Grow Deeper

For Jesus' second phrase from the cross we see an intimate moment between our Savior and a criminal bearing his own cross. The difference, of course, is that Jesus doesn't deserve what is happening to him, while the criminal is reaping what he sowed. In his words of hope to criminals, Jesus is also giving us words of hope. Hope that we will be remembered by God for our best not our worst. Hope that today is the day that we can live into the freedom and the salvation that we find in Christ. Hear the words this day, "Today you will be with Me in paradise."

Sermon Scripture Text: Luke 23:39-43

"Today" – S02E19 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons from 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.

#Today #Paradise #Lent #7words #TheCross #Jesus #Criminal #Remember

As we start our Lenten journey through the words that Jesus speaks from the cross we find ourselves in the Gospel of Luke focusing on the forgiveness that Jesus offers from the cross. There are two things that we need to take away from this text. The first is that we are in need of forgiveness. The second is that we are called to be a people that forgive like Jesus. This text is full of hope, and I believe embodies the power of the Gospel. It also issues us as a people of faith a challenge to be a bit more like Jesus when it comes to our willingness and ability to offer forgiveness.

Sermon Scripture Text: Luke 23:32-38

"Father, Forgive Them" – S02E18 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons from 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.

#7Words #Father #Forgive #Luke #Cross #Jesus

Jesus was crucified on a Friday outside of the city walls of Jerusalem by Roman soldiers with a crowd gathered around to watch his agony. There are seven things that Jesus said from the cross as recorded in the Gospels. The first words that we study today are "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Rev. Holly explores what forgiveness looks like and how it is so very important for us to live with intentionality instead of living life not knowing what we are doing.

Sermon Scripture Text: Luke 23:32-38

"Father, Forgive Them" – S02E17 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons from 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.

#Lent #LastWords #Cross #Forgiveness

It's been a heavy week spiritually and emotionally. There is a lot of pain in our world, and a lot of folks looking for hope. It could not have been a more fitting week for us to look at the story of Lazarus, where among other things we see Jesus encounter a bunch of folks who are grieving and weeping. Of all the things Jesus could have done, he just wept with them. I don't know about you, but for some reason that gives me hope. Emmanuel, God with us, even in the weeping.

Sermon Scripture Text: John 11:1-45

"Lazarus" – S02E16 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons from 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.

#Jesuswept #7signs #resurrection #Lazarus

 

The seventh and final sign/miracle from the Gospel of John is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This pivotal event serves as the wondrous end to the signs in John while also serving as the transition point to the passion of Jesus as his hour is finally approaching. This seventh sign demonstrates his life-giving divine power just as it reveals his compassionate human side as he weeps for his friend and the sorrow of those around him. We are invited by this final sign to believe that the impossible is possible when God is at work and when Jesus is with us.

Sermon Scripture Text: John 11:38-45

"Lazarus, Come Out" – S02E15 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons from 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.

#JohnsGospel #Lazarus #Bethany #Mary #Martha #tomb #death

What has the biggest influence on us? Our experience of who Jesus is? Or our fear of what others may think? This week in worship we took a look at the 6th sign in the Gospel of John where Jesus heals a man who has been blind from birth. My prayer for us is that we would grow to be more like the man who was healed, that is willing to tell our story of how Christ has transformed our own lives. He puts it best, "All I know is that I was once blind and now I see.

Sermon Scripture Text: John 9:1-34

"The Blind Man" – S02E14 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons from 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.

#John9 #7signs #Blindman #Mud #Healing #Jesus #Stories

 

The sixth sign from John's Gospel occurs in Jerusalem as the disciples see a man who is blind. The disciples question whether or not it was the man or his parents whose sin caused this blindness. Jesus' response makes it clear that sin is not the issue here, but sight. As Jesus heals the man and allows him to see clearly, we then encounter many other people who do not "see." The Pharisees and the man's parents don't see what truly happened. They do not see God's handiwork through Christ at this moment. They are stumped by the miracle instead of rejoicing in the man's healing. We are invited, as followers of Jesus, to follow the signs we see in Christ and we are invited to become signs of God's Kingdom for others. Do you see the signs?

Sermon Scripture Text: John 9:1-7

"Blind No More" – S02E13 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons from 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.

#JohnsGospel #signs #blindness #Jerusalem #Siloam

How are we as Christians called to navigate the storms in our life? What can we learn from the disciples here about how to best face storms? Where is Jesus in the midst of a storm? This week in The Gathering we look at the fifth sign in the gospel of John. What we find is the disciples stuck in a storm in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus walking on water, calming the storm, and getting them to the other side. Regardless of what you are facing, whether it is a big storm or a small storm, this message is for you. There is a whole lot of hope to be found in this story, and a reminder that we all need to hear.

Sermon Scripture Text: John 6:15-21

"Walking on Water" – S02E12 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons from 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.

#walkingonwater #calmingthestorm #7signs #gospelofjohn #seaofgalilee

 

The fifth sign from John's Gospel happens immediately after the feeding of the 5,000 (the fourth sign). The disciples are out on the Sea of Galilee in a boat when a storm began to rock the boat. Afraid of losing their lives, they see Jesus walking on the water towards them. The significant moment happens when they want to ask Jesus to join them in the boat and they find themselves safely getting to the shore. We are invited, as followers of Jesus, to trust in him and to turn to him in life's storms. We also need to remember that when our friends and neighbors are enduring their own storms, we should reach out and be there to help them.

Sermon Scripture Text: John 6:16-24

"Walking on the Water" – S02E11 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons from 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.

#JohnsGospel #signs #walkingonwater #SeaofGalilee

 

The fourth sign from John's Gospel occurs on a grassy hillside near the Sea of Galilee in front of thousands of people. The people have no food and the disciples do not have enough to purchase food for everyone. One small child shares five barley loaves and some fish with Jesus who feeds the entire gathering of people until they are all full. This sign not only points to Jesus' compassion for the needs and hunger of others but also to his ability to provide the very nourishment we all need. We are invited, as followers of Jesus, to share what we have to meet the needs of others. Whether our resources are vast or meager, they all can make an impact. So, what are the needs of others in your community and what do you have that can help make a difference?

Sermon Scripture Text: John 6:1-14

"How Far Will It Go?" – S02E10 of Grow Deeper: A Bluff Park UMC Podcast

Welcome to the Grow Deeper podcast. We’re pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama. Each week we share our Sunday sermons from 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.

#JohnsGospel #Signs #FeedingThe5000 #SeaOfGalilee