Florida United Methodist Conference Session One

For all those interested, here is session one of the Florida United Methodist Leadership training Conference, presented by speaker Adam Hamilton of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.

Sermon Sneak Peek (Sermon for June 28th)

Jesus for Dummies

Matthew 5:21-48

Even if Jesus never performed a single miracle, his teachings would have secured his place as one of the greatest moral philosophers who ever lived. In fact, Jesus is a moral philosopher in the true sense: He intends that his teachings be not only contemplated but also acted upon. As Jesus himself says, "He who hears my words and does not do them is like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand."

So what did Jesus teach? In short, a lot. It's from Jesus that we get such famous statements as "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39), "go the extra mile" (Matthew 5:41), "love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44), and the so-called Golden Rule, "Do to others what you want them to do to you" (Luke 6:31).

Yet, Jesus' teachings are not entirely new. The Golden Rule, for example, could be found in Greco-Roman and eastern philosophical traditions (though usually posed in the negative), and much of what Jesus says had already been expressed in the Hebrew Bible, as Jesus himself admits. Still, Jesus' teachings are unrivaled for their penetrating simplicity and enduring appeal...

Jesus gives lectures, or sermons, on a variety of subjects. His most famous is the Sermon on the Mount (the name was easy because, in Matthew, Jesus stands on a mountain when delivering this message). There is a church there now. It’s called the Church of the Beatitudes. And of course, the hill is called the Mount of Beatitudes.

The Beatitudes or Blessings ("Blessed are . . .") make up the first part of Jesus' sermon. Although scholars speculate that the Sermon on the Mount is a compilation of Jesus' teaching, brought together only later into one message, the Beatitudes' emphasis on personal righteousness and patience in affliction serves as a fitting introduction. Among its teachings you find:

·         Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

·         Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted....

           

·         ....Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

·         Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

            

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus attempts to change people's attitude toward Moses' Law from external obedience (that is, "I haven't killed anyone today") to internal obedience (that is, "I have forgiven everyone today").....

According to Jesus, when Moses said, "Do not murder," he didn't only mean, "Try to make it through the day without killing anyone," but he also meant, "Don't devalue others by thinking yourself superior to them or harboring anger toward them." For Jesus, devaluing others is akin to (and ultimately the source of) murder.

Paul tells how we can be saved: ROMANS 3:22-24 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to ALL who believe. For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. and are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

The next time we see Jesus on a mountain it will be on Mount Zion-- in Heaven, in the new Jerusalem. John writes in (Revelation 14:1 NIV)  "Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb....

For the full sermon, join us at 11:00 am on Sunday June 28th.

A Sneak peek of today's Father's Day Sermon...

(1) Someone noticed that the word "father" appears in the dictionary .....just before the word "fatigued" .....and just after the word "fathead."
So to all us fatigued, fathead fathers, ......Happy Father's Day!
We can do no better thing for our children than personally walking in the way we should go. To be mature in the Faith and to be continually open to the Transforming power of Christ.

(2) Some time ago I heard a touching story about a humble, consecrated pastor whose young son had become very ill. After his young boy had undergone an exhaustive series of tests, the father was told the news that his son had a terminal illness.

The youngster  had accepted Christ as his Savior, so the minister knew that death would usher him into Glory. But he wondered how to tell someone, especially his own son that he soon would die.

After earnestly seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit, he made his way through the hospital to his son's bedside.

First he read a passage of Scripture and had a time of prayer with his son.
Then he gently told him that the doctors could promise him only a few more days to live. "Are you afraid to meet Jesus, my son?" asked this devout father.  Wiping away a few tears the little fellow said, no….”.

But where fathers must really step up to the plate is in the area of teaching their children. What does that mean? To admonish means to teach! Dads must teach their children the important lessons of life.

Dad if you don’t teach your child how to work, the world will teach them how to steal. If you don’t teach your sons how to love and respect a woman, the world will teach him how to be dishonest . If you don’t teach your child honesty, the world will teach them to be a cheat!
(3) What are the life lessons fathers must teach their children?
• FEAR GOD – Prov. 1:7
• LOVE GOD – Prov. 4:1-4
• OBEY GOD – Prov. 3:1-6

(4) Today, we honor Fathers and thank God for His grace and wisdom in instituting the Christian family. Imagine how great it would be if we all strived to get back to the blueprint that God designed.