Messages (Page 2)
Sour Grapes
Today, we welcome the Reverend Keith Moore to bring the message in worship. Keith is the director of the Wesley Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Keith is addressing the tendency of the older generations throughout time to pass along the “sour grapes” that place the younger generations teeth on edge. His message is a challenge for all of us to commit to God’s call on our lives. The texts for today are Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25:1-9;…
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…
Identity Crisis
We welcome Michael Feely, executive director of Mountain Top as our guest speaker this morning. Who do we say Jesus is? Do we show it in our life?
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…
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…
Hidden and Mixed In
Sermon for July 30, 2023 at McFarland UMC.
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.
