FUMC Bentonville Sermon Podcast

March 9th, 2025 - "Mitigated Disaster: Disaster Is Coming!" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 4:1-13

The temptation in Luke involves the Devil trying to mislead Jesus into different (ultimately disastrous) possibilities. Jesus is prepared to keep the Devil at bay. But the passage also ends with these ominous words: “After finishing every temptation, the devil departed from him until the next opportunity.” Disaster may have been averted for now, but it is coming.

March 2nd, 2025 - "When 2x5 = 5000 +" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Exodus 1:15-20

The story of Shiphrah and Puah show two women who were willing to do what God wants instead of what Pharaoh wants. As a result, the Israelites multiply and become stronger. What does God ask of us? To bring 10% of what we have to him. Imagine if we all actually did that? We would not have any issues of funding in our church. None. But while we work to that point, imagine if just 2 of us who are not giving do start tithing? What happens then? And what happens when we start tithing to our relationship with money? We get a peace we haven’t had before. The conference is sure learning that.

February 23rd, 2025 - "Obeying God and Not Pharaoh" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Exodus 1:15-20

The story of Shiphrah and Puah shows two women who were willing to do what God wants instead of what Pharaoh wants. As a result, the Israelites multiply and become stronger. What does God ask of us? To bring 10% of what we have to him. Imagine if we all actually did that? We would not have any issues of funding in our church. None.

But while we work to that point, imagine if just 2 of us who are not giving do start tithing? What happens then? And what happens when we start tithing to our relationship with money? We get a peace we haven’t had before. The conference is sure learning that.

February 16th, 2025 - "Just a Mite More" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Luke 21: 1-4

This passage, where the widow woman gives such a small amount but catches the attention of Jesus for her generosity, will allow us to explore the potential small increases when collected together. What if we gave $2 more a week? $20 more a week? $200 more a month?

February 9th, 2025 - "2x2: The Miracle of Multiplication" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Genesis 6:17-22; Genesis 8:14-22

This sermon will introduce the stewardship emphasis in 2025, and how the pairs of animals will multiply and fill all the earth. But with such precious and limited cargo, why does Noah sacrifice animals first thing off the boat? Perhaps there is a lesson in trusting God.

February 2nd, 2025 - "Epiphany Scripture Surprises: When We See Trees Walking" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Mark 8:22-26

This story really puzzled me as a teenager when I stumbled onto it. Why did it take a repeated touch by Jesus for the blind man to see clearly? Did Jesus just not quite get it done the first time? Was it lack of faith on the part of the blind man? Or is there a deeper meaning we can glean from this strange “trees walking” tale of a double touch healing?

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

January 26th, 2025 - "Epiphany Scripture Surprises: Love Changes Everything - Even Scripture" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Leviticus 14:1-9

Sharing a story of raising a child with a skin disease, Pastor Michelle shares how Leviticus turned from a book of harsh laws to a handbook for inclusive communal life.

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

January 19th, 2025 - "Epiphany Scripture Surprises: Decisions That Change Everything" - Ms. Angie Barrington

Mark 5:25-34

We make thousands of decisions each and every day. This Sunday, Angela Barrington shares how an encounter with the bleeding woman in Mark led to a decision that changed everything.

 

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

January 19th, 2025 - "Epiphany Scripture Surprises: Rations" - Ms. Brooke Tilley

Matthew 15:29-37

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

January 12th, 2025 - "Hit the Easy Button: Do We Make Discipleship Too Complicated?" - Mr. Bill Fernandez

Romans 15:1-7

Do we make discipleship too complicated? This Sunday, Bill Fernandez shares how an encounter with Scripture in Paul’s letter to the Romans revealed to him the simplicity of what it takes to be a disciple.

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

January 5th, 2025 - "Epiphany: Scripture Surprises" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Genesis 2:15-25

Sometimes we come across a story in the Bible that we are sure we know. When we actually read it though, it is full of surprises. And the more we learn, the more the story becomes. This week Pastor Michelle will take us through the Adam and Eve Creation story in a way that is probably new to you. Come and be surprised!

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

December 30th, 2024 - "Epiphany Scripture Surprises: A Visit From God" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Genesis 18: 1-15

We will unpack this surprising story in which Abraham gets a visit from three “men.” There is some dramatic ambiguity about the identity of these visitors. Scripture calls them three men, but Abraham addresses these three as “My Lord,” when he rushes to invite them to stop at his humble camp and be refreshed. Then Abraham “puts on the dog” as they say where I am from. He offers a feast and the Covenant promise is reiterated with a specific timeline. Sarah finds this promise laughable. What can we learn from these founding paragons of faith and their struggles with the promise of God, even when the Almighty is eating at your kitchen table!

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

December 24th, 2024 - Christmas Eve: " 'Twas the Night" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 2:1-20

We finish with the best story - the birth of Christ! This is good news - news that would make us tear open the shutters and throw up the sash!

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

December 22nd, 2024 - "Thomas Rides the Polar Express" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Both Bentonville and Corinth get to draw strength from the incredible diversity and the energy of our towns. With such giftedness, there are no limits to what each church can do for Christ!

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

December 15th, 2024 - "The Elves and the Shoemaker/Elijah and the Widow" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Kings 17:8-1

We will look at the story of miracles of care. When we are at our most desperate, so often a miracle occurs that saves our very lives.

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

December 8th, 2024 - "The Poky Little Puppy, the Three Magi, and the First Christmas" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Matthew 2:1-12

What gifts do we bring? We will look at how bringing something to the most vulnerable and the ones we love can make a small and a big difference – and both matter in God’s world.

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

December 1st, 2024 - "How the Grinch and Saul Stole Christmas" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Acts 9:1-20

Both the Grinch and Saul started out breathing hate toward others. And both experienced a transformation that grew their hearts three sizes too big.

Due to technical issues, this week's reading was done in post by Matt Nelson.

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

November 24th, 2024 - "Christ the King Invites You!" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

1 Samuel 8:4-20 & John 18:33-37

     This is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of our Liturgical year. This Sunday reminds us that Christ is the King over all creation. The idea of a human king has negative implications. We see this in our Old Testament reading when Israel asks Samuel to appoint a King so they can be like other nations. The Lord tells Samuel to be clear to the people about what it means to serve under an earthly King. We contrast this with King Jesus before Pilate when Pilate interrogates Jesus about Christ being called the King of the Jews. We serve a heavenly King who invites us to serve and love him, rather than demands our unquestioning allegiance.

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

November 17th, 2024 - "Corinthville: State of the Church" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

We will reflect on the State of the Church, and in particular, we will look at how our work as a church where as to where "All Are Welcome" is going. If we are to be truly living into that reality, then we will have to face the fact that all of us will feel unwelcome sometimes. It is about having enough humility to love in the midst of difference.

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

November 10th, 2024 - "Corinthville: Incredibly Gifted" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Both Bentonville and Corinth get to draw strength from the incredible diversity and the energy of our towns. With such giftedness, there are no limits to what each church can do for Christ!

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville