FUMC Bentonville Sermon Podcast

Exodus 24:9-18; Mark 9:2-13 Our faith is deeper now, and it is inspiring us to take on the daunting challenge of organizing the world around the reign of God. We are ready to try to make the world in the image of God.

Numbers 14:26-35; Matthew 4:1-11 Something happens to drive us from the garden. Perhaps it is because we have encountered something in life that a simple, comfortable faith can’t address. We are wandering in the wilderness now. And remember – wilderness and desert are the same words in Hebrew. What does our desert season look like but one where our faith is being tried in the refiner’s fire? Items...

Genesis 2:4-9; Revelation 21:22-22:5 We were created to live in a garden, and not just to live in a garden, but to walk in that garden with each other and with God. As we begin this exploration of faith geography, we start from a place where we are true companions of God and find comfort in God’s presence.

1 John 4:11-21 Love is risky these days. Well, love has always been risky. But if we can fully step into God’s invitation to love both God and neighbor, what do we truly have to fear?

Genesis 32:1-8; 33:1-4; Luke 4:16-30 We are raised these days to be afraid of the stranger. Why? Because we fear the harm they will do us. In these two stories, we see Jacob’s fear of Esau is unfounded. But Jesus is still having to correct that fear in people when they try to throw him over the cliff for lifting up the good example of the outsiders.

Daniel 10:1-12; Acts 4:23-31 Daniel is terrified by the vision he has, but ultimately it is a vision of the Son of Man coming to us. The believers in Acts know the Son of Man, and that inspires them to reject that fear, and pray for the boldness to share the vision of the reign of God.

Genesis 3:8-13; Proverbs 1:7 What is the most important thing we created without the aid of God? Fear. We will look at the genesis of fear and what it,s creation has meant for our relationship with God. And then we will affirm that practically every single time God appears to us, the first thing God says is, “Do not be afraid.” God is trying to get us to undo what we have done. Fear of the Lord is...

2 Samuel 7:1-29; 11:1-27 How tempting is leadership and power, especially when forming a new national identity? Hamilton and David will be in conversation with each other here.

2 Samuel 7:1-29; 11:1-27 How tempting is leadership and power, especially when forming a new national identity? Hamilton and David will be in conversation with each other here.

Luke 15:1-32 Rent is a series of stories strung together, teaching us about love. We will focus on the Lost Parables in Luke, and reclaim them as Parables of Love – parables of inclusion rather than exclusion, of abundance rather than scarcity.

Philippians 3:1-16 We will look at the tension of grace and the law, mercy and justice. This biblical theme is played out beautifully in the Javert’s hunt for Valjean, and it is exhibited in the life and spiritual journey of the Apostle Paul.

Philippians 3:1-16 We will look at the tension of grace and the law, mercy and justice. This biblical theme is played out beautifully in the Javert’s hunt for Valjean, and it is exhibited in the life and spiritual journey of the Apostle Paul.

Ezekiel 12:1-20 We are going to look at what it means to be a prophet. Elphaba will be compared to prophetic figures like Ezekiel. Difference gets attention for justice.

Ezekiel 12:1-20 We are going to look at what it means to be a prophet. Elphaba will be compared to prophetic figures like Ezekiel. Difference gets attention for justice.

John 2:1-12 Jesus turns water into wine, but it is more than just making sure everyone is having a good time. In this first miracle that Jesus performs, we see the heart of what the reign of God looks like.

Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 3:16-17 Jesus begins his public ministry with baptism in the Jordan. What does Jesus’ start to his ministry tell us about our faith beginnings?

Luke 2:25-35 Jesus’ family presents him at the Temple. Simeon responds in celebration! How do we celebrate Jesus showing up in our lives today?

Mark 6:31-44 (CEB) and Mark 8:1-9 (CEB) This Sunday, we’ll take a fresh look at two familiar stories: the feedings of the 5,000 and the 4,000 in Mark’s Gospel. While often seen as similar miracles, these two accounts—placed side by side—reveal something deeper about who Jesus is and who the Gospel is for. What if the leftovers weren’t just about abundance but about belonging? Come hear how Jesus f...

John 8: 2-11 As part of his participation in the Compelling Preaching Initiative, Pastor Ray needs to swap pulpits with another pastor, so while he heads to Goddard United Methodist Church in Fort Smith, their Senior Pastor, Rev. Chase Green joins us. 

Luke 24:28-32 and Genesis 14:1-8 These stories both have surprise guests who make an appearance. Luckily, both the people walking to Emmaus and Abraham were all ready for just such an event. Are we?

Acts 10:9-35 On this Fathers’ Day weekend, what better way to celebrate than looking at this passage that is arguably the foundation for the best BBQ ever! Especially because neighbors can now truly eat beside one another.

Acts 2:1-11 Pentecost empowers everyone to hear the Good News. How well do we do at making space for all of those voices to praise God together? As we open the doors to another service, let’s recommit ourselves to affirming that All Are Welcome.

Philippians 2: 1-16 Philippians is a letter about joy! Writing from prison, Paul describes the joys of following Christ and persevering for the gospel, and the secret to being content in any situation. We know from the letter that the Philippians were facing a lot of hardship (and Paul wasn’t exactly living the high life himself). Paul is telling the Philippians to “hold fast and shine,” no matter...

Exodus 2:23-25; Genesis 35:1-8 This Sunday marks one year from the tornado, but it is also Memorial Day weekend. Both invite us to reflection on what it means to remember and honor the past, and move forward at the same time.

Ephesians 6:10-18