FUMC Bentonville Sermon Podcast

September 8th, 2024 - "It's The End of the World as We Know It: What's Going On?" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Revelation 1:9-20

 

We open this series with some discussion on the value of seeing the Book of Revelation as a companion in the journey of difficult times in life. We will also address the struggle of interpreting this book, ultimately giving us permission to stop trying to unravel the mystery, and instead, let the story carry us along.

September 1st, 2024 - "The Physicist and the Farmer" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Matthew 5:13-16

God doesn’t want perfect little followers, and you don’t have to be something you are not to be a good follower of Christ. We should bring all we are in our walk with Christ. Of course, we also must create space for others who find a home in our church. They need to bring their authentic selves as well!

August 25th, 2024 - "Following the First Commandment" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Genesis 11: 1-9

What is the First Commandment God gives humanity? It's not what you think. Listen and learn how we can better follow.

August 18th, 2024 - "Heroes and Villains: Jesus and Baymax (Big Hero 6)" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

John 15:12-13

Both Jesus and Baymax are not merely human, but may be the most human of all of us. Both came to bring healing. And both give their lives for others – friends and enemies alike. There is no greater hero than these.

August 11th, 2024 - "Heroes and Villains: Mirabel and David (Encanto)" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Samuel 16:1-13

These two characters seemed like the least of their families. Turns out, they were incredibly special. There’s a lesson here: look with God’s eyes, not ours.

August 4th, 2024 - "Heroes and Villains: Maleficent and Judas (Sleeping Beauty/Malificent)" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Matthew 27:1-10; Acts 1:15-20

Two stories for each villain - one in which the character is unredeemably evil; one in which the character is misunderstood and sympathetic. With these figures, we will see the lines between hero and villain are often blurred.

July 28th, 2024 - "Heroes and Villains: Scar and Athaliah (The Lion King)" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

2 Kings 11:1-20

We hear a story from the Bible that is essentially the story of the Lion King (which is a retelling of Hamlet). What is it about this story of family destruction that is so deep in our human condition?

July 21st, 2024 - "Heroes and Villains: Lotso and Satan (Toy Story 3)" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Job 1:6-12; Revelation 20:7-10

We start out looking at those who appear to be friends or at least part of the group, but then become those we must battle against. Does that come from a change in them or a change in our relationship with them?

July 14th, 2024 - "Way of the Triune God: God the Creator" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Genesis 1: 1-5

In the last of the sermons in this series, we look at the First Person of the Trinity: God the Creator. But we will also use this sermon to talk about what the Trinity means in the first place.

July 7th, 2024 - "Way of the Triune God: Jesus Christ" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Romans 5:6-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; Philippians 2:5-13

In a small, unofficial poll of adults in our church in which Pastor Michelle asked about topics related to Jesus, unanimously people want to know more about how to understand atonement, which is the saving work Jesus does on our behalf. There is more than one way to approach the atonement, and we will examine 3 in this sermon.

June 30th, 2024 - "Way of the Triune God: The Holy Spirit" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Luke 24: 44-49, Acts 2: 1-8

Beginning this series where we look at the three parts of the Trinity, today we explore the jazz of the Holy Spirit.

June 23rd, 2024 - "Holiday Road: Destination" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Acts 28:11-16, 30-31

Paul finally makes it to Rome and settles into this place that was meant to be a stop on the road, but that became his destination. In the journeys we take, we often find that the end was not in the place where we stopped, but in the journey itself, much like a life of faith.

June 16th, 2024 - "Holiday Road: Detour Sign" - Michelle Amos

Acts 16:6-15

Paul and his companions can’t go to Asia, no matter how hard they try. Nonetheless, their detour leads to the baptism of Lydia’s whole household. We often find blessings in the detours we have to take unexpectedly.

June 9th, 2024 - "Holiday Road: On Our Way" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Acts 15:12-35

Barnabas and Paul are sent out with authorization from the apostles to preach to the Gentiles. The journey is underway!

June 2nd, 2024 - "Look and See (After Bentonville Tornado)" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Acts 9:1-30

Sometimes things happen in our lives that cause us to look at things and see them differently. It happened to Saul and this week it has happened to all of us. We will find our faith in that experience.

May 19th, 2024 - "Freely in the Faith" (Pentecost and Confirmation Sunday) - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Galatians 5:13-14

We will celebrate confirmation today as a choice that these youth have made of their own free will. But we will also affirm that the choice they have made is to love their neighbor as themselves.

May 12th, 2024 - "A Principled People: The Social Community" - Kristin Wells

1 Corinthians 12:13-22, Mark 2:1-12

As we close out our series on the United Methodist Social Principles we will discuss The Social Community. We will take a close look at the story of the paralytic man in Mark 2:1-12 who is lowered through the roof by his friends to gain access to Jesus and reflect on this as a picture of our United Methodist DNA.

 

May 5th, 2024 - "A Principled People: The Political Community" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Micah 6:6-8 (CEB), Luke 6:31

What does the Lord require of the political community and the aspirations of the United Methodist Church? Micah 6:8 is an excellent summary of these detailed and subtle political statements in the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. We generally try to avoid “being political“ in the religious community; however, these statements are concerned with addressing public justice and not partisan politics. Our heritage calls us to both private and social holiness.

April 28th, 2024 - "A Principled People: The Economic Community" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Sabbath is an economic statement. It lays claim to the need to care for ourselves in order to care for others and God’s world. Yet for far too many of us, Sabbath is a luxury. How do we reclaim this gift God has given us?

April 21st, 2024 - "A Principled People: The Community of All Creation" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Genesis 1:28-31

We will look at aspects of our care of creation in our Social Principles in light of the very first set of instructions God gives to humanity – to be stewards of all of the earth.