Grenola UMC Sermons

On the night before the cross, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and prayed—not only for His disciples, but for all who would believe through their message. His desire was unity, holiness, and the deep assurance that the Father’s love would rest on His people. From the prophets to the Last Supper, Scripture shows that God’s covenant plan has always been to draw His people close and make them one in...

The peace Jesus offers is unlike anything the world can give. It is steady in the storm, present in the trial, and rooted in the Spirit who dwells within us. From the upper room to the waves of Galilee, Scripture shows us that Christ’s peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of His power and love. Join us as Pastor Kenny shares how this promise of peace shapes our faith and steadies o...

On the night before His death, Jesus gave His disciples a new command: love one another as I have loved you. That love was not abstract—it was shown in humility, sacrifice, and service. True greatness in God’s Kingdom is not measured by power or position, but by a heart willing to serve. Join us as Pastor Kenny reflects on Jesus’ words in John 13 and what it means to live with a servant’s heart to...

From the wisdom of Proverbs to the words of Jesus, Scripture points us to the unity and holiness of the one true God. He is not divided, nor is His truth shaken by the voices of the world. In Christ, we see the Father revealed, and in His prayer, we glimpse the oneness He desires for His people. Join us as Pastor Kenny leads us through these passages to see the beauty of God’s unity and the call t...

The call of Jesus is simple in words but radical in practice: Follow Me. From the shores of Galilee to the road of Damascus, that invitation has changed lives and redirected destinies. It is a call to trust God’s Word above human voices, to worship Him alone, and to walk in obedience wherever He leads. Join us as Pastor Kenny explores how this call still speaks today, summoning us to a life of fai...

Two disciples walked away from Jerusalem in sorrow, their hopes shattered—until the risen Christ drew near and opened the Scriptures to them. What seemed like defeat became the fulfillment of God’s plan, foretold by the prophets and proclaimed by the apostles. From David’s line to the resurrection of Jesus, the story of salvation is one of God’s faithfulness across generations. Even in the midst o...

The empty tomb is the heart of our faith: Christ is risen, and death has been defeated. Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Lord turned sorrow into joy, and the apostles proclaimed this good news with boldness—that Jesus is alive, and forgiveness is offered in His name. The testimony of Scripture is not myth or imagination, but the witness of those who saw, heard, and touched the Word of Lif...

The road into Jerusalem begins with shouts of joy and palm branches waving, yet it quickly turns toward the suffering and sacrifice of the cross. The prophets foresaw a humble King riding on a donkey, a Servant who would be despised and rejected, and a covenant written on the hearts of God’s people. Jesus entered the city not to claim earthly power, but to fulfill God’s plan of redemption through...

The gospel reminds us that life in Christ is not simply survival after death, but transformation here and now. Mary’s act of devotion at Bethany points to the power of Jesus’ coming sacrifice, while Isaiah proclaims that God makes a way where there is none, bringing new life out of what once seemed lost. Paul testifies that all earthly gains are nothing compared to knowing Christ, pressing on towa...

Jesus warns that life is fragile and calls us to repent, bearing fruit that honors God. The prophets echo this truth, reminding us that empty ritual and divided hearts cannot please the Lord—He desires justice, mercy, and lives rooted in His Word. Christ Himself teaches that we cannot serve both God and worldly treasures, for true devotion belongs to Him alone. And through the cross, Paul proclaim...

Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son is more than a story of rebellion—it is a picture of the Father’s heart. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but longs for all to turn and live. To the weary and burdened, Christ offers rest; to the fearful, He speaks courage and strength. The embrace of the Father is wide enough for the lost, the broken, and the wandering to come home. Join us as Pa...

Crowds once asked Jesus what God requires, and His answer was simple yet profound: to believe in the One He has sent. The will of God is not a hidden mystery but a revealed calling—to hold fast to hope, to encourage one another in faith, and to live lives marked by holiness and gratitude. From the words of Christ to the exhortations of Paul, Scripture reminds us that God’s will is both our assuran...

Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain begins with blessings and warnings that turn the world’s values upside down—calling the poor, the hungry, and the persecuted “blessed.” Yet these words are not only about personal discipleship; they echo the prophetic vision of God’s coming Kingdom. From Daniel’s vision of the Anointed One, to Ezekiel’s warnings, to the psalms and prophets who foresaw nations rising agai...

When Jesus called His first disciples by the sea, He invited them to leave their nets and follow Him into a new kind of work—becoming fishers of men. Like Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness, this call begins with awe, confession, and cleansing, then moves into mission. Paul reminds us that the message of the cross may seem like foolishness to the world, but it is the very power of God. The risen Ch...

When Jesus declared the Scriptures fulfilled in His hometown, the crowd’s amazement quickly turned to anger. The prophets before Him had faced the same rejection—Elijah sent to a widow in Zarephath, Elisha healing a foreign commander—signs that God’s mercy reaches beyond boundaries. Yet rejection did not stop the mission of Christ; He continued teaching, healing, and sending His disciples into the...

When Jesus stood in the synagogue and read from Isaiah, He declared that the long‑awaited promise had come true in Him. The Spirit of the Lord was upon Him to bring good news, freedom, and healing. From the Sermon on the Mount to His promise of the Spirit, Scripture shows us that God’s Word is not distant history but living truth, fulfilled in Christ and still shaping our lives today. Join us as P...

Throughout Scripture, God appoints watchmen—those called to stand alert, to speak His truth, and to warn His people. John the Baptist bore witness to Christ, the prophets cried out for faithfulness, and the apostles proclaimed Jesus as Lord over all. The role of the watchman is not about fear, but about faithfulness: pointing to the One who reigns, declaring His purposes, and urging hearts to turn...

When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, His strength was not in clever arguments or human willpower, but in the Word of God: “It is written.” That same Word speaks into our fears, our worries, and our struggles today. From the call to trust God’s provision, to the Spirit’s assurance that we are His children, Scripture reminds us that victory and peace are found in Christ alone. Join us as P...

The coming of Christ marks the dawn of something entirely new. Simeon’s song in the temple rejoices that God’s salvation has arrived, while John declares that the eternal Word has become flesh and dwelt among us. Through Jesus, grace overflows where sin once reigned, and we are clothed with compassion, kindness, and love as His people. Scripture reminds us that in Christ, every day is a new beginn...

On a night long ago, in a quiet town and a humble manger, the promise of the prophets was fulfilled. A child was born—Immanuel, God with us—the light shining in the darkness. Isaiah spoke of His name, Micah foretold His birthplace, and Luke tells the story of shepherds who heard the angel’s song of peace and joy. The birth of Christ is not just history; it is the good news that God has come near t...

At the heart of Advent is love—the love of God who came near in Christ. Mary’s song overflows with joy at the promise fulfilled, while the prophets point to the child who would be born in Bethlehem, Immanuel, God with us. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Christ came to do the Father’s will, offering Himself once for all. And Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians show us that without love, every gift...

Advent joy is not shallow cheerfulness—it is the deep gladness that comes from knowing God’s salvation is near. John the Baptist’s call to repentance prepared the way for hearts to rejoice in the coming Messiah. The psalms remind us that even in sorrow, we can trust God’s steadfast love, while Paul urges believers to rejoice always, anchored in the peace of Christ. True joy is found in hearing the...

Zechariah’s song overflows with praise for the God who keeps His promises, sending the One who would guide our feet into the way of peace. This peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and light breaking into the darkness. In Christ, the dawn has come, and His peace reaches into every corner of our lives and our world. Join us as Pastor Kenny leads us thr...

Advent begins with hope—a hope that looks beyond fear, beyond uncertainty, and beyond the shaking of the world. Jesus spoke of signs in the heavens and nations in distress, yet He also called His followers to stand tall, for redemption is near. The psalms remind us to take courage, to remember God’s faithfulness, and to delight in His promises. Hope is not wishful thinking; it is confidence in the...

Pilate’s question to Jesus still echoes today: What is truth? In a world filled with shifting voices and deceptive spirits, Scripture points us to the unchanging Word of God and the testimony of Christ, the faithful witness. From the promises given to David to the vision of Revelation, we are reminded that truth is not an idea to debate but a Person to follow. Join us as Pastor Kenny leads us thro...