Grow Deeper

During the month of September we will be exploring the Letter of 1 John, seeking to understand the attributes of God as described therein. One of John’s favorite images of God is light. We can see it in the beginning of and throughout the Gospel of John. He also explains uses here in the opening of his first epistle. But do we fully appreciate what John means when he tells us that God is light? There can be no “darkness” in God; i.e. no deceit, no breaking of promises, no evil. We can fully trust God because God is light.

Sermon Scripture Text: 1 John 1:5-10

"God is Light" – S02E69 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Kevin Payne and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons, and occasion guest preachers, on the podcast to inspire and encourage you to grow in faith and in life. We're glad you've joined us on this journey.

#light #grace #promise #trust #hope #perfection

When we look at the story with Rahab we see someone who is courageous because of her faith. Because of who she believes God is, she is willing to act with courage, and take some risks. In other words, she does the next right thing. Join us for our message as we explore what that could look like for today.

Sermon Scripture Text: Joshua 2:1-14

"The Faith of Rehab" – S02E68 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Kevin Payne and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons, and occasion guest preachers, on the podcast to inspire and encourage you to grow in faith and in life. We're glad you've joined us on this journey.

#Rehab #Jericho #Joshua #Israelites #JordanRiver

Guest pastor Garrett Harper, Executive Director of Urban Ministry in Birmingham, reminds us that sometimes we forget that Jesus came from the wrong side of town - Nazareth. He spent time around poor people, he spent time around hurting people, needy people, and sick people. If you never spend time with poor, sick, needy, and hurting people you might miss the chance to meet Jesus in our world.

Sermon Scripture Text: Matthew 25:31-46

"How Did They Know?" – S02E67 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Kevin Payne and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons, and occasion guest preachers, on the podcast to inspire and encourage you to grow in faith and in life. We're glad you've joined us on this journey.

#JudgmentOfTheNations #Nazareth #MeetingJesus

In today’s scripture we see the newly freed Hebrew children in an impossible situation. They have been freed from bondage in Egypt through the miraculous work of God, but now face the Egyptian army pursuing them after Pharaoh changed his mind about letting them go. To make matters worse, they are pinned against the sea; there is no place for them to run. Then, the power of God makes a way when it was impossible; God parts the sea. Often we don’t have trouble faithing in God when where or what God is calling us to do isn’t too far removed from our own perceived abilities. Yet, how strong is our faithing when we know God is calling us to something that seems so impossible? Do we trust that where God calls God also makes a way?

Sermon Scripture Text: Hebrews 12:29/ Exodus 13:15-30

"The Faith of Facing the Sea" – S02E66 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Kevin Payne and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons, and occasion guest preachers, on the podcast to inspire and encourage you to grow in faith and in life. We're glad you've joined us on this journey.

#Moses #trust #Egypt #GodMakesAWay #PartingTheRedSea

This week we look at the story of the Exodus, one of the best stories in all of Scripture. Believe it or not it begs the question, what is holding you back? What is keeping you from living the life that God has created you to live? In other words, what is your jar? God desires to free us, but sometimes we have to climb out of the jar.

Sermon Scripture Text: Exodus 14:13-16

"Crossing the Sea and Breaking Free" – S02E65 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Kevin Payne and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons, and occasion guest preachers, on the podcast to inspire and encourage you to grow in faith and in life. We're glad you've joined us on this journey.

#Exodus #Pharaoh #RedSea #Slavery

This week we take a look at well known moment in the life of Moses. What we realize is that God can use anyone. There is a lot of hope in realizing that God isn't looking for extraordinary people. He's looking for ordinary people who are willing to follow Him. Friends it's not about our imperfections, our doubts, or our shortcomings, it's about who God is and what God can do through us.

Sermon Scripture Text: Exodus 3:1-15

"God Is Not Looking for Extraordinary People" – S02E64 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Kevin Payne and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons, and occasion guest preachers, on the podcast to inspire and encourage you to grow in faith and in life. We're glad you've joined us on this journey.

#Moses #BurningBush #Egypt #WhyMe #OrdinaryPeople

It is one thing to express faith in trusting God when God is calling us to something unknown, in a new direction, in a new place, or even something that we have never done before. But what happens when God is calling us to go back; to return to a place we have left? What happens when God’s call is to face a fear, revisit hurt, especially if it is a pain we caused or a mistake we made? The sermon for today seeks to take a look at the example of Moses, who is called to return to Egypt after he fled from there because he killed an Egyptian. But, going back was the direction God invited Moses to take so that God could lead not only Moses, but all the Hebrew children into a new promise.

Sermon Scripture Text: Hebrews 11:23-28/ Exodus 2:1-10

"The Faith of Going Back" – S02E63 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Kevin Payne and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons, and occasion guest preachers, on the podcast to inspire and encourage you to grow in faith and in life. We're glad you've joined us on this journey.

#Moses #GoingBack #Egypt

Abram and his nephew Lot face a real crossroads when they realize they can no longer inhabit the same land. What happens next reveals to us the two options we have when facing our own cross roads. Will we choose the way of Lot, or the way of Abram? The truth is that one of those ways closely resembles the way of Jesus, and it doesn't involve taking the best land for yourself. Check out the message this week for the rest!

Sermon Scripture Text: Genesis 13:5-13

"The Way of Abram" – S02E62 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Kevin Payne and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons, and occasion guest preachers, on the podcast to inspire and encourage you to grow in faith and in life. We're glad you've joined us on this journey.

#Abram #Lot #Promised Land #Selfish #Selfless

In today's sermon we are examining the faith of Abraham, who left his home with all of his possessions and kin to travel to an unknown place on nothing more than a promise from God. Abraham is used as an example of faith in the Letter to the Hebrews; a faith of God's promise. The question we are asked is how does our faith compare when God calls and invites us to leave something familiar to begin an unknown journey on nothing more than a promise we feel from him? What is impossible for us is possible for God. Do we trust that if God is calling us God also makes a way?

Sermon Scripture Text: Hebrews11:1-3, 8-16

"The Faith of God's Promise" – S02E61 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Kevin Payne and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons, and occasion guest preachers, on the podcast to inspire and encourage you to grow in faith and in life. We're glad you've joined us on this journey.

#Abraham #grace #faith

Who really knows best? Jonah is the story of a man who is convinced that he knows better than God. He is sure that he knows better than God how to run his own life, and how to run the world. Who do we believe knows best? Us or God?

Sermon Scripture Text: Jonah 4

"Who Really Knows Best?" – S02E60 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Kevin Payne and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons, and occasion guest preachers, on the podcast to inspire and encourage you to grow in faith and in life. We're glad you've joined us on this journey.

#Jonah #Ninevites