In Wesley's words, this covenant is not a human invention but a divine promise. It's an acknowledgment that God's faithfulness far surpasses our own, and in our weaknesses, His strength is made perfect. Consider the scriptural foundation of covenant renewal. In the Old Testament, we see the Israelites renewing their commitment to God, and in the New Testament, Jesus inaugurates a new covenant through His sacrifice on the cross. The Covenant Renewal Service aligns us with this biblical tradition, emphasizing the continuity of God's redemptive plan. Today, as we partake in this sacred act, let us reflect on the blessings and challenges of the past year. Let's remember that our God is a God of second chances, and His mercies are new every morning. We are not defined by our mistakes but by the grace that abounds in Christ.

Conclusion
May this Covenant Renewal Service be a catalyst for personal and communal revival. Let it strengthen the bonds of our family of faith and inspire us to live out our Christian calling with passion and purpose. Let this be a simple way to tell others what we are about here at Shiloh Church; we are people living out a shared covenant of total devotion to Jesus Christ. So, let us embrace this sacred moment with open hearts, understanding that our covenant with God is not a static commitment but a dynamic relationship that grows and deepens with each passing day. Let’s suppose that what will say is recorded in Heaven and will be used in the LORD’s court on the day of judgment. I dare you to take the words you’re about to say so seriously that you can imagine them being heard and written down in God’s book of life.

A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition
I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen. ~