White Hall Umc

Matthew 13:44-46 Parables of the hidden treasures and fine pearls

Matthew 13:1-9; Parable of the Sower

A fresh look at the Parable of the Mustard Seed from Matthew 13:31-32.

Words Written James 3:1-12 Words are written and shared constantly. Whether printed on paper, sent in a text message, or posted on social media, these written words cannot be taken back, unsaid, or permanently deleted. It is so easy to hastily fire off an angry text, email, or social media post when we don't have to look the other person in the eye. As we seek to bridle our tongue, can we also bridle our fingers that they may share words that bless others and bless God?

Words Heard James 1:17-27 The words we hear that insult us, tear us down, or divide us are not true words. They are lies! We must rid ourselves of these lies we hear and, instead, hear the truth that we are beloved children of God sent to be hearers and doers of God's true Word, named Jesus Christ.

Words Said Ephesians 4:25-5:2 You have heard it said, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” It just takes a few days on this earth to learn that this is a lie. Words can hurt; words do hurt! As followers of Christ, our words should speak life and build up. Instead of evil talk coming out of our mouths, may we live and speak in love as Christ loved us!

Wesley realizes that a grace-filled life of faith must lead to grace-filled action of loving neighbor through works of mercy. God’s love causes us to break out of our bubble and break into action.

Wesley finds his breakthrough in grace. Grace is it. Grace is amazing! Grace is God’s love that is with us before we know it, when we accept it, and carries us toward perfected love. Through grace, God’s love is breaking into our hearts.

Wesley has a painful heartbreaking experience in Georgia when he fails at church and romance. Wesley has a joyful heartbreaking experience on Aldersgate Street when his “heart is strangely warmed”

Wesley experiences a crisis of faith where he decides he can no longer be a lukewarm half Christian and begins a quest for holiness. It is time to break ground and grow something new and real.

John Wesley found that Christianity in England in a state of disrepair, which moves him to the breaking point. Jesus encountered a similar situation, and we can certainly find some similarities in America today as Christianity continues to shrink.

Living fully into who we truly are produces such abundance that the fruits of the fields of our lives overflow. Offering this bounty with others is the command of God. But even more than that, the scriptures invite us to go beyond just what we have to offer, and also move into giving what we must strive to offer on behalf of love. How can we go the extra mile as a church?

Being loved, called, and connected are useless if we keep these gifts to ourselves. Instead, Jesus reminds us that as the salt of the earth and the light of the world we are to let his light shine through us from the hilltops for all to see and experience.

Who we are cannot be fulfilled in isolation. We were made for relationship and for passing on the life and love given to us by God. We’ve all experienced the pain of broken relationships and the joy of restored ones. How does our relationship to others define us?

We continue this Sunday with the idea that God has called us, each of us, all of us, not just by name, but to a special purpose. When we find and claim our own vocation–that which fulfills us and creates good in the world–we are freed from the bonds of what others may expect of us or claim for us. Discipleship comes in many, and sometimes unlikely, forms.

Can you imagine what relationships could be like without the human fear of rejection? This Sunday we remember that in our baptism the voice of God proclaims to all of us, “You are my beloved.” Let’s live in the abundance of grace and acceptance and just see what happens when we offer that to others together!

Can you imagine what relationships could be like without the human fear of rejection? This Sunday we remember that in our baptism the voice of God proclaims to all of us, “You are my beloved.” Let’s live in the abundance of grace and acceptance and just see what happens when we offer that to others together!

Sermon 6-12-16

Sermon 6-5-16