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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 →

In this special United Methodist Women Sunday message, Judith Nedel narrows down the expectations God has for His children. Read More →

Animals only talk in Disney movies, right? So what do we do with a Bible story in which a donkey speaks? Some of the most unusual Biblical stories carry a very important message for life today. Read More →

What is love? Our contemporary culture provides us with many shallow images of love; but we get the true and full picture in God’s Word, and especially in what Christ shows us on the cross. Read More →

Is the goal of life to be happy? If so, why is that goal so elusive, especially in a society as prosperous as ours? Perhaps we need to hear afresh the words of Jesus, “Those who lose their life . . . will find life.” The way of the cross points us on the path to a meaningful and... Read More →

How does God feel about worship, and what is the appropriate way to honor God? In “God and Solemn Assemblies,” Rev. Denton explores the prophets for answers to these questions. Read More →

Modern culture encourages us to ignore death and run from death, yet this results in all sorts of foolishness in life. Christ faces death squarely and opens the way through death so that real life – eternal life – can begin for us now. Read More →

Is Easter the simple declaration that you get to go to heaven when you die? In fact, Easter is the dramatic conclusion of a great spiritual battle which unfolds on the cross, as Christ confronts all the powers of sin, evil, and death. There would be no Easter if it were not for... Read More →

If Jesus is Savior, what can you expect of him? Jesus works in a way that is different—and far more powerful—than what many expect. Read More →

The cross is a bloody affair, and then Christians “drink Jesus’ blood” and “eat his body” in Communion. Yikes! What is this all about? The symbolism of the cross and Communion speaks profoundly about how Jesus brings us into new life. Read More →

As with Abraham when he journeyed through the middle east, our faith journey involves a divine impulse; some tentative testing; a leap of faith. Read More →

How can the cross be construed as some sort of victory? Isn’t Jesus’ death a defeat? In fact, the cross brings real and lasting victory because of how Jesus meets the powers of evil. Through the cross, we can find victory as we confront the powers of evil in today’s world! Read More →

This week, we celebrated Youth Sunday, a service where our teens have an opportunity to lead in music and worship for the full service. This year’s theme was Made, using Psalm 139 as an inspiration. Here are three messages from Emma Herman, Ryan Dean, and Zach Wight, followed by... Read More →

Jesus received a mixed reception as the messiah. What was expected, and what did the world actually get? Read More →

In this Ash Wednesday sermon, Dr. Palmer discusses Jesus’ final words on the cross and what they mean for us today. Read More →

Humanity is clearly off kilter – we are out of sync with the goodness of God! How can our lives be set aright? We find the complete answer in the cross. Read More →

Through Christ, God has made reconciliation happen. It is up to us accept this and act on it…be ambassadors for Christ. Read More →

Why can’t God just forgive us without the cross? Is the God of the Christian gospel a bloodthirsty deity, demanding human sacrifice? To the contrary, when the cross is rightly understood, it is the ultimate enactment of God’s love. On the cross, God acts, at one and the same... Read More →

Does the cross make any sense? How can the crucifixion of a man 2,000 years ago save us? Many people today are not quite sure what to make of the cross. But in fact, the cross connects with us in a powerful way. It is, as Paul said, “the wisdom of God and the power of God.” Read More →

The way into a positive future may appear blocked, as firmly as the way was blocked for the people of Israel as they hoped to go to the Promised Land. But God can open the way. Read More →

God’s healing power can restore us, and that power can be at work in unexpected ways! Read More →

There is a “river of life” that flows through the Scripture – a powerful image of God’s power to refresh, cleanse, and enliven our spirits. Read More →

The story of the visit of the wise men portrays Jesus as a direct challenge to political authority. The wise men come to honor “the king of the Jews,” and it is not Herod. Herod responds with violence, but the power of God is stronger. The story proclaims that above all political... Read More →

We live in frightening times. But at the center of the Christmas story is the proclamation: “Fear not!” Read More →

It is now traditional that the Christmas story and nativity scenes include shepherds. It can be easy to forget the role of shepherds in the society of the day, and exactly what it meant that God included them in the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Read More →

On our most difficult journey, God is with us. This message, declared early in the Old Testament, comes to its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who is Emmanuel – God with us. Read More →

Is the gospel absurd? The apostle Paul, in I Corinthians, said that the gospel message appeared as “foolishness” to the “wise” of his day. Indeed there is paradox—apparent absurdity—at the heart of the proclamation about Jesus. How can the power of God be evident in the birth of... Read More →

As the people of Israel faced apparent disaster, the prophet Jahaziel declared, “Fear not, be not dismayed, for the battle is not yours but God’s, and the Lord will be with you.” The people moved forward in faith, giving thanks to God even before a victory, and found deliverance.... Read More →

Even when it seems that our troubles are insurmountable and that God is absent, we are called to persist in faith, for God is at work and will provide. Read More →

These have been “stormy times” in American politics! Many people are unhappy with both major party presidential candidates. What are people of faith to do when the nation’s leaders are flawed? We receive helpful and sound guidance in the Biblical prophets. Read More →

If we feel overwhelmed by the world’s troubles and our own shortcomings, the answer is not despair but faith. As we look to God, we can find new direction and vision. Read More →

In the book of Genesis, God granted Jacob a new name. God’s name is then part of Jacob’s new name, “Isra-el”. For the rest of his life, he will be carrying that name with him. When we allow God into our lives, we too are challenged to remember what a great responsibility it is to... Read More →

Life can take us through some pretty rough times. One of the most harrowing voyages in the Bible took place as Paul was on a ship destined for Rome. It is a story of how God is at work—often in spite of present appearances!—to bring the faithful through the storm. Read More →

The writer of I John knew that Christians had many fears, chief among them death, persecution, and internal divisions. Must we live in fear? Is that what God wants for us? Read More →

The world will forever be a mixture of good and evil because God allows people freedom. Rather than losing heart over the bad in the world, we need to keep focused on God’s work, trusting in the harvest to come. Read More →

Like the disciples, caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, we are often anxious and afraid in the face of life’s troubles. Jesus can calm the storm, and give us the courage to continue on in faith. Read More →

In the midst of the darkest times in the history of Israel, Jeremiah found hope in God. His hope was well founded, for bright times were coming! Today, even in the toughest times, when it seems that all is lost, we can find genuine hope in God. Read More →

Why is there such evil in the world? The Bible leads us to understand not only the origin of evil, but the answer to it. We will never save ourselves; but the good news is that God is acting through Christ to deliver us from evil. Read More →

When storms hit in life, we often wonder where God is. The Scriptures affirm that while God may allow the storm, God yet reigns over the storm. When we put our trust in God, we can see beyond the clouds, and we can find the strength to journey through the storm, upheld by the... Read More →

We live in stormy times. How can we journey through a world full of such evil and trouble? The story of Noah is an archetypal image of how we can make it through the storm when we put our trust in God. Read More →

Who are the “meek”? The Biblical answer may surprise you. When Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” he is talking about what sort of people find fulfillment in their true destiny. Read More →

Jesus says, “Blessed are the persecuted.” Through all the beatitudes, Jesus teaches that people who are hitting hard times may become especially blessed. What is Jesus saying to us when we confront rough times? Read More →

“Blessed are the pure in heart,” says Jesus, “for they shall see God.” What does it mean to be pure in heart? Jesus points here to the center of the blessed life. Read More →

Jesus tells his hearers that if they ask anything “in his name” he will do it! We need to understand that Jesus is not writing a blank check here. We will reflect upon what it means to pray “in his name.” Read More →

This week' sermon was delivered by guest preacher Bil Lepp. Bil is a former Methodist pastor and an award-winning professional storyteller. Click here for more info! Read More →

Forgiveness is hard. It can be hard to forgive ourselves. It can be hard to forgive others. Yet Jesus says “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” How do we experience God’s mercy in life? Read More →

Are you trying to be a peacemaker in your family, or among friends or colleagues? It can be difficult! Do you long for peace in the world? That seems impossible! Yet Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” How does Jesus lead us to create peace? This guidance is especially... Read More →