Orange UMC Sermon Podcast: Recent Episodes
Orange United Methodist Church
How many people do you know that "used to go" to church? These days, that number is probably higher than it has ever been. Through the pandemic, we all experienced a loss of connection. Post-pandemic, we are seeing how hard that loss of connection has been. As we "kick off" our Back to Orange week, we'll begin by looking at the power of a simple invitation.
Every single one of us faces a lot of different battles, and we often feel that we face those battles alone. After God's reminder to Joshua to "be strong and courageous," he knew that God would not fail him or forsake him. Joshua became so bold that he asked God to do something that had never been done before - and God did it. Let us be reminded that with so many of our battles, we only have to ask.
Some people seem to think that once you become a follower of Christ, everything will fall into place and be easy. The reality is that following Christ can be one of the most difficult things that we can do. Yet, if we continue to put our faith and trust in Jesus, God always provides.
As we continue our Stones of Remembrance series, this week's passage reminds us that while once we were not a people, through God's grace, we are now a people. We have been called out of darkness into marvelous light. What does it mean to be "not a people?" What does it mean to live in "darkness?" And as we consider these questions, we come to discover the Good News of what it means to be a people and to live in marvelous light.
Simon was not perfect, but he was bold. That boldness led him to confess that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. While he may not have been perfect, it is that kind of boldness upon which Jesus said that He would build His church - and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.
The disciples proudly and boldly declared who Jesus was, even in amongst those in power. Jesus calls us to make a statement with our lives that gives testament to God who lives and reigns among us. What statement are you making?
EDITOR’S NOTE: The scripture reading was acted out this week. If you’re interested in watching, you can do so at https://youtu.be/iieO4b-trbE?t=1259.
At the conclusion of the most famous sermon ever written, Jesus gives one final image: a house built upon sand versus a house built upon a rock. This powerful image reminds us that it is one thing to hear and know God’s word; it is completely something else to do it. As we consider this passage, we will ask ourselves: Have we built our lives on sand, or are we on a firm foundation?
Before a fruitful garden can be planted, the stones that may hinder growth must be removed. Many of us may have "stones" in our lives that have held us back from becoming all that God intended. What are the stones that we need to remove from our garden?
Even people who barely know any stories from the Bible are familiar with the story of David and Goliath. What is there not to love about this classic story of the underdog? The question is this: Who is really the giant, and who is the underdog? Sometimes the "giants" that we face are not as powerful as we think.
The word "Ebenezer" literally means "stone of help." Samuel set up a stone memorial and named it Ebenezer as a reminder to the people of Israel of how God had come to the rescue of his people when they humbled themselves before God. May we also be reminded of how God still comes to our rescue.
Rocks are wondrous. If you think about the ways that rocks form and shape our lives from driving along the jagged bouldered edges of a mountainous highway to the gravel trails that line our walks and our parking spots. Rocks tell stories, and they hold history. Rocks are solid. What does it mean to proclaim, "The Lord is my Rock?" What is the Psalmist clinging to in these lyrical lines of scripture?
We often say something like, "The end justifies the means." However, that statement is not quite true, and particularly in relationship to our obedience to God. While previously God had instructed Moses to strike a rock to bring forth water, another time God instructed him to simply speak to the rock. Moses instead struck the rock again. God still brought forth water, but the end did not justify the means.
Moses and the Israelites may have made it out of Egypt, but they still had a long way to go on their journey to the Promised Land. On this journey they face what seem like breaking points, over and over again. One of these times includes when they had no water to drink, and things got heated! God has sustained God's people every moment up until this point, and yet it doesn't feel like that will always be true. Moses is called upon to care for and lead God's people in ways that never seemed possible. Will he follow God's direction?
Forty years before they entered the Promised Land, the people of Israel faced an impossible task as the waters of the Red Sea stood before them, and Pharaoh's army pursuing them. That day, God provided a way when there seemed to be no way. Now, just on the edge of the land they have waited so long to enter, another body of water stood in their way. But God proved once again that God is always faithful.
In Genesis 28, we read the story of Jacob setting out on a journey. Beginning in verse 16, the scene is described, "When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” All of us have a story, and all of us have a place in God's story. Sometimes in life we write a story for ourselves before its even come to fruition, yet life happens and the story gets altered. Sometimes to our elation and sometimes to our utter disappointment, but there is another way. Our story caught up in God's story is always one that leads us to redemption and ultimately to resurrection. As we celebrate our graduates this Sunday, may we remind them (and ourselves) that God is the ultimate author of our story and our salvation.
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended like tongues of fire, and immediately a transformation took place. People heard the word of God, and they began to devote themselves to one another and to God in ways that would launch a movement of Jesus followers worldwide.
It is well known that Jesus often associated with those who were marginalized in the community. But there is no evidence that Jesus avoided those who had means and power. Luke records three occasions where Jesus dined with Pharisees, and on one of those occasions, we witness the extravagant love of a sinner and the bounteous mercy of a Savior. The mercy that Jesus demonstrates leads us to ask the question, “Who is welcome at the table?”
After Jesus is baptized by John and called his disciples to "follow him," he finds himself at a wedding banquet to celebrate. His family is there (mother and brothers) and as the wedding party goes on, something catastrophic happens, they run out of wine. Perhaps not what we would expect to be the first miracle of the savior of the world, Jesus saves the day nonetheless. Let us explore the promptings of Jesus' mother and his decision to honor her request to make sure the celebration didn't have to end too soon.
Do you wash your hands before you eat? Of course you do! But one day when Jesus shared a meal with a Pharisee, Jesus reclined at the table without ceremonially washing - which really set off an intense dialogue! Is it dirty hands or dirty hearts that makes one "unclean"?
It is natural for us to gravitate towards people with whom we have something in common. As the saying goes, "birds of a feather flock together." But not Jesus. Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus being drawn towards "others" - tax collectors, fishermen, and even the scribes and Pharisees.
This passage is a full circle moment for the disciples; many of them met Jesus for the very first time while they were fishing. He approached them, said, "follow me," and their lives were forever changed. After his death, their hope deteriorated, and the disciples quickly returned to the life they knew, "let's go fishing." What felt like an incredible journey circled right back to the beginning. Jesus, however, met them right where they returned to remind them of their mission, their purpose, and to say once again, "follow me."
In the midst of scary and uncertain times, two individuals made a journey with more questions than answers. Amidst this journey they were joined by the resurrected Jesus, yet they did not recognize him. Only as they share a meal together at the end of their journey do they realize who was with them all along. Oftentimes, Jesus shows up in our lives and yet we do not recognize his presence for a variety of reasons . This Sunday, we’ll wonder about this story together and look for the ways we may be comforted, surprised, and befriended through encounters with Christ when we gather around a table.
Early in the morning on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene made her way to the tomb under the shroud of darkness and grief. Arriving, she finds that the stone has been removed, and the tomb was empty. Overcome, Mary weeps for she does not know where the body of Jesus is. Even when her beloved Rabbi speaks to her and asks her whom she is seeking, she still indicates that she is looking for the body of Jesus. When He calls her by name, she turns and understands that she was looking for a dead and defeated Jesus, but that is not what she found. This Easter, may we be willing to ask ourselves, "Who are you looking for?"
When we look deeper into the context of this story, we uncover how two parades are occurring at once. Jesus’ unconventional and unexpected entry into the city parallels the extravagant parade of Pilate, the Roman governor. As both leaders enter the city for the Passover, they embody different directions. Pilate commands military dominance and imperial power; Jesus ushers in the kingdom of God and the way of peace. Within the chaos and commotion of this scene, which leader will you follow?
There are times that all hope seems lost. Faced with a world of unknowns and uncertainties, it all call feel so overwhelming. As Ezekiel looked over the valley of dry bones, God asked him, "Can these bones live?" All Ezekiel could say in response was a paraphrase of "Lord, only knows!" But just like Jesus called forth Lazarus from the tomb, God brings forth life from that which was dead.
God does not look at the world the same way that we do. Encountering a blind man on the side of the road, the disciples perceived that sin must have been involved in his condition. We often make the same assumptions about the people and things around us.
"They must be poor because . . ."
"She must be sick because . . ."
We look at the conditions and try to figure out the "because." Jesus looks at the condition and sees how the work of God can be revealed.
In the heat of mid-day in Samaria, Jesus asked a local woman for a drink. "Will you give me a drink?" For the woman, to respond is risky, but life-changing. We often go to God with what we want or need, but what if Jesus came to you, asking you that same question? What would you say? What would you do? "Will you give me a drink?"
Nicodemus comes to Jesus under the veil of night to ask him big faith questions. As a leader of Jewish law, Nicodemus holds beliefs that no longer align with the kingdom of God Jesus embodies. Jesus invites him to begin again, to learn a new way of knowing and living out his faith. In Genesis, God commands Abram and Sarai to leave everything—their home, their family, their land—to seek the land of Canaan and begin again. At 75 years old, Abram is called to start over, but through this new beginning, God creates a new family and a new nation. Like Nicodemus, what are the questions we ask in the dark? Like Abram and Sarai, how do we follow God’s calling to begin again?
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. The season of Lent is a time of introspection and preparation: considering our own sinfulness and need of a savior. This Sunday, we will ask the question, "Who will you listen to?" Whose voices - and what messages - take up too much space in your head?
Let's be honest this week about our encounters with God. Often we don't know how to articulate the ways we've come face to face with Jesus or the Holy Spirit. We may get nervous to share because we fear people might question our experience or even discount it. We also may fear acknowledging God's presence because it would require releasing control of some part of our lives. What if we were honest with ourselves and each other about how much God means to us?
Let's be honest: sometimes we find ourselves in difficult places. Through different seasons of life, our mental health & wellbeing waxes and wanes. And, if that wasn't enough, oftentimes we hide how we really are from even those closest to us. Fear and shame can keep us from being honest with God, with ourselves, and with others. So what do we have when we're struggling to grasp onto hope?
Let's be honest: being a follower of Christ is not as easy as some have led us to believe. If we are really honest with God, with ourselves, and with others, we can admit that sometimes it is really difficult to be the "salt of the earth." Through different seasons of life, we may feel a little less salty than before. So what hope do we have if we're feeling only lightly salty?
This week we end our “Through the Waters” sermon series. Pastor Adam challenges the church as a whole to be willing to nurture, teach, and exemplify to a new generation in such a way that they would follow our lead.
Do you need a midweek break? Join us for a brief time to relax and enjoy moments with God! Each week Pastor Kori leads this group through a brief time of reflection, so take this time to unwind from a busy week and savor the moment!
This week we confess, trust, and serve! Let us consider this as we continue our sermon series "Through the Waters.”
This week we continue with our Through the Waters sermon series. Pastor Adam preaches about rejecting the powers of the world, and accepting the new life of Jesus.
This week we start a new sermon series called “Through the Waters.” Join Pastor Adam as he preaches on the baptism of Jesus.
This is the final week of Advent! Join Pastor Adam as he shares from the book of Isaiah.
This week is the second week of Advent! Join us as Pastor Adam preaches all about the Peace of Christ!
Today is the final part of our Living Church sermon series! Pastor Adam will be preaching all about Extravagant Generosity!
This week Pastor Adam speaks all about Risk-Taking Missions! Join us for this awesome sermon!
Pastor Kori preaches this All-Saints Day on community of believers we have, and how they can shape and grow our faith!
In the second week of our “Living Church” sermon series, Pastor Adam share how we can live into the radical hospitality that Jesus teaches us.
Join us for a brand new sermon series entitled, Living Church! Our Pathways worship leader Josh preaches on how to have passionate worship!
Easter in October? You got it. As we wrap up our "We Believe" series on the Apostles Creed, we focus on Jesus' resurrection and what that means for us.
This week in our “We Believe” sermon series, Pastor Adam preaches about the rich and amazing forgiveness that is found in Jesus.
This week Pastor Kori preaches on the 3rd part of our Trinity: The Holy Spirit. We pray that this sermon brings the Spirit out for you!
This week our sermon is all about Jesus! Join us for the second week of our “We Believe” sermon series.
This week marks the start of a new sermon series called “We Believe.” Join Pastor Adam as he speaks about what it means to believe in God.
This week is is the final week of our Oldies Playlist sermon series! Join Pastor Adam as he preaches on generosity.
If you would like to hear a story about a boat, I “Noah” guy! This week Pastor Adam preaches on Noah in our Oldies Playlist sermon series!
This week Pastor Kori preaches on the story on Jospeh and his brothers from the book of Genesis. Join us for our Oldies Playlist sermon!
This week we are blessed to have our Associate Pastor or Youth, Sara Miller, share a message in our Oldies Playlist sermon series.
Do you struggle with asking for help? Well this weeks sermon from our Oldies Playlist is for you!
This week in our Oldies Playlist sermon series, Pastor Kori preaches on the story of Balaam's donkey in the book of Numbers! You don’t want to miss this!
This week in our Oldies Playlist sermon series, Pastor Adam enters the “Danger Zone!” Join us for this awesome sermon!
Pastor Kori brings us our word on this second week of our Oldies sermon series this week!
Join us for a new sermon series called Oldies Playlist, where we dig into some stories from the Old Testament. This week we take a look at the story of Job.
This week we are blessed to have a guest preacher at OUMC: Rev. Greg Gallaher. Join us as he preaches on the parable of the Prodigal Son.
This week we commission a new leader in one of our ministries, and Pastor Adam preaches about being a co-laborer in Christ.
Feeling burnt out? This week Pastor Adam preaches on how the Spirit of God speaks comfort into our lives today.
This week we look at how the Holy Spirit speaks justtice into our world. Join us for this awesome sermon.
We begin a new sermon series on the Holy Spirit before Pentecost. Join us for our The Spirit Speaks sermon series.
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Learn more Pastor Adam delivers our final message in our True Confession sermon series
Pastor Kori brings us our sermon this week, in our third week of the True Confession sermon series.
Our Youth Group takes over OUMC’s worship! Join us as they share a word from God on recovery.
Our Youth Group takes over OUMC’s worship! Join us as they share a word from God on recovery.
This week Pastor Brad delivers our message in the second week of our True Confessions sermon series.
This week we start a new sermon series based on the UMC Prayer of Confession that is prayed during Communion liturgy.
This week is the final week of our, “catch. release. redeem” sermon series. Join us as Pastor Adam preaches on loving our enemies.
On January 23rd we were snowed out or in-person worship for the second week in a row, so here is that sermon if you missed it!
On January 16th we were snowed out or in-person worship, so here is that sermon if you missed it!
Our second week of, “catch. release. redeem.” continues this week. Pastor Adam preaches on being set free.
We begin a three-part sermon series this week called, “Catch. Release. Redeem”. Join us as Pastor Kori preaches from Luke chapter 5.
Join us for the second installment of our “All Things New” sermon series. This week Pastor Kori preaches on the baptism of Jesus.
Happy New Year! Pastor Adam starts the new year with a new sermon series, “All Things New.”
This week is the 4th week of Advent, and we will celebrate the final theme of Advent: love.
This week is the third week of Advent and our theme is joy! Join us as Pastor Kori shares an awesome sermon with us.
Pastor Adam delivers our sermon this week all about our second theme of Advent, “peace.”
Advent is here! Join us as Pastor Adam shares with us the first of our Advent themes: Hope.
This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, and the last Sunday in the Christian Calendar. Pastor Kori shares all about the past, present, and future reign of Jesus Christ.
Join us for the latests entry in our “Ships of Faith” sermon series. Pastor Adam shares all about “membership”.
Join us for the second week of our “Ships of Faith” sermon series! Pastor Brad teaches us all about fellowship!
This week we begin a new sermon series called, “Ships of Faith”, where we look at the words with the suffix, “ship” in the Bible! We start with discipleship this week!
This week at Orange UMC is Laity Sunday! Join us as Rick Strunk, one of the lay members of Orange, delivers our sermon.
Join us for the conclusion of our Via Salutis sermon series this week! Pastor Adam teaches us about Sanctifying grace this week.
Pastor Brad delivers our sermon this week, in the second part of our Via Salutis sermon series.
Pastor Adam delivers our sermon this week, in a new series all about grace called, “Via Salutis: Way of Salvation.”
This week we are blessed to have Rev. Ryan Spurrier from the UNC Wesley Foundation be our guest preacher!
Join us as we kick off our regularly scheduled ministry events for 2021! We hope that you will hear this message and be able to find your place in God’s story at Orange UMC!
Pastor Kori wraps up our Songs of Summer sermon series this week! You don’t want to miss this excellent message!
Pastor Adam delivers our message in our forth week of our Songs of Summer sermon series!
Pastor Adam preaches from Psalm 84 in this weeks sermon from our Songs of Summer Series!
This week Pastor Kori brings us our sermon on Psalm 111, in our second week of our Songs of Summer sermon series!
This week we begin a new sermon series, “Songs of Summer”. We will be looking at the Psalms and how they can speak to our lives today!
Pastor Brad concludes our sermon series on The Lord’s Prayer today. You don’t want to miss it!
Our sermon series on The Lord’s Prayer continues this week, with Pastor Adam preaching on the line, “Lead us not into Temptation.”
Join us for this weeks sermon! Pastor Kori preaches on the line, “Forgive us as We Forgive”, in our sermon series on The Lord’s Prayer.
We continue our sermon series on The Lord’s Prayer by looking at what “Our daily bread” is.
Pastor Adam continues our sermon series on The Lord’s Prayer with the line, “Thy will be done”.
We continue with our new sermon series “The Lord’s Prayer”, with the second part, “…hallowed be thy name.”
This week we begin a new sermon series, “The Lord’s Prayer”! We start with the first line, “Our Father”.
Today we celebrate the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church! Join us as Pastor Adam delivers our Pentecost message today!
Pastor Adam brings our “Finding Home” sermon series to a close by going through Ruth chapter 4.
Pastor Kori kicks off our newest sermon series, “Finding Home”, based on the book of Ruth!
This is our Duke Ministerial Intern, Savannah’s, last Sunday with us. We have loved having her share her gifts with us, and we pray for God’s blessing on her going forward!
Join us for Palm Sunday as Pastor Kori tells us of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, and the beginning of Holy Week.
Pastor Adam tells of Jesus’s turn towards the cross in part five of our Altar-ed Life sermon series.
This week our Duke Intern Savannah Wright delivers our sermon in the fourth week of our series Altar-ed Life!
This week Pastor Adam shares the story of Jesus overturning the tables in the Temple in the third week of our Altar-ed Life sermon series.
This week Pastor Kori delivers our sermon in the 2nd week of our series, “Altar-ed Life”.
Pastor Kori brings us the final installment of our I AM sermon series, “I AM the true vine.”
Join us for this weeks sermon! Pastor Adam shares with us Jesus’s statement, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
This week Pastor Adam looks at Jesus’s statement, “I AM the resurrection and the life.”
Today Pastor Kori looks at Jesus’s statement, “I am the Good Shepard.” You don’t want to miss this awesome sermon!
Pastor Adam brings us our message this week! Join us as we explore Jesus’s statement, “I am the door of the sheep.”
Join us as Pastor Brad brings us our word this week! We will look at Jesus statement, “I am the Light of the World”!
The 2nd Week of Advent is here! Pastor Adam brings us our word on John the Baptist preparing the way.
Our Advent series kicks off this week! Join us as Pastor Kori preaches about the hope of Advent!
This week our Ministerial Intern, Savannah Wright brings us our word! Make sure you give this one a listen!
This week Pastor Brad delivers our word to us in this weeks installment of our “Renew” sermon series!
Pastor Kori delivers our sermon this week! Join us as she dives into the story of the “Generous Landowner" in Matthew chapter 20!
Pastor Adam looks at how the forgiveness of Jesus looks in our second week of our “Be Like Jesus” series!
Pastor Brad leads us through Acts 8 and the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian! You don’t want to miss this sermon!
Pastor Kori dives into the beautiful story of Ruth is our second week of our Hope On series!
Pastor Kori wraps up our “Lead With Heart” series by taking a look at how we can lead with a repentant heart.
Join us as Pastor Kori shares the amazing story of forgiveness in 2nd Samuel 9: King David showing forgiveness to members of Saul’s family!
Pastor Adam brings us the story of Kind David trying to build a temple to God! King David learns to lead with humility!
Join Pastor Adam and Pastor Kori as they both share how the Holy Spirit is doing a new thing today, just like the first Pentecost!
Pastor Kori brings us the word this week! Join us as she dives back into John 21 and shares the conversation between Peter and Jesus!
Do smells bring back certain emotions for you? Well join us as Pastor Adam as he preaches from John 21 and shares with us just how powerful those emotions can be!
Join Pastor Adam as he tells the story of the conspiracy to cover the resurrection of Jesus and the commission that Jesus gave to his disciples!
Join us this week as Pastor Brad kicks off our “Beyond the Tomb” sermon series and talks about “doubting Thomas!” Can our doubts and questions really be a good thing? Spoiler alert: Yes they can!
Join Pastor Kori and Pastor Adam as they sit around a table and talk about prayer habits! They offer some great tips and resources, so sit back and join us!
Pastor Adam looks at one of the most famous Bible passages, as we continue our “We’ve Got Questions” series!
Pastor Kori begins our new Lenten sermon series, “We’ve Got Questions,” which gives us answers to the questions that Jesus asked!
Join us for our Ash Wednesday service as Pastor Kori leads is into the season of Lent 2020.