From The Pulpit of DUMC

“Devoted: Living a Long Obedience Together” Part of our series on the Book of Acts Scripture Focus: Acts 2:42–47 🕊️ 1. The Church Is a People, Not a Place The early Christians didn’t just go to church—they were the church. Church is not primarily a building or institution but a community of people devoted to Christ and to one another. 🤝 2. Devotion Means Persistence The Greek word for “devoted” i...

🕊️ Pentecost Sunday – Take Home Notes "Waiting on the Wind: Becoming a Pentecost People" Rev. David Hockett – Davidson UMC 1. Before Anything Else, They Waited The disciples didn’t act, teach, or preach until they waited on the Spirit. Pentecost reminds us that the Church is not fueled by human effort but by divine power. Waiting is not passive—it is faithful preparation. 2. The Church is Spirit-B...

📝 Take-Home Notes: The Fifth Gospel Scripture Focus: Acts 1:1–11 Preacher: Rev. Jim Date: Ascension Sunday 1. Don’t Avoid the Uncomfortable Rev. Jim admitted he’s often avoided preaching about the Ascension because it feels hard to imagine. But faith sometimes invites us to wrestle with mystery—not to avoid it. 2. The Point Isn’t How Jesus Ascended—It’s Why Acts 1 shows Jesus’ ascension not just...

Scripture: Psalm 67 Key Themes & Takeaways: Pause and Reflect: Just as Brad had to pause mid-hike, we are invited to stop and reflect, especially during times of transition. God’s Presence: Like Wesley's words, “Best of all, God is with us.” God's grace remains with us in every season. Blessing and Mission: Psalm 67 is both a blessing and a call—to be the hands and feet of Christ, offering ourselv...

📝 Take-Home Notes: Profanity in the Church Scripture Focus: Acts 11:1–18 Preacher: Rev. Jim 📌 Key Themes: Identity through Food: What we eat often marks who we are—culturally, religiously, and socially. This was especially true in biblical times. Peter’s Vision: God challenges Peter’s understanding of “clean” and “unclean” through a vision filled with forbidden foods, symbolizing people previous...

Sermon Take-Home Notes “Re-Rigging the Boat: Love in Action After Easter” John 21:1–19 | Rev. David Hockett | May 11, 2024 1. Faith is more than belief—it’s a call to action. Jesus doesn’t just ask Peter if he loves Him—He tells him to feed His sheep. Our faith is meant to be lived out in how we care, serve, and love others. 2. Love requires embodiment. Saying we love Christ is just the start. The...

Take-Home Notes for the Congregation: 1. God’s Love Is Relentless and Unconditional Just like the mother bunny in The Runaway Bunny , God's love follows us wherever we go. Nothing can separate us from it—not fear, failure, distance, or doubt. 2. The Good Shepherd Leads—He Doesn’t Drive Sheep follow the voice they know. Jesus doesn't push us forward; He goes ahead of us, calling us to follow Him in...

Jesus meets us where we are. Even when the disciples were hiding in fear, Jesus came to them with compassion, offering peace, not judgment. Our faith journey requires training. Like the disciples, we often fall back on old habits in hard times. We build resilience through spiritual practices: Scripture, prayer, communion, acts of mercy, and Christian community. Fear doesn't disqualify us. Jesus do...

Easter Is Now: Easter isn’t just a past event—it’s the beginning of a new and abundant life today. Christ’s resurrection means life, hope, and freedom are already breaking into the world. Faith Is Encounter: The earliest Christians didn’t believe simply because of an empty tomb; they believed because they encountered the living Christ. Our faith is built on meeting Jesus personally. Hope for a Hur...

Disordered Love : Sin isn’t just bad behavior—it’s often loving the wrong things too much, and the right things too little. Pride begins here. Pride vs. Humility : Pride makes everything transactional and self-centered. Humility asks, "Who are you?" —not "What can you do for me?" Jesus’ Example : On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem in humility, not power. He modeled a life of service, not domi...

Scripture Focus: Micah 6:8 "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?" 🔑 Key Ideas: Confirmation is not an ending, but a beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. Liminal spaces are moments when heaven and earth meet—Jesus is the ultimate liminal space. The Church is called to be that liminal space in the world by how we live and love. 🙌 W...

Sermon Notes – “Who Am I Becoming?” Fourth Sunday in Lent | Rev. David Hockett | Luke 15:11-32 ✝️ Key Scripture Luke 15:11-32 — The Parable of the Prodigal Son 💡 Big Idea God’s love is freely given—not earned—and always calls us to become more fully who God created us to be. Lent invites us to pause and ask: “Who am I becoming?” 🧠 Main Points God loves us because God is good and God is love —not...

✨ Take Home Notes – March 3rd Sunday of Lent Sermon Title: "God Loves Us Because God Is Good" Scripture: Luke 13:1–9 Rev. David Hockett 🪷 Main Point God doesn’t love us because we’re good—God loves us because God is good . 📖 Key Reflections Our image of God deeply shapes how we see ourselves, how we treat others, and how we live in the world. Believing God is judgmental and conditional in love...

📖 Sermon Take-Home Notes | The Fox and the Hen 🗣 Rev. Jim Humphries Key Scripture: Luke 13:31-35 "Go tell that fox for me... How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" 1️⃣ Fear Not – Courage in Christ The phrase “Fear not” may not be in the Bible 365 times , but God’s command to live courageously is a common the...

Sermon Notes: Trusting God in the Wilderness Rev. David Hockett | Davidson UMC Key Scripture: Luke 4:1-13 – Jesus' temptation in the wilderness Main Themes: Jesus Was Tempted, Like Us Jesus faced the temptation to seek power, control, and efficiency over love and trust in God. His humanity makes His struggles relatable, yet He chose a different way—showing us a better way to live. The Purpose of L...

Sermon Notes Series: Questions Jesus Asked Title: “What Are You Looking For?” Scripture: John 1:35-39 Preacher: Rev. David Hockett Main Question: 🔎 What are you looking for? – Jesus asks this question to His first disciples and to us today. It’s a question of desire, purpose, and longing. Key Themes: 1. Our Restless Hearts Need God Augustine: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Bene...

📖 Sermon Take-Home Notes 🔹 Questions Jesus Asked: What Do You Live For? Rev. David Hockett | Davidson UMC Key Scripture: Mark 8:36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" Main Takeaways: 🔹 What Do You Live For? Jesus’ question challenges us to examine our priorities and what truly shapes our lives. Are we living for temporary success, comfort, or control? O...

📖 Sermon Take-Home Notes 🔹 Questions Jesus Asked: What Do You Live For? Rev. David Hockett | Davidson UMC Key Scripture: Mark 8:36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" Main Takeaways: 🔹 What Do You Live For? Jesus’ question challenges us to examine our priorities and what truly shapes our lives. Are we living for temporary success, comfort, or control? O...

📖 Sermon Take-Home Notes Series: Questions Jesus Asked Sermon: “Why Are You Anxious?” Preacher: Rev. David Hockett Scripture: Luke 12:22-31 Main Idea: Jesus asks, “Why are you anxious?” reminding us that while worry is real, God’s love and provision are greater. True peace comes when we shift our focus from fear to faith, trusting in God’s presence and care. Key Points: 🔹 The World Thrives on An...

SERMON TAKE-HOME NOTES "Why Are You Afraid?" – Rev. David Hockett Date: February 2, 2025 Key Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27 – Jesus calms the storm and asks His disciples, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Main Points: 1. Fear is Powerful but Not in Control Fear can shape our decisions, impact our health, and limit our ability to trust. Society often fuels our fears—whether through politics,...

Take-Home Notes: “Who Do You Say That I Am?” Key Scripture: “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” — Luke 9:20 Main Points: Jesus' Transformative Questions: Jesus asked over 300 questions during His ministry, often leaving them open-ended to spark reflection and transformation. Today’s focus: “Who do you say that I am?” The question isn’t just about...

Take Home Notes: Indispensable: Remaking the Body of Christ 1. Everyone Matters in Christ’s Body Each member of the body of Christ is indispensable, regardless of their role or visibility. The less obvious or less "honored" parts are clothed with greater respect in God’s eyes. 2. Unity Through Interdependence Just as a physical body relies on all its parts, we rely on each other in the body of Chr...

Take-Home Notes: "Beloved: Living into Our True Identity" Our Core Identity At the heart of who we are lies a simple truth: We are God’s beloved. This identity is not based on what we do, what we have, or how others define us. It’s given by God through grace. Baptism as a Reminder Baptism symbolizes being "dipped into" God’s love and truth, washing away all false identities. Just as Jesus was name...

God's Love Knows No Boundaries The story of the Magi demonstrates that Jesus came for all people, regardless of their background, beliefs, or status. Avoid Building Barriers Like the Magi, we are reminded not to exclude others from God's love based on their differences but to embrace diversity in our communities and faith. Reflect God's Inclusivity Ask yourself: How can I better reflect God's all-...

Sermon Notes – "In Our Father’s House: Finding Christ and Growing in Faith" Rev. Dr. Brad Hinton Date: 12-29-2024 Scripture Reference: Luke 2:41-52 – Jesus in the Temple at 12 Years Old Key Points to Reflect On: The Christmas Season Transition The Christmas season begins with the celebration of Christ's birth. As we move from preparation to celebration, we remember how Christ changed the world. Th...