Floris UMC Sermons: Recent Episodes
Floris UMC Sermons
September 29 – Dining with Jesus: At the Table with Friends from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Dining with Jesus: At the Table with Friends
Luke 24:41-49
Jesus uses a familiar meal to reveal how his sacrificial love will transform hearts for all time. What do you really believe about Holy Communion? How can our engagement of heart and life be an extension of Jesus’ desire for us to partake in what he began at “The Last Supper?”
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September 22 – Dining with Jesus: A Meal for a Lifetime from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Dining with Jesus: A Meal for a Lifetime
Luke 22:14-20
Jesus uses a familiar meal to reveal how his sacrificial love will transform hearts for all time. What do you really believe about Holy Communion? How can our engagement of heart and life be an extension of Jesus’ desire for us to partake in what he began at “The Last Supper?”
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September 15 – Dining with Jesus: Eating with the Enemy from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Dining with Jesus: Eating with the Enemy
Luke 19:1-10
What if you found yourself at the table of one of the most disliked people in the community? Jesus places himself there in the redemption story of Zacchaeus. How might we see those desperately looking for Jesus (even those we may not like) and extend the table of grace to them?
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September 8 – Dining with Jesus: Welcoming the Unexpected from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Dining with Jesus: Welcoming the Unexpected
Luke 7:36-39
Have you had that experience of expecting certain company at a meal and then someone shows up that no one guessed would be there? This happens to Jesus early in his ministry while dining with religious leaders. His embrace of the unexpected guest shows us how wide his table is envisioned to be and Jesus’ radical welcome challenges us to see God’s grace at work in the unexpected.
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September 1 – Jesus Said Whaaat?: Do Not Judge from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Jesus Said Whaaat?: Do Not Judge
Matthew 7:1-6
Don’t you hate hypocrisy? Jesus does too! There’s a way to be in community together honestly and without judgment.
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August 25 – Jesus Said Whaaat?: Do Not Worry from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Jesus Said Whaaat?: Do Not Worry
Matthew 6:25-34
Jesus can’t be serious about being worry-free…right? Let’s imagine together a life of trust.
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August 18 – Jesus Said Whaaat?: Be Bright, Be Salty from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Jesus Said Whaaat?: Be Bright, Be Salty
Matthew 5:13-16
Why does Jesus tell us to be salt and light? Why would we want to do that today? Let’s explore how we can embody Jesus’ perfect love wherever we go.
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August 11 – Things Jesus Never Said: Everything Happens from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Things Jesus Never Said: Everything Happens
Matthew 5:1-12
“Everything happens for a reason.” Knowing there’s a purpose behind our pain is comforting… or is it? Jesus teaches that God can bring goodness even in suffering, but not that suffering is for good. Come and learn from the most famous sermon of all time.
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August 4 – Don’t Look Back, Something Might Be Gaining on You from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Don’t Look Back, Something Might Be Gaining on You
Luke 9:51-62
We are in a new reality. Things like the pandemic and disaffiliating United Methodist Churches are behind us. What is God calling us to do now?
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July 28 – Things Jesus Never Said: God Doesn’t Give You… from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Things Jesus Never Said: God Doesn’t Give You…
Matthew 28:16-20
“God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.” In a culture where we’re often left to our own devices, people think it is encouraging to tell us we can get through any situation under our own strength. Sometimes, this simply isn’t true, and we feel we have way more than we can handle. The promise of Jesus is that he is with us through it all.
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July 21 – Ask the Pastors from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Why Do You Go On Mission Trips?
John 20:19-12
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
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July 14- Ask the Pastors from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Why Do You Stay With Jesus?
Psalm 52:8
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
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July 7- Ask the Pastors from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Why Do You Follow God?
Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is the assurance[a] of things hoped for, the conviction[b] of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith[c] our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
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June 30- Taking the Church on Vacation from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Stay in Character
Colossians 3:12-17
“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord[a] has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ[b] rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ[c] dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.[d] 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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June 23- Taking the Church on Vacation from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Bless Others
1 Corinthians 10:23-33
“All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. 24 Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26 for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— 29 I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved.
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June 16- Taking the Church on Vacation from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Be Restful
Mark 6:30-44
The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. 35 When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; 36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And all ate and were filled, 43 and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
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June 9- Student Sunday from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Dynamic Life: Prayer
Luke 10:25-37
An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.[a] “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
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June 2- Dynamic Life from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Dynamic Life: Prayer
Acts 4:23-31
After they were released, they went to their own people and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, 25 it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:[a]
‘Why did the gentiles rage
and the peoples imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
and the rulers have gathered together
against the Lord and against his Messiah.’[b]
27 “For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant[c] Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant[d] Jesus.” 31 When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
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May 26- Dynamic Life from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Dynamic Life: Healing
Acts 4:8-14
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are being asked how this man has been healed,[a] 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,[b] whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus[c] is
‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.’[d]
12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. 14 When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
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May 19- Dynamic Life from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Dynamic Life
Acts 2:1-12
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
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May 5- An Inheritance of Promises from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Hebrews 6:9-12
An Inheritance of Promises
9 Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the[a] love that you showed for his sake[b] in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, 12 so that you may not become sluggish but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises..
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April 28 Meaning of Life Love Multiplies from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
1 Corinthians 13:1-7
The Gift of Love
13 If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all my possessions and if I hand over my body so that I may boast[a] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
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April 21 Love In Action Confirmation Sunday from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Matthew 22:37-39
37 He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
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April 14 2024 The Meaning of Life: Rooted in Gods Love from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
1 John 4:7-12
God Is Love
7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
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Here I raise My Ebenezer 04.07.2024 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Acts 3:1-10
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
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Mar 31 2024 And I Hope from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Luke 24:1-12
The Resurrection of Jesus
24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body.[a] 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women[b] were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men[c] said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen.[d] 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.[e]
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Mar 24 2024 Bind My Heart from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
John 6:61-69
61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who were the ones who did not believe and who was the one who would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”[a]
John 12:12-19
Jesus’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—
the King of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.
Look, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. 17 So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.[a] 18 It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 19 The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”
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Mar 17 2024 Here’s My Heart from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
John 21:12-17
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Jesus and Peter
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Psalm 119:9-16
9 How can young people keep their way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
do not let me stray from your commandments.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 I delight in the way of your decrees
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
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Mar 10 2024 I’m Fixed Upon It from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Matthew 16:21-23
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance[a] to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Psalm 107:1-13
Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.[a]
4 Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to an inhabited town;
5 hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress;
7 he led them by a straight way,
until they reached an inhabited town.
8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
9 For he satisfies the thirsty,
and the hungry he fills with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom,
prisoners in misery and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor;
they fell down, with no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress;
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Mar 3 2024 Praise the Mount from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Matthew 16:13-20
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[a] the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter,[b] and on this rock[c] I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was[d] the Messiah.[e]
Psalm 19
God’s Glory in Creation and the Law
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God,
and the firmament[a] proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice[b] goes out through all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens[c] he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens
and its circuit to the end of them,
and nothing is hid from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect one’s own errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;[d]
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
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Feb 25 Wandering Heart: Rescue Me from Danger (2024) from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Psalm 22:23-31
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he did not despise or abhor
the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me[a]
but heard when I[b] cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
26 The poor[c] shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.[d]
28 For dominion belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
29 To him,[e] indeed, shall all who sleep in[f] the earth bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
and I shall live for him.[g]
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord
31 and[h] proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
saying that he has done it.
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Feb 18 Wandering Heart: Jesus Sought Me (2024) from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Luke 5:1-11
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
5 Once while Jesus[a] was standing beside the Lake of Gennesaret and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to burst. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’s knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astounded at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Psalm 25:1-10
Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance
Of David.
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
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Why Church: Believe_ 09-10-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Exodus 14:10-14, Exodus 14:21-29
10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed[a] the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward[b] it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.
29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
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LetsHope_09-03-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Mark 10:46-52
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
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LetsBe_8-27-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Mark 12:28-34 The Greatest Commandment 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, […]
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LetsConnect_ 08-20-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Mark 10:13-16 The Little Children and Jesus 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the […]
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LetsGo_8-13-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Mark 6:6-9 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the […]
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WhereDoWeGoFromHere_8-6-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Acts 10:30-48 30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in […]
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WhatDoYouNeed_7-30-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Job 2:11-13 11 When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set […]
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WhereAreYouFrom_7-16-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Genesis 1:26-27 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in […]
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LetUsRunWithPerseverance_7-9-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Hebrews 12:1-3 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that […]
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StoriesOfFaith_7-2-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Ephesians 4:1-6 Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ 4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the […]
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AllMeansAll_6-25-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Acts 10:44-48 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were […]
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InTheNameOfTheLord_6-18-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Psalm 118:19-29 19 Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord through which the […]
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IntoTheDeep_6-11-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Matthew 4:18-20 Jesus Calls His First Disciples 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. […]
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GodBlessesUs_6-4-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
1 Chronicles 17:16-27
David’s Prayer16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:
“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.
18 “What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, 19 Lord. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.
20 “There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 21 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22 You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.
23 “And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.
25 “You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. 26 You, Lord, are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. 27 Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.”
Acts 2:36-39
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
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GodEquipsUs_5-28-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
1 Chronicles 17:7-8
7 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth.
Acts 2:1-8
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?
Acts 2:11-13
11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
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GodsPlaceIsWithUs_5-21-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
1 Chronicles 17:1-6
God’s Promise to David
17 After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.”
2 Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.”
3 But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:
4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. 5 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. 6 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders[a] whom I commanded to shepherd my people, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’
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WhenThingsFallApart_Spirit_5-14-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Matthew 11:28-30
28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
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WhenThingsFallApart_Mind_5-7-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
1 Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
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WhenThingsFallApart-Body_4-30-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Matthew 8:14-17
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”[a]
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Remember_04-23-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Matthew 3:11-17
11 “I baptize you with[a] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
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ItIsTrue_4-16-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
The road to Emmaus was an eye-opening, life-changing experience for two disciples. What does it mean for us today?
Luke 24:13-35
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
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Resurrection_Easter_4-9-23_1 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Christ is risen! What does that mean for our lives and the world today?
Luke 24:1-12
Jesus Has Risen
24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
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JesusAndTheVulnerable_4-2-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Jesus is hung on a cross to die between two outlaws. Yet even in death, Jesus continued to seek the lost and vulnerable. How can we learn to love and trust God amid hardship?
Luke 23:32-43
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[b]”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
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JesusToTheUnlikelyPeople_3-26-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
This Sunday, we will look at the last week of Jesus’ life. How do his actions help us understand what it means to welcome the outsider and live from a place of curiosity rather than judgment?
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus and Zacchaeus19 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
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JesusWithTheSick_3-19-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
In the final weeks of Jesus’ life, he journeyed toward Jerusalem. Each story along the way highlights the urgency of Jesus’ mission, lifting up the lowly. Find out how we can learn from Jesus.
Luke 5:12-16
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[a] When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
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JesusOnTheFringes_3-12-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Jesus often taught people by telling stories called parables. Today we explore two parables unique to Luke that show us how Jesus came to lift up the lowly.
Luke 10:25-37
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
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JesusLiftsUpWomen_3-5-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Jesus acknowledged and valued women throughout his entire ministry. The Hebrew Bible and New Testament have stories of strong women, and compassionate leaders. How does this teach us about Jesus’ value of inclusion for all people?
Luke 7:36-48
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
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WhoIsIncluded_2-26-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
God values all people, even those some might consider lowly. How might we, as God’s people, join God in honoring and caring for those others overlook? Learning to live into justice and mercy is the work of Lent.
Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
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CurativeConflict_2-19-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Conflict is inevitable, even in healthy relationships. But the good news is that debate helps us grow trust and create positive outcomes. Jesus teaches there are healthy ways to have conflict and learn to live into our best selves. Join us as we explore ways to manage our emotions so that we can fully live to our strengths.
Matthew 18:15-20
15 “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Colossians 3:12-15
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
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YoureNotMe_2-12-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
We are constantly engaging with others, whether in a long-term intimate relationship or a brand-new one. How we engage with others is a byproduct of the family that raised us. So, it is essential to use the best of what we learned while growing up. The Hebrew Bible shows us we can live with open curiosity, honoring the sacred in others even when we do not fully understand them.
Genesis 18:1-8
The Three Visitors
18 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord,[a] do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs[b] of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
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BeginWithYou_2-5-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Your relationship with others begins with your relationship with yourself and your mental health. It’s important to know yourself because you take yourself into every relationship. We will explore the skill of noticing what moments or relationships cause distress or anxiety and how faith can be self-care. To know others, we must first know ourselves!
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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WhyDoTheInnocentSuffer_1-29-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Innocent suffering is the number one reason people turn away from their faith. How could a good and loving God allow bad things to happen? This week, we will examine a boy named Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers.
Genesis 37:18-28
18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.
19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.
23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.
26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.
28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels[a] of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
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BishopJohnson_1-22-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
This week, we welcome Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of the Virginia UMC Conference.
2 Corinthians 5:16-2116 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
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WhenPrayersFeelUnanswered_1-15-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
How do we know if God answers our prayers? What are we to think when we ask God for the deepest longings of our hearts and don’t feel heard? This week, we will look at the longing of the Psalmist and the reality of Jesus’ unanswered prayer.
Psalm 22:1-8
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David.1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.[b]
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the one Israel praises.[c]
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
“let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.”
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ExistenceOfGod_1-8-23 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Does God know and love me? Faith does not mean never having doubt, but sometimes it’s hard to understand how to move forward when we doubt our faith. This week, we will explore having faith amid doubts.
Psalm 19:1-41 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
Psalm 139:13-14
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Mark 9:17-24
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
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BeJoyful_12-18-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
With only seven days to go, we discuss ways to find the most important qualities of a meaningful Christmas. Join us to discover practical steps to find your joy.
Luke 2:8-158 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
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Floris UMC on Vimeo
When the angel told Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus, her first response was one of worship. This Advent, amid the rush of gifts, parties and decorating, we can follow Mary’s example and offer our devotion to the Christ child.
Luke 1:46-55Mary’s Song46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
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Forgive_12-4-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Christmas is a time for giving – presents to our friends and family, time to service, and money so others can enjoy gifts. While we are in this giving mode, why not give the gift of forgiveness? Jesus came to earth to reconcile us to God and others. Let us remember that gift this Christmas.
Isaiah 11:1-9The Branch From Jesse11 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
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BecauseItsChristmasBelieve_11-27-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Sometimes the innocent joy of Christmas experienced by children becomes a tired cynicism of the season when we become adults. We can still find the beauty and excitement of Christmas. But, it will come from believing in a Savior, not a season.
John 1:1-18The Word Became Flesh1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
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Thanksgiving_11-20-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Thanksgiving is more than a day, a weekend or even a season. Join us to hear how thankfulness restores and nurtures people of faith. Philippians […]
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Salvation_11-13-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Salvation is a difficult word for many to understand, yet it’s vital to our faith. Discover the power and grace present in salvation. 2 Timothy […]
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TasteAndSee_11-6-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. This sermon will focus on the power of Holy Communion. Learn about its meaning and how this sacred meal can sustain us beyond Sunday. Psalm 34:1-9 1 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. […]
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LoveYourNeighbor_10-30-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. The Great Commandment captures all the teaching of Jesus in one sentence. When it is embossed on our character, we enjoy guidance in life and joy in relationships. Matthew 22:34-40 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this […]
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BeHumble_10-23-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Sometimes God has requirements for us to meet if we are to be God’s people. These requirements help us understand how to live, speak, and act. And they will help us live well during an election season and beyond. Micah 6:6-8 6 With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down […]
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BeKind_10-16-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Jesus Christ enables us to engage in conversations about complex issues with wisdom, kindness, and truth. Ephesians helps us gain important guardrails for discussion and be the best we can be while interacting with others. Ephesians 4:22-32 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put […]
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BeJust_10-9-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. During a month when we often discuss elections and politics, an ancient prophet may bring wisdom and insight to our conversations. With images of health and vitality, Isaiah helps us think about God’s will for our lives and our society, and God’s unique focus on justice. Isaiah 58:1-12 “Shout it […]
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A Legacy Of Generosity_10-2-2022 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Generosity is not an act we hope to accomplish someday if we have enough left over. It is a lifestyle God requires from those who follow Jesus Christ. It is also a pathway to a truly joyful and transformed life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 17 As for the rich […]
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LegacyOfIntention_9-25-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. When we understand our intentions for life, we align our resources and serve our goals. When we don’t, we are fools who look back on our opportunities and regret what our lives never accomplished. Luke 12:13-21 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the […]
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A Legacy of Order Sept 18 2022 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Order in our financial world brings us peace of mind and the ability to provide for our needs, save for our future and enjoy the present. The wisdom of the Bible informs how we order our financial world and changes our lives for good. […]
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BeSomethingSaySomething_9-11-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Authentic faith can spark curiosity and stir up interest in others to know Christ. What practices help make that possible? In what ways can you put your genuine faith into words? Come and experience the invitation to be an authentic witness. Acts 13:1-3 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were […]
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FromMeToWe_9-4-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. We experience authentic faith in the gathering of people. It moves us from “me to we.” It forms us and shapes us to live into the power of Christ’s gathered community, which we cannot experience alone. Experience the joy of community and what that means for our capacity to live […]
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HereAndNow_8-28-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Authentic faith is about the here and now. We each have stories of tradition and experiences of Christ, but we can have fresh encounters with him in the present. In what ways can we experience Christ in the present? Learn about the present activity of Christ in our lives and […]
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MoreThanEnough_8-21-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Have you ever felt like you are not good enough? We live in a culture of more that causes people to want more, do more and be more. Join us to learn how Christ breaks us free from this culture of more. Colossians 2:6-19 Spiritual Fullness in Christ […]
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SummerTour_DoYouLoveMe_8-14-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. What does it mean to be deeply in love with God? This message will explore how King David loved God and how God’s love for David, and us, is relentless. Psalm 63:1-8 1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for […]
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SummerTour_The Finders Joy 8-7-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. We spend much of our lives searching for happiness. We give so much of our time, treasures and talents to this cause. Yet we often discover that joy is momentary and fleeting. What if there is a way to live with a constant source of happiness […]
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TheWonderOfLove_7-31-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. The love of God enables us to do what would be otherwise difficult: to love other people well and consistently. When we allow the love of God to flow to us, we find that it will also flow through us. This movement creates friendships, kindness, deep relationships and concern […]
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WonderOfHumanity_7-24-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Humans are a wonder. God has given us the capacity to build technology and advance science. We can do great things when we live and work in the gracious boundaries of our faith and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is a source of hope for the future! […]
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WonderOfCreation2_7-17-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. As we wonder at God’s handiwork in creation, we joyfully accept our role as stewards of this creation. This week, we learn what the scripture calls us to do for the current state of our environment. Psalm 8 1 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You […]
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WonderOfCreation1_7-10-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Being outdoors, in God’s creation, tunes our hearts to the beauty of life and the wonder of creation. Whether at the beach, mountains or park, we can experience God in a new way when we have eyes that see the sacred around us. This week, Psalm 65 helps us see […]
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TheResponsibilityOfCitizenship_7-3-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. What does the Bible say about citizenship? This Sunday, we will explore our role as citizens through the lens of scripture. Learn how to be actively involved in making our community the best possible place for all. Matthew 22:15-22 15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him […]
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GoodNews_6-26-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. The world is short of good news. The Holy Spirit gives us eyes to see the good around us and a voice to offer people hope about what God is doing in the world. Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the […]
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Empowerment_6-19-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Do you avoid hard things you should do but find that you don’t want to? Many times, God asks us to undertake challenges or heal relationships that we know will be difficult to do. This week, Ezekiel teaches us that we are not alone when we are asked to do […]
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Confidence_6-12-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Do you ever lack confidence? Do you ever feel that you are not good enough? Do you ever think that you will never be good enough to have the life you have always wanted? Come and hear how the Holy Spirit gives us a new sense of confidence that […]
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Speaking_6-5-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Do you sometimes regret the things you say? Sometimes we regret the words we use. Sometimes we regret how we say things to people because it wounds them. This week, discover how the Holy Spirit can guide us in a way that makes our speech life-giving. Genesis 11:1-9 11 Now […]
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Embrace Empathy_5-29-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. We all make mistakes; it is the nature of our lives. But sometimes, we take drastic measures to demonize those who make big mistakes and define them by their mistakes. When we do that, Jesus shows us that embracing empathy can create a path toward healing and reconciliation. […]
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Embrace Curiosity_5-22-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. In the early church, we read about a eunuch from Ethiopia who sought to worship God at the temple in Jerusalem but was turned away. Having traveled so far to learn about and worship God, the Holy Spirit sent Philip to find the eunuch and teach him about […]
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FindingFaithInThePandemic_5-15-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Romans 8:31-39 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any […]
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Victory_5-8-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Victory happens through surrender. That is such a contradictory statement, yet, Jesus surrendered his life and gave it up for us. Then, God resurrected Christ, returning with even greater glory. When we learn to surrender our lives to God, God gives us victory over sin and death in Christ. […]
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Greatness_5-1-2022 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Jesus redefines greatness by serving others. Jesus did not exercise his power over others, but he humbly served people with his life. Being great is not about status and authority, but about our power to serve others. The goal is to be great in our service to others, like […]
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Righteousness(ByFaith)_4-24-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Righteousness ultimately means to be right with God, but what do we have to do to become right with God? We are made righteous by our faith in Jesus Christ. We can live a life knowing that God already considers us right and that supports our meaningful life. […]
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Lord_4-17-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. To say Jesus is the Lord of my life is to acknowledge that I am willing to submit to the authority of Christ. It is a powerful and frightening statement. What does this mean and how do we live this life faithfully? John 20:1-18 20 Early on the first […]
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Savior_4-10-2022 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. The crucifixion of Christ is the gateway to our salvation. Many have seen salvation as a ticket to heaven after our death. Learning the meaning of ‘Savior’ will help you understand how the death of Christ is the pathway to a meaningful life today. Isaiah 43:1-11 43 But now, […]
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Presence_4-3-2022 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. The first disciples experienced the real presence of Jesus in the flesh. Through that presence, they felt the love and joy of following Jesus. They learned to trust God and that they could do hard things. When we consider that Jesus is still present with us today, it changes […]
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Way_3-27-2022 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Jesus offers us an invitation to a path, a Way of living that is different from the world. The Way is not a technique or a map, rather an opportunity to live in this world in a way that brings us closer to the love of God. Jesus demonstrates […]
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Teacher_3-20-2022 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. Teachers are often our first heroes. They welcome us into the mystery of learning and encourage us to expand our mind and spirit, beyond what we think is possible. Jesus was an itinerant teacher for his entire ministry. He taught by the sea, on a hillside and in the […]
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Friend_3-13-2022 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. ‘Friend’ seems a nice way of understanding Jesus, yet it is often dismissed as ridiculous. The New Testament recounts the deep friendships that Jesus had with those who chose to follow him. What would it mean to embrace Jesus as a divine friend? How might that friendship inform our […]
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TheNameAboveEveryName_3-6-2022 from Floris UMC on Vimeo. When we understand who Jesus is, we discover what it means to follow him. Early Christians taught that Jesus was the name that was above all names. When we understand why that was important to them, it becomes life-changing for us also. Philippians 2:1-11 2 Therefore if you have […]
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StretchingBeyond_2-27-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
A resilient faith is rooted in the hope that God’s Kingdom is revealed through Jesus Christ, that our sins are forgiven, and that healing and reconciliation take place. This week, as we seek to live with a resilient faith, we will put all of our trust in Jesus, the Son of God, to teach us the way.
Matthew 12:1-13
12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’[a] you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.
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ModelingBehavior_2-20-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
We’ve set a firm foundation and begun initiating practices of faith. The next step is to look for and/or be a role model for others. This week, we look at the Gospel stories where Jesus implores his followers to recognize that the state of our hearts and souls is intertwined with our actions and words.
Matthew 12:33-37
33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
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StartingSmall_2-13-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Often when we take on a new practice or seek to improve our lives, our expectations are beyond our capacity. These expectations leave us burned out or discouraged. This week, we look at how Jesus teaches us that even the smallest action can have a lasting impact.
Matthew 13:33-35
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.
35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”
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SettingAFoundation_2-6-22 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
To build a resilient faith and encourage that in others, we need a firm foundation. When we live by faith through our actions and prayers and recognize our belovedness, we are on our way to a resilient faith life. This week, we will describe the practices of faith that set a firm foundation.
Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
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BeginWithTheEndInMind_1-30-22.mp4 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
This sermon looks at scripture to learn about the continuous flow of God’s love in our lives. The following scripture passages are discussed: Genesis 2:8-10, Psalm 46:4-5, Ezekiel 47:1-12, John 7:37-38 and Revelation 22:1-3.
Revelation 22:1-3
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
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HopeAndHealing_1-23-2022.mp4 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
All healing, whether physical, emotional or spiritual, requires the presence of hope in our lives. We believe that God can bring healing to our lives. But like the man in this account, we wrestle with unbelief. Jesus understands our struggle and enables us to find the hope we need.
Mark 9:14-29
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.
18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered.
22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.”
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
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HopeAndCynicism_1-16-2022.mp4 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Hope is a guide, an inner compass that enables us to continue along the path of servanthood that cynicism would misdirect. Join us as we learn about the good of hope and how to help encourage it in ourselves and others.
Hebrews 10:19-25
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
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HowtoHaveHope_1-9-22.mp4 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
We all want hope, but there is little instruction on how this virtue becomes a part of our lives. The author of the letter to the Hebrews tells us that there are insights found in the story of the children of Israel crossing the wilderness. Come hear how to have hope in your life.
Hebrews 6:13-20
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,
14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”
15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.
17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.
18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek
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HopeInHardship_1-2-22.mp4 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
The story of Jesus’ birth is quickly followed by the death of children on the order of a paranoid king. Many people experience tragedy and suffering as a sign of God’s absence. What is the nature of our hope when Jesus was born amid the sorrow of mothers whose children were slain and whose families became refugees fleeing for their lives?
Matthew 2:13-18
13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,
15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.
17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”
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UnexpectedChallenge_12-12-21.mp4 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Disappointment can become so common in life that it becomes our story. Elizabeth faced the challenge of resilience and prevailed. She has much to teach us about how to turn lagging spirits into renewed trust.
Luke 1:39-45
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,
40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
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UnexpectedCalling_12-5-21.mp4 from Floris UMC on Vimeo.
Mary’s life was interrupted and forever changed by the visit of an angel. Her faithful acceptance of God’s calling for her life demonstrates how attuned she was to what God was doing in the world. Mary shows us how to handle the challenge of decisions that come in ways we cannot predict. Her story also reveals how to take the next faithful step in life.
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
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Luke 1:5-25
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
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Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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