“John Wesley on Christian Beliefs: The Standard Sermons in Modern English Vol 1” by Kenneth Cain Kinghorn. Abingdon Press. 2002. (In modern English.)
“Wesley’s Doctrinal Standards, Part 1: The Sermons”. Edited by Rev. N. Burwash. Schmul Publishing. 1988. (In Wesley’s own words.)
Pastor Larry Brown’s abridged message
was taken from Larry’s own outline below:
John Wesley’s Sermon #20 Outline: “The Lord our Righteousness”
Jer. 23:6
1. There have been countless conflicts over Christianity, to its shame
2. Can’t we do everything possible to live in peace?
3. We need to gain understanding and to rely entirely on God
4. The truth: ‘Christ is our righteousness’ is a pillar of the Christian faith.
5. Unfortunately, we disagree on the meaning of this doctrine
6. The differences are mostly opinion. Therefore I wish to clarity what the righteousness of Christ is and how it is credited (imputed) to us
I. The Righteousness of Christ
1. The Righteousness of Christ is twofold: a).His Divine Righteousness, and b). His Human Righteousness. Christ’s Divine Righteousness relates to his being fully God. He is infinite justice, mercy, and truth.
2. Christ’s Human Righteousness is again twofold. a) His Internal Human Righteousness, and b) His External Human Righteousness. Christ’s Internal Human Righteousness relates to the fact that He is the very image of God
3. Christ’s External Human Righteousness is again twofold: a). Negatively – He did nothing wrong, and b) Positively, - He did everthing well
4. Christ’s Positive External Human Righteousness is again twofold: a) Actively – He did the entire will of God, and b) Passively – He endured suffering obedience on the cross.
(See chart below)
II. The Crediting (Imputing) of Christ’s Righteousness to Us
1. Christ’s righteousness is credited (imputed) to all believers at the moment they believe in Christ
2. Here is where the difference of opinion and expression come in to play.
3. Even though we have the same faith
4. And may reside in different denominations.
5. We are forgiven and accepted only by Christ’s righteousness (What Christ has done and suffered for us. Christ’s Positive, External Human Righteousness)
6. Not by any righteousness of our own
7. I have taught this for many years
8 God takes into account what Christ has done and suffered for us on only one condition: Faith
9 Expressed in other ways: God justifies the believer for the sake of Christ’s righteousness
10. We are justified by faith in the work of Christ, not our works
11, But firstly, we must repent to remove the filthy rags of our own deeds, then by faith we put on Christ’s righteousness.
12. Christ’s righteousness is first credited (Imputed) to us and then we are made righteous (imparted) by the indwelling Spirit
13. The Holy Spirit helps us build on Christ’s righteousness
14. I affirm that God credits (imputes) Christ’s righteousness to all believers
15. The Church of Rome denies imputed righteousness
16. Others reject it too
17. But we Methodists believe it
18. It is a simple trust in the merit of Christ for our salvation.
19. Some misuse the doctrine of imputed righteousness as a cover for sinning
20. Warn everyone against this abuse! We must not make Christ a servant of sin, for ‘Without holiness, no one will see the Lord!
III. Application
1. Finally, let us use the words: “righteousness of Christ” and “imputed righteousness of Christ” as we see fit. We are not Antinomians, so let us not argue over these expressions but rather join hearts and hands in the service of our Great Master.
Christ’s Righteousness
I I
Human Righteous. Divine
I I
External Internal
I I
Positive Negative
I I
Active Passive
(Life) (Death)
Imputed to us at moment of salvation- Christ’s Positive, External, Human Righteous.
