Madisonville First United Methodist Church

Do You Know For Sure?

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, experienced a dynamic turning point in his life /files/Images/Miscellaneous Page Icons/Wesley.jpg . While sailing back to England from the American colonies the ship he was on came upon a terrible storm at sea. Everyone thought they would die. This thought of impending death filled Wesley with fear. He had no assurance of where he stood before God; that his salvation was secure.

On that same ship was a group of Moravian christians who were singing hymns of praise with great joy in the very face of death. Wesley spoke with the leader of this group and asked how this could be. Were they not afraid of standing before God in final judgement? They shared with Wesley that they knew for certain that their sins had been forgiven and the assurance of heaven was in their hearts.

This experience troubled Wesley as he realized he had no such assurance in his own heart. Then something remarkable happened. Read in Wesley's own words:

“In the evening I went very unwilling 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 has taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefully used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart.”

John Wesley - Wednesday Evening, May 24, 1738

We at First United Methodist Church in Madisonville want you to share the same assurance that Wesley found that evening. Click on the banner below and spend what may a few of the most important moments of your life.