Faith Methodist Church Richmond

In this first sermon of the series "Try Faith", Pastor David unpacks what it means to have faith, starting with the definition from Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." He explains that faith is fundamentally about confidence in Jesus to bring hope to seemingly hopeless situations, even when we can't see the outcome. Pastor David obser...

Pastor David concludes the series on Ecclesiastes, where Solomon poetically urges readers to "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). The sermon explores Jesus' parables from Matthew 25 - the Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Sheep and Goats - interpreting them as teachings about what we do with our souls. Pas...

In this fifth sermon of our series on Ecclesiastes, Pastor David examines Solomon's observations about injustice and oppression in the world. Using the parable Nathan told to King David about a rich man taking a poor man's beloved lamb, the sermon illustrates how envy drives injustice. Solomon, who was the son of David and Bathsheba, grew up understanding the destructive power of envy in h...

This sermon examines the wisdom found in Ecclesiastes, particularly chapter 3, where Solomon reflects on the seasons of life. The pastor begins by sharing how his difficult early marriage years during seminary—though filled with financial struggles and tears—became some of his family's most cherished memories. He connects this personal experience to Solomon's observation that everything is...

In week three of a sermon series on Ecclesiastes, Pastor David examines Solomon's wisdom regarding work. Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest man of his time, concluded that work is ultimately meaningless because everything we toil for will eventually be left to others who may not appreciate or manage it well. As Ecclesiastes 2:17-26 reveals, Solomon "hated all the things I had toiled for u...

In this sermon on Ecclesiastes, Pastor David explores how Solomon laments that wisdom brings heaviness and sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:18), yet attempts to find meaning through pleasure ultimately prove futile. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, we see Solomon—the richest man alive—indulging in every pleasure imaginable only to conclude it was all "meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Pasto...

In this sermon, Pastor David begins a six-week series on Ecclesiastes by confronting us with Solomon's jarring wisdom: everything is meaningless. Our jobs, possessions, worries, and achievements are all temporary—"vapor" that's here and gone in a flash. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, he emphasizes that nothing is new under the sun, and generations come and go while the earth r...

In the final message of his sermon series “Drought: Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in Dry Seasons,” Pastor David explores self-control as the most personally challenging spiritual fruit because it requires self-denial rather than outward action toward others. Using Paul's athletic metaphor in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, he explains that spiritual discipline often requires enduring discomfort...

In this sermon, Pastor David Dorn explores the contrast between anger and gentleness through his personal journey beginning with Hurricane Katrina. As a 19-year-old college student, he discovered that anger temporarily relieved his anxiety and helped him function amid devastating loss. However, God confronted him about this anger, teaching him that while anger might produce immediate results, it l...

In this sermon, Dr. Paul Spellman delves into the Methodist tradition of asking ordinands if they're "going on to perfection." He explains that this question isn't about achieving sinlessness, but rather about understanding our relationship with God on our faith journey. Dr. Spellman then explores the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, describing them as recurring...

In this sermon, Pastor David explores the concept of goodness as one of the Fruits of the Spirit. He begins with the starfish story, illustrating how even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone's life. He emphasizes that goodness is not merely an attitude but must be expressed through action, benefiting others around us. Drawing from his Boy Scout experience, Pastor...

In this sermon, Pastor David delves into the concept of kindness as one of the fruits of the Spirit, indicating a growing relationship with Jesus. Using the analogy of a highly-recognized Texas business sign, he explains how signs indicate experiences, relating this to how kindness signifies Christ's presence in our lives. The sermon emphasizes that kindness is not a sign of weakness but rather a...

In week four of our nine-week series "Drought: Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in Dry Seasons," Pastor David delves into the fruit of patience as described in Galatians 5. He begins with a humorous personal story about losing patience with customer service, using it to illustrate how our growth with Jesus is not always linear. The pastor emphasizes that patience is about capacity –...

In week three of our nine-week series "Drought: Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in Dry Seasons," Pastor David explores the concept of peace as one of the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. He explains that spiritual fruit, including peace, comes in seasons, much like physical fruit. The pastor emphasizes that peace can be cultivated through perspective, especially by e...

In this sermon, which is week two of our nine-week series, Drought: Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in Dry Seasons, Pastor RaMona Riggs delves into the nature of joy, distinguishing it from fleeting happiness. She explains that while happiness is based on external events, joy is an internal state given by the Holy Spirit. Pastor RaMona addresses the challenges of maintaining joy during diffic...

In week one of our nine-week sermon series, "Drought: Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in Dry Seasons", we begin with the fruit of Love. Pastor David shares that love is often tested in dry seasons. When we feel abandoned, overlooked, or weary, the challenge is to still love God and others with the love that comes from the Holy Spirit. Based on scripture from Galatians 5:22-25 and 1 John 4:7-1...

In this Good Friday sermon, Pastor David delves into the depths of human suffering and loss, beginning with his personal experience of losing his grandfather. He then connects this universal experience of pain to the disciples' anguish on Good Friday, when they watched their hope die on the cross. Pastor David uses poignant lyrics from the song "You Were On The Cross" by Matt Maher t...

During Sunday's Easter sermon, Pastor David encouraged us to wait on God's faithfulness, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Drawing parallels between his experience during Hurricane Katrina and the disciples' despair after Jesus' crucifixion, he emphasized that God brings hope and restoration, often in unexpected ways. Drawing on lyrics from "Wait on You&...

In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus tells the parable of a king who invites everyone to a wedding feast, symbolizing God’s open invitation to His Kingdom. Regardless of background or status, the invitation is extended to all. However, entering the feast requires a proper response—symbolized by wearing a wedding garment, which represents the righteousness that comes through Christ. While God’s grace is freel...

In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus warns against the dangers of self-centered living through the parable of the rich fool. The man hoards wealth for his own comfort, failing to consider God or the needs of others, only to face death unprepared for eternity. This reminds us that true security is not found in possessions but in a heart devoted to God. Instead of chasing temporary riches, we are called to inves...

In Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus uses the parable of the two sons to emphasize that true repentance is demonstrated through obedience. The first son refuses his father’s request but later repents and obeys, while the second son agrees but fails to act. This teaches that God values a transformed heart and faithful action over empty words. True repentance leads to obedience, reflecting a genuine change in...

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to love beyond boundaries. When asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus redefines the answer, showing that love extends to anyone in need, regardless of background or differences. The Samaritan’s compassion demonstrates that true love is active, sacrificial, and rooted in mercy. This calls us to break down barriers, reject indifferenc...

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus compares those who hear and obey His words to a wise builder who constructs a house on a solid rock, while those who ignore His teachings are like a foolish builder on shifting sand. Life’s storms—trials, hardships, and uncertainties—test the strength of our foundation. Only a life built on Christ and His Word will stand firm. True wisdom comes not just from hearing but f...

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus illustrates God’s generosity through the parable of the vineyard workers. The landowner, representing God, gives the same wages to all workers, regardless of when they started, showing that His grace is not earned but freely given. This challenges our natural tendency to compare ourselves with others and feel entitled to more. Instead of measuring God’s blessings against...

Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:9-14 contrasts a proud Pharisee and a humble tax collector in prayer. The Pharisee boasts in his righteousness, while the tax collector pleads for mercy, and Jesus declares the humble man justified. This teaches that true repentance comes through humility, not self-righteousness. Pride blinds us to our need for grace, but a humble heart opens the door to God’s mercy. When...