His Witnesses | Hebrews 12:1-3
Explore the call to run our race of faith with endurance, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. This message challenges us to stay focused on Jesus and finish strong.
KEY POINTS:
- Others have completed the race - We're surrounded by witnesses who successfully ran their race of faith
- Get ready to run the race - Every morning, prepare yourself to run with endurance
- Keep your focus on Jesus - Don't take your eyes off Jesus; fix your gaze on Him, not yourself
- Stay strong and finish the race - Victory comes from finishing, not from being the fastest
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 12:1-3
A powerful illustration from the 2002 Winter Olympics reminds us that the gold medal goes to those who cross the finish line, not those who get tangled up in the chaos around them.
From First Methodist Church Wetumpka
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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Perseverance #Endurance #ChristianLiving #Hebrews #RunTheRace
Run with Endurance: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus | Hebrews 12:1-3
Life can feel like a marathon, not a sprint. In this devotional, we explore how to run the race God has set before us with endurance and purpose. Discover what it means to be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, throw off the sin that entangles us, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus—the author and perfecter of our faith.
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 12:1-3
When the race gets hard and you feel like giving up, this message will remind you where to find the strength to keep going.
From First Methodist Church Wetumpka
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Faithful Service | 1 Peter 4:7-11
Discover what it means to faithfully serve God and prepare ourselves for eternity through five essential promises we make as followers of Christ.
KEY POINTS:- Uphold God's work with our prayers - being called to pray daily and without ceasing- Uphold God's work with our presence - gathering together for worship strengthens our faith- Uphold God's work with our gifts - investing our time, talents, and resources for God's glory- Uphold God's work with our service - becoming the hands and feet of Christ in our community- Uphold God's work with our witness - sharing what God is doing in our lives with others
SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 4:7-11
Pastor shares powerful insights including Abraham Lincoln's testimony about prayer and the importance of converting not just our hearts and minds, but also our resources to God's purposes. A compelling call to active faith and service.From First Methodist Church WetumpkaVisit wetumpkafirst.com to connect with us!#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #FaithfulService #Stewardship #ChristianLiving #Discipleship #ServingGod
Using Your Gifts for God's Glory | 1 Peter 4:7-11
Discover how God calls each of us to use our unique gifts to serve one another and bring Him glory in this devotional reflection on 1 Peter 4:7-11.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 4:7-11
Reflect on the spiritual gifts God has given you and how you can use them today to serve others and point them toward Christ.
From First Methodist Church Wetumpka
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#Devotional #SpiritualGifts #1Peter #Methodist #Faith #Serving #Purpose
Explore God's promise of a new heaven and a new earth, where all things will be made new and death will be no more.
KEY POINTS:- God is a creator - He promises a new heaven and a new earth- God comes to us and comforts us - No more death, mourning, or pain- God finishes what He starts - "I am the Alpha and the Omega"- God calls us - Called to conviction rather than compromiseSCRIPTURE: Revelation 21:1-8
A powerful reminder from Lot's wife: Don't look back at what's behind you, but embrace the new things God has for your future. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."From First Methodist Church WetumpkaVisit wetumpkafirst.com to connect with us!
#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #NewBeginnings #Revelation #Hope #Transformation
Revelation 21:1-8
What's the greatest promise you've ever been given? In a world of broken promises, there is one that remains certain and secure: our eternal home.
In this encouraging message, we explore one of Jesus's most comforting statements from John 14: "I go to prepare a place for you." Using the analogy of a long-planned, cross-country trip to Hawaii, this sermon illustrates the commitment, preparation, and trust required for our own journey to heaven. Just as you wouldn't embark on a major trip without a plan, a ticket, and trust in your pilot, our journey to our heavenly home requires a conscious decision to follow Christ.
This sermon reminds us of several life-changing truths:
God is a Promise Keeper: His timing is perfect, and His word is true.
Heaven is a Real Place: Jesus is actively preparing a home for those who love Him.
We Have a Mission: Our goal is to "make heaven crowded" by sharing this hope with others.
We Were Made for a Person and a Place: Jesus and Heaven.
If you're navigating the turbulence of life and need your heart to be reminded of your final, glorious destination, this message will renew your hope and strengthen your faith in the promise.
#Sermon #John14 #Heaven #Hope #Promise #Christianity #Eternity #Afterlife #Church #WetumpkaAL
John 14: 1-3
What if the goal was to be an "awful" church? Not awful in the way you think, but AWE-FULL—a church literally filled with the awe of God.
In this special message, guest speaker Dr. John Ed Mathison challenges us to rethink what a vibrant, growing church looks like. Using the powerful model of the early church in Acts 2:42-47, he asks a simple question: "What made them so effective?" The answer lies in becoming a church that was "full of awe." Through powerful stories and timeless biblical truth, Dr. Mathison unpacks the five key characteristics that made the first church irresistible and can transform our church today.
Discover the blueprint for "Becoming An Awe-full Church":
Atmosphere: Fostering a culture of deep teaching, prayer, and miracles.
Acceptance: Creating a place of radical welcome where everyone feels they belong.
Action: Moving beyond discussion to active, hands-on service in the community.
Aim: Unifying around a joyful, sincere, and praise-filled mission.
Additions: Positioning the church for God to add to it daily.
This sermon is a powerful call to action for every member to move from being a spectator to an active participant in building a church that truly reflects the power of God.
Timestamps
00:00 - Welcome & Introduction by Dr. John Ed Mathison
01:43 - Digital Ministries & Sermon Outline
05:44 - The "Awe-full" Church Premise (Acts 2:42-47)
06:53 - 1. Atmosphere: Teaching, Prayer & Miracles
09:28 - 2. Acceptance: The Power of Belonging
13:56 - 3. Action: Moving from Discussion to Doing
19:24 - 4. Aim: Unity, Gladness & Praise
21:06 - 5. Additions: Positioning the Church for Growth
22:41 - Concluding Story: The Power of a Simple Invitation
27:16 - Final Challenge: Becoming an Awe-full Church
27:57 - Closing Prayer
#Sermon #JohnEdMathison #BookOfActs #ChurchGrowth #EarlyChurch #AweOfGod #ChristianCommunity #Church #WetumpkaAL
Luke 23:32-43
2 Corinthians 13: 5-14
Ephesians 3:20
What will your legacy be? In a world of distractions, how do you live a life of purpose that you can look back on without regret?
In this sermon, "Here’s the Plan," we witness one of the most emotional moments in the Apostle Paul's ministry: his farewell address to the elders of the Ephesian church. Knowing he will likely never see them again, Paul lays out the blueprint for a life of faithful service. He doesn't offer a complex strategy; instead, he points to his own life as an example of what it means to follow Christ completely.
This message unpacks Paul's heartfelt final instructions, revealing a four-part plan for every believer who wants to make an eternal impact:
Serve with Humility: Set aside personal accomplishments and boast only in the Lord.
Serve with Honesty: Proclaim the whole truth of the Gospel, both publicly and privately.
Serve without Hesitation: Be compelled and led by the Holy Spirit, even when the path is uncertain.
Serve with Honor: Focus on finishing the race and completing the unique task God has given you.
If you are looking for a clear, biblical plan for a meaningful Christian life, this sermon is for you.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction & Scripture Reading (Acts 20:17-27)
02:07 - Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
05:14 - Point 1: Serve the Lord with Humility
08:22 - Point 2: Serve the Lord with Honesty
12:21 - Point 3: Serve the Lord without Hesitation
17:01 - Point 4: Serve the Lord with Honor
19:40 - Final Challenge & Summary
20:25 - Closing Prayer
#Sermon #BookOfActs #FinishTheRace #ChristianLeadership #ApostlePaul #LiveOnPurpose #Legacy #Church #WetumpkaAL
Acts 20: 17-27
Are you just a believer, or are you a disciple living in the power of God? Is there a difference between knowing about Jesus and being empowered by His Spirit to live a transformed life? In this sermon, "Living in the Power of God," we join the Apostle Paul in Ephesus, where he encounters a group of disciples with a shocking gap in their knowledge: they had never heard of the Holy Spirit. This pivotal moment from Acts 19 serves as a launching point to explore what it truly means to follow Christ. It's not enough to simply repent; we are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses. This message unpacks three essential components of a powerful, Spirit-filled life: The Holy Spirit: Discover why the Spirit is not an optional extra but the essential source of power for every believer. Teaching & Instruction: Understand the vital role of sound doctrine and continual learning in spiritual growth. Evidence of Growth: Learn to recognize the signs of a transformed life, from spiritual gifts to godly character. If you desire to go deeper in your faith and move from simply knowing about God to truly living in His power, this message is for you.
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Acts 19:1-12
Is your job just a way to pay the bills, or could it be a platform for God's work? How do we find divine purpose in our daily tasks, routines, and relationships?
In "Faithfulness and Work," we follow the Apostle Paul from the philosophical heights of Athens to the notoriously tough city of Corinth. It's here, in a difficult mission field, that he meets fellow tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla. This sermon explores how their partnership in an ordinary trade became a powerful model for ministry, proving that the most profound Kingdom work often happens outside the church walls.
Discover three transformative truths about your own life:
You can turn your work into worship.
You can make a Kingdom impact through your relationships.
You can be faithful even in the small things.
This message will challenge you to see your daily life as your primary mission field and equip you to serve God right where you are.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction & Scripture Reading (Acts 18:1-4)(01:22) Paul's Journey to the Difficult City of Corinth(06:03) Main Idea: How God Uses Ordinary Work for His Kingdom(07:11) Point 1: Turn Your Work into Worship(11:32) Point 2: Make a Kingdom Impact Through Relationships(15:08) Point 3: Be Faithful in the Small Things(16:55) 4 Questions for Your Life and Work(21:06) Closing Prayer
#Sermon #FaithAndWork #BookOfActs #AquilaAndPriscilla #WorkAsWorship #KingdomMinded #DailyFaith #Church #WetumpkaAL
Acts 18: 1– 4
In a world full of different beliefs, philosophies, and idols, how do you find the one true God? More importantly, how do you connect with people who seem spiritually lost without condemning them? Join us for "The Unknown God," a sermon that takes us to the intellectual heart of the ancient world—Athens—with the Apostle Paul. As he walks through a city filled with statues, he's distressed by the idol worship. But instead of condemning the people, he finds a brilliant starting point for the Gospel: an altar dedicated "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD." From this single inscription, Paul begins to reveal the God they've been worshiping in ignorance—the Creator of the universe, the Sustainer of life, and the Father of all mankind. This message unpacks Paul's masterclass in evangelism and reveals timeless truths for sharing our own faith: Meet people where they are without judgment. Find common ground to build a bridge for the Gospel. Address the deep human need to belong. Always point to the ultimate proof: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Learn how to share your hope with gentleness and respect by introducing people to the God they may not even know they're searching for.
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Acts 17: 16-23