Andy Talks

In our sermon from February 1, 2026, Andy shares with us from Colossians 3:16-17. We are supposed to marinate ourselves in God's Word, let it drench up every part of who we are.  And when we do that, it will change how we live our very lives. 

In Luke 23, we see the profound theme of mercy unfolding through the final moments of Jesus' life. From the physical burden shared by Simon of Cyrene to the spiritual grace extended to those mocking and crucifying Him, Jesus consistently chooses forgiveness over retaliation. This mercy is most poignantly captured in His promise of paradise to the repentant thief, reminding us that no matter t...

In examining the exchange between Pilate, Jesus, and the crowd in Luke 23, we see the dangerous consequence of choosing political convenience over moral truth. We recognize that by demanding the release of Barabbas—a violent Zealot—and the crucifixion of Jesus, the crowd chose the way of earthly power and insurrection over the way of the Kingdom of God. We understand that Pilate’s failure to stand...

In examining the interrogations of Jesus by Pilate and Herod in Luke 23, we recognize the human tendency to view Christ through the lens of our own personal interests and convenience. We see that while Pilate sought political peace and Herod sought entertainment, neither was willing to confront the reality of Jesus' true identity or authority. We understand that our faith cannot be something...

In reflecting on the mockery and trial of Jesus in Luke 22, we see the profound power of His restraint and His unwavering commitment to the Father's mission. We recognize that while we often feel a natural impulse to defend ourselves and lash out when treated unfairly, Jesus chose the path of silence and submission, trusting that God's plan for redemption was greater than His current suf...

In reflecting on Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, we see the profound depth of His humanity and the intensity of His spiritual struggle. We recognize that Jesus’ plea to "remove this cup" validates our own moments of weakness and fear, showing us that true faith involves being honest with God about our burdens. We understand that while the disciples struggled to stay awake due to the sh...

In our Traditional sermon from January 25, 2026, Andy shares from John 17:1-3. Jesus tells us here what eternal life is: know Him. We experience it every day, and when Jesus is in the center of life together, we have unity.

In reflecting on the transition from Jesus’ command to carry swords to His healing of the servant’s ear, we recognize the tension between fulfilling prophecy and practicing the ethics of the Kingdom. We understand that while the disciples were quick to use force to protect their interests, Jesus’ firm "no more of this" sets a definitive boundary against violence and retaliation. We ackno...

In reflecting on Peter’s denial in Luke 22, we see that our failures, no matter how bitter, are never outside the reach of God’s foreknowledge and grace. We recognize that Jesus’ prayer for Peter was not that he would avoid the "sifting" of trial, but that his faith would endure and his future leadership would be defined by his return to the Lord. We understand that while our sin and bet...

In reflecting on the disciples' dispute over greatness in Luke 22, we see a sharp contrast between worldly power and the logic of the Kingdom of God. We recognize that while the world defines greatness through authority and status, Jesus calls us to a life characterized by the phrase "not so with you," where the greatest is the one who serves. We understand that even in the aftermat...

In exploring the institution of the Lord’s Supper in Luke 22, we recognize that this meal is the most sacred act of our Christian worship. We understand the Wesleyan perspective of the Real Presence, acknowledging that while the bread and juice remain physically unchanged, Christ is truly and fully present with us through the power of the Holy Spirit. We see the sacrament as a vital Means of Grace...

In reflecting on the preparations for the Passover meal, we recognize the beauty of "quiet faithfulness" in the life of the anonymous homeowner who provided the Upper Room. We understand that just as Jesus orchestrated the details for His disciples then, He provides opportunities for us to serve Him in our everyday lives now. We acknowledge the shift from a youthful desire for "grea...

In our Traditional message from January 19, 2026, Andy shares with us from Matthew 5: 13-16.  We all want to leave a mark, we want to leave a legacy.  By being salt and light, we see what a true legacy looks like. 

As we begin the narrative of the Passion in Luke 22, we are confronted with the sobering reality of Judas’s betrayal. We recognize that even those closest to Jesus, those trusted with the community's resources and called to His side, are susceptible to the influence of spiritual darkness when they prioritize their own agendas over God's will. We understand that while improving our societ...

As we conclude Jesus’ public teaching in Luke 21, we recognize that the call to be "alert" is not just about watching the skies for the end of the age, but about keeping our hearts sensitive to God’s presence in the present. We understand that the "worries of this life" can weigh us down and numb us just as much as any vice, causing us to miss the ways Jesus comes to us every d...

In studying Jesus’ apocalyptic teaching, we confront the reality that the permanent structures of our world—much like the stones of the ancient Temple—are temporary. We recognize the tension between knowing that no one can predict the day of Christ's return and our call to live with a constant, hopeful expectation of His "any-moment" arrival. We understand that the Second Coming is...

In reflecting on the widow’s two copper coins, we recognize that while her individual generosity is an inspiring model of faith, the passage also serves as a sharp warning against religious systems that exploit the vulnerable. We understand that by reading this story in the context of Jesus' condemnation of those who "devour widows' houses," we are called to examine how our own...

In our INTERSECTION message from January 11, 2026 Andy shares with us from Matthew 3: 13-17.  In our baptism we remember who we are. We remember whose we are.

As we conclude Luke 20, we reflect on Jesus’ warning against a faith built on "optics" and public approval. We recognize the temptation to use our religious "uniforms"—whether literal or metaphorical—to gain respect and status, while our hearts remain untransformed. We understand the profound danger that our virtues can pose when they lead to self-righteousness and pride, effec...

In our reflection on Jesus’ encounter with the Sadducees, we recognize that our faith is rooted in the "God of the living." We understand that while the religious leaders of the time tried to trap Jesus with complex legalities, He pointed us toward a higher reality where our earthly categories of marriage and status are superseded by our identity as "children of the resurrection.&qu...

In exploring Jesus' response to the trap regarding Roman taxes, we recognize the call to navigate our dual roles as citizens of an earthly nation and the Kingdom of God. We see that while we are called to fulfill our civic obligations and work for the "peace and prosperity" of the communities where God has placed us, our ultimate devotion and identity are reserved for the One whose...

In our study of the Parable of the Tenants, we confront the sobering reality that while we are precious to God, we are not indispensable to His ultimate plan. We recognize that the religious leaders of Jesus' day missed the blessing of obedience because they were more concerned with their own power and public opinion than with the truth standing right in front of them. We understand that God...

On this Day of Epiphany, we contrast the diligent search of the Wise Men with the political deflections of the religious leaders in the Temple. We recognize that having access to the truth—as the priests did with the prophecy of Bethlehem or the elders did with Jesus standing before them—is not the same as actually seeking it. We understand that we often fall into the trap of looking for "pol...

As we return to our study of Luke, we witness Jesus weeping over Jerusalem's missed opportunity for peace and His subsequent cleansing of the Temple. We recognize that just as the ancient city faced destruction for failing to see God’s presence, we too can become so blinded by our daily routines that we overlook the path of peace in our own lives. We understand that our role as a community is...

In our Epiphany Sunday message, Andy shares with us from Matthew 2: 1-12. We see the story of the Wise Men and their call to faithfulness above all else.  May that be our goal for this new year!