Messages by Wayne Cook
Being Present in Hope
In this sermon, Pastor Wayne reflects on the true meaning of Advent/Christmas amidst the bustling holiday activities. While society celebrates with lights, decorations, and gift shopping, the church is reminded that Advent/Christmas is also a season of shadows, where darkness and struggles intensify. Drawing from Mark 13, Pastor Wayne emphasizes Jesus’ preparation of his disciples for difficult times, cautioning them about various challenges. However, the central message is one of hope – the assurance that Jesus has come, is continually…
Sheep vs Goats
Today, on Christ the King Sunday, Pastor Wayne takes us through a profound reflection on the final judgment from Matthew’s Gospel. As we wrap up the church year, we’re reminded of the last moments Jesus spent teaching before his crucifixion. In the past weeks, the scriptures used in worship emphasized the need for preparation, echoing the parable of the bridesmaids and the parable of the talents. Today’s discourse from Matthew 25:31-46 delves into the final judgment when all nations stand…
Give THanks with a Grateful Heart
The sermon revolves around the movie “Shenandoah,” where Pastor Wayne describes the protagonist, Charlie Anderson, as initially indifferent to church and religion. Despite his reluctance, he fulfills his late wife’s wish by taking the family to church, mostly out of duty. The central theme emerges when tragedy strikes, and Charlie questions the purpose of giving thanks to a seemingly distant God. Pastor Wayne relates this to personal experiences of worry, emphasizing that excessive worrying is often fueled by a desire…
Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving
With apologies that there is no recording of the sermon this week, I forgot to plug the recorder into the sound system. Here is a synopsis of this week’s sermon on Psalm 100. The sermon on Psalm 100 emphasizes the interconnectedness of gratitude and joy. The speaker argues that gratitude and joy are intertwined and often indistinguishable, presenting a chicken-and-egg scenario. The sermon uses Psalm 100 as a backdrop, noting its unique characteristics and how it defies simple categorization. The…
The Things that Are God’s
The game is afoot. The Pharisees and Herodians are tag teaming to try and get Jesus to trip up and be discredited. They ask a question about taxes. Jesus responds by asking for a coin. He then he asks who is depicted on the coin. The reply, “the emperor.” Jesus responds, “then give to the emperor the things that are the emporer’s, and give to God what is God’s.” That begs the question, what is God’s? Join us as Pastor…
Stiff Necked People
God has had it with “stiff necked” people. When God sees the people convincing Aaron to created a golden calf so that they can worship it, God goes into a rage. But Moses stops God and reminds God of his desire for a relationship with God’s people. He asks, why would you want to destroy your people after you have brought them out of Egypt with “great power and a mighty hand?” And God changed God’s mind. We live in…
Fruits of the Spirit
Today’s text combines a look at the 10 Commandments with the parable of the wicked tenants. It examines the question of what is God wanting from us and how do we respond? Our lessons today are:Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20Psalm 19Philippians 3:4b-14Matthew 21:33-46
It’s Not Fair
The landowner engages workers for his vineyard at the beginning of the workday. They agree to a wage for the work. Then, at several different times in the day, he engages more workers. When the end of the day comes, the workers line up to receive their wages. All of the workers receive the same wage regardless of the number of hours worked. Is this fair? Is it fair that someone who acknowledges God and lives as they are called…
Who Am I?
Moses was hiding out in the wilderness when he encountered a burning bush that was not being consumed by the fire. At this miracle bush, Moses encountered God and received his marching orders to “tell old Pharaoh to let my people go.” Peter had just received high praise from Jesus, “upon this rock I will build my church…” he said. But then when Peter objected to the future that Jesus was describing to the Disciples, he hears “get behind me,…
Rules to Live By: Stay in Love With God
This is the third and final message in a series dealing with the General Rules of the Methodist Societies: 1) Do No Harm; 2) Do Good; and 3) Stay in Love with God. These rules stand at the very heart of what it means to be Methodist. If implemented, they could change the world. They definitely change the lives of the very folks who make them a rule of life. The Scriptures for today’s message revolve around James 5:13-20 and…
