Andy Talks

In my sermon from July 26, 2026, we continue looking at our story. Today, we look at Psalm 90, and we remember. Remember how God has forgiven us, how He has saved us, and how He will use us. Remember who you are and whose you are. 

In today's episode of Reflections with Andy, we explore 1 Corinthians 8 and Paul's teaching about food sacrificed to idols. While the specific issue may seem distant from our lives today, Paul's principle is timeless: Christian freedom should never come at the expense of someone else's faith. We talk about the difference between legalism and love, why our witness matters, and h...

In today's episode of Reflections with Andy, we conclude 1 Corinthians 7:25–40 by exploring Paul's teaching on marriage, singleness, and keeping our priorities in the right order. While Paul speaks into the realities of his own time, his larger message is timeless: even the best gifts in our lives can never take the place of Christ. Whether we're married or single, our deepest ident...

In today's episode of Reflections with Andy, we reflect on 1 Corinthians 7:17–24, where Paul encourages believers to be faithful in the circumstances where God has placed them. Along the way, we address one of the Bible's most challenging topics—slavery in the ancient world—and consider how the larger story of Scripture points toward freedom, dignity, and new life in Christ. Ultimately,...

In today's episode of Reflections with Andy, we explore 1 Corinthians 7:1–16 and Paul's teaching on marriage, singleness, and Christian relationships. While some of Paul's instructions can be difficult to interpret, the heart of his message is remarkably clear: our lives are not our own. Whether we're married or single, our identity is found first in Christ, and we're call...

In today's Reflections with Andy , we explore 1 Corinthians 6:12–20, where Paul reminds us that not everything we can do is actually good for us. We talk about the difference between freedom and wisdom, why our bodies matter to God, and what it means to glorify Him with every part of our lives. Along the way, we unpack the biblical meaning of "the flesh," the dangers of living only...

In my message from July 19, 2026, I share from Revelation 12:11. We see that our testimony plays a huge part in how evil is defeated. It is not always the great and powerful things. It's sometimes simply telling the story of what God is doing in your life. 

In today's Reflection with Andy, we explore 1 Corinthians 6:1–11, where Paul challenges believers to handle conflict differently from the world around them. Rather than rushing to judgment or insisting on our rights, Paul calls Christians to pursue reconciliation, value relationships, and even risk being wronged for the sake of the gospel. Along the way, we wrestle with one of our deepest fea...

As we continue through 1 Corinthians, we come to one of Paul's most difficult chapters—a passage about church discipline, accountability, and protecting the witness of the Christian community. Rather than encouraging judgmentalism, Paul calls the church to lovingly confront patterns of unrepentant sin that damage both individuals and the body of Christ. In this episode, we explore the differe...

In this Wednesday reflection on 1 Corinthians 4:14–21, Paul's shift from sarcasm to direct fatherly warning crystallizes around one line: the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. It's easy to mistake the volume of our talking about faith for actual faithfulness — to feel like we're participating in the gospel because we say the right things, while our actions tell a diff...

In our Tuesday reflection on 1 Corinthians 4:1–13, Paul's biting sarcasm — already you have become kings! — skewers the Corinthians' tendency to boast about their gifts as though those gifts were their own achievement. Paul's point is simple: if what you have is a gift, the praise belongs to the giver, not the recipient. Humility is the only appropriate response to grace. But the he...

In today's Rooted in Christ reflection, we continue through 1 Corinthians 3, where Paul confronts the divisions within the Corinthian church and reminds believers that true spiritual maturity is marked by unity, not rivalry. We explore why Paul insists that neither the one who plants nor the one who waters deserves the credit—only God gives the growth—and what that means for pastors, churches...

In my message from July 12, 2026, we read from Genesis 50: 20 and Romans 8:28. I share my testimony about all that has happened in my life, and I remind us that all things work for good, but not all things are good.  Our pain shapes us, but it does not define us.  The world does not need a perfect church. The world needs a broken church redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

What does it mean to have "the mind of Christ"? In today's reflection, we conclude 1 Corinthians 2 by exploring the work of the Holy Spirit in shaping our hearts and minds. Paul reminds us that God's wisdom isn't discovered through human intellect alone but is revealed through the Spirit, who sanctifies us and helps us see the world through Christ's eyes. Through Scri...

In our reflection on 1 Corinthians 2:1–5, Paul's declaration — I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified — becomes a call to keep the main thing the main thing. Drawing on C.S. Lewis's concept of mere Christianity and the historic framework of the Apostles' Creed, the reflection distinguishes between the foundation of the faith — Jesus Christ, his l...

Why does Paul call the message of the cross "foolishness"? In today's reflection, we explore why the Gospel challenged both Jews and Greeks in the first century—and why it still challenges us today. Rather than trusting in human wisdom, religious achievement, or personal strength, Paul reminds us that Jesus Himself is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. God do...

In today's reflection, we begin to see the divisions that plagued the church in Corinth as believers argued over their favorite leaders instead of keeping their focus on Christ. Paul reminds us that pastors and teachers are simply servants whose calling is to point people to Jesus, not themselves. Along the way, we also see Paul's wonderfully human personality shine through—a reminder th...

In this episode, Andy begins a new journey through 1 Corinthians , introducing Paul's deeply personal letter to one of the most diverse—and divided—churches in the New Testament. After exploring the background of Corinth and why this letter remains so relevant today, Andy reflects on Paul's opening words of grace, gratitude, and encouragement. Before addressing conflict, Paul reminds the...

In his first message at FUMC Starkville, Andy shares a little about what he believes and the foundations of his ministry. It's all about Jesus and His love! 

In this final standalone reflection before beginning a new Bible study series, Andy reflects on Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John 17:20–24, where Jesus prays not only for His first disciples but for everyone who would one day believe—including us. Exploring the difference between unity and uniformity, this episode considers why Christian unity is so difficult, why it matters so deeply to Je...

In today's reflection, we turn to Zephaniah 3:14–18 and one of the most beautiful images in all of Scripture: a God who rejoices over His people with singing. Together we'll explore what it means to be loved by God, why the prophets continue to speak hope into seasons of uncertainty, and how our understanding of ourselves changes when we remember that the Bible begins not with humanity&a...

Today we look at Isaiah 43:18–21, and are reminded that God is always at work doing "a new thing," even in seasons of uncertainty and transition. Spoken originally to Israel as they faced exile, God's promise to make "rivers in the desert" demonstrates that He brings life and hope where none seems possible. While our past experiences—both successes and failures—shape us, t...

Today, we start a new season of our Reflections as we reflect on Lamentations 3:21–25, We see that new beginnings are grounded in hope. Looking to the example of Jeremiah, who proclaimed God's faithfulness while witnessing the destruction of Jerusalem, we remember that following Christ does not guarantee an easy life, but it does offer a meaningful one sustained by God's steadfast love....

In my final service at St. Matthew's, we read from Romans 16. We are reminded that our church is not any one person, but it's all of us together. But in the end, none of that truly makes our church what it is. Jesus is all that really matters.

In our Traditional message from May 31, Andy shares with us one of his many, many favorite passages of scripture. In this passage, we see what the worldview and path are for us as Christians.  Love. The life and path we are called to walk as Christians is love.