Discipling Life

  Choose Life - Grace That Empowers Decision September 7, 2025 – Proper 18, Year C – EUMC & BCUMC Scripture Texts: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1; Philemon 1:1-21; Luke 14:25-33 Introduction: Standing at the Crossroads Every day we make choices. Some are trivial—what to wear, what to eat for breakfast. Others carry weight that extends far beyond the moment. We choose careers that shape decades of our lives. We choose relationships that define our hearts. We choose words that can heal or wound. But among all the choices we face, there is one that stands above all others—a choice so fundamental that it determines the very meaning of our existence. Today’s scriptures present us with this ultimate choice, painted in the starkest possible terms: two ways of living that lead to vastly different destinations. From Moses’ final charge to the people of Israel to Jesus’ radical call to discipleship, we see the same profound truth echoing through the ages. God places before...

The book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, is a complex and powerful New Testament writing that evokes a wide range of reactions due to its strange symbols, visions, and often challenging content. Despite its perceived difficulty, it offers a rich resource of theological treasures and a message of profound significance for its readers. Here are the major themes and concepts of the book of Revelation: Sovereignty of God The ultimate power and control of God is the most central theological theme in Revelation. God is presented as the "Alpha and Omega," the creator and consummator of the world and history. Despite appearances of chaos, confusion, or evil triumphing, Revelation consistently asserts that God is supreme and in control. God's sovereignty is exemplified not through coercive domination, but through the sacrificial work of the Lamb. The heavenly throne room, where God is seated, is depicted as the center ...

The Book of Revelation is addressed to seven specific churches in the Roman province of Asia Minor . The author, John, explicitly identifies these churches by name. Here are the seven churches: Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea Location and Context These cities were situated along the western coast of what is now Turkey, looking out on the Aegean Sea. They were connected by Roman roadways, forming a roughly circular route that a messenger would follow to deliver John's letter, starting from Patmos and going north through Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum, then turning southeast to Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and finally Laodicea. The average distance between these cities was about thirty to forty-five miles. By the end of the first century CE, Christianity was an urban phenomenon, and these were sizable cities, with Ephesus being the provincial capital. Their Situations and Characteristics John wrote to these churches to addres...

 All Turned Around: When Up Is Down and First Is Last Proverbs 25:6-7; UMH 833, Psalm 112; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14 Proper 17c – August 31, 2025 – EUMC & BCUMC   This was one of those weeks when my sermon took on a different direction during the week. Sometimes the events of the week have that effect. One thing that my son Paul and I enjoy together is watching videos on YouTube of police chases. I am amazed at the sheer number of these videos. I wonder how many of these chases take place across the country. Certainly much more than what is represented in the videos because most states don’t allow the release of police car dash cams and body cams. The one clear takeaway from these videos is this: people sure make stupid decisions . We make decisions all the time – every day – even every hour – that make a difference not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others. These may involve a decision to act or a decision to not act. As much as ...