Clinton Methodist Church

 September 21, 2025 – Sorrow and Joy – 2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 6 is a call to live as ministers of God by separating from unbelievers, demonstrating integrity, and embracing trials, all while having an open heart to God’s grace and the ministry of the gospel. Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that they are God’s fellow-workers, called to be Christ’s ambassadors and not to receive God’s grace in vain. He contrasts the suffering and opposition he and his associates endure with the spiritual power and true character they demonstrate, urging the Corinthians to open their hearts to him and to God’s salvation.

New International Version
6 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[a]
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[c]
17 Therefore,

“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”[d]
18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”[e]

September 14, 2025 – Unbent – Luke 13:10–17

In Luke 13:10-17, Jesus heals a woman who had been crippled by a spirit for 18 years while teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath, causing the synagogue leader to condemn his actions as a violation of the Sabbath law. Jesus counters by arguing for compassion, pointing out the hypocrisy of the leader and followers who would care for their animals on the Sabbath but not a “daughter of Abraham”. The crowd rejoices at Jesus’s compassionate act, while his opponents are put to shame.

The Healing

The Conflict

The Leader’s Indignation:
The leader of the synagogue, upset that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, criticized him and told people to come for healing on workdays.

Jesus’s Defense:
Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy of the leader by comparing the woman to an animal.

The Argument:
Jesus argued that just as people would free their animals from a manger to give them water on the Sabbath, this woman, as a daughter of Abraham, deserved to be freed from her bondage on that day as well.

The Outcome

Joy and Shame:
The crowd was delighted by the healing and the wonderful things Jesus was doing, while his opponents were humiliated.

The Theme of Freedom:
The passage highlights that true freedom is found in compassion and divine power, not in the rigid, legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath laws.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman
10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” 17 When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame, and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things being done by him.

August 31, 2025 – The Day a Quitter Got Back in the Game (John Mark) – Acts 13:13; Acts 15:36–41; 2 Timothy 4:11

John Mark walked away from ministry. Years later, Paul asked for him by name. God’s not done writing your story either.

 Acts 13:13, 15:36-41, and 2 Timothy 4:11 all involve John Mark and his relationship with Paul and Barnabas. In Acts 13:13, John Mark leaves Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey. In Acts 15:36-41, Paul and Barnabas have a sharp disagreement over whether to take John Mark on a second missionary journey, leading to their separation. Later, in 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul asks Timothy to bring John Mark to him, indicating a reconciliation and John Mark’s usefulness in ministry.  

Elaboration:
Acts 13:13: During Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey, John Mark, who was accompanying them, leaves them in Pamphylia and returns to Jerusalem.  

Acts 15:36-41: . Paul and Barnabas plan a second missionary journey. Barnabas wants to take John Mark again, but Paul objects because John Mark had previously deserted them. This disagreement leads to a separation, with Barnabas taking John Mark to Cyprus, while Paul chooses Silas and travels through Syria and Cilicia.  

2 Timothy 4:11:  In this letter, Paul, writing from prison, asks Timothy to bring John Mark to him, stating that John Mark is useful for ministry. This indicates that Paul and John Mark reconciled at some point after their disagreement in Acts 15.  

Acts 13:13
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia

13 Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem,

Acts 15:36-41
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. 39 The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and set out, the brothers and sisters commending him to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

2 Timothy 4:11
 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in ministry.

August 24, 2025 – The Day Integrity Was Tested / (Daniel) – Daniel 6:1–28

Daniel’s faith wasn’t tested on a big stage first — it was forged in daily habits. When the lions came, he was ready. Will we be?

Daniel 6:1-28 tells the story of Daniel, a high-ranking official in the kingdom of King Darius, who faces persecution due to his unwavering faith. Jealous officials plot to trap Daniel by tricking Darius into creating a law forbidding prayer to any god but the king. Despite the decree, Daniel continues to pray to God, leading to his imprisonment in a den of lions. Darius, distraught, spends a sleepless night, hoping for Daniel’s deliverance. The next morning, Daniel is found unharmed, protected by God, who sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths. Darius, overjoyed, has Daniel and the conspirators freed, and then decrees that everyone should worship Daniel’s God.  

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Daniel’s Position and the Conspiracy:
Daniel is a high-ranking official in Darius’s kingdom, excelling in his duties and earning the respect of the king. His success and reputation provoke jealousy among other officials, who plot to undermine him.  

The Decree:
The officials exploit Darius’s vanity by persuading him to issue a decree prohibiting prayer to any god or man other than the king for 30 days.  

Daniel’s Defiance:
Daniel, knowing the decree, continues to pray to God three times a day, as was his custom.  

Darius’s Distress:
The officials report Daniel’s disobedience, and Darius, bound by his own law, is forced to condemn Daniel to the lions’ den.  

Daniel’s Deliverance:
Darius spends a sleepless night filled with worry. God sends an angel to protect Daniel, shutting the lions’ mouths. The next morning, Darius is overjoyed to find Daniel alive and unharmed.  

Darius’s Decree of Praise:
Darius, acknowledging God’s power, orders that everyone in the kingdom worship Daniel’s God.  

Punishment of the Conspirators:
The officials and their families, who had plotted against Daniel, are thrown into the lions’ den and devoured. 

The Plot against Daniel

6 [a]It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty satraps, stationed throughout the whole kingdom, 2 and over them three administrators, one of whom was Daniel; to these the satraps gave account, so that the king might suffer no loss. 3 Soon Daniel distinguished himself above the other administrators and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the whole kingdom. 4 So the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for complaint against Daniel in connection with the kingdom. But they could find no grounds for complaint or any corruption, because he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him. 5 The men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

6 So the administrators and satraps conspired and came to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! 7 All the administrators of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an interdict, that whoever prays to any god or human, for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the interdict and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and interdict.

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

10 Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he continued to go to his house, which had windows in its upper room open toward Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three times a day to pray to his God and praise him, just as he had done previously. 11 Then those men watched[b] and found Daniel praying and seeking mercy before his God. 12 Then they approached the king and said concerning the interdict, “O king! Did you not sign an interdict, that anyone who prays to any god or human, within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions?” The king answered, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they responded to the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the interdict you have signed, but he is saying his prayers three times a day.”

14 When the king heard the charge, he was very much distressed. He was determined to save Daniel, and until the sun went down he made every effort to rescue him. 15 Then the conspirators came to the king and said to him, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no interdict or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”

16 Then the king gave the command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!” 17 A stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet ring of his lords, so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no entertainment was brought to him, and sleep fled from him.

Daniel Saved from the Lions

19 Then at dawn, the king got up and at first light hurried to the den of lions. 20 When he came near the den where Daniel was, he cried out anxiously to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you faithfully serve been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Daniel then said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him because he had trusted in his God. 24 The king gave a command, and those who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all peoples and nations of every language throughout the whole world: “May you have abundant prosperity! 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people shall tremble and fear before the God of Daniel:

For he is the living God,
    enduring forever.
His kingdom shall never be destroyed,
    and his dominion has no end.

27 

He delivers and rescues;
    he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth;
he has saved Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”

28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

August 17, 2025 – The Day That Wouldn’t Slow Down (Martha/Mary) – Luke 10:38–42

Ever have a day so full you miss the most important thing? Martha did — and Jesus shows her (and us) how to choose what matters most.

 Luke 10:38-42 describes Jesus visiting the home of Mary and Martha. Martha is busy with household tasks while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teachings. When Martha complains that Mary isn’t helping, Jesus gently rebukes Martha, saying that Mary has chosen the better part by focusing on his words. The passage highlights the importance of prioritizing time with God and listening to His teachings, even amidst other responsibilities.  

Elaboration:
Martha’s Hospitality and Distraction:
Martha welcomes Jesus into her home and is initially focused on providing hospitality.However, she becomes overwhelmed and distracted by the work involved in preparing for Jesus and his disciples.  

Mary’s Focus on Jesus:
In contrast, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, attentively listening to his teachings. This is a position of a disciple learning from a teacher.  

Martha’s Complaint and Jesus’ Response:
Martha complains to Jesus that Mary is not helping, asking him to tell her to assist.Jesus responds by gently rebuking Martha, saying that she is “anxious and troubled about many things,” while Mary has chosen the “better part,” which will not be taken away from her.  

Prioritizing Intimacy with God:
The passage emphasizes the importance of prioritizing time with God and listening to His word, rather than becoming overly consumed by worldly tasks and anxieties. It suggests that true discipleship involves both hearing God’s word and putting it into practice.  

Balancing Service and Spiritual Growth:
While Martha’s actions demonstrate a desire to serve, the passage suggests that service should be balanced with spiritual growth and intimacy with God. Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet highlights the importance of spiritual nourishment and learning from him. 

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him.[a] 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s[b] feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, 42 but few things are needed—indeed only one.[c] Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

August 10, 2025 – Rooted in His Presence – Colossians 4:2-6

Colossians 4:2-6 emphasizes prayer, wisdom in conduct, and gracious speech towards outsiders. Specifically, believers are encouraged to be devoted to prayer, being watchful and thankful, and to pray for opportunities to share the mystery of Christ. They should also conduct themselves wisely, making the most of opportunities to interact with those outside the faith, and their speech should be full of grace and wisdom.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
1. Prayer and Thanksgiving: Believers are urged to be persistent in prayer, maintaining a watchful and thankful attitude. This includes praying for open doors to share the gospel and for the ability to proclaim it clearly.

2. Wisdom in Conduct: The passage highlights the importance of wisdom in interactions with those who are not believers. This involves making the most of opportunities to share the faith and conducting oneself in a manner that reflects positively on the Christian life.

3. Graceful and Wise Speech: Believers are instructed to let their speech be gracious, seasoned with salt, and to know how to answer everyone. This implies speaking truthfully and with kindness, making their words appealing and helpful to those they interact with. The concept of “seasoned with salt” can be interpreted as speaking with discernment, wit, and clarity.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray for us as well, that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, 4 so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.

5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.[a] 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

August 3, 2025 – Wearing What Matters – Colossians 3:12-17

Colossians 3:12-17 instructs believers to clothe themselves with virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and to forgive one another as Christ forgave them. Love is emphasized as the ultimate unifying force, and believers are urged to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts and to be thankful. Everything should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, with gratitude to God.  

Putting on Virtues:
Opens in new tabThe passage begins by urging believers to put on specific virtues: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These are not simply outward actions, but qualities that should characterize a believer’s heart and attitude.  

Forgiveness:
Opens in new tabA central theme is forgiveness, echoing the forgiveness believers have received from Christ. The passage encourages believers to forgive one another, regardless of the offense.  

Love as the Unifying Force:
Opens in new tabLove is presented as the ultimate virtue that binds all others together in perfect unity. It is the foundation for genuine community among believers.  

Peace and Thankfulness:
Opens in new tabThe passage also emphasizes the peace of Christ, which should rule in the hearts of believers, and encourages them to be thankful in all circumstances.  

Living for Christ:
Opens in new tabFinally, believers are instructed to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. This emphasizes that every aspect of life should be lived in accordance with Christ’s example and for His glory. 

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord[a] has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ[b] rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ[c] dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.[d] 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Click To Open

July 20, 2025 – Worship Without Borders – Psalm 96

This week we reflects on a recent mission trip to Nicaragua, highlighting the passion and presence of God in the lives of the people they encountered. Jimmy emphasizes the importance of declaring God’s glory and wondrous works among all nations, drawing inspiration from Psalm 96. Jimmy shares a personal anecdote about returning through customs and realizing the significance of sharing their experiences and the impact of the trip.

This trip showcased the region’s vibrant worship culture and the team’s experiences of God’s provision and protection. Despite facing challenges like sickness and limited amenities, the team witnessed God’s faithfulness through the support of their church and the local community. The trip served as a reminder to appreciate the privilege of worship and to seek fresh perspectives on God’s ongoing work in our lives.

Praise to God Who Comes in Judgment

1 O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord; bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord, for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness
and the peoples with his truth.

July 13, 2025 – What’s your eternal life look like? X2 – 1 John 5:1-5, 13-15, and 18-21

1 John 5:1-5, 13-15, and 18-21 emphasizes that believers in Jesus Christ have assurance of eternal life and can overcome the world through faith. This passage highlights the importance of loving God and others, keeping his commandments, and having confidence in prayer based on God’s will. It also assures believers that they are protected by God and can know they have eternal life.

Key Themes and Summary:

Overcoming the World:
1 John 5:1-5 focuses on the believer’s victory over the world through faith in Jesus, who is the Son of God. This victory is a result of believing in Jesus and loving both God and other believers.

Assurance of Eternal Life:
1 John 5:13-21 provides reassurance that believers can know they have eternal life. This assurance comes from believing in Jesus Christ, loving God, and keeping his commandments.

Confidence in Prayer:
Verses 14-15 emphasize that believers have confidence that God hears and answers their prayers, especially when those prayers are in accordance with His will.

Protection and Security:
1 John 5:18-21 highlights that believers, being born of God, are protected by God and cannot be ultimately harmed by the evil one. The passage also warns against idols, suggesting that anything that competes with God can be considered an idol.

Love and Obedience:
The passage links love for God with obedience to His commandments, and love for others with love for God. It suggests that believers should strive to live in obedience to God’s commands, recognizing that this obedience is not burdensome when done through faith in Christ.

Discernment:
1 John 5:20 encourages believers to know the true God and to distinguish Him from false teachings or idols.

1 John 5:1-5
5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:13-15
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5:18-21
18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.