McGough's Ministry

As we continue looking at the Greatest Commandment today we look at the two words on the end and how they lead us to needing to change our lens through which we see the world and self "As Yourself"

As we have heard proclaimed to Love Thy Neighbor, this week we looked at how that calling challenges us to change how we think. How would the world be different if we saw everyone as a person of value and realized that EVERYONE is SOMEONE to God and should be to us  

Psalm 146 is bookended by the phrase " Praise the Lord." Today, we will explore what it means to praise the Lord, not just with lip service but with our very lives.

Today we looked at Church hurt, and how we may not stop Church hurt, but we are called to be a church that heals and does no harm.    

In Hebrews 4, we hear that the Word of God analyzes us and leaves us naked at God's feet. This reminds me of Adam and Eve in Eden, who found out they were naked and hid. But the good news is that we have a high priest in Christ Jesus who knows us and meets us where we are. 

At the Last Supper, we see Jesus changing the liturgy of Passover.  At Passover, the 4 cups represent the four promises of Jesus in Exodus 6:6-7. Today, we see that through His suffering and death we see the fulfillment of the  4th cup 

In Numbers 13 we hear how perspective matters. We may need to shift our perspective and believe that God is bigger than whatever we may face. 

In Luke 6:37-42 we hear the call to take the log out of our eye and use it to build a table for all to come and grow in relationship with Christ and one another  

In Luke 15:11-32 we hear the parable of a man and his two sons. We hear of God's unwavering grace, telling all that they belong and are welcomed in the House of the Lord. Welcome Home  

In Matthew 18:21-35 we hear the parable of The Unmerciful Servant. This parable asks how we will live in the light of God's grace. Will we extend the same grace and forgiveness that we have received, or will we hold onto our hurt vengeance and grudges 

In Matthew 13:1-9, we hear about the Parable of the Sower. This points us to an eternal truth of God's grace and love. That truth is that it is free to all, and that God desires all to encounter it and bear good fruit.  

In Luke 12:13-21 we hear the parable of The Rich Fool. This raises the question, do we love people and use things or love things and use people. It also looks at how we value money and stuff over time  

In Matthew 25:14-30 we hear the parable of the talents. This parable is much more than a stewardship sermon but is a parable that ask the question will you live in fear or faith?  

In Luke 14 we hear Jesus share the parable of The Great Banquet, this is a depiction of how ALL are invited to the Table, but few accept the invitation 

In Luke 15 we hear the parables of the lost sheep and coin. Through these parables we hear of God's heart for the least and the lost 

In the parable of The Good Samaritan, we hear to not view the invitation of God as an interruption (Sermon Starts at Scripture, due to technical difficulties)

In Mark 6, we hear a story of John the Baptist's beheading, which reads more like a soap opera plot. Through this story, we are challenged to ask who/what we seek to serve through our lives.    

In Galatians 1, Paul says he is not a people pleaser. This is a warning to us to not be a people pleaser either. 

In a world that says more, more, more, Christ  calls us to trust in Him and know that He is enough  

Looking at Ephesians 4 as well as James 4, we see the warning not to let anger become a way of life and take root in your heart. This sermon looks at how allowing that to happen can effect your life, as well as how to keep anger in check  

In Philippians 4:6-7  we hear wisdom on how to deal with our anxiety and these anxious times. The wisdom we hear is to keep CALM and trust in God  

In the end of Mark 2 and beginning of Mark 3 we hear a discussion of the letter vs the Spirit of the Law. Today we address the challenge to pursue the Spirit of the Law and of God as we go and share The Gospel 

In Isaiah 6, we hear a story about Isaiah encountering God, which calls him to analyze himself and proclaim, "Here I am... send me."

The story of Pentecost is one that says that though we may not speak the same language, think the same, or see eye to eye we may still work hand in hand as we build the Kingdom of God 

In John 4, we hear of an interaction when Jesus "had to go to Samaria." While there, he encounters a "nobody" in society, a woman at the well. Through this interaction, we learn how to interact with the Samaritans in our lives.