Marvin Methodist Church | Sermons

We live in a world that is often trying to convince us that we need more: more information, more experiences, more training to truly be happy and fulfilled.  The Apostle Paul, combating the heretical teaching of Gnosticism of the first century, reminds the church that with Jesus, they have all that they need.  In Jesus, the fullness of God dwells.  Jesus is head of the c...

The book of Colossians is written to address a specific problem in a community thousands of years ago but it still speaks to us today addressing our insufficient views of Jesus. The first chapter raises our eyes to see the one who holds all things together and restores all of creation. Sermon text: Colossians 1:15-20. 

Happy Easter! Please enjoy our Sanctuary service from this last Sunday, Easter Sunday! Sermon text: 1 Corinthians 15:12 -22

This Easter, take a moment to remember what exactly Christ's amazing sacrifice did for us. Sermon text: John 11:25 -26, 38-44

Pastor John Wayne McMann talks with Marc Donaldson about the upcoming Lead Pastor transition. 

Most everyone has been to a wedding celebration.  Some of the common elements of the celebration include: the gathering of loved ones and friends, the wearing of new clothes by the bride, wedding party, and family, and the joyous supper or reception.  In John’s revelation regarding the coming of Christ, many of the wedding customs of the Biblical times are referenced.  A...

Jesus is coming back. Until then we live our lives waiting and making preparations: doing good, sharing Jesus (using words) and living lives marked by a sense of urgency. Sermon text: Revelation 19:6-9.

So many times in our life we pursue imitations for what our hearts truly desire. It can be difficult work to survey all the things our hearts are attached to. However, at the other end of that work is the good work of re-surrender to Jesus, the bread of life. Sermon text: John 6:25-35

So many times in our life we pursue imitations for what our hearts truly desire. It can be difficult work to survey all the things our hearts are attached to. However, at the other end of that work is the good work of re-surrender to Jesus, the bread of life. Sermon text: John 6:25-35.

Mercy is misunderstood. It was in the gospel narratives and it is today. Jesus’ ministry did not meet anyone’s expectations because they were surprised to see him with the poor and destitute. Our calling is to the same surprising place to be an extension of mercy. But the catch is…mercy is also a gift from God. Sermon text: Luke 7:31-35

Mercy is misunderstood. It was in the gospel narratives and it is today. Jesus’ ministry did not meet anyone’s expectations because they were surprised to see him with the poor and destitute. Our calling is to the same surprising place to be an extension of mercy. But the catch is…mercy is also a gift from God. Sermon text: Luke 7:31-35

From His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenged us to “be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”  Just as our hunger for food and nourishment is both a constant and recurring need, so should be our hunger to be holy as we strive to be more like Jesus. Sermon text: Matthew 5:46-48

Jesus challenges us to be perfect. How can that be? We consider this week if this is an achievable task or is it idealism suited for motivation. John Wesley believe holiness and perfection was something we should pray for and was possible in God’s grace. Sermon text: Matthew 5:43-48

Many Christians talk about wanting to do God’s will for their lives.  If you are truly hungering to do the will of God, then you will follow the example of Christ to share spiritual conversations with others, be respectful and patient in the dialogue, and invite them to join you in following Jesus.  Jesus invites his followers to finish the work that he has started. Sermon text:...

Jesus says that His food is to do the will of the one who sent him. This is something we can grasp since Jesus is the son of God sent into the world. But what about us? How do we know the will of God? How do we strive to be obedient to his leading? The will of God is often times reduced to all our decisions of vocation and purpose, but maybe we need a bigger perspective of God’s will! Sermon text:...

Jesus, like the Old Testament heroes of faith, Moses and Elijah practiced solitude coupled with fasting to prepare for His ministry.  When Jesus was tested by the Devil in the wilderness, He quoted Scripture in His rebuke.  John Mogabgab states: “God has chosen to be bound to the words of Scripture; in and through them, the Holy One comes near.” Sermon text: Matthew 4:11

We begin a new Lenten series this week as we consider the objects of our heart’s desire. This week focuses on Jesus and the temptation in the wilderness to begin His ministry. Jesus does not settle for personal reprieve over his mission to the world. Instead, Jesus hungers for God’s Word in the world and shows us the response under sinful temptation to “take care of yourself.” Sermon text: Matthew...

Our lead pastor for Core, John Wayne McMann, is being reappointed. While we are sad to see him go, we know that God's plans for Marvin Church and John Wayne are much bigger than we can imagine! 

Claire Cloninger writes: “The spiritual can infuse the tangible, creating holy moments at any time.” I experienced three holy moments (spiritual conversations) within a thirty minute window at an assisted living facility. God gave me a gift reminding me of His presence and that I had ministry appointments to fulfill. Jesus’ experience of transfiguration upon the mountain, not only encouraged him,...

As we conclude our Canceled sermon series we discuss what it looks like to move past our brokenness and failures. Paul is one of the best biblical examples because he does not ignore his past but sees the journey as one of the biggest indicators of the power of God in his life. His past does not disqualify, but actually points to what is possible in God. Maybe it is the same for us and that truth...

The Bible calls the follower of Christ to have faith and to trust in God.  An additional spiritual exercise is the “attentive” life that allows us to look back in reflection over past events and see the hand of God working.  A medical colloquialism is the “retrospectoscope” that allows doctors to make diagnoses in hindsight.  Studying Joseph’s life-story we see that what...

As we continue our series discussing “cancel culture” we now turn to failure. Scripture is full of failure and it is ironic that we try to cover up all of ours. The story of Peter is an intriguing one especially when we consider the failure of Judas that is presented next to Peter in the gospels. Both failed, both overcome with guilt and shame, only one could embrace the forgiveness of Jesus. Serm...

Are you trusting God or are you putting more confidence in human reason?  The people of Judah had hedged their faith by trusting God and other gods and political alliances.  Jeremiah describes the difference between trusting in God and trusting in ourselves. Sermon text: Jeremiah 17:5-10.

Cancel culture can be a lot of things. At it’s best it can be a movement of activism to boycott someone or something that has caused harm… at it’s worst it can be a sport of defamation and attempt at social control for the sake of notoriety, a platform, or just more likes on Twitter. What is the Christian’s responsibility in this new social ethos? First we need to understand accountability; accoun...

The Romans of Jesus’ time on earth had an expression: “There is nothing more useful than sun and salt.”  How appropriate then that Jesus would refer to His disciples as the “salt of the earth and the light of the world.”  In this message, listeners will learn of the importance of salt’s purity and its use for preservation.  Jesus calls his followers to preserve the world...