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  IS HE?
  by John Wesley
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God alone
for our present and future protection, strength, and peace.

Topics: "Trust in God", "True Refuge"
Scripture References: Psalm 46:1, Psalm 62:7, Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:19

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DESCRIPTION
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John Wesley emphasizes that true refuge and strength come from God, not
from material possessions or security measures we put in place. He
challenges the congregation to examine their trust and reliance on
worldly things versus their faith in God, who is always present and
provides peace. Wesley reminds us that God is our refuge in the present,
not just a future promise, and encourages believers to recognize Him as
their personal source of strength. He warns against the danger of
allowing earthly securities to become idols that distract from the true
source of peace. Ultimately, Wesley calls for a deep, personal trust in
God as our unwavering protector and strength.

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CONTENT
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God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm
46:1 We live in an age that encourages us not only to prepare for every
eventuality, but to insure against every eventuality as well. We build a
house and insure it against burning down. We invest in possessions and
insure them against being stolen. We pursue a healthy lifestyle and
insure ourselves for when we fall ill. We earn a living and invest in
policies to insure an income for when we stop working.

If we can, we surround ourselves with high walls, burglar bars, alarms
and armed response personnel. None of these is necessarily bad and might
even be good stewardship of our resources, except that.........
........our trust can end up being primarily in these things and not in
our God. Who or what do you trust in for your present and future
protection? Where do you look for strength? Who or what determines
whether you sleep peacefully? Many of us need to learn what the Psalmist
discovered, but we can only accept the following truths from a place of
spiritual poverty.

Firstly, real peace giving refuge is not to be found in fortresses, but
in God. The only safe place to be is in God. Secondly, notice the verb
is....He is our refuge, not He will be or might be, but He is, here and
now and always. He is never distant or withdrawn, He is with us.
Thirdly, the God who is a refuge is our refuge. You and I can say: "God
is my refuge." "God is our refuge and strength." Is He your refuge and
strength? Beware of imitations, the things mentioned in the first
paragraph, becoming idols that give you a misplaced sense of peace and
strength.

If you lose all those things tomorrow (and how does that possibility
make you feel?), God will still be God and your refuge and strength
would remain unchanged. Thou seest my feebleness; Jesu, be thou my
power, My help, and refuge in distress, My fortress and my tower. Give
me to trust in thee, Be thou my sure abode; My horn, and rock, and
buckler be, My Saviour and my God. (296)

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/john-wesley/is-he/
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