Category Archives: from others

What is Faith? A Sermon by Rev. Stephen Coleman

12 Monday Aug 2019

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We did not capture the audio of this sermon by our associate pastor, the Rev. Stephen Coleman, so I am including his sermon on Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16 here.

Screen ShotOur sermon series this month is entitled “What is Faith, wisdom from the Book of Hebrews.”  A little background before we get to our scripture this morning. The book of Hebrews is a bit of a mystery.  We do not know who wrote this book or when.  The book is more like a sermon than a letter.  The congregation that received this sermon is a bit of mess.  The preacher Thomas Long describes the congregation as “tired – tired of serving the world, tired of Christian education, tired of being peculiar and whispered about in society, tired of spiritual struggle, tired of trying to keep their prayers going.  Tired of walking the walk, many of them are thinking about taking a walk, leaving the community and falling away from their faith.”  So much of the book of Hebrews is an attempt to encourage, revive, renew, rejuvenate this tired congregation. We come this morning to chapter 11 – perhaps the most well-known chapter in this book.  It is a chapter that defines faith and then lists the cloud of witnesses, the people who exemplified faith in their life.  To those of us who are tired, discouraged about life, the world, the church – we hope today and the next few weeks will rejuvenate, renew, inspire you as we move toward the end of summer to a new school year.  Join with me now as we read together and listen together to Hebrews 11, verses 1-3, 8 to 16.

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Guest Post: A Sermon by Council of Bishops President Bishop Bruce Ough

01 Thursday Mar 2018

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Screen ShotLet’s be open to Christ changing our minds, Bishop Ough tells fellow bishops

DALLAS – Council of Bishops President Bishop Bruce Ough has urged his fellow bishops to be open to Christ changing their minds as they counter disagreements and to be prepared to lead The United Methodist Church into unchartered territories.

Bishop Ough issued the challenged Sunday, February 25, 2018, at the opening of the special meeting of the Council of Bishops as the top leaders in the denominations began to receive an updated report from the Commission on a Way Forward.

In a sermon entitled “On Changing Our Minds,” which also dubbed as his presidential address, Bishop Ough called on his colleagues to unbind Methodists and guide them home.

“Let’s help our people empty themselves of the need to control one another. Let’s help our people empty themselves of their fear of the future and their fear of a changed church. Let’s help our people empty themselves of their obsession for security. Let’s not hinder or harm one another. Let’s take our people off the map. Let’s be open to Christ changing our minds,” he said.

BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF BISHOP OUGH’S ADDRESS
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