The Good Shepherd: Called by Name | Rev. Dr. Brett Pardue | North Raleigh UMC

What does it really mean when Jesus says, "I am the Good Shepherd"?

In this thoughtful message from John 9-10, Rev. Dr. Brett Pardue explores one of Jesus' most beloved "I Am" statements through the story of the man born blind. Before Jesus speaks about the Good Shepherd, He seeks out someone who has been questioned, judged, and cast aside by religious leaders. Through this powerful connection, we discover that the Good Shepherd is not simply a comforting image. It is a declaration of God's relentless grace, mercy, and commitment to seek those whom others overlook.

Drawing on the rich themes of John's Gospel, Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, and United Methodist theology, Brett reflects on God's prevenient grace, belonging before believing, the church's calling to embody Christ's compassion, and the hope found in being known and called by name. Rather than offering easy answers, this sermon invites us to consider how Jesus continues to pursue people with mercy, healing, and love.

Whether you've experienced rejection, are searching for a deeper understanding of God's grace, or want to explore Wesleyan theology through Scripture, this message offers encouragement and a fresh perspective on the Good Shepherd who never loses track of His sheep.

Scripture: John 10:11-30 (with John 9), Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34

North Raleigh United Methodist Church (NRUMC) is a welcoming United Methodist congregation in Raleigh, North Carolina, committed to helping people encounter Jesus Christ, grow in faith, build authentic community, and serve the world.

Topics: Good Shepherd, John 10, John 9, Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, United Methodist Church, Wesleyan theology, prevenient grace, grace, belonging, discipleship, inclusion, mercy, compassion, healing, identity, faith, Christian living, sermon, Bible study, Raleigh NC, North Raleigh UMC.

I AM the Gate | Rev. Kevin Johnson | John 10:1-10

Podcast Description:

What did Jesus mean when he said, "I am the gate"?

In this message from John 10:1-10, Rev. Kevin Johnson explores one of Jesus' lesser-known but deeply meaningful "I AM" statements. Using the story of his family's adventurous beagle, Donut, Kevin illustrates why gates matter—and how Jesus serves as both our protector and provider.

Drawing on the imagery of sheep, shepherds, and ancient sheepfolds, this sermon reveals how Jesus invites us into the safety of God's care while also sending us out into the abundance of God's provision. We are reminded that faith is not about restriction or limitation but about finding the abundant life Christ promises.

This message explores:

•  The meaning of Jesus as "the gate" in John 10 
•  How God protects us from spiritual predators 
•  The connection between Jesus the Gate and Jesus the Good Shepherd 
•  The rhythm of being gathered and sent in the Christian life 
•  Why abundant life is at the heart of the Gospel 
•  How worship, prayer, and Christian community help sustain us 

Whether you're feeling lost, overwhelmed, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus' words, this sermon offers encouragement that Christ knows your name, welcomes you home, and leads you into life that is full, meaningful, and abundant.

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Keywords: Jesus, I Am the Gate, John 10, Good Shepherd, abundant life, Christian sermon, Bible teaching, Gospel of John, discipleship, faith, spiritual growth, worship, church, United Methodist, North Raleigh UMC, Christian living, grace, protection, God's provision, shepherd and sheep, abundant living, following Jesus, Christian encouragement, Rev. Kevin Johnson, Raleigh NC.

About North Raleigh UMC:
North Raleigh United Methodist Church is a welcoming church in Raleigh, North Carolina, helping people connect with God, grow in faith, and serve others in Jesus' name. Learn more at North Raleigh UMC.

What did Jesus mean when he declared, "I am the light of the world"?

In this message from John 8:12-20, Rev. Laura Johnson explores one of Jesus' most powerful "I AM" statements, spoken during the Festival of Booths while standing beside the massive lamps that illuminated Jerusalem. Through stories of caving in complete darkness and finding her way through a foggy campground at night, Laura invites us to consider how Christ's light guides us when life feels uncertain, exposes what we would rather keep hidden, and helps us see ourselves and others through God's grace.

This sermon examines the biblical background of Jesus' claim, the significance of the Temple treasury and the Festival of Booths, and how God's people were guided by a pillar of fire through the wilderness. Along the way, Laura reflects on spiritual discernment, the work of the Holy Spirit, self-examination, grace, forgiveness, and the church's calling to reflect Christ's light into a dark world.

Whether you're facing a difficult decision, navigating uncertainty, wrestling with fear, or seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus' identity, this message offers encouragement that we do not walk alone. Christ continues to illuminate the path before us and calls us to shine that same light for others.

Scripture: John 8:12-20

Topics: Jesus, I AM statements, Light of the World, Gospel of John, Christian discipleship, faith, spiritual guidance, Holy Spirit, grace, forgiveness, spiritual growth, United Methodist, North Raleigh UMC, biblical teaching, Christian living, darkness and light, prayer, church community, following Jesus, Christian sermon, worship message.

About North Raleigh UMC:
North Raleigh United Methodist Church is a welcoming church in Raleigh, North Carolina, helping people connect with God, grow in faith, and serve others in Jesus' name. Learn more at North Raleigh UMC

What does Jesus mean when he says, "I am the Light of the World"?

In this episode of Behind the Scenes, Rev. Laura Johnson joins Kevin Van Hall to explore John 8:12-20 and the next message in our "I Am" sermon series. Together they unpack the rich symbolism behind Jesus' words, the Festival of Tabernacles, and the dramatic exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees.

Why does John present Jesus differently than the other Gospels? What does it mean to walk in the light rather than the darkness? And how are Christians called to reflect Christ's light into the world today?

Along the way, Laura shares the historical setting of Jesus' teaching in the Temple, the significance of the great festival lamps that illuminated Jerusalem, and how Jesus' claim to be the Light of the World points to God's guidance, truth, hope, and presence.

Join us as we dig deeper into this week's scripture and prepare for Sunday worship.

Scripture: John 8:12-20
Series: I Am
Speaker: Rev. Laura Johnson

#NorthRaleighUMC #BehindTheScenesPodcast #GospelOfJohn #LightOfTheWorld #Jesus #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #UnitedMethodist #FaithJourney #John8 #SermonPrep #ChurchPodcast

I Am the Bread of Life | Rev. Kevin Johnson | North Raleigh UMC

What are we really hungry for?

In this message from our I Am sermon series, Rev. Kevin Johnson explores Jesus' powerful declaration in John 6:35: "I am the bread of life." As Jesus speaks to a crowd that has just witnessed the feeding of the 5,000, he invites them—and us—to look beyond physical needs and discover the deeper satisfaction found only in him.

Through humor, biblical insight, and practical application, Kevin examines what it means for Jesus to be the true bread from heaven, the source of eternal life, and the one who brings us into relationship with God. In a world constantly telling us we need more, Jesus offers a different promise: that in him, there is enough.

In this sermon, you'll discover:
• Why Jesus' "I Am" statements are so significant in John's Gospel
• How the manna in the wilderness points to Christ
• What it means for Jesus to be the Bread of Life
• Why worldly satisfaction never lasts
• How communion invites us into God's life and love
• What it means to trust God for our daily bread

Scripture: John 6:30-58
Preacher: Rev. Kevin Johnson
Series: I Am
Church: North Raleigh United Methodist Church

If this message encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear the good news that there is always enough in Jesus.

#NorthRaleighUMC #KevinJohnson #BreadOfLife #IAmSeries #GospelOfJohn #John6 #UnitedMethodist #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #JesusChrist #Faith #ChurchOnline #RaleighNC #UMC #ChristianLiving

Trinity Sunday: Faith, Doubt, and the Mystery of God
Rev. Laura Johnson | North Raleigh United Methodist Church

What if doubt isn't the opposite of faith?

On Trinity Sunday, Rev. Laura Johnson explores one of Christianity's most profound mysteries: the doctrine of the Trinity. Drawing from Matthew 28:16-20, she examines the surprising detail that even as the disciples encountered the risen Jesus, "some doubted."

This sermon challenges common assumptions about doubt and faith. Looking at the original meaning of the biblical word for doubt, Rev. Johnson suggests that doubt is often not disbelief, but the natural human response to encountering realities that are bigger, deeper, and more beautiful than we expected.

Along the way, she guides listeners through the church's historic understanding of the Trinity, exploring how early Christian thinkers wrestled with the mystery of one God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Rather than offering easy answers, this message invites us to embrace humility, wonder, and curiosity as we grow in our relationship with God.

Whether you're wrestling with questions, seeking a deeper understanding of Christian theology, or simply longing for a faith that can hold both conviction and mystery, this sermon offers encouragement for the journey.

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

North Raleigh United Methodist Church
Raleigh, North Carolina

Learn more about our church and ministries at North Raleigh UMC.

Topics Covered:

• Trinity Sunday
• The doctrine of the Trinity
• Matthew 28 and the Great Commission
• Faith and doubt
• The Nicene Creed
• Church history and theology
• The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Christian discipleship
• Spiritual growth and questioning faith

Keywords: Trinity Sunday, Holy Trinity, Matthew 28, Great Commission, faith and doubt, Christian theology, Nicene Creed, United Methodist Church, Methodist sermon, Rev Laura Johnson, North Raleigh UMC, Christian discipleship, Holy Spirit, Father Son Holy Spirit, church history, resurrection, biblical interpretation, Christian faith, Raleigh NC church, Sunday sermon

The day of Pentecost marked one of the most dramatic moments in Christian history when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples with unmistakable power. The disciples had been waiting together in Jerusalem, following Jesus' instructions to tarry until they received heavenly power. Their waiting wasn't passive but filled with expectation, like a family in a hospital waiting room anticipating good news. When the Spirit arrived, it came with the sound of violent wind and flames of fire that rested on each person, representing God's uncontrollable yet constructive power.

The most remarkable aspect of this event was that the disciples began speaking in languages they had never learned. These weren't unintelligible utterances but real languages that the international crowd in Jerusalem could understand perfectly. Jerusalem was filled with pious Jews from every nation who spoke different languages, and they were amazed to hear these Galilean fishermen declaring God's mighty works in their native tongues. This miracle reveals something profound about God's heart - that divine love transcends all cultural and linguistic barriers.

The Holy Spirit's work extends far beyond that first Pentecost day. The Spirit serves as a divine artist, painting countless portraits of Jesus on human hearts using the unique gifts, cultures, and backgrounds of each person. Rather than erasing our particularities, God uses them to draw people into divine love in fresh and meaningful ways. The Spirit gives each person gifts not for personal glory but for the common good, enabling us to help others understand God's love in their particular context. Even during seasons of spiritual drought when we might not feel the Spirit's presence, we are invited to wait expectantly for God's movement, knowing that the Spirit continues to work in unpredictable but always loving ways.

Discover the incredible power of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit transforms ordinary people into extraordinary witnesses for God. This powerful biblical story from Acts 2 reveals one of the most dramatic moments in Christian history when the Holy Spirit descended with wind and fire upon the disciples in Jerusalem. Learn about the miraculous gift of speaking in tongues, where disciples suddenly spoke languages they never learned, allowing people from every nation to hear God's message in their native language. Explore how God speaks people fluently, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers through divine love and grace. Understand the Holy Spirit's role in drawing people to God, giving spiritual gifts for the common good, and working as a divine artist who paints portraits of Jesus on human hearts. This message examines how the Spirit uses our unique personalities, backgrounds, and cultures to reveal Christ to others in fresh ways. Whether you're experiencing spiritual growth or going through a season of spiritual drought, discover how to wait expectantly for the Holy Spirit's movement in your life. Learn practical ways to recognize the Spirit's work, understand your spiritual gifts, and be open to God's unpredictable but loving transformation. Perfect for anyone seeking to understand the Holy Spirit's power, spiritual gifts, divine calling, Christian transformation, biblical miracles, Acts 2 Pentecost, speaking in tongues, spiritual awakening, God's presence, divine love, Christian faith, spiritual growth, biblical teaching, and how God moves in our lives today. This biblical exposition offers hope and encouragement for believers at any stage of their spiritual journey.