We began this series last week with a couple of startling discoveries and I want to review those as we begin today… Being a sinner doesn’t disqualify you from following Jesus; it’s a prerequisite. Do you remember that? Pretty amazing, isn’t it? Then, here’s the second one… Being an unbeliever doesn’t disqualify you from following Jesus; nobody who followed Jesus early on believed he was divine to begin with (until after the resurrection; do you remember Thomas?)… Folks, Jesus’ invitation to follow was an invitation to relationship! It’s kind of...
As we look today to Jesus’ last words from the cross, we need to remember just how important last words can be. If you’re a United Methodist minister, for instance, you probably know the last words of John Wesley: “The best of all is, God is with us!” The best of all, indeed, is that God is with us. In just a few short words, and because they were his last—so important, John Wesley gave us words of hope, and words to live by, as he did. The reality of...
Trust is one of those things we often deal with in this life. God trusted Mary and Joseph with a baby who would change the world. Jesus trusted his disciples—a mixed bunch of people—to go out into the world and preach the gospel. And even now, God trusts us to be his faithful people … while God also remains faithful to us. Trust goes both ways… And the whole idea of trust starts early on. I look at our new grandson, Henry, and see the way he’s developing these days,...
Delivered by Gail Ray Today, on the 1st Sunday of Lent, we begin to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Here, we’ll learn how he related to God the Father and how we need to as well. So, where are his footsteps taking us? We begin today where his ministry began, at the Jordan River… One of the favorite places people love to visit when going to the Holy Land is the Jordan River, especially when they get to be baptized or renew their baptismal vows at that very special...
Folks, as we move to the very last chapter of Hebrews, we continue to be blessed by a God who loves us! Let me remind you of what we’ve learned together this summer. What has God done for us in the past? What is God doing for us today? And what will God be doing for us in the future? Our God is a God who has given us… HIS WORD … and JESUS as the perfect Messenger… REST … as only God can give… Jesus as a HIGH PRIEST...
On the last mission trip that I was on, I was in charge of certain project that had to do with our worship one evening. I asked a few youth and adults to help me with this particular thing. The majority of those I asked to help were more than willing to pitch in and make this part of our worship service special. One youth, however, had a very different response. When I asked him to be involved, his response was, “So, what are you going to do for me...
The only thing more painful than not seeing our personal dreams come true … is when the dreams for our children fall apart. But, even when that happens, the one thing we can be sure of is this: God is with us—and them, no matter what! I’m sure that Joseph’s dad was sustained by this belief, when he lost his favorite son Joseph through a series of Plan B circumstances. Just listen: When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer....
