First Cary UMC

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Palm Sunday: Turning Towards Jerusalem” –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – Sunday, April 13, 2025

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

On Palm Sunday, Jesus enters Jerusalem in a humble procession, not as the conquering kind that people expected, but as the one who comes in peace. As Jesus turns towards Jerusalem, we witness Jesus’ journey to the cross begin, where he will face rejection for the sake of redemption. As we reflect on Palm Sunday, may we be reminded that Jesus’ victory comes through his willingness to embrace the wilderness of this world for the coming of God’s Kingdom.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Palm Sunday: Turning Towards Jerusalem” –  Rev. Ben Alexander – Sunday, April 13, 2025

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

On Palm Sunday, Jesus enters Jerusalem in a humble procession, not as the conquering kind that people expected, but as the one who comes in peace. As Jesus turns towards Jerusalem, we witness Jesus’ journey to the cross begin, where he will face rejection for the sake of redemption. As we reflect on Palm Sunday, may we be reminded that Jesus’ victory comes through his willingness to embrace the wilderness of this world for the coming of God’s Kingdom.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Finding Our Way in the Wilderness: Turning Away from Loneliness” –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – Sunday, April 6, 2025

Scripture: Luke 22:39:46

Throughout the season of Lent,  we have witnessed the devil’s temptation towards Jesus in the wilderness, and explored all of the ways that Jesus turns away from them. But how many of us would find ourselves clinging to the temptations of the world - promises of worldly desire, power, and pride - if it weren’t for the presence of God? In Luke 22,  Jesus retreats to the Mount of Olives, the disciples follow him. Before leaving the disciples to pray, he encourages them to pray against the temptations of the world. When he steps away to pray by himself, it becomes clear that he is not alone. For the promise and presence of God through the angels surrounds him. In the wilderness, we need God and one another to turn away from loneliness.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Finding Our Way in the Wilderness: Turning Away from Loneliness” – Rev. Martha McLean – Sunday, April 6, 2025

Scripture: Luke 22:39:46

Throughout the season of Lent,  we have witnessed the devil’s temptation towards Jesus in the wilderness, and explored all of the ways that Jesus turns away from them. But how many of us would find ourselves clinging to the temptations of the world - promises of worldly desire, power, and pride - if it weren’t for the presence of God? In Luke 22,  Jesus retreats to the Mount of Olives, the disciples follow him. Before leaving the disciples to pray, he encourages them to pray against the temptations of the world. When he steps away to pray by himself, it becomes clear that he is not alone. For the promise and presence of God through the angels surrounds him. In the wilderness, we need God and one another to turn away from loneliness.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Third Temptation: Turning Away from Testing God” – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – Sunday, March 30, 2025

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-4

In the wilderness outlined in Luke 4, the devil is tempting Jesus for the third and final time saying, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here.” When we find ourselves in the hardships of the wilderness, it is easy to test God by pushing the boundaries of our belief. Ultimately, this will lead us towards loneliness, doubt, and fear. Jesus teaches us a different way to live for surely, blessed are those who see without believing.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Third Temptation: Turning Away from Testing God” – Rev. Ben Alexander – Sunday, March 30, 2025

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-4

In the wilderness outlined in Luke 4, the devil is tempting Jesus for the third and final time saying, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here.” When we find ourselves in the hardships of the wilderness, it is easy to test God by pushing the boundaries of our belief. Ultimately, this will lead us towards loneliness, doubt, and fear. Jesus teaches us a different way to live for surely, blessed are those who see without believing.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Second Temptation: Turning Away from False Promises of Power” – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – Sunday, March 23, 2025

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

In the wilderness outlined in Luke 4, the devil is tempting Jesus for the second of three times showing him all of the kingdoms of the world, and saying “To you I will give all this authority… If you will worship me, it will all be yours.” However, Jesus disputes this promise by acknowledging our covenant to worship and serve only the Lord, our God. While promises of power, productivity, privilege, and performance are tempting within the wilderness of the world, the Kingdom of God is reversed. The first will be last, and the last will be first.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Second Temptation: Turning Away from False Promises of Power” – Rev. Ben Alexander – Sunday, March 23, 2025

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

In the wilderness outlined in Luke 4, the devil is tempting Jesus for the second of three times showing him all of the kingdoms of the world, and saying “To you I will give all this authority… If you will worship me, it will all be yours.” However, Jesus disputes this promise by acknowledging our covenant to worship and serve only the Lord, our God. While promises of power, productivity, privilege, and performance are tempting within the wilderness of the world, the Kingdom of God is reversed. The first will be last, and the last will be first.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "First Temptation: Turning Away from Worldly Desires” – Rev. Ben Alexander – Sunday, March 16, 2025

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-4:1

In the wilderness outlined in Luke 4, the devil tempted Jesus for the first of three times saying, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” But we are not called to live on bread alone with a mind towards earthly things. Instead, as we too wander in the wilderness, may we find that our faith in Christ calls us to turn away from worldly desires, and towards the daily bread that is on earth as it is in heaven.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "First Temptation: Turning Away from Worldly Desires” – Rev. Anna Thornburg – Sunday, March 16, 2025

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-4:1

In the wilderness outlined in Luke 4, the devil tempted Jesus for the first of three times saying, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” But we are not called to live on bread alone with a mind towards earthly things. Instead, as we too wander in the wilderness, may we find that our faith in Christ calls us to turn away from worldly desires, and towards the daily bread that is on earth as it is in heaven.