Here’s a higher resolution version of yesterday’s (July 5, 2020) Worship Service.
You can view both of these and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
Category Archives: Sermons
What’s Keeping You From Jesus?
This Sunday, I plan to preach on the following passage:
28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSV)
Here’s my question for you: what’s keeping you from coming to Jesus? What’s stopping you from taking the next step in your faith journey? What’s holding you back? Anything answers shared in the sermon will be shared anonymously.
Worship Video — June 28, 2020
Jenny and I were both present at this morning’s service, but the message was delivered by Mark Queen, a Lay Speaker from Manhattan, Kansas. It was a good one!
You can view both of these and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
Worship Videos — June 21, 2020
We had some technical difficulties during today’s worship service and the video was split into two. Both parts are available below.
You can view both of these and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
Worship — June 14, 2020
If you haven’t yet had a chance to watch our June 7, 202 worship service, you can do so below.
You can view both of these and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
This Sunday’s Sermon
This Sunday I’ll be preaching on Matthew 5:13-20, focusing on 17-20. This is the scripture reading that I polled you about earlier on in the week. I started this sermon without knowing where I was going to end up. It has not been an easy journey, but I’m happy with the destination. I feel the Spirit has been with me and I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with you.
Sermon Question
These two verses are in next week’s lectionary reading from the Gospel of Matthew:
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18, NRSV)
These verses have long puzzled me. I’ve long gotten hung up on them. Have you ever wondered what they meant? Would you like them addressed in a sermon? Let me know at john@revcollins.com.
Junia the (Female) Apostle
Today I’m beginning my research into Junia* the (female) apostle, referenced by Paul as “prominent among the apostles” in Romans 16:7. She’ll be featured in an upcoming sermon.
*For those of you named Julie, the NRSV has the intriguing footnote that “other ancient authorities read Julia.”
Sin from God’s Perspective
A tip of my hat to Malorie Unruh. Last Sunday, She sent Jenny and I a picture posted by a Facebook user named Makenzie Grace Tindall. It wasn’t big enough to use for a slide, but I recreated it in the slide below for my sermon tomorrow morning. I’ll be preaching on James 2:1-17.
Sermon on Luke 1:26-38
My sermon from this past Sunday (December 17, 2017) is below the fold. My text was Luke 1:26-38. The subject was the phrase spoken to Mary by the angel Gabriel: “Do not be afraid.”
Sermon on Jeremiah 32:1-15
This morning I (John) preached on Jeremiah 32:1-15. My sermon notes are pretty complete, so instead of making up a transcript, I’m just going to share the notes with you. Little things are missing, but everything essential is there.
Next Sunday’s Sermon
Hopefully, I won’t come to regret sharing this, but I’m really looking forward to this Sunday’s sermon. I plan to preach on Jeremiah 32:1-15. I believe this is one of the greatest passages on divine and human faithfulness found in the Old Testament, but it takes a little unpacking before one can understand the full scope of what is going on.
