"The One Thing Needful" - John Wesley, Sermon, Summary

Introduction:

1. If a "stranger to the state of this world and its inhabitants" were to observe our activities would he not conclude simply that "these creatures were designed to be busied about many things." That is, to "gratify their several desires with sensual pleasure, or riches, or honor, or power." 
2. "One thing is needful." Furthermore, the stranger would observe"their one business, the one end of their existence, was none of all those things which men were troubled about...."
3. The stranger would surely note that "they had a surplusage of time at their command."
4. Outline of Sermon
1. "Observe what this one thing needful is...."
2. "A few of the numberless reasons that prove this to be the one thing needful."

I. The One Thing Needful

1. In this "one thing" many "things are comprised."
2. The one thing needful is "the renewal of our fallen nature."
3. "From the glorious liberty wherein he was made he is fallen into the basest bondage." 
4. But, "these chains of darkness under which we groan do not only hold us in on every side, but they are within us, too...."
5. "To recover our first estate" one must "re-exchange the image of Satan for the image of God." 

II. Numberless Reasons Which Prove That This Is The One Thing Needful

1. This one thing is to be "pursued at all times and in all places."
2. "For to this end was man created, to love God....But love is the very image of God; it is the brightness of his glory."
3. The incarnation, life,  and death of Christ were miracles "of love were wrought with on other view that to restore us to health and freedom."
4. It is the one end of "all God's providential dispensations." 
5. "To the same end are all the internal dispensations of God."

Exhortation (Conclusion):

1. "Hath not Christ given thee light? Why then sittest thou still in the shadow of death? What slumber is this which hangs on thy temples?"
2. We must note that "our Lord doth not call this our main concern, our great business, the chief thing needful, but the one thing--all others being either parts of this or quite foreign to the end of life."
3. "Be we then continually jealous over our souls, that there be no mixture in our intention."