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Sermon – April 21, 2019

April 21, 2019 By Leave a Comment

“When Easter Happens To You“, by Rev. Mike Holly

The Word

Acts 10:34-48

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

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Sermon – June 5, 2016

June 5, 2016 By Leave a Comment

BPUMC_Podcast_Logo“Seized by Fear“, by Rev. Mike Holly

There are times when something shocks us to the very core. Something that is so disruptive and unexpected may occur and we are either frozen in fear or we react out of anxiety and try to distance ourselves from whatever is taking place. Something similar occurs in the town of Nain, near the mount where Jesus was transfigured. Jesus raises the son of a widow from death. In fact, Jesus encounters this widow and the body of her son during the funeral procession – a time when the pain of reality is too sharp to bear. Jesus, out of compassion for her, raises her only son from death. I find if fascinating that Jesus acts out of compassion for the grieving and not for the son who had died young.

Notice the townspeople as well. They are “seized with fear” at the miracle performed before them. Something disruptive and unexpected occurs. They may have been frozen in fear for a moment, but then they seem to appreciate the grace of the moment and begin to praise God. “God has looked favorably on his people!” they shout. The people of Nain begin to realize that God had not forgotten them. They may not fully understand who Jesus is at that moment, but they know that it is a breaking in of God’s love and care for His people into the world.

Has something disruptive and unexpected occurred in your midst? How did you respond?

~Mike

Leap of Faith Weekly Prayer

Summer Prayer 1

Father and Creator of all things, we thank you for the warmth of the summer sun and for the increased daylight. We thank you for how the light gives life to Your world and how it makes possible the growth of plants and animals that feed the world. Thank you for the beauty of the world around us. Help me to become more thankful for everything you provide every time I enjoy being outside in Your creation. And as I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and thirst for You. Amen.

 

The Word

Luke 7:11-17

Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

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Sermon – April 24, 2016

April 24, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Encounters After the Resurrection“Moment of Recognition“, by Rev. Tom Duley

The power of the resurrection is not trapped in a 2,000 year old rock tomb in Palestine. The power of the resurrection is on display throughout the world. It is available to you, to me and to all of creation. The power of the resurrection is simply God at work in the world. God did not start working in the world on that first Easter nor did God stop working in the world once Jesus had been raised from the dead. God was at work in the world before Jesus was raised from the dead and God is at work in the world today.

Jeremiah knew about the work of God in the world when God used him to promise that a new heart was coming for Israel; a heart with the Law of God written in it. (Jer. 31:33) Ezekiel knew about the work of God in the world when God used him to promise that God would make the dry bones of Israel live again. (Ezekiel 37:7-14). The Apostle Thomas also knew about the work of God in the world when Jesus invited him to place his hands in Jesus’ hands and side. God can do amazing things with people who know the power of the resurrection. Let us pray that we will always be those people.

~Tom

The Word

John 20:24-29

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

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