Russellville United Methodist Temple Sermons

Being loved by Jesus will cause us to love like he did. In following him, Peter would lose his life just the same. While he wondered how his story would end, Jesus reminded him that all we need concern ourselves with is our own faithfulness to the calling to love as he loved.

The love Jesus gave us was not meant for us alone but for everyone we come into contact with. Jesus' words to Peter help emphasize this calling that all believers have.

With All Our Doubts John 20:24-31 NASB

Easter Sunday

The brutal, unjust execution of Jesus was the culmination of the love he had for us all, even while we were sinners, giving us an example for how we must love one another.

Maundy Thursday - On the night Jesus was betrayed.

The love poured out on Jesus by those who celebrated his arrival in Jerusalem barely lasted the week. He empathizes deeply with us for how fleeting human love can be, but his love far surpasses what we could ever offer.

When we are united in love, the world will be able to tell that Jesus is truly from God. When we face the opposition of the world and are triggered to participate in its division, we must call on the supernatural love in the Holy Trinity, which Jesus has given to us.

Jesus warned that following him in this world will bring pain in life. However, the good news is that the Holy Spirit has declared judgment on the demonic forces that cause the pain of sin in the world.

Jesus begins to tie his full message together by calling his disciples into his own calling. While he is the only one whose cross defeats sin and death, we are called to lay down our lives for love just like he did.

While we look to the teachings of Jesus to guide our lives, we often forget that the presence and comfort of God are available because the Holy Spirit lives in us. When we feel confusion, distress, and loneliness, we can count on the Holy Spirit to keep us following Jesus when it is most difficult.

While John never actually talks about the first communion, he describes Jesus' posture as a servant to his disciples by washing their feet, which takes place in the same evening. Even the communion table, which symbolized the sacrifice he was about to make, demonstrates the humble service we are called to.

The story of Jonah is a reminder of the cycle of running, repentance, and relapse that we all go through in our walk with God. How can we use the season of Lent to disrupt that cycle?

In the worst times of our lives, God can often seem strangely silent; but sometimes, it's the quiet, empathic love that we need from him.

Jesus identifies himself as "the good shepherd" who lays down his life for those he cares about, in the face of grave danger. He demonstrates this by continuing to teach the truth even when threatened by the religious elite. Even now, Jesus loves us so much that he defends us in dire circumstances.

The man healed from blindness was a reject in his society long before he was connected to the controversial message of Jesus. Yet when Jesus healed him, he was further emboldened to speak the truth. God's love empowered him to do that, and we can be just as empowered.

The truth the Father sent Jesus to share sets people free from sin and death. He shares truth with us because he loves us, and he wants us to live unbound by the brokenness of life in a fallen world full of deception.

In the chapters leading up to this one, Jesus uses miracles in the physical world to illustrate spiritual realities. Not only does he feed 5,000 complete strangers, but he teaches them about salvation for their souls. The love of God extends to every part of our lives, both practical and spiritual.

God chose to become human to love us in a way no one else could, and it was in a specific people group notorious for their betrayal of God for their own agendas. But part of loving them was correcting them. How can we accept such correction as a sign of God's love?

When Jesus revealed that he saw Nathaniel under the fig tree before they had even met, Nathaniel was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. Nathaniel's story demonstrates that God loved us from the very beginning, before we ever dreamed he would come for us.

Beloved Son January 12

Conflict of Kings January 5

Speed of Light December 29

Healing for the Holidays (Love) December 22

Healing for the Holidays (Joy) December 15