Shalom UMC Podcast

Week 3 of series "The Gospel According to Paul"

Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; 12:1-11

Paul wanted to speak sense into a fractured and dysfunctional church, and help them understand the importance of a shared faith and life with one another. Paul was urging Christians to understand that we are not alone in this life, and we are not alone in our faith. We have the strength of God to carry us forward, we have the community of believers to accompany us in our journey, and we have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us stay rooted in Christ and live as an example of God’s grace.

Week 2 of series.

Scripture Lesson: Galatians 2:15-21; 5:13-26

In the Letter to the Galatians, Paul sets out to help these Christians understand the depth of God’s grace. He wants them to understand how new life, a life of faith, comes through the Holy Spirit and through Christ living within us. Paul then goes on to convey to the churches of Galatia how Christians are called to live because of the knowledge of Christ’s love for us that comes through understanding what the Scriptures teach about humanity and our need for grace. Paul was writing to these people to help them understand what it means to be guided by Spirit, not by the Law; he wanted these Christians to know what they are asked to do because of what Christ did for them, and for all sinners.

Week 1 of series "The Gospel According to Paul".

Scripture Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-25

1 Thessalonians is the oldest extant writing from the New Testament – so it gives us a pretty good idea about the concerns of the early church. Paul wrote to the church in Thessaloniki to encourage them to remain steadfast in the face of persecution, and to allow their lives to reflect Christ. Paul’s hope for this church is that they would be/remain pure through Christ, and that their holiness would set them apart as followers of Jesus.

Week 7 of "Summer at the Beach" sermon series.

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 104

This psalm, and others like it, show us just how far we have strayed from where we should be. The rest of God's creation goes about life doing what they were created to do, and praising God. We humans don't do that - but we could if we took a lesson from the world around us. Look at the rest of creation, experience the world offering praise and thanksgiving to God. Sometimes it is that simple - when we need help remembering to praise God, look to nature - the sea, sky, land, plants, animals, etc. all praise God in their own way, and we can too.

Week 6 of sermon series "Summer at the Beach"

Scripture lesson: Mark 4:35-41

This week we take a look at the story of Jesus calming the storm. Our lives are often full of storms, and it is in those times that we either forget about Jesus' presence, or rely on it more than ever. This scripture reminds us that Jesus is always there with us in the midst of troubles and problems in life. And, it helps us to see that the storms we weather can become for other people signs of hope and examples of God's abiding presence in all of our lives.

Week 5 of "Summer at the Beach" sermon series.

Scripture Lesson: Exodus 14:10-25

The story of the Israelites crossing through the Red Sea is one of the most recognizable stories in the Bible. But, what have we forgotten or replaced in the story because of our familiarity? How do those differences change our outlook? What can we learn about our lives and our faith when we pay attention to what the Israelites do (or don't do) and what God says and does for them?

Week 4 of "Summer at the Beach"

Scripture Lesson: Mark 5:1-20

The story of the man we call the "Gerasene demoniac" is more than we often think it to be, more than just another story of Jesus performing a miracle for someone. This is a story that teaches us about God's love - and how we respond to God's love in our lives.

Week 3 of "Summer at the Beach" sermon series.

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 7:21-29

"The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders" is one of the name by which this passage is known. At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us some instructions, warnings, encouragement (all wrapped up in one) about how we are to live once we have heard his words. You can't listen to Jesus and come away unchanged. And, you can't be a true disciple unless you build your life on the solid foundation that is Jesus.

Week 2 of "Summer at the Beach" sermon series.

Scripture Lesson: 2 Kings 5:1-19

Naaman's healing by the prophet Elisha gives us a chance to see what God can do through those who follow him. Naaman came to Elisha looking for something miraculous, and he got a miracle. Just not in the way he expected. What do we do with unexpected circumstances or answers to prayer? Do we turn away because it wasn't what we wanted or expected? Or do we take that plunge into the depths of God's grace?

Week 1 of Sermon Series "Summer at the Beach"

Scripture Lesson: Mark 1:14-20

This week we began a series looking at passages from the Bible that bring us to the beach (or, at least bring us close to some water). We began with Jesus calling the first disciples. Jesus invited them to follow him, with the promise that he would teach them to fish for people. The question we look for today is: what significance did Jesus place on calling these first disciples to a new life, yet one similar in function to what they already know?