In Sermons:

Cross-Shaped Leadership

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 12, 2026

This sermon explores cross-shaped leadership: a life surrendered upward to God and poured out horizontally in sacrificial love for others, where true authority is born not from power grasped, but from self given away.

Cross-Shaped Leadership Mark 10:35-45 Let me start with a question that might make some of us squirm just a little: If James and John—the Sons of Thunder—were sitting in our pews today, what do you think we'd say about them? They come to Jesus and basically say, “Teacher, we want You ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Methodist

Four In The Fire

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 7, 2026

Faithfulness to God placed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, but they were not alone. When the king looked into the flames, he saw four men walking unharmed. Daniel 3 reminds us that discipleship does not always spare us from the fire, but Christ always meets us in it.

Faith in the Fire Daniel 3 There are moments in life when faith stops being abstract. Moments when the question is no longer, “Do I believe?” but rather, “Will I stand?” Daniel 3 is one of the clearest pictures in Scripture of faith in the fire—faith that refuses to bow, faith that ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

A Mountain Of Meaning

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 7, 2026

On a mountain with Peter, James, and John, the veil is pulled back and the true glory of Jesus is revealed. In A Mountain of Meaning from Mark 9:2–13, we explore why this moment matters and what it means for us when the Father’s voice still calls us to one simple response: “Listen to Him.”

A Mountain of Meaning Mark 9:2–13 There are moments in life when everything suddenly becomes clear. You may remember the first time you held your child. The first time a doctor used the word “cancer.” The first time you stood at a graveside. The first time you truly understood that Jesus died for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-13

Denomination: Methodist

Come, And See

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 7, 2026

Before there were sermons, programs, or strategies, there was a simple invitation: “Come and see.” In this message from John 1:35–51, we explore how encountering Jesus changes lives and how the same invitation still calls people to follow Him today.

Come and See John 1:35–51 Everyone is looking for something. Peace. Security. Meaning. Purpose. Something that finally satisfies the quiet restlessness of the soul. That’s not just true of people outside the church. It’s true of people inside it as well. You can be religious, faithful, active—and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-51

Denomination: Methodist

The First Word

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 7, 2026

The first message Jesus preached was simple and life-changing: “Repent and believe the Good News.” In The First Word, we consider how repentance opens the door to grace and invites us into the new life Jesus came to bring.

The First Word Mark 1:12–15 Most of us here have heard the phrase “repent and believe” so many times that it barely registers anymore. It’s like the pre-flight safety announcement on an airplane. You’ve heard it so often that you stop listening. You assume you already know what it says. You tune ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:12-15

Denomination: Methodist

A Living Sacrifice

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 7, 2026

God is not asking for occasional religious moments—He is asking for our lives. In A Living Sacrifice from Romans 12:1–2, we consider Paul’s call to present ourselves fully to God and discover how surrender becomes the pathway to a transformed life.

A Living Sacrifice Romans 12:1–2 I come back to Romans 12:1–2 this morning because it is Paul’s transition point in the letter to the Romans. For eleven chapters, the Apostle Paul has unfolded the gospel with clarity and depth. He has shown us the righteousness of God revealed apart from the law. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Methodist

Our Own Cross To Bear

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 7, 2026

We like the idea of following Jesus—until we hear Him talk about a cross. In Our Own Cross to Bear, we consider Jesus’ call to deny ourselves and discover that the life we try to protect is the very life we lose. The life we surrender to Christ is the one we truly find.

Our Own Cross to Bear Mark 8: 34-38 I. Introduction I have to be honest. Preparing this message has been a challenge. It’s a hard word, but it is Jesus explaining the very heart of discipleship. The words Jesus spoke that day to his disciples and to the crowd are just as pertinent to discipleship ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Methodist

Lacking In A World Of Plenty

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 7, 2026

He had wealth. He had status. He was sincere in his faith. Yet when he met Jesus, he walked away sad. This message looks at one of the most searching encounters in the Gospels and discovers what can still be missing in a world of plenty.

Lacking in a World of Plenty Mark 10: 17 – 31 We live in a world of plenty. I don’t think any of us living in the United States of America could legitimately argue otherwise, the frequent conversations centered around homelessness, poverty and food insecurity notwithstanding. Even the poorest ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Methodist

Love God: The Greatest Commandment Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Learning to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

All You Need is Love Love God: The Greatest Commandment Mark 12: 28 – 34 Those of us who have grown up in the church have heard these words all our lives: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.” We’ve heard them, and I, for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Methodist

Love: The Greatest Challenge Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Love is the greatest challenge a faithful disciple has to live in his/her life. This message reflects on overcoming the obstacles to living a biblical, faithful love in all our relationships.

All You Need is Love Love: The Greatest Challenge Matthew 5: 43 – 48 We celebrated love yesterday with flowers and candy, with romantic dinners and cards, and here at FUMC, Monroe with the Real Marriage retreat. Eighty people laughed and learned together as, hopefully, we grew in our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-48

Denomination: Methodist

Love Neighbor: The Greatest Commandment Part 2 Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Equally as difficult in loving God is learning what it means to love our neighbor as a disciple of Jesus Christ. This sermon reflects on both the greatest commandment as well as the parable of the Good Samaritan

All You Need is Love: Loving Others: The Greatest Commandment, Part 2 Mark 12: 28 – 34 We spent last week looking at what it means to love God. Hopefully, we discovered that we love what we’re passionate about, and that to love God is to desire Him, to devote ourselves to Him, and to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:29-37

Denomination: Methodist

Love: The Greatest Characteristic Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Love is the greatest characteristic of a disciple of Jesus Christ. This messages focuses on the meaning of love in the life of a disciple.

All You Need is Love Love: The Greatest Characteristic 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a, 13 Whoever thought love could be such a lucrative business? Retailers, that’s who! According to the National Retail Federation, the average amount spent on Valentine’s Day is $134/person in 2014, with a total spent ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Denomination: Methodist

The Light Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Lights and Christmas go together like peas and carrots. The message series reflects on the candles of the Advent wreath. The message concerns the Christ candle at the center of the Advent wreath.

All the Pretty Lights: The Light of Jesus John 1:1 – 14 For our guests, we’ve been talking about all the pretty lights of Christmas here at FUMC, Monroe for the past four weeks. We’ve talked about the lights of Christmas, their origins and meanings, and we’ve lighted a light on the Advent ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

The Light Of Love Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Lights and Christmas go together like peas and carrots. This message series reflects on the candles of the Advent wreath. The message concerns the candle of love

All the Pretty Lights: The Light of Love John 3:14 – 21 Light is life, and we come seeking life and light in this Advent season. We light candles to remind us of the light of Jesus Christ, and last week we lit the candle of hope as a symbol of Christ who is our hope. This week, we come to ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Methodist

The Light Of Joy Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Lights and Christmas go together like peas and carrots. This message series focuses on the candles of the Advent wreath. The message deals with the candle of joy.

All the Pretty Lights: The Light of Joy Psalm 96 You can’t have Christmas without lights AND you can’t have Christmas without music. The two go together, as Forrest Gump would say, “Like peas and carrots.” Have you been to Sterlington to see the house on Toucan Cove? The family there has put ...read more

Denomination: Methodist