An old Cherokee story goes like this:
One evening a Cherokee grandfather told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

While most of us probably do not describe the personal challenges we all have as an internal “battle”, we still recognize the wisdom in that story. We know we make choices throughout our lives, hopefully many that are good solid decisions, but, regretfully, there are those that are not what they should be. We’re probably as aware of that fact at this time of year as we are at any other, for it’s New Year’s, a time for self-evaluation and awareness. We consider what New Year’s resolutions we might make for the change we want to see. It’s time for a fresh start—a new covenant.

The fact that most of our New Year’s resolutions tend to fail does not mean we shouldn’t do some self-examination. I would expect we all have some area of our life where we do not yet meet the expectations we have for ourselves—not to speak of the ones our family members and others might remind us of, perhaps too readily! In the words of the Cherokee grandfather, what wolf will we feed this year?

John Wesley had some thoughts on this when he first established a “Covenant Service” in 1755. Wesley was an extremely devout and religious man. He read and studied his Bible diligently, spent extensive time in thoughtful and deliberate prayer, met with others for active discussion of his faith, preached whenever the opportunity arose—and spent literally hours every day “practicing his faith.” Wesley traveled all over leading Covenant Services. His life mission was to help others know of the life they could have in Jesus Christ.

Nowadays, Covenant Services are generally held on New Year’s Eve or Day. This year, it just so happens that Epiphany, that time of the wise men, is exactly the same day. What a great opportunity to celebrate the two together! They fit so well. I think we’d all agree—John Wesley was a pretty wise man!

His scripture study gave him an understanding of the early covenants of the faith. While covenants could be made between individuals, and often were, it was the covenants between God and his people that were foremost. Moses was handed the 10 Commandments, and the prophets of old had foretold of what was to come throughout the Hebrew Testament, in the words of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah and Hosea…

Through his study, Wesley understood the radical change that was contained in the New Testament. Jesus honored it during that Last Supper with his disciples, and it was sealed through his death on the cross. For us, the change is from death to life. With this, we must remind ourselves that while we often talk of his blood as the saving element, as does Wesley, Jesus’ Spirit of self-sacrifice was amazingly strong and of tremendous importance.

Our scriptures today serve to clarify the meaning of covenant for us now. The Psalms describe a “gathering of the faithful,” such as this Body of Christ. We are reminded that we come together, remembering our common baptism. and reflecting on those times when we share the bread and the cup together in communion. Today, we will “remember our baptism” as we leave this service. When we are baptized, it is into the community of faith, and I have asked some of your church leaders today to assist in remembrance of that, along with their participation in this service. This is a gathering of the faithful. Next week, we will join together, as we regularly do, to share the communion cup. Some of you will do it in the Chapel this morning, in remembrance of our Lord’s Supper.

The New Testament reading in I Peter today reminds us of the Call to Holy Living we have all received. The Covenant Service is responding to that “Call.” This was just part of the scriptural background of John Wesley as he established his services, devout in faith and disciplined in practice, as a leader of disciples.

The Covenant Service is in a more traditional format and language, but it is important as we do it, that we prepare for it by understanding what it is about. John Wesley believed deeply in that “Call to Holy Living.” For him, it describes the way of “going on to perfection,” that is, of being perfected in love, which is what he saw as a faithful goal of all disciples--all Christians in love with their Lord.

To understand further what that means, we must simply understand Christ. Now that may or may not be simple. Too often, we tend to shift our thinking of Christ to that of a popular, too secular, hero concept that fits our current subjective thinking. John Wesley would always caution us against that. The Jesus Christ of the scriptures is a compelling, dynamic, savior, who demonstrated sacrificial, self-giving, love—in the fullest sense—wherever he went. He healed, he questioned, he taught, fed and led. He spoke in ways that were sometimes difficult to understand, but always with deep truths. He radically changed the thinking of the world and people were transformed in his presence. The shedding of his blood represented life poured out for others. He was the essence of forgiveness and humility, a servant devoted to his God in prayer, and the mediator of the Covenant.

As we join together in Wesley’s Covenant Service, it is imperative we remember these things. Yet our head knowledge of the “facts” is simply not enough. We must participate in the reading with a sincere and open heart, believing our love for our Lord will be expanded through these words. They are intense words of committal, and we will fall short of all they imply, but through prayer, ongoing study, and continuing our walk with Jesus, we can honor our commitment.

We must always remember that Jesus came to save, not condemn. That is the context in which we must prepare our hearts. Through his grace, we are saved. (George talked about that last week) It is especially important to remember that as we struggle with our response. I should remind you, too, that where the service says to bow on your knees or fall down, you are not expected to do that right here. Simply make it a response of your heart.

Starting next week, and for the weeks following, there will be many opportunities for “Growing in Love.” You will be given “Tools for Strengthening Relationships.” Listen to the sermons that will come; take them to heart. Take advantage of as many of the classes as you possibly can, that you MAY grow in love…. There are many choices that can help you along the way. Prepare your heart, for “Growing in Love…” is more than knowledge—it’s an internal process, and we must allow the living Spirit to possess our heart as well as our head. John Wesley believed that and that’s why Nancy and George have us singing that son, “Change Our Heart, Oh Lord,” at each worship service. Growth will come, in the fullness of time. Follow your heart as well as your head, and as those wise men of old, you will see the new Christ.

The small ways we change can make very big differences. Tony Campolo tells a story in his book, “Which Jesus?” of sitting next to an elderly woman who was alone in an airport terminal. He says, “From her expression, she appeared to be mad at the world.” Tony decided to sit next to her, try to strike up a conversation, and see if he could get her to smile. Not only did he get her to smile, but she actually laughed. He says, “It was like an emotional dike had been broken,” because once she started, she could not stop laughing. A few others in the room gathered around them, and soon everyone was having a “hilarious” time! When a plane arrived, bringing a friend she’d been waiting for, the friend got off, the ladies hugged, said their good-byes to everyone and drove away. Suddenly, Tony looked out the terminal doors and saw her driving back! She got out, walked up to Tony and said, “Mister, it was two years ago today that my husband of 54 years died. You couldn’t have known that. But as I was on my way home, I realized that today is the first day that I’ve been able to laugh, and I just had to come back and thank you.”

The Lord does not limit our response of love, so we must not limit ourselves.

As you leave this service today, our leaders will be stationed in the back. They will touch you on the forehead with the water from the baptismal fountain as you exit during the last song, “Just As I Am,” that you may remember your baptism. If you have not been baptized, please simply reflect on the meaning of baptism.

When we complete the service, take this covenant home to ponder over, pray over, and sign as you’re ready, knowing you’re not there yet but believing you will grow in love…

[This message was followed by Wesley’s Covenant Service.]

Sermon delived by Rev. Carol Mumbord on New Years Day, January 1, 2006.