Category

Where does belief come from? Belief arises out of a fundamental awareness of the Reality of God. Read More →

What is in store in humanity’s future?  God has a marvelous plan! Read More →

To what are you devoting your life?  Is it worth spending your life for?  Jesus leads us to find “the pearl of great price” – the prize worth more than all else. Read More →

How will new generations come to faith? The Scriptures mark out a clear plan. Read More →

The ancient Greeks said, “Know thyself.” We sense that knowing our true identity is a key to life. But how do we do that? The Bible points the way. Read More →

Is there hope for planet earth? Are we just adrift in the universe, or does God have a plan for all creation? The Scriptures bring a stunning message of hope for the world. Read More →

Does life have a purpose? What is your highest goal in life? The Bible gives us a vision for our destiny. Read More →

Three times, Mary Magdelene asked where Jesus’ body was when she found the empty tomb. We, like Mary, look for some security and sense of control by trying to put Jesus in a place that will make us comfortable. Read More →

The Bible says that you are “predestined.” Does that mean that God has determined your future? Or is there a destiny offered that you choose to fulfill? This is the beginning of a sermon series entitled “Fulfill Your Destiny – Entering the Future God Intends.” Read More →

The entire story of Jesus’ public ministry – from the first call of the disciples to Jesus’ resurrection and sending forth of the disciples — is bracketed by two fishing stories. These signify our calling to become “fishers of people.” When we truly encounter the Risen Christ, we... Read More →

Isaiah stubbornly listened to God in midst of the people’s despair. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem demonstrated firmness and faith in the midst of strong and influential opposition. May we be inspired to do likewise. Read More →

Jesus once cursed a fig tree. What was that all about? Jesus was actually bringing a very important message to us, and to the world. Read More →

Whatever we are dealing with in life, Christ can bring about transformation. Read More →

Many people believe in God without really grasping what faith in God means. The picture becomes clear in Jesus. Read More →

This Sunday was United Methodist Women Sunday, and the women of our church created a very memorable and special service. The theme of the service was being in mission, and the sermon specifically deals with doubting one’s abilities. Read More →

Sometimes we wish we could get a perfectly clear vision of God. We long for a “mountaintop experience.” But real knowledge of God may happen in other ways. Read More →

Can God provide for our need? Can we make a difference for the needs of others? When we have faith in Christ, the results can be much bigger than we thought possible. Read More →

To what lengths would you go to help someone you love? Is Jesus a part of your plan? There is power in what Christ can do! Read More →

What sort of people are acceptable to Jesus? Jesus’ answer to that question is different from the usual. Read More →

Discipleship is not just believing in Jesus, but stepping forth in a journey with Jesus – trusting in Christ, growing in a relationship, and becoming involved in risk-taking mission. Read More →

Have you ever noticed in the Christmas stories that no one ever says in the same place? Holy family, shepherds, wise men—they all are called step forth into uncertain yet amazing territory. God likewise calls us to step forward in faith to be a part of how God will be at work... Read More →

Can we hear “the voice of angels” today within all the din and distractions of our time? It is possible to encounter God here and now, as God comes among us. Read More →

It may often appear that we are of no account in this world. The rich and powerful call the shots. Yet God shows in Mary that it is actually through small and ordinary people that God’s purposes unfold. Read More →

The Bible says that Christ is “the Word become flesh.” What does that mean? It is in fact an extraordinary message, and one that can transform our lives. Read More →

If you have to climb the mountain of God, can you make it to the top? The good news is that God has moved the other way – God has come to us! We can experience God’s presence and grace in Christ, who is God with us. Read More →

Does the world seem out of control, so often in the hands of corrupt, evil, or incapable leaders? The gospel brings a message of great hope and assurance – that beyond outward appearances there is One on the throne whose power is infinite, whose will for us is good, and whose... Read More →

As we approach Thanksgiving, do we have real reason for thanks, or more reason to grumble? The Scriptures give us a whole new perspective. Read More →

Why do we do what we do? Usually, we are aiming for our own advantage. There is a transformation of life that occurs when we aim higher – for the glory of God. Read More →

Are you a saint? We may feel far less than saintly, but the grace of Christ changes the picture. Read More →

In a world full of trouble and threat, is there any sure defense? We can find strength, confidence, and ultimate triumph through Christ. Read More →

What is your purpose? Where is your life directed? Is there anything on which you would stake your life? We can find genuine purpose through Christ. Read More →

When in the garden, Mary “turned” and saw Jesus. In Ezekiel, God calls the children of Israel to “repent and turn.” Repentance is turning away from that which is sinful and turning to God. Read More →

God is both beyond this world and within it. We can encounter God’s saving power within the ordinary elements of our lives. Read More →

Human beings like to create hierarchies, but Christ levels the playing field. We all have direct access to God, and we all have an extremely important call. Read More →

Can you make up your own spirituality? People often do; but if we want to truly experience God’s saving power, we need to take hold of the answer that God provides – Jesus Christ. Read More →

Are you good enough for God and for heaven? We all fall short. But we do not have to arrive at perfection. New life is possible right now – through faith. Read More →

“What must I do to be saved?” was a question once asked of Jesus. What is the final answer to that question? How can we experience God’s saving power, both now and forever? The answer in the Scriptures is revolutionary. Read More →

How do we know what to believe? Is all truth relative? Does God communicate truth to us, and if so, how? The Christian message is that we can know the truth, and, as Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” Read More →

It is contrary to our human nature to want to be foolish.  Therefore, it is a challenge when Paul writes about the message of the cross being foolish and being fools for Christ. Read More →

How do we get to heaven? Can people who are not Christians go to heaven? The Bible gives a clear – and perhaps surprising – picture. Read More →

Will we see our loved ones in heaven? From the prophets to Jesus to the book of Revelation, the Biblical Word puts forth the vision of “the feast of heaven,” which tells us a great deal about the destiny that we have through Christ, and how we are to live with one another now. Read More →

Many people today, if they think of hell at all, take it lightly; or they think of hell in simplistic terms. The real Biblical picture pushes us to think more deeply—to take hell seriously and to see the real hope that we have through the grace of Jesus Christ. Read More →

You don’t hear much about hell nowadays. And yet there are many places where we have hell on earth! What does the Bible say about hell? There is in fact deep wisdom in Biblical teaching on this subject – and real hope. Read More →

How can you know for sure that there will be life beyond the grave in heaven? Many today would doubt the whole idea of an afterlife. But the Bible points to how we can have confidence in the promise of life eternal through Christ. Read More →

What is heaven like? The Bible gives us marvelous imagery, which points to the real nature and glory of heaven, with implications for our lives now. Read More →

Is heaven only future? Or can something of heaven take hold in our world now? Human beings seem far from heaven in many respects! But the Bible proclaims that as we trust in Christ we can begin to experience today something of heaven on earth. Read More →

Do people enter heaven at the moment of death? Or is there some kind of “resurrection at the last day” at the end of time? There is much confusion on this subject, but it all makes sense when we get the Biblical vision of eternity—a vision that can help us to comprehend events in... Read More →

The Bible rejects the two most common ideas that people have today about death—that death is simply annihilation, or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, that we have an “immortal soul” which by nature will never die. The Bible proclaims resurrection, which takes seriously both... Read More →

Human beings have speculated for ages about an afterlife, but is there anything to it? In the Bible, speculation is rejected. Biblical writers took a very skeptical view toward notions of life beyond death. Only a clear revelation and action of God could give reason to believe... Read More →

It’s one thing to talk about living a life of faith and love; it’s another to able to do it, especially when we are facing enormous challenges, and all sorts of temptations and distractions in life. God gives us the answer through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Read More →