Southport Trinity United Methodist Church: Recent Episodes
southporttrinityumc
Enjoy weekly sermons from Trinity United Methodist Church, Southport, NC. Trinity offers worship services at 8:15, 9:30, and 11:00 each Sunday. Also look for our weekly devotions called Pastor on the Porch (POP) on our YouTube Channel or as an audio version on this channel.
What could be better that just getting along? Jesus gives us simple instructions on how to deal with conflict and yet we seem to try to find more "comfortable" ways. Through Jesus' instructions we find that reconciliation can be far better than our ways.
Pastor Gary shares some important warnings found in the scriptures about how we should approach the scriptures and the importance of reading the Word for ourselves.
Can you believe that Jesus entrusted the keys to the kingdom to Peter? He did, and he entrusts those keys to us too. So, what does that mean for us today?
A Canaanite woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter. A as Jew Jesus should not have even been communicating with this woman and yet this story takes a turn and through this we see how his circle becomes increasingly bigger throughout his ministry.
Jesus commanded Peter to get out of the boat and walk on water. But how many times do God or Jesus do that? Have you ever noticed that when our Lord speaks, things happen?
Five thousand or more were fed with two loaves and a few fish. They were not only fed but were filled. What does that say about our God? In this world of scarcity, how can we find abundance?
Jesus explained to his disciples what the Kingdom of God was like through parables and at the end asked if they understood. Of course they said, "yes, boss." But did they? Do we? How is it that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, or yeast, or a treasure in a field?
Paul writes to the the church in Rome, a church that is meeting in catacombs and praying to not be caught by the Romans. All they see is persecution and they ask, "Paul, is there any hope?' There is hope, even for us today, a hope that is in the unseen.
We have often looked at Matthew 13:1-9 from the standpoint of what kind of soil we need to be in order to receive the word. But have you ever thought about the sower? Why did he just throw seed everywhere? Did he not know the basics of good farming or was God trying to tell more about his character and how extravagant his grace is?
We have been given a mission and have been sent...but what is our mission and to where should we go?
Among his many miracles, Jesus healed people and raised them from the dead. Does this still amaze you or have you become so accustomed to the stories that there is little wonder left in them? We should all still stand in amazement of what Jesus did for us.
The book of Luke shares some stories that are not found in the other four gospels and many times these stories are about those considered as lowly or outcast. Luke wanted to make sure to share Jesus' love for these people.
When Jesus came into the temple and saw they money changers taking advantage of those coming to worship he got angry. "This is to be a house of prayer," he said.
Jesus went up the mountain and was transfigured...there are four important questions that can be taken from this story to help us evaluate our walk with Jesus.
Three different blind men were healed by Jesus, each differently. In this we can see that each of us may experience Jesus differently and yet it is with the same compassion that Jesus comes to each of us.
The book of Mark describes Jesus in different ways than the other three gospels. Jesus is awe inspiring, human, empathetic, compassionate, and moving in our current lives.
When you are tired and weary, when the world is overwhelming, when all feels lost, Jesus says, "come." Come all ye weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Jesus dined with sinners and the Pharisees questioned him. Do we still do the same with people in Christianity?
The scriptures today give a synopsis of Jesus ministry in three ways. As we continue in the book of Matthew we look at a defining moment in Jesus' life and the three things that defined his ministry.
As we enter a new year we look at the clean slate. For some it looks scary knowing what is ahead. For some it looks like great possibilities. And for others they are still reeling from the past year and are having trouble looking ahead at all. But in all of these, we must know that there is hope, and not just hope but where that hope comes from.
Sometimes we look at big names in the Bible and think they had no flaws. That God chose them because they did it all right. But that is not the case in the Bible. Many of our heroes have made big mistakes and yet God uses them anyway and He is there with them through it all.
You are holy and precious to God. He will not discard you. He will come beside you and uphold you with his mighty right hand.
As a follow up to the Human Trafficking conference held at Trinity the day before, Jim Foster of International Justice Mission shares moving stories as well as how we can help with a very difficult and important issue.
In conclusion: God is God and we are not. Pastor Stuart uses Ecclesiastes to help unpack that.
God did not create us to do everything ourselves. He created us to be in community with one another and to learn to lean on each other. When live get's hard it's good to remember that we are better together.
One of the most well known scriptures in Ecclesiastes says that everything has it's time under heaven. But where is it you focus your time?
The beginning of a new series on Ecclesiastes starts with a scripture touting everything as meaningless, everything the same, and nothing new under heaven. But, as Pastor Stuart will share, there is something new and it is what brings all meaning.
We have all been hurt at some point in our live. Pastor Gary outlines what is God's responsibility and what is our responsibility in order to begin healing from the damage.
I a world filled with division it is important to remember that we, as Christians, can come together, even in our differences, to be the body of Christ.
Things happen in our lives, or we do things that bring us shame and regrets. As we focus on the Cross and Key Prison ministry this week, Pastor Mark shares that for all of us our hope is found in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 31 paints quite the picture of a woman and mother. There is so much to be learned from our own moms and those who have been mother figures in our lives.
Jesus has done so much for each of us. It is our job therefor, to go and tell the world.
There are important lessons we can pick up from our fathers that point to helping us live our our biblical purpose.
God is our master gardener. He is the one in charge. Sometimes we are tempted to be the one to pluck the weeds out of the field before the harvest. But God says that is His job and we should grow together.
A powerful question...what kind of legacy will you leave. Does it point to love? Does it point to Jesus Christ?
It's Fourth of July weekend and a good time to look at what America was founded on. Also a great time to get back to the basics of what our faith is founded on.
As a wrap up to our Vacation Bible School Pastor Stuart revisits his character Rabbi Stu from the week to share how Jesus effected him as a teacher of Synagogue school.
A great reminder that in the midst of everything going on in this world God is still the one in control.
On this Stephen Ministry Commissioning Sunday, Pastor Stuart reminds us that we are called to care for others. We are called, just at the men who lowered their friend through a roof to be healed by Jesus, to bear the burdens of other is Christ's name.
Pastor Mark shares why the day of Pentecost is celebrated each year and why that should matter to us as a church.
On this Memorial Day weekend we stop to remember and hear a story of Ichabod, Phineas, and Ebenezer. Not Ichabod Crane, not Phineas and Ferb, and not Ebenezer Scrooge but possibly men that should be remembered more than these.
We have finally come to the end of the story of Jonah. He has arrived at Ninevah and prophesied about God. The people have turned from their ways and are honoring God. Jonah goes outside the city to sit and see what happens. It is not what Jonah expects but what does happen shows us much about the character of our Great Big God.
Jonah is out of the whale and headed toward Ninnevah to speak the word of God. The whale may have seemed amazing but could it be even more amazing that every person in Ninnevah turned toward God. Every single person!!
Have you ever been in the belly of a whale? Well, probably not but there are times in life where it feels as if all may be lost. In that moment Jonah cries out to God and God gives him a second chance. Likewise, God is not done with any of us yet and is ready for us to call out to Him.
God called Jonah to prophesy to Nineveh but Jonah did not listen. Do we take the time to get quiet and listen to God...and the more importantly, do we listen to what God is calling us to do?
Pastor Mark shares an important message about Christians and God's plan for us in His creation on this weekend of Earth Day.
Al three pastors take us on the journey of Christ's last week. From one street that led a triumphant entry to another that led to his death, it all of this, does it change anything? Does it change you?
Jesus says "I am the bread of life." He came that we may not hunger for spiritual food but have everlasting life in him.
Jesus came to teach, he came to die for our sins, and yet he also came to be an example of a humble servant. This is shown so clearly as he knelt down to wash the feet of his disciples.
Jesus said let the children come. Pastor Mark shares 10 reasons why we should be like children in our faith walk.
Nicodemus questioned how we can emerge from our mother's womb a second time. Truly, truly, amen, amen, Jesus answers. And continues to explain how we are to be born again through Him.
How many times have you said or sung the word Amen. In this new sermon series we will look at the many biblical meanings of the word and how it effects our lives.
Jesus went up the mountain and was transfigured but it is also important to remember that he came down from the holy place to serve.
It is Scout Sunday and a great time to look at one of the ways we are called to be prepared. How are you prepared for difficult people you encounter? This Psalm gives us some advice.
Jesus said to Simon, go back out into the deep water and cast your nets again. Simon was tired from a long night of catching nothing but still followed Jesus' instructions. Do we still listen for Jesus calling us into deep waters?
Moses was called. David was called. Jeremiah was called. Isaiah was called. Mary was called. Who is called? You are called.
How well do you listen for the voice of God. For Jesus, he heard it audibly on the day of his baptism, but God still speaks to us in so many ways and he has a very important message to share with each of us.
We look at another word today as we discover the importance of the kings in our Christmas story.
We don't know if they were kings or wise men. We don't know if they came from the Orient or from the nearer east. There could have been 3 or 300. There are many things we don't know about the kings but what we do know is what they brought to Jesus and how that pointed to the person and Lord that Jesus was to be.
The message of the angels on Christmas even can be summed up with the letters that spell their name.
The Angel Gabriel visits us during worship with a word from God. (Note: we had some recording difficulties so the sound is a little jumpy)
An angel appears to Zachariah, gives him news, and then renders him speechless. How did that change how he responded to the coming of Jesus and how does it change your response?
We are called to something bigger than what we think the world has called us to. We are called to purpose by God.
Matthew 6:24 can be a challenging one. So many little things, and even some big ones creep in and begin to take the place of God as number one in our life.
As we come to one of the more difficult parts of the Sermon on the Mount, we ask the question, "What do you Treasure?" This is sometimes a hard question to answer but an important one as we seek to draw closer to Christ.
There are many verses in the bible about judging each other. This week Pastor Mark focuses on the one from the sermon on the mount, "judge not, that you be not judged."
When did you receive your first Bible? Pastor Stuart offers a look at the scriptures in our life...it is the words that bring us light and life.
We see the word blessed all around us these days, on our clothing, our mugs, our pillows, and signs. But what does it really mean to be blessed? We will take a look at this through the beatitudes.
We will start the sermon series The Good Life not from the beginning but from the end of Jesus' well know message, The Sermon on the Mount.
Pastor Gary shares about how Christ taught us to pray. Our prayers should be personal, as if speaking to a friend; Particular, get specific with God about your needs; and persistent, continue to pray as it is not a one time thing.
On that day 20 years ago our nation came together after the worst terrorist attack but since that day we have done to ourselves what no terrorist could do. We have become more divided and critical of each other than ever. It's time to come back together as we remember.
God has a plan for your life but do you know what that is. Do you listen for God to share with you what his role for you is?
As a nation and a world se just seem to be tired with everything going on around us. But be reminded, our hope comes from trusting in God.
We are all called to share the hope, love and grace that Jesus brought to the world. It is our job to go and tell the world.
Our bodies are not our own for in it dwells the Holy Spirit. Knowing that, how does that change how we treat our bodies?
To whom are you passing the baton of your faith to? Elijah passed it to Elisha and we are called to pass it to our future generations.
In life we will have challenges but God calls us to face them for He is with us through it all.
The 2021 Olympics begin soon and it's a great time to look at the scriptures in the bible that focus on our race as Christians. This week we focus on the discipline it takes to be an athlete and the discipline it takes for us to remain focused on and be more like Jesus.
Every story has an Elephant of Surprise. Pastor Gary shares some of these elephants from scripture.
On this, the fourth of July, we remember that we have freedom in America but that Jesus also came so that all may have freedom through him.
Pastor Stuart shows up as his character from our week of Vacation Bible School with the children. As this character he shares how much they grumbled and complained while on that journey through the desert, but possibly they should have trusted and praised instead.
In preparation for our Vacation Bible School Pastor Stuart shares about Moses and the Israelites as they journeyed through the desert.
Pastor Mark shares 12 aspects of the Holy Spirit to help us understand how it works in our lives.
On this graduation Sunday Pastor Stuart reminds us that because we are children of God, nothing should tear us down.
What are you doing here? Do you have an expectancy for God to work in you and yes, even change you? Pastor Gary helps us take a look at this important question.
What does it mean to retreat, remember, and receive? Great steps to take as we remember the day of Pentecost.
God calls us to be encouragers of each other just as he called Barnabus to be for Paul.
The early Christians were persecuted and the church was scattered, but in the midst of that, they preached the good news about Jesus wherever they went. In our times of being scattered do you choose to complain or proclaim?
At the city gate two disciples were confronted by a man asking for money. Though they had not money, what they shared with that man was more life changing for him and for all those who witnessed it.
Remain connected with Jesus to thrive just as the grapes must stay connected to the vine to continue to produce fruit.
What voices do you listen to loudest in your life? Do you listen for the voice of Jesus, our shepherd? Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling you.
Jesus is the first and brightest light but do we allow his light to illumine what we do and say? Jesus says, "follow me and you will not walk in darkness." Does your life reflect this light that he shares with us?
Bread is one of the most sustaining parts of life. Join Pastor Mark as he opens our I Am: Jesus in His Own Words series with Jesus' first statement. I Am the Bread of Life
As our Draw the Circle prayer journey comes to an end Pastor Stuart reminds us that this was not just a 40 day challenge but a pattern of life that should continue.
Matthew 9:35-38 reminds us that Jesus spent his days healing people and caring for them. It is important that we follow his example in prayer and action.
Based on Psalm 13...we cry out, "How long, O Lord!" How must we pray when we are desperate for God to come, desperate for God to move, and yet, we feel He is not here with us.
When you pray, do you first think of others sin or your own. The story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is a great reminder that when we come to God in prayer we should come humbly.
When we pray the Lord's Prayer we pray some very powerful words that are often harder to live out and to say. In this time of division may we pray for the Kingdom that is in heaven to be on earth.
Jesus made it a priority in his life to spend time in conversation with this Father. Pastor Stuart encourages us to make that kind of conversation a priority in our own lives.
Today we remember Epiphany, the day we remember the Wise Men arriving to meet and bring gifts to Jesus. They came expecting one thing and discovered a very different kind of king. But in all of that it is important remember that the kings spent time bowing at the feet of Jesus and this was likely a habit for them for the rest of their lives.
Saint Nicholas stops by Trinity to share his story and why he did so many of the things that we still honor today.
Christmas is a time when our traditions and the music of the season are so important. This is the first of our advent season so share how these important things can be more than just things, but things that point us toward Christ.
It has been quite a year but through it all we have come together in some amazing ways.
In Paul's message to the Corinthians he reminds them that we are called to continue on and complete what God has started in us through his grace.
Do you take Jesus seriously? Being a Christian is about more than just "pew sittin'." God will judge us on the help we have given, the uncalculated help to the least of these. Pastor Mark shares examples of those that have exemplified this kind of service and love.
This year we have felt very far apart but we are still together in so many ways. One of those should be in the ways we share our time, talent and treasure.
Sometimes during difficult times we are not called to sit around and wait for the other shoe to drop, we are called to action, just as Esther was so many years ago.
Daniel prayed passionately. He gave glory to God and then stopped to truly repent for his sins.
Three men had a huge choice: to bow to the golden statue and honor the king or disobey the king's orders and face certain death. Their choice changed the nation and how their king viewed their God. We are called to make a similar choice each day of our lives.
A strange story of Ezekiel looking over a valley of dry bones reminds us that even in the midst of our dry times, when we are screaming that life was not meant to be this way, God can still breathe his spirit into us and bring life to what seems dead.
How often have we heard lately that someone is just waiting for what's next or for the other shoe to drop. As we begin this series let's start by focusing on today, and in the midst of feeling like we are in exile, let's find joy and have some fun.
When a vineyard owner hires workers throughout the day, and then pays them all the same for different amounts of labor it seems unfair. But this is how God shares his grace to us.
Self Control seems like one of the most difficult Fruits to practice. So how do we begin to learn?
Pastor Stuart uses the story of the adulteress to demonstrate how Jesus showed gentleness and calls us to also.
Spread kindness in every word that you say, spread kindness in every hug you give away...spread kindness and we'll turn this world away.
It is often said, "don't pray for patience for God will surely test it." Do you feel like you have any patience?
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control: All things we could use more of in our world right now. Join Pastor Stuart for the beginning of this exciting series.
One touch of Jesus can change your life. Do you need to reach out to him...or possibly you need to be the one who is reaching out as the hand of Jesus to someone around you.
Sermon by Pastor Mark Hicks from Sunday, March 8, 2020
As we begin our new series, Close Encounters with Jesus, we take a look at Jesus calling his disciples. Are you ready to lay it all down and surrender your life as they did?
Sermon from Sunday, March 1, 2020
Pastor Gary shares a message based on Psalm 23 to help us focus as we begin the season of Lent
Sermon from Wednesday, February 27, 2020
And on the 7th day God rested. In a world where busy is glorified, rest is often one of the biggest things we need to be reminded of. Stop, breathe, and find sabbath.
Sermon from Sunday, February 23, 2020
The most beautiful part of all of creation may very well be what we find in each other.
Sermon from Sunday, February 16, 2020
Dr Dan Juranko from the weekend's Earth Keepers conference reminds us to connection with creation and be restored by it.
Sermon from Sunday, February 9, 2020
Guest Shamiso Mupara shares about the work she is doing on restoration efforts in Zimbabwe.
Birds fly in flocks and fish swim in schools. It is a living reminder to us that we are better when we are together.
Sermon from Sunday, February 2, 2020
The sun comes up and it's a new day. Each day is a new beginning so therefore, do not worry.
"God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness."
Sermon from January 26, 2020
"Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with seed in it." God created plants with seeds and also calls us to plan our seeds of tov (good) into those around us.
Sermon from Sunday, January 19, 2020
On the second day god separated the waters from the sky and created the expanse. It is a reminder that God also calls us to expand ourselves.
Sermon from Sunday, January 12, 2020
All you see, all you don't see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, and inky blackness. Doesn't life feel like that sometimes? But when our world seems darkest is when God brings forth the light.
Message from Sunday, January 5, 2020
Joshua had to make a daily decision to follow God. It wasn't always an easy decision.
Sermon from Sunday, November 24, 2019
A look at how Joshua was an effective leader
Sermon by Mark Hicks. Sunday, November 17, 2019
Lift up your might shield for the battle has already been won.
Sermon from Sunday, November 10, 2019
As Joshua led the Israelites toward the Promised and they had to cross the Jordan river. A miracle happened that allowed they to cross on dry land and once they reached the other side they stopped, praised God, and set stones as a reminder of what God had done.
Sermon from November 3, 2019