Messages by Wayne Cook (Page 3)

Messages by Wayne Cook (Page 3)

Rules to Live by: 2) Do Good

In this second week of this 3-week series on the General Rules of the Methodist Societies, we take a look at the second rule, Do Good. The scripture text for this week is found in James 3:13-18. Other texts for the day include Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105, and Matthew 14:22-33 The General Rules are a way of living. They remind us that it is not about us. It is about both  loving God and loving neighbor. The both/and nature of…

Rules to Live By: 1) Do No Harm

We United Methodists have been through the wringer over the past few years. It has been a time when disagreements have come to a head and some folks have decided that we can no longer be in fellowship together. “They say” that it is about disagreements over how folks who identify as LGBTQIA+ are to be integrated into the fabric of our Methodist heritage. While that may be the presenting issue, it goes deeper than that. In my opinion, it…

Shine Like the Sun

On this eighth Sunday after Pentecost we are once again hearing Jesus share a parable about a farmer and crops. This time he’s talking about weeds and productive seeds occupying the same space and he tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is like this. What? Join us as Pastor Wayne takes a look at this parable. The scriptures this week are Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139, Romans 8:12-25, and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

Seeds in the Dirt

Jesus is telling stories again. In this story, Jesus is telling stories about a farmer sowing seeds. The farmer is God. The dirt? Well, that’s us. Some good dirt. Some bad dirt. Some seeds flourish. Some don’t. We’ve heard it all before. But what about the sower? That sower is pretty extravagant in the way that he spreads those seeds. Join us as Pastor Wayne looks at the sower and the amazing grace that is showered upon us.

Taking a Yoke

What does it mean when Jesus says, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light?” Join us as we explore what it means to be yoked with Jesus.

Quenching A Thirst

What does it mean to offer a cup of cool water to the little ones? This is Jesus providing instruction to the disciples prior to their first mission trip. Our scriptures this week are Romans 6:12-23, Psalm 13, Matthew 10:40-42.  We are all called to live out and live into a radical hospitality. What does that mean for us as individuals? As a congregation? How is McFarland living out radical hospitality now?

Trusting the Unknown

On this Second Sunday after Pentecost, we look at what it means to create disciples. The sermon title is “Trusting the Unknown.” The scriptures for today are Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33, Romans 4:13-25, and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26.

Go Therefore…

Matthew 28:16-20 offers us one of the versions of Jesus’ last words to his disciples and followers before the resurrected Jesus ascends to be with God the Father in heaven. These words have come to be known as the Great Commission. But what does the Great Commission mean for us today?