Since the Beginning

"John: Gospel of Light and Life" Series

March 5th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
John 1:1-14

The Gospel of John is so different from the other three.  

John begins by telling us that Jesus always was since the beginning of time.  Everything has come into existence through him.  Jesus is the source of light and life.  In our world light is life.  The sun shines and the plants, trees, and shrubs come to life.  Christ came into the world to draw us from the darkness and into the light.  This is the way that God had made the world since the beginning.  This Lenten season is creating another opportunity for us to turn from the darkness and to live into the light by believing in him.

Who Knows?

March 1st, 2017 - Ash Wednesday

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

The natural state of our world is darkness. 

Darkness is everywhere until some kind of light arrives on the scene.  It could be the sun, the moon, a light bulb or a candle. It is always the light that pierces the darkness. My natural state is sinfulness, that is, until I make the choice to turn around and return to the light that is Jesus Christ. Who knows? If I turn around God may change his mind and instead shower me with his blessings. Who knows?

In the Gospel of John 20:31 it reads, “These things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.”  In that short verse we see that in John’s Gospel we are called to see the LIGHT and LIFE of Jesus’ life in ours.  In our journey through Lent this year we will focus on the Gospel of John hoping that it will bring LIGHT to your heart, mind and soul.  Once those become illuminated in your life you will be open to believing that Jesus is who he always said he was; God’s one and only Son and the Savior of the world.  This Lent I pray that you experience the LIGHT of Christ so that he may bring you LIFE in your believing.

The Justice Conundrum

February 19 & 26, 2017

Pastor Paul is preaching.

Justice in Sin (February 19th)
2 Kings 2:23-24

The Law of Love (February 26th)
James 2:12-17

The term “justice” is tossed around pretty liberally in today’s society, and rarely does our use of the word properly reflect its true nature. 

As we engage the notion of justice in Scripture these next two weeks, we can be hopeful several things will happen.  One, we’ll no longer remain naïve to the use of such an invaluable word.  Secondly, the Old Testament, two-thirds of God’s written Word, will be released from the chains of irrelevance and confusion many of us hold it in.  And third, we will be sent out with an informed understanding of how to spread God’s law of love, justice for the New Testament world, to all we come in contact with.  We hope you’ll join us for this power-packed two week series.

Becoming Who God Meant You to Be.

"The Daniel Plan" Series

February 12th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Romans 8:26a, 28-30 (The Message)

As we come to the end of our Daniel Plan sermon series we come full circle back to Daniel himself.

We see that once Daniel chose to live his whole life for the Lord, even down to what he eats, Daniel became the person God created him to be. Many times we are the ones that get in the way of God as he is working to bring our lives to completion. In the text from Romans today we are reminded that God works all things together for good for those who live for God. We live for God as we follow his Son and make the choice to let God mold us and make us into his great plan for our lives. Have you made the choice to let that happen?

The God Factor: God’s Power in Your Life.

"The Daniel Plan" Series

February 5th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Ephesians 3:14-21

What is the difference between power and energy?

A rowing team all rowing in different directions and at different cadences may have a lot of energy but they will never go anywhere. A rowing team with all that energy rowing in the same direction and at the same cadence is now filled with POWER. That team will reach its destination in a hurry. This week is about being filled with the power of God and not just the energy of the world. Are you filled with energy or power?

The Group (COMMUNITY) Factor: Why We Need Each Other.

"The Daniel Plan" Series

January 29th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Luke 5:17-26

I need you.

I know that I cannot live into a whole new way of life without others encouraging me and holding me accountable. We are designed to live in community with others. Jesus called the twelve disciples to come and live with him in community for three years. They encouraged, loved, forgave, pushed, cared for, and walked with each other. It is in community that we are at our strongest. Who and where is your community?

Goal-Setting: The Importance of Setting Goals in Faith.

"The Daniel Plan" Series

January 22nd, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Ephesians 1:1-10
 

We have goals at work.

We have goals at school. We have goals for our kids. What about goals for yourself personally? This week, through scripture we learn that goal-setting is a spiritual discipline. Goals force me to focus. God-centered goals will stretch my faith and build my character. Goals give me hope. I want all of those things in my life right now. How about you?

Principles for Lasting Change: What It Takes to Really Change

"The Daniel Plan" Series

January 15th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Romans 12:1-12
 

Change is not easy.

We must first make a choice and commitment to change. In Romans 12, Paul does a fantastic job formulating some key principles to help make that change possible and sustainable. In the Daniel Plan we are talking about a whole lifestyle change and not just a diet plan. How will you use these six principles to make a sustainable lifestyle change? Will you make the choice to change?

God’s Prescription for Health: What God Says about My Body

"The Daniel Plan" Series

January 8th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
1 Corinthians 6:12-20

When you really think about it, it’s not rocket science.

If I put bad food into my body, my body breaks down. In the scripture from 1 Corinthians today it is clear that that is not at all God’s plan for our physical well-being. God has not at all left out our physical well-being when we think about living our lives for Him. Yet so many of us work on our souls but let our bodies go. The problem is that for many Americans our bodies are in such bad shape that our bodies cannot keep up with the divine callings of the soul. Do you want to live your life more for Christ but your body just can’t keep up? This week is about God’s prescription for a healthy body.

What Christmas Is All About

"Redemption of Scrooge" Series

December 25th, 2016

Pastor Paul is preaching.
John 1:1-14

Several of the Gospel writers include picturesque accounts of the nativity story: Joseph, Mary, shepherds and the like. 

John is not one of these.  Instead of recounting the birth of Christ, John chooses to spout metaphors about light and darkness, the Word and the world.  At first glance, it all seems to have little to say to inform our Christmas festivities.  But perhaps there’s more value in John’s account than we give it credit for.  For those willing to investigate, it may even contain the best yet depiction of what Christmas is really all about.

He Didn't Have To

"Redemption of Scrooge" Series

December 24th, 2016 - Christmas Eve

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Luke 2:1-20
 

As we have just wrapped up the sermon series, “The Redemption of Scrooge” throughout the season of Advent I am reminded that God didn’t have to.  

In Dicken’s, “A Christmas Carol” Jacob Marley did not have to come back and visit Scrooge.  The Ghost of Christmas, Past, Present, and Future did not have to come and visit Scrooge showing him the way to a life-change and transformation.  They all chose to come to Ebenezer Scrooge.  WHY?  He was worth it, AND SO ARE YOU!

The Hope of Christmas Future

"Redemption of Scrooge" Series

December 18th, 2016

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Revelation 21:1-5

Why are there times that we are super excited about the future and other times that we fear it?  

It’s because it’s uncertain and many times we have no control over it.  Jesus Christ is coming that we might know a sure and certain future.  It is a future in which all things will be made new--even us.  That is a frightening thought, to be made new.  However, when we put our fear, hope, faith and trust in the Christ-child, we realize that all things are being made new RIGHT NOW!

The Remembrance of Christmas Past

"Redemption of Scrooge" Series

December 4th, 2016

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Matthew 4: 18-22

When you look in the mirror who/what do you see? 

Are you happy with the face and the person looking back at you?  Are you frustrated, upset, and disappointed with that person?  Who do you want to see in that mirror?  Jesus is coming into our world so that he can help us see ourselves as he sees us.  When Jesus sees us he sees us with incredible hope, potential and possibilities.  We are stuck looking at our past when Jesus always and only looks forward.

Bah! Humbug!

"Redemption of Scrooge" Series

November 27th, 2016

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Luke 16:19-31

In the famous story of Ebenezer Scrooge we are reminded of the visit of one Mr. Jacob Marley. 

Marley was Scrooge’s boss and he taught Scrooge all he knows about greed, self-absorption, and just plain grumpiness.  However, after Marley’s death, we see Marley come back to Scrooge to try and get him to change his ways or he will suffer the same horrible consequences of one’s life lived only for SELF.  The text from Luke today will touch on the same theme as we meet the rich man and Lazarus.  Will there be a chance to change our life before it is too late and will our changed lives reflect that?

His Indescribable Gift!

"Treasure Hunt" Series

November 6th, 2016

Reverend Dan is preaching.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15

It must truly come from our hearts. 

We know that at this time of year at RRUMC we are walking through Consecration Sunday.  It is our way to pray ourselves into God’s plan for our church in 2017.  What is God about to do?  How is God about to help more people meet Jesus Christ in the midst of their story?  As we pray ourselves into those answers we will be searching our hearts and souls to discover what God has planned for 2017.  Then, from our hearts, God calls us to give.  The ability to give to God is an indescribable gift.  It is a privilege to know that God wants all of us to come alongside Him and his work in the world.  I hope and pray that it all comes from the heart, a transformed heart.

The Treasured Saints

"Treasue Hunt" Series

October 30th, 2016

Reverend Dan is preaching.
John 12:20-26

As we celebrate All Saints Day and light candles in in memory of those who have died as disciples of Christ, we are reminded of the fact that they were treasures to us and to Christ as well. 

Jesus reminds us in the text today that the treasure is not in the grain or in the seed.  The treasure is on the other side of that seed or grain dying to become the tree or crop.  It is in the tree or in the crop that we finally see the treasure that is promised in that seed or in the single grain.  Are you living for the treasures of today or for the treasure of life to come?

I Have Plans For You

"Treasure Hunt" Series

October 23rd, 2016

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Jeremiah 29:10-14, Proverbs 16:9

Our lives are all about our plans. 

We plan and we plan and then we plan some more.  We worry and we worry and then we worry some more that our plans might not play out the way we wanted them to.  Have you ever thought that maybe they are not working out because they are not the plans that God has for you?  In Jeremiah today God is clear that while we are trying to figure it out, God has already worked it out.  The treasure is out there but we must be looking in the right place.  Where are our steps taking us?

What’s So Funny?

"Treasue Hunt" Series

October 16th, 2016

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Genesis 17:1-8 and Genesis 18:9-15

In the text for today God comes to talk to the 99 year old Abram. 

God has news for him.  He is about to become the father of many nations.  God tells Abram that kings will come from him.  He will inherit a fruitful land.  All these things are treasures that God already has in place for Abram and his wife Sarai.  Do they believe God?  Will they live lives in a sure and certain hope of a future that is promised to be filled with treasures from God……………or will they just laugh at him?

This World Needs More Storytellers

"How Is It With Your Soul?" Series

October 9th, 2016

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Genesis 1:16b and 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

John Wesley asks, “How is it with your Soul” and at RRUMC we ask the same question in a little different way.

At RRUMC we ask, “How it is with your STORY?”  In the text today from Genesis, what if God left out that simple phrase that states, “And he made the stars too.”  That little portion of scripture set the universe in place.  So many times people feel as though their story or soul has nothing to offer someone else.  John Wesley asked that question because the stories of the people in his classes touched the lives of everyone gathered in those homes.  That still happens today.  How can we work to become more and more a church of story tellers?  How is it with your soul—YOUR STORY?

How Are You, REALLY?

"How Is It With Your Soul?" Series

October 2nd, 2016

Pastor Paul is preaching.
James 5:13-20

We must get asked a dozen times a day this simple question, “How are you?” 

If you’re like me, my responses to this question represent my most frequent instances of dishonesty.  Why do we find it so easy to lie in response to that question?  Because we’ve convinced ourselves there’s no way the other person actually wants to hear the truth, right?  But what if sometimes they do?  And what if sometimes we need to vocalize the truth, even if the person asking is caught a bit off guard?  The Apostle James presents us an image of Christian community where people actually acknowledge their struggles, sins and sorrows.  I have a feeling his message pertains just as much, if not MORE, to the 21st century as it did to the 1st.