One-Word Check-In

The Passover pilgrims did not expect to encounter Jesus as they entered Jerusalem, nor did they expect that the Messiah would ride in on a donkey. God always goes beyond our expectations when we encounter the Christ. May we all encounter Christ this week in new and unexpected ways and places.

When Jesus' entered into Jerusalem on a donkey, many welcomed him, but not all. He was completely not what they were expecting as the Messiah. Do we welcome Jesus when he comes to us in unexpected ways?

Just before Jesus resurrects Lazarus from the dead, he is so moved by the community that came to console Mary and Martha that he joins their weeping. Jesus weeps with us when we grieve and consoles us through a supportive community.

After Jesus puts a healing balm on the blind man's eyes, he tells him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam, which was considered sacred. Have you washed in the sacred? Could it bring healing to your life?

Pastor Kristie's sermon on a beloved passage of the Woman at the Well. Jesus waited for her at the well. She was thirsty, and so was she. Come to the well to receive Christ's living water. 

Jesus meets the Woman at the Well and offers her living water. She comes to the well to get well. How can Jesus' living water make you well? 

Nicodemus encounters Jesus and asks questions, so he can logically understand who Jesus is. Understanding intellectually is a big part of our faith. When we study and seek answers to our questions, Jesus meets us and gives us answers. 

Jesus is in the wilderness and is tempted to prove that he is the Son of God. Jesus is able to hold steady and not give in to the temptations. What does the wilderness look like for you? If you had a conversation in the wilderness with God, what would you ask and how do you think he would respond?

The transfiguration of Jesus is a story about when Jesus allowed his divinity to be seen by three of his closest disciples. They responded to the divine in different ways, yet he showed them how to live "inside out" and called them to "get up" and not be afraid of it. 

Jesus delivers a challenging word to the listeners of the Sermon on the Mount, yet he invites them to go deeper in their faith. He invites them to take a step further and live a life centered on love and mutual care. 

Jesus continues preaching the Sermon on the Mount and says that to be followers, they need to go deeper than following the minimum standard. The old way of living was to follow the letter of the law, but the new way of living is to follow the spirit of the law that is based on loving others. Jesus teaches that it's important to root out any part of us that causes harm to others, which transforms u...

What do you think about when Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth," and "You are the light of the world." Sometimes I feel kind of "salty" and my "saltiness" may get me into trouble, but Jesus said that we should not lose our saltiness. Jesus was not talking about the same kind of "saltiness" that we often think about today. Our saltiness can help others experience the realness of Christ.&nb...

Micah 6:8 is a favorite Bible verse for many, but sometimes we don't look at the entire context to see what the prophet Micah is suggesting to the people of Israel. God challenges Israel for their lack of faith, and Micah offers a small portion that God requires. Is there still a place for sacrifice in religious practice?

When Jesus begins his ministry, he fulfills Isaiah's prophesy that "light has dawned." Through his ministry, Jesus brings light to people's darkness. What forms of darkness are in your life right now? Where do you need the light of Christ?

What is your favorite name of Jesus? Does it reflect your relationship with Jesus or the work God is calling you to do?

John the Baptist reveals who Jesus is by calling him the Lamb of God. God reveals who Jesus is at his baptism by saying, "This is my Son, the Beloved." God is always revealing the divine, so that we can know the divine more intimately. Where has God been revealed in your life?

Jesus, the light of the world, came into the world, so we can also be the light. Where can you shine light into someone's darkness?

On Christmas Eve, may we be present to what Christ is birthing within us. 

We must be open to receive the hope, peace, joy, and love Christ brings. What prevents you from receiving any of these?

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as "Joy Sunday." As we turn toward the end of Advent, let us reflect on what brings us joy. The good news of Jesus Christ always brings us joy and gives us reason to rejoice, no matter the circumstances. 

Where do you find peace? Where do you need peace in your life? 

Where do you find hope? Where do you need hope in your life?

Pastor Kristie delivered this sermon on November 20, 2022 at Foothills UMC in La Mesa, CA based on John 6:25-35. After the people were fed by Jesus, they followed him only to get more bread. They lost their focus on who fed them, and missed the true work of God. Do we lose our focus on Jesus and miss God's work? Where is God calling us to join in the work of God?

After Jesus feeds the 5,000, the crowd follows Jesus to get more bread. Jesus tells them that they are only following him because their bellies are full. Have you ever followed Jesus for the wrong reason? Sometimes we get caught up in what we can get from Jesus than for who Jesus is. Jesus is the Bread of Life, who satisfies our true hunger. 

The story of Zacchaeus shows us how one man went to great lengths to see who Jesus is. He was lost in the crowd, but seize the opportunity to climb a tree to see Jesus pass by. But it was when Jesus saw him that changed Zacchaeus' life.