Andy Talks

As we begin the book of Daniel, we enter the story of a young Jewish man living in exile in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar doesn't just take Daniel and the other young men from their homeland—he attempts to reshape their identity by changing their names, their language, their education, and even what they eat. But Daniel refuses to forget who he is. In this reflection, we explore what it means for C...

In our message from August 23, 2026, we look at Hebrews 12: 1-4.  We wrestle with the question: Why does church matter? Why is it important?  With all the brokenness, hypocrisy, and failures of the church, why should it even matter?  

In this reflection, we continue looking at the difficult and often uncomfortable imprecatory Psalms with Psalm 140. David cries out to God for protection from those who have hurt him and asks God to bring judgment upon his enemies. How do we reconcile these words with Jesus' command to love our enemies? As we wrestle with that question, we explore the difference between karma and grace. Chris...

What do we do with the parts of the Bible that make us uncomfortable? In this reflection on Psalm 109, we look at one of the imprecatory Psalms—an intense prayer in which David cries out to God for justice against his enemies. These words can be difficult to reconcile with Jesus' command to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us, but perhaps that's exactly why we need to wrestle...

As we finish our journey through 1 Corinthians, we look at Paul's closing words and the many people he names at the end of his letter. Timothy, Apollos, Priscilla, Aquila, Stephanas, and others remind us that the work of God has never been about one person doing everything. Paul may have been the apostle, but he understood that the ministry belonged to all of them together. In this reflection...

Today we look at 1 Corinthians 16:1–4, where Paul reminds the church of one of the earliest and most essential marks of Christian life: remember the poor.  Paul ends this letter with a grounding reminder: after all the debates, disagreements, and distractions, the church must not forget the poor. We talk about why this mattered in the early church and why it still matters today — for our churches,...

What happens to us after the resurrection? In this reflection on 1 Corinthians 15, we explore Paul's attempt to describe the resurrection body and what it means for our hope as Christians. Paul uses the image of a seed becoming something far greater than what was planted to help us understand that while our resurrection bodies will be connected to who we are now, they will be transformed—impe...

In our message from August 16, 2026, Andy shares with us from Acts 8: 26-40.  We see the Lord tell Phillip to go.  And that is what he did, and so many things were changed for the better because of it. God does the same today. He has so much good for us to do each day. He gives the same call. Let's go! 

Today, we take a closer look at 1 Corinthians 15 and Paul's powerful statement that "all die in Adam" but "all are made alive in Christ." What does that actually mean for how we understand sin, humanity, salvation, and the image of God? We talk about our natural "bent to sinning," why sin is more than simply the bad things we do, and how Christ restores what has...

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul makes a bold claim: if there is no resurrection from the dead, then the entire Christian faith falls apart. In today's reflection, Andy explores the cultural and theological background behind Paul's argument, including the Jewish debate over resurrection and why the early Christians were so focused on Christ's return. Paul insists that the resurrection isn&...

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul reminds the church of what is truly "of first importance": Jesus Christ—his death for our sins, his burial, his resurrection, and his appearances to the witnesses. In today's reflection, Andy explores what it means to keep the main thing the main thing in our faith. There are many theological questions and denominational differences that matter deeply to Ch...

What does Paul mean when he says that worship should be done "decently and in order"? In today's reflection, Andy finishes 1 Corinthians 14 by exploring Paul's teaching about orderly worship, spiritual gifts, prophecy, tongues, and the controversial passage about women speaking in church. Rather than reading that verse in isolation, Andy considers it alongside Paul's earli...

Why do some Christians speak in tongues while others don't? In today's reflection, Andy continues through 1 Corinthians 14 by exploring Paul's discussion of tongues and prophecy. Along the way, he explains the Wesleyan roots that connect Methodists and many Pentecostal and charismatic traditions, while reflecting on what spiritual maturity ultimately looks like. Whether expressed th...

In our Sunday Sermon from August 9, 2026, I share from Deuteronomy 31: 1-8. We see God telling the people and Joshua to move forward, even in the uncertainty. They can jump because they know that God will be there on the other side. So can we. 

We often hear 1 Corinthians 13 at weddings, but Paul wasn't writing about romance—he was addressing a divided church. In today's reflection, Andy explores the famous "love chapter" in its original context and shows why love is the greatest spiritual gift of all. Knowledge, faith, sacrifice, and even miraculous gifts mean nothing if they are not shaped by love. As followers of C...

What happens when we spend more time comparing ourselves to others than using the gifts God has given us? In today's reflection, Andy continues through 1 Corinthians 12 as Paul describes the Church as the body of Christ. Every member has a purpose, every gift matters, and no calling is more important than another. Whether you're an eye, an ear, or even a spleen, God has uniquely equipped...

What are spiritual gifts, and why does God give them? In today's reflection, Andy begins exploring 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul reminds us that every gift—from wisdom and faith to teaching and service—comes from the same Holy Spirit and is given for the common good. Through a personal story about his wife Holly's remarkable gift of faith, Andy reflects on how God uniquely equips each of...

What really happens when we come to the Lord's Table? In today's reflection, Andy continues exploring 1 Corinthians 11 by looking at the meaning of Holy Communion through the Wesleyan tradition. More than a ritual or remembrance, Communion is a sacrament—a means of grace through which Christ meets us in a real and powerful way. Together, we'll reflect on why the Lord's Table is...

What does Paul really mean when he warns about taking Communion "in an unworthy manner"? For many Christians, these verses have been associated with fear and anxiety about approaching the Lord's Table. In today's reflection, Andy explores 1 Corinthians 11 in its original context and explains why the Wesleyan understanding of Communion is rooted in grace rather than gatekeeping....

In our sermon from August 2, 2026, as we continue to talk about what it means to tell our story, we talk about Christmas in August. We read from John 1: 1-14, and we talk about what it means for us and for the entire world for the Word to become flesh and dwell among us. 

In today's episode of Reflections with Andy, we explore one of the more challenging passages in 1 Corinthians as Paul discusses head coverings, worship, and cultural customs in the church. Rather than reading these verses in isolation, we consider the importance of understanding Scripture in its historical and literary context. This passage reminds us that while cultural practices may change,...

In today's episode of Reflections with Andy, we explore 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1 and Paul's reminder that Christian freedom is always guided by love. While we may have the freedom to do many things, our first calling is to seek the good of others and to live in a way that points people toward Christ. Ultimately, Paul reminds us that every part of life—from our work and relationships to t...

In today’s reflection on 1 Corinthians 10:1–22, we look at how Paul uses Israel’s story as a warning and an encouragement for us. He reminds us that all of Scripture — Old and New — teaches us, challenges us, and reveals our need for grace. Paul lists sins in a way that catches all of us, showing that idolatry isn’t just ancient statues but anything we trust more than God. And when it comes to tem...

In today's episode of Reflections with Andy, we conclude 1 Corinthians 9 as Paul declares that he has become "all things to all people" for the sake of the gospel. What does that mean for us today? It means learning to listen before we speak, seeking to understand people before we try to persuade them, and remembering that every person matters because every person matters to God. Ou...

In today's episode of Reflections with Andy, we begin exploring 1 Corinthians 9:1–14, where Paul defends his ministry and discusses the support of those who proclaim the gospel. Along the way, we consider what it means to honor the gifts God has entrusted to us. Whether it's our finances, our abilities, or our opportunities, everything we have is ultimately a gift from God, and faithful...