Small-but-Grand

Luke 18:9-14  In Luke 18 Jesus tells a story that takes place – right here!  In church!  (Well, in the temple, which is different in some significant ways… but similar enough we can act it out in our sanctuary.) So during worship, when I preached this sermon, I asked for two volunteers.  One who would...

The Parable of the Prodigal Son… *and* the Older Brother

Luke 15:11-32           This summer we’re listening to the stories that Jesus told.  It’s been fun to preach, because they’re good stories – relatable stories.  Stories about borrowing from a neighbor, helping a stranger, throwing a party, saving for the future.  In Luke 15 we get one of the most famous stories of all:  the...

If Jesus Were a Wedding Planner

Luke 14:7-14 I love to sit at a table like this. A place saved, just for me. Most often, I sit at a place like this at a wedding.  After the ceremony is over we make our way to the reception; we scan the tables for a place card with our name on it.  It...

Biggering and Blizzards

Luke 12:13-21 |  A story about how to get rich The kids and I have been doing a lot of road tripping lately.  There is something about being in the car that requires more parental mediation than normal.  I think it’s because resources are scarce – as long as we’re in the car, all we...

Love your friends as you love yourself

Luke 10:25-37  Do you love a good story? If so, you would have loved hearing Jesus teach.  When someone asked Jesus a question, he didn’t give them a simple answer or a boring lecture.  More often than not, he gave them a story. Like this one time when a master of the Jewish law asked...

Holy Spirit Fireworks

Acts 2:1-13  In order to fully appreciate Pentecost, we have to remember that t he disciples had been waiting for this.  Waiting ever since Jesus left them.  “You’re to be my witnesses to the whole world,” he had told them, “and the Holy Spirit will give you the power you’ll need.”  But no matter how...

Y’all Come

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 Our favorite kind of event at Sylva FUMC is a “Y’all come” event… but I didn’t know it until we couldn’t have them.  There was this time, deep in the pandemic, when we could meet in person again as long as the six-foot social distance rule was strictly observed.  Determined to...

The City (or Camp) of God

Revelation 21:10, 22 – 22:5 We’re nearing the end of the book of Revelation.  And friends – this is where it gets good.  This is what makes the whole book worth reading.  The evil powers of this world proved powerless.  Satan has been locked up and defeated.  Now comes what our hearts have longed for,...

From Overwhelm to Hope

Revelation 20:1-10 So far, this sermon series on Revelation has been a pleasant surprise.  I was a little nervous to spend so many weeks in a book of the Bible that so many of us avoid – but you know, it’s been good.  And easier to preach than I expected!  And more fun!  Revelation is...

The End of the Fair Weather Fan

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… I know people usually sing that at Christmastime.  But, for your consideration today, I propose to you that this is actually the most wonderful time of the year.  Why, you ask?  Just look around!  The days are getting longer and the mountains and getting greener.  The average...