In Sermons:

The Guarded Inheritance (Second Sunday Of Easter 2023)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 15, 2023

We have a living hope, a guaranteed inheritance and the understanding that we are studying for what some call “finals” --- their final exam when they will receive the goal of their faith namely eternal life.

THE GUARDED INHERITANCE Text: 1 Peter 1:3 – 9 1 Peter 1:3 - 9:   “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  (4)  and into an inheritance that is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: United Methodist

"dead Or Alive?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 11, 2023

A sermon about salvation by grace through faith alone.

“Dead or Alive?” Ephesians 2:1-10 Several years ago, a Los Angeles County parking control officer found a brown El Dorado Cadillac illegally parked next to the curb on a street-sweeping day. The officer wrote out a ticket. Ignoring the man seated in the driver's seat, the officer reached ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

In Awe Of Easter Grace Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Apr 9, 2023

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Look up, and be alert to what is happening around Christ—that’s where the action is.

On the statement is simultaneously an announcement about what she saw and a statement of belief in her promise of a future life with Jesus and God. I, too AWE OF GRACE Colossians 3:1-4 3:1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

"Thugs In Paradise” Word 2 Of The 7 Sayings Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Apr 7, 2023

The seven last words are the seven last phrases recorded across the Gospels that Jesus said before finally dying on the cross. This is the 2 politically charged statement.

Luke 23:43, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” “Thugs in Paradise” Growing up I understood that I had a little more grit than some of the others. I realized that while some young men were going to stay out of trouble and get home on time and make good grades, I mean ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:43

Denomination: United Methodist

Always Be Prepared

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Apr 4, 2023

Are you ready to meet Jesus? In this narrative the author tells us that a spiritual relationship to Jesus is key!

Always be Prepared John 11:55-12:11? Rev. Dr. Michael Koplitz John 11:55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover bo purify themselves. 56 So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

A Faulty Motive With A Kiss (Maundy Thursday 2023)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 4, 2023

Why did Judas betray Jesus with a kiss? In that day, a kiss was a way of greeting. Even in some other cultures around the world, kissing is still a way of social greeting.

A FAULTY MOTIVE WITH A KISS Text: Matthew 26:47 - 56 Matthew 26:47-56  While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.  (48)  Now the betrayer had given them a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:47-56

Denomination: United Methodist

"the Worst Thing Is Never The Last Thing"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 4, 2023

A sermon for an Easter Sunrise Service.

“The Worst thing is Never the Last Thing” Matthew 28:1-10 There can be no doubt that much of what is happening in our world is frightening. Several years ago, Time Magazine had a cover story with this headline: “Be Worried. Be Very Worried!” And that is how many of us naturally respond to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

"while It Was Still Dark"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 3, 2023

A sermon for Easter Sunday about life in Christ.

“While it was Still Dark” John 20:1-18 Tolstoy has a story about the ever-present threat of death. A man was running from a bear, and to get away from it he jumps down a dry well, and clings to a small tree growing between the bricks on the side. But when he looks down, he sees a lion at the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

No Way

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 2, 2023

When Jesus tells the man to go and sell everything so that he will have treasure in heaven … what do you picture? Gold? Jewels? Crowns? Isn’t our treasure Jesus? Our relationship with Jesus. An eternity in Heaven with Jesus, the most precious treasure in all the universe?

One time a man was sent to prison. Sitting in his cell in the dark, he heard someone yell: “42.” The whole cell block burst into laughter, including the new man’s cellmate. Just as he was about to ask his cellmate what that was all about, another prisoner shouted out “67” and the whole cell ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: United Methodist

Like A Palm Tree

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 2, 2023

[Palm Sunday.] Today we wave the palms as we come to this table … a sign that our sin has come to end. Today we wave the palms and come to this table as we profess our desire to serve God wholeheartedly.

Palm Sunday. A perfect example of the fact that Jesus’ Disciples and His followers get it … and don’t get it. They get that He is a king … a leader … a prophet and messiah sent by God … but … a king … a leader … a prophet … a messiah who rides into the Jerusalem on colt … not a great stallion or ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11, Leviticus 23:40-43, Mark 10:35-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Open Your Eyes

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 29, 2023

Conservative vs Liberal Christianity is? People in the pews need to open their eyes and see what church leadership is doing.

Open Your Eyes John 11:45-54 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz A lesson from this passage from John’s Gospel is that the people need to monitor their leaders to ensure that their values and truths are being used. The people in Jesus’ day had little choice who their leaders were. The people could have ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-54

Denomination: United Methodist

"the Messiah On A Colt"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 28, 2023

A sermon about the love and grace of God as seen through Palm Sunday.

Matthew 21:1-11 “The Messiah on a Colt” Palm Sunday stands out. We celebrate it every year, it’s the only time we get out that wooden donkey and have the children process down the center aisle waving palms. It’s an incredible worship experience. At the same time, it can be hard to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

"a Miracle And A Motive"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 21, 2023

Jesus brings with Him choices for us to make. Will we follow Him, or will we try and get rid of Him?

“A Miracle and a Motive” John 11:1-7, 17-19, 32-53 How many of you have read or heard the story of Jesus raising Lazarus before? Where we stop reading the story has a lot to do with how we interpret it. If I were to have stopped reading at verse 45, the story would have a happy ending, ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-53

Denomination: United Methodist

Tempering Our Understanding Of Miracles

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 21, 2023

Miracles do happen. However, not all the time. Faith can be shattered by the expectations of miracles occurring. Not all prayers can be answered. Tough lesson I learned early on.

Tempering our Understanding of Miracles John 11:1-45 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: United Methodist

God Sees The Heart

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 18, 2023

When we make choices, we tend to go for the eye-candy factor and make choices based on appearances. God always looks at what is inside the person’s heart, where we look at their appearance.

GOD SEES THE HEART (Lent, March 19, 2023) Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 1 Samuel 16:1-13  The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist