Pursuing Jesus

Last Words

2012-01-01T13:22:00.001-06:00

My last message to the people of First United Methodist Church, Pittsburg.

Why Joseph?

2011-12-18T16:20:00.001-06:00

Joseph was an ordinary guy. And God worked mightily in his life.

Why Mary?

2011-12-11T19:45:00.001-06:00

Why did Mary have a role to play in the birth of God's Son into the world?

Why John?

2011-12-05T21:23:00.000-06:00

Why did God send John the Baptist?
1. To show continuity with the Old Testament
2. To preach repentance
3. To show us the value of a faithful life

Why Jesus?

2011-11-27T16:49:00.001-06:00

We understand Jesus best when we see him in context of the story of Israel.

Gratitude? What a Crazy Idea!

2011-11-20T14:46:00.000-06:00

Why should we be grateful when things are not yet 100% as we want them to be?

Yes and No

2011-11-13T15:25:00.000-06:00

Living as disciples of Jesus requires us to hear God's Yes and God's No. As we mature in our faith, we learn how to say Yes and No appropriately in light of who God is and what God is doing.

Dead or Alive?

2011-11-06T14:33:00.000-06:00

What does it mean to be "surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses?"

The Stewardship of Influence

2011-10-30T14:45:00.000-05:00

God gives us influence with others. How will we use it?

The Stewardship of Money

2011-10-16T14:22:00.000-05:00

In 2 Corinthians 8 we learn some things about handling our money God's way.

The Stewardship of Work

2011-10-09T14:27:00.001-05:00

We find a better framework for understanding the stewardship of work in Genesis 1 & 2 than in Genesis 3.

Stewarship of Your Life

2011-10-02T15:53:00.001-05:00

The starting point of stewardship is following Jesus.

Apostles Creed: More?

2011-09-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

Is there more to the Christian life than just believing some things, being forgiven, and going to heaven when you die?

Apostles Creed: Who?

2011-09-19T08:09:00.001-05:00

In this message we look at the characters in the Apostles creed

Apostles Creed: Where?

2011-09-11T14:01:00.001-05:00

As we remember 9/11, we see how the Apostles Creed can throw light on our reading of Psalm 137 & Matthew 5:38-48.

Apostles Creed; Why?

2011-09-05T14:18:00.001-05:00

Why do we bother with a creed? Isn't it horribly exclusive?

Dangerous Things: Freedom

2011-08-28T19:37:00.001-05:00

God takes a risk and gives us freedom. What will we do with it?

Dangerous Things: Power

2011-08-21T14:38:00.001-05:00

David power or Jesus power?

Dangerous Things: Affluence

2011-08-14T14:09:00.000-05:00

In James 1 we see that even affluence can be a trial.

Christian Deliberation

2011-07-17T14:41:00.000-05:00

Or, What I learned at Camp. Acts 15 & Christian deliberation

Heroes

2011-07-10T15:08:00.000-05:00

What does it mean to be a hero?

Testimony

2011-07-03T22:54:00.001-05:00

Why & how to share a testimony about Jesus.

Thirsty?

2011-06-26T13:29:00.001-05:00

Are you thirsty for God?

Job Description

2011-06-19T12:36:00.001-05:00

What's the purpose of ministry?

Under Command

2011-06-12T14:54:00.001-05:00

The Holy Spirit gives gifts

Appreciation & Encouragement

2011-06-05T14:21:00.000-05:00

Ephesians 4:29 gives us a clear rationale for Christian speech.

Real Faith

2011-06-02T15:06:00.001-05:00

Is there such a thing as real faith? Why bother asking?

Staying Christian When You Go to ___

2011-05-22T21:28:00.000-05:00

How do you stay Christian when you go challenging places?

When in Rome ___

2011-05-15T14:11:00.001-05:00

The Bible teaches nonconformity to the world, but conformity to Christ.

There's No Place Like _______

2011-05-08T14:44:00.000-05:00

Some ideas for having a healthy family.

Can You Lose Your ___?

2011-05-01T13:52:00.000-05:00

Sometimes people ask the question, "Can you lose your salvation?" Maybe the problem is with the question.

Looking At Jesus

2011-04-24T14:33:00.001-05:00

Sometimes we miss Jesus when he is right there with us.

Looking at Jesus: Jesus is Evil????

2011-04-17T16:05:00.000-05:00

Jesus was a trouble maker. He made enough trouble that the authorities put him to death. How does he make trouble for us today?

Looking at Jesus: Jesus Calls People

2011-04-10T15:01:00.000-05:00

Jesus calls people - usually the ones we least expect.

Looking at Jesus: Jesus Teaches

2011-04-03T19:29:00.000-05:00

Jesus the teacher is Jesus the prophet.

Looking at Jesus: Jesus is the Son of Man

2011-03-27T13:32:00.000-05:00

We hear "Jesus is the Son of God" and "Jesus is the Son of Man," and, given what we know of Christian doctrine, might assume that the former is a reference to his divinity, the latter a reference to his humanity. Here I examine the latter phrase to show that it is a much higher claim than that.

Looking at Jesus: Jesus Is Jewish

2011-03-20T13:56:00.000-05:00

If we want to understand Jesus we can neither forget that he is Jewish nor abstract him from his Jewish context.

No Hurry

2011-03-13T14:04:00.000-05:00

The last in a series looking at James Bryan Smith's, The Good and Beautiful God.

God Transforms

2011-03-06T19:00:00.001-06:00

Too often we live as if Romans 7 gives us the most fundamental part of our identity - we're sinners. Instead, we should turn to Romans 8 and find our identity in Christ.

God Sacrifices

2011-02-20T15:05:00.001-06:00

Jesus freely sacrifices himself for us. When it comes to giving, God always goes first.

God is Holy

2011-02-13T18:14:00.001-06:00

In Luke 15 Jesus demonstrates that holiness is more than following the rules.

The Love of God

2011-02-06T15:06:00.000-06:00

A look at the love of God in Romans 5.

Our Generous God

2011-01-30T16:46:00.000-06:00

We replace the old story about God being stingy with the new story of the generous God who gives himself freely.

Finding the Trustworthy God

2011-01-23T19:47:00.000-06:00

We can learn to trust God as we see Jesus trusting God, even in the midst of suffering and hardship.

Beyond the Angry God

2011-01-16T19:09:00.001-06:00

In John 9 Jesus offers his disciples a new way to understand suffering and hardship.

Finding a New Story

2011-01-09T22:17:00.000-06:00

The first in a series drawing from James Bryan Smith's The Good and Beautiful God

Put It Down, Take It Up

2011-01-02T16:40:00.001-06:00

Joseph had to lay aside some things and take up other things to respond to God's invitation. Do do we.

Christmas Discontent?

2010-12-19T14:21:00.001-06:00

Is Christmas a season of contentment or discontentment? Why?

Waiting

2010-12-12T13:40:00.000-06:00

The people of God through the Old Testament, the New Testament and to this very day have done lots of waiting. How can we do this well?

The Ax's Ministry

2010-12-05T13:32:00.000-06:00

Keith Swatzel shares a word about the ministry of John the Baptist and about Hispanic ministry in Pittsburg.

Truth or News

2010-11-28T19:08:00.000-06:00

There is a difference between Truth (general, abstract, universal) and News (contingent, concrete, temporal). In Jesus we see Truth personified and hear Good News proclaimed.

Life Is a Roller Coaster So You Better Hang On

2010-11-21T16:47:00.001-06:00

Kathy Wootten tells us not to let moods & emotions control our life. Give them over to God.

Consequences

2010-11-14T21:55:00.000-06:00

Our actions have consequences. What do we make of the consequences of Jesus' actions for our lives?

Prayer: Pray without Ceasing or Leave it in God's Hands?

2010-11-07T15:13:00.001-06:00

How do we balance the Bible's teaching on constant prayer and that we should leave things in God's hands?

Acolytes, Disciples, Saints

2010-10-31T17:56:00.000-05:00

While there are some words we know what to do with in church, we're not sure what to do with "saint."

Power: Can You Handle It?

2010-10-24T21:17:00.000-05:00

Can God trust you with power? When people see you using power, are they inclined to think you've been with Jesus?

The Great Commission

2010-10-22T12:55:00.001-05:00

Lay Leader Pat Oldham preaches on Jesus' Great Commission.

Mercy

2010-10-10T20:44:00.001-05:00

Because Jesus knew who he was, he was able to show mercy. When we find our identity in him, we can experience mercy and extend it to the people around us.

Change

2010-10-04T07:32:00.001-05:00

The Committee for Fighting Philistines and their chairman, King Saul, knew all about fighting Philistines. But they weren't able to do anything about Goliath.

The Fear of the Lord

2010-09-27T12:51:00.001-05:00

Fearing the Lord is not about being scared of God. Instead, the primary idea is taking God into account in all we do.

The Shape of Your Life

2010-09-19T16:46:00.001-05:00

Kelly Lawson tells us there are two basic shapes to the story of a life, one illustrated by Adam (Gen. 3), the other by Jesus (Phil. 2:2-11; John 1:14). Which best describes your life?

What Do We Do with the Bible?

2010-09-12T16:41:00.000-05:00

What are some ways Christians use the Bible?

Why Do We Talk about the Gospel?

2010-09-09T22:14:00.001-05:00

The good news is that in Jesus God invades our world for our sake. It's good NEWS, not a social program, not advice, not abstract principles. It's news of what God has done.

Why Do We Talk about Love?

2010-08-29T17:07:00.001-05:00

We look at love in John 13. We understand love best when we consider it inthe story of Jesus.

What Do We Say about Faith & Works?

2010-08-22T15:03:00.001-05:00

How do we make sense of Paul (Faith!) and James (Works!)?

God and the Outsiders

2010-08-21T21:27:00.001-05:00

In the Bible we see that God loves pursuing the outsiders.

Why Do We Say Jesus Is Lord?

2010-08-15T14:23:00.000-05:00

What does it mean when we confess, "Jesus is Lord?"

Why Do We Say Sin Is a Problem?

2010-08-08T15:46:00.001-05:00

When we look at the story of Cain & Abel we see several reasons sin is a problem.

Worship: The Wedding

2010-08-01T15:31:00.001-05:00

How is a wedding an act of worship?

Worship: The Funeral

2010-07-25T20:24:00.000-05:00

Christians do funerals as an act of worship.

Worship: Offering

2010-07-18T16:00:00.000-05:00

When we worship, we are joining in the overflow of God's self-offering.

FUMC Pittsburg - Early Service testimonies

2010-07-04T20:03:00.001-05:00

Some testimonies from the early service, July 4, 2010.

Worship: Testimony

2010-07-04T18:22:00.001-05:00

The woman at the well gives us an example of the impact of a testimony. People from FUMC Pittsburg share some testimonies also.

Worship: Baptism

2010-07-04T17:47:00.000-05:00

A brief look at Baptism in the United Methodist worship liturgy.

Worship: Get Real

2010-06-22T17:58:00.000-05:00

In worship we learn to perceive and live by God's reality.

Worship: Healing

2010-06-13T14:59:00.000-05:00

Jesus heals people. Sometimes it's the faith of the person healed, sometimes the faith of the friends of the healed person - sometimes it's merely Jesus' faith that makes it happen.

Worship: Communion

2010-06-06T17:44:00.001-05:00

We examine the text and meaning of the United Methodist communion liturgy.

May 2010 Q & A 2

2010-06-02T21:17:00.000-05:00

On fifth Sundays I do a Question & Answer sermon. Here's the message from the second service.

May 2010 Q & A - Early Service

2010-06-02T20:56:00.001-05:00

On fifth Sundays I do a Question & Answer sermon. Here's the message from the first service.

Crossing the Line: Real People

2010-05-23T15:42:00.000-05:00

God calls us into relationships with actual people - in spite of conflicts and hurt.

From Brokenness to Healing

2010-05-16T19:58:00.001-05:00

Kathy Wootten shares from her experience with cancer and from scripture about how we can find healing the midst of brokenness.

Crossing the Line: Resources

2010-05-16T14:40:00.001-05:00

When we trust Jesus with our resources, we can find hope in the midst of worry.

Crossing the Line: Watching out for Others

2010-05-09T21:07:00.000-05:00

Jesus not only calls us to be his and to follow him, but also to learn to see people the way he does.

Crossing the Line: Obsession with Jesus

2010-05-02T15:22:00.000-05:00

Paul says some awesome things in Philippians 4. If we want to get to the place where we can say similar things in similar situations, we need to take up a certain way of life.

Crossing the Line: Honesty

2010-04-25T14:29:00.001-05:00

Jeremiah talks about the deceitfulness of the heart. Jesus offers us an alternative.

Women in Ministry

2010-04-11T15:43:00.001-05:00

Many are of the opinion that the Bible is against women being in ministry. Is this true? Or is there another way to look at things?

Better Than Our Expectations

2010-04-05T07:42:00.001-05:00

The good news of Jesus' resurrection

Overcoming Barriers to Loving Others

2010-03-21T15:03:00.000-05:00

Jesus commands us to love our neighbors. How can we do this, considering all the barriers we experience?

The Jesus Prayer

2010-03-14T13:02:00.001-05:00

Jesus gave his disciples a model prayer. As his followers, we not only pray that prayer but use it as a guide for all our praying.

The Love of God the Father

2010-03-07T21:42:00.000-06:00

We better understand God as Father when we listen to Jesus

The History of the Love of God

2010-02-28T19:11:00.000-06:00

Sometimes we think the Love of God is only a New Testament idea. Nope.

Jesus' Creed

2010-02-21T14:42:00.001-06:00

We look at what Scot McKnight calls the "Jesus Creed" in Matthew 22.

The Adventurous Life

2010-02-14T21:15:00.001-06:00

Jesus calls us to a life of adventure.

What's the Difference between the Old and New Testaments?

2010-02-07T13:46:00.001-06:00

The Christian bible has - and needs - both Old and New Testaments. How do they relate? How are they similar? How are they different?

What's the Difference: Christianity and Eastern Religions

2010-01-31T21:03:00.001-06:00

Working from Genesis 1, we explore some differences between Christianity and Eastern Religions.

What's the Difference: Christianity and Islam

2010-01-24T17:06:00.001-06:00

The greatest difference between Christianity and Islam is found when we look at the story of Jesus. This story compels us to love Muslims.

Learning to Worship, Wait and Work

2010-01-17T17:16:00.000-06:00

Dr. Ted Trimble shares some clues on how to live a full time Christian life.

What's the Difference: Christianity and Western Civilization

2010-01-10T19:42:00.001-06:00

When we read 1 Cor. 1:18-2-25 we see that a life built on the story of Jesus is somewhat different than a life built on the story of Western civilization.

Christmas Unfulfilled

2009-12-27T19:32:00.001-06:00

Sometimes we expect Christmas to be only about happiness and good times. But then reality sets in. How do we handle that?

Advent: Joy

2009-12-13T14:37:00.002-06:00

Through the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, we learn that joy is something we need to receive.