Introduction:

Preaching before the Society for reformation of manners in 1763 John Wesley used Psalm 94:16 as his text; "Who will rise up with me against the wicked?" and said:
In all ages, men who neither feared God, nor regarded man have combined together, and formed confederacies, to carry on the works of darkness. And herein they have shown themselves wise in their generation, by this means they more effectually promoted the kingdom of their father, the devil, than otherwise they could have done. On the other hand, men who did fear God, and desire the happiness of their fellow creatures, have, in every age, found it needful to join together, in order to oppose the works of darkness, to spread the knowledge of God their Savior, and to promote His kingdom upon earth. Indeed, He Himself has instructed them to do so. From the time men were upon the earth, He hath taught them to join together in His service, and has invited them into one body by the spirit.

I. The Call to Reformation of the Jews

The Psalmist cried out, "Who will stand up for me against evildoers?" apparently feeling somewhat alone with God standing against evil. Yet a couple of verses earlier we read, "The Lord will not abandon His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance." Even though men and women might forsake and abandon their Godly companions, God will faithfully uphold His people.

II. The Call to Reformation of the early church

Years after the writings of the Psalms, Jesus called people to stand with Him against the forces of evil. In John 17 we have a beautiful prayer of Jesus for those who had come to believe in Him as Savior and Lord, who responded to His call to live a new life. Jesus' plan and prayer was that through the lives and testimonies of Christians, the people of the world would come to know Christ. (John 17:23)

In the days of the early church - many responded to the call to reformation - turned their back to their previous sinful ways and trusted Jesus Christ.

III. The Call to Reformation of the Established church

When we think of reformation we often think of Martin Luther, a man of God who called his own church to reform. Years later, reading Luther's Preface to the Book of Romans John Wesley had his heart warming experience, and another movement of God's Spirit began and lives were changed. This challenged the established church, which had grown cold, apathetic and lifeless. Wesley echoed the words of the Psalmist, "Who will rise up with me against the wicked?" While confronting the social evils of gambling, profanity, Sabbath breaking, and immorality, etc., he also stood against the evil of the established church that was being lulled into complacency. The establish church apparently was not will to truly be the church because that would upset the status quo. People and the church itself needed to be reformed. The good news is that many people were reformed and a new church began.

IV. The Call to Reformation today

Our denomination grew out of reformation and revival. Yet, here we are over two hundred years later and our denomination needs to hear and In their book Rekindling the Flame, United Methodist leaders, William Willimon and Robert Wilson wrote, "The programs of many of our local churches appear to be a mix of Activities from the Y.M.C.A., the Garden Club, and the League of Women Voters." They went on to say, "Wesley believed that the church could be an alternative community, a visible, concrete, counter-cultural protest against the dominant social structures of wider society. In their class meetings and societies, early Methodists pioneered new social structures based on their member's common commitment to Christ and to His kingdom. . The church is always judged by the sort of people it produces." Willimon and Wilson concluded that chapter with these words. "Our mandate is to 'go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' (Matthew 28:19) This is what the people called United Methodist must do."

Wise leaders of the United Methodist Church used this mandate as the foundation for our mission statement as a denomination. This mandate also forms the mission statement of our Adel church, "To help people find and develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." This is what we should be about as people whose lives have been reformed to the Lord.

The call to reformation is for you and me. Reformation begins for us in our personal lives as it did for Peter and Paul, for Luther and Wesley. It begins by trusting Christ alone for our salvation and then living lives that are changed by the power of the Gospel, If we have been redeemed and born again, we should rise up against wickedness. The wickedness may be in our society, in our communities, and even in our churches.

Conclusion:

Make the challenge of the Psalmist personal from me to you. "Who will rise up with me against the wicked?" How about you? You? You?

Many years ago John Wesley said, "If I had three hundred men who feared nothing but God, hated nothing but sin, and were determined to know thing among men but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, I would set the world on fire"

I believe God continues to look for those men, women and young people in our day, people who would set the world on fire. We need a new reformation. Will you rise up with me to rekindle the flame?

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