“We NEVER Talk About Money in Church“, by Rev. Tom Duley
Sermon Series: Treasures of the Transformed Life
Throughout life we are often asked to be faithful. We are asked to be faithful to our marriage and family; to our country; to our teams; to our schools and too many other things. These faithful commitments are important because when they are made and kept they help to hold the fabric of our lives and society together. Faithful commitments to those institutions and relationships which are important is a necessary and vital part of life. Unfortunately, we have all seen the harmful e and sometimes destructive results that occur when these faithful commitments aren’t kept.
As Christians we are also asked to make and keep faithful commitments related to our faith in God. Each person who is a member of the United Methodist Church was asked to make such a commitment when he or she joined the church. Each of us committed to support God’s Holy Church through “our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness.” The commitment we made when we became a member of the church is a sacred commitment because that commitment was made to God the Creator and Sustainer of all life.
In the sermon series that begins today we will take the time over the next several weeks to consider this sacred commitment and how it impacts our stewardship. During this series you are invited to look with honest eyes at how faithful you are being to this sacred commitment.
~Tom Duley
The Word
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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