Sellersburg United Methodist Church Sermon Podcast

Jeremiah 31 -- The prophet offers a word of hope amidst what is otherwise a difficult book.  The people have not been faithful and have brought about consequence for their injustice and prideful nationalism.

The people were called to a NEW COVENANT--a new way to live into the old promise.

WE are called into the New Covenant too; we can live into the Reign of God right here and now as if the future were already present.

Are we ready to let go of ourselves so that we may KNOW God and find ourselves in the process?

Numbers 21  &  John 3  --  In our fourth week of Lent we come to a very strange and wisdom-packed pair of passages with a direct link to one another.  We consider the invitation to life offered through a bronze seraphim (fiery serpent).  We are invited to fix our eyes upon another way of understanding ourselves and God so that we may truly live a full/eternal life.

Are you ready to receive this wisdom?

Exodus 19 & 20 -- We are traversing the great promises of God.  We come today to the claiming of Israel as the people of God.  A covenant is shared at Mt. Sinai and the vows are given.

Let's revisit the story of Israel and consider the meaning of this great scene and the subsequent instructions.  What we find, when we hold firm to the context, is a story of redemption and freedom that is often confused by people as a set of rules.

Are you ready for your orientation into the life of the people of God?

Genesis 17:1-16  --  For the second week of our Lenten series we turn to the promise of Sarah and Abraham--the third version of it.

We will consider the great faith of this amazing couple as an example for us all.

Are you ready to walk with God and trust your entire life to the path?

Joel 2: 1-2, 12-17

We begin the season of Lent with a well-known prophetic word from Joel ("Jehovah is their God") to the people, Israel.  The summons of ALL people to rend (tear) their hearts as a sign of devotion and return (repentance) to God is a needed word for our own day (for any day).

Let's enter into this season of self-examination so that we may see where it is we are being called as individuals and as the church (the body of Christ) to return to our God with our whole heart.  We consider the character of God alongside the reality of our own situations.

Are you ready to confront your heart?

Are you ready to claim the promise?

Mark 9:2-9 (Transfiguration) -- We conclude our sermon series on discipleship by hearing the call once again, "Listen to Jesus Christ!"

Jonah 3  &  Mark 1 -- We come to our third week in our 6-week series receiving the call into the life of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.  This is no simple call.  Rather, following Jesus will change everything.

Are we ready to get out of the boat?

1 Samuel 3  &  John 1  --  Can anything good come from this?  A question we are all asking about a great many things these days.  The answer, of course, is "Yes!"  Let's revisit two passages that come from moments in history where people were feeling the weight of uncertainty and ambiguity.  Two characters each were searching for meaning and purpose...and hope.

We are all on this journey, friends.

Are we ready to place our hope in God on this walk of discipleship?