Preached at Oxford on June 18, 1738, shortly after Wesley's Aldersgate experience, this sermon presents one of Methodism’s foundational teachings: people are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by their own works or merit. We are saved through faith in Jesus and the power of the cross, not through human effort, but solely through God’s freely given grace. Salvation by faith is a foundational doctrine of the church, and no challenge can overturn it. Wesley argues that all God's blessings, including salvation, come from His free grace. Because of sin, people cannot earn God's favor through good deeds or religious efforts; they receive salvation through faith in Christ alone.

This sermon may offer one of the first examples of Wesley confidently challenging those who claim to be Christians. This sermon had already lead him to be banned from numerous pulpits in and around London. Now having been invited to Oxford, Wesley addresses colleagues, fellow clergy, faculty, and students, people who not only claim faith but also profess, teach, and learn it. Many are outraged by Wesley, and this will not be the last time. At this particular church, he will eventually cause enough controversy to be banned from preaching at Oxford as well. He will also face opposition at many of the other churches where he preaches and, later, in the fields, as he continues to challenge those who believe they are already doing enough.

One of the sermon’s most distinctive elements is Wesley's insistence that salvation by faith brings not only forgiveness but also victory over the power of sin in a believer's present life. Salvation is both pardon and transformation.

In Wesley’s own published edition of sermons, this is Sermon 1 of 151 because it is the foundation of our faith. This may not be revolutionary to most Christians, and Protestants in particular, thanks in large part due to Wesley, but what makes us unique is what Wesley builds from it. Christian Perfection in THIS lifetime, which Wesley hints at, along with Preventing (or Prevenient) Grace offered to all people, not just some. We will discuss these topics in great detail several times during this series.

We study Wesley’s sermons because they represent the core tenets of Wesley’s faith and legacy that we now carry. Wesley published sermons, letters, and his journal, not multi-volume theological treatises, because Wesley wanted others to think about how we live our faith, not the doctrines and dogmas we scarcely understand.