Discipling Life

It is easy to settle into routines that shape us without our even noticing. The world constantly tells us what to value, how to measure success, and who we should become. Paul offers a different invitation. He writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, NRSV). The Christian life is not simply about believing the right things. It is about allowing God's grace to reshape our hearts, our minds, and our daily lives. As we respond to his grace, we begin to see ourselves, our neighbors, and our circumstances through the eyes of Christ. As Paul writes to the Romans... Romans 12:1-2, 9-21 NRSVue 12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transfo...

 Who makes up your family? Read these words from Matthew 12:46-50... 46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Have you ever wondered where you truly belong? Many people carry the ache of feeling overlooked, misunderstood, or even disconnected from their own families. Jesus offers a surprising word of hope. When told that his mother and brothers were waiting to speak with him, he replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Then, pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does...

Have you ever wondered what kind of faith God desires most? It is easy to think that God is mainly interested in religious activities, but through the prophet Isaiah, God points to something deeper. In Isaiah 58:6-12 , God speaks of a faith that loosens “the bonds of injustice,” shares bread with the hungry, welcomes the homeless, and cares for those in need. The Lord promises that when his people live this way, “your light shall break forth like the dawn,” and “the Lord will guide you continually” (vv. 8, 11). God’s concern reaches beyond outward acts of worship to transformed hearts that express themselves in mercy, compassion, and justice. These words remind us that holiness is not separation from the world’s pain, but loving participation in God’s healing work. By grace, God changes us so that we become people who reflect his character. As we respond to his gracious invitation, we discover that acts of kindness and justice are not burdens but privileges. Through ordinary acts of g...

Have you ever prayed and wondered if God was listening? Most believers have experienced seasons when prayers seem unanswered and God feels distant. Psalm 13 gives voice to those moments. David cries out, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (v. 1). These words remind us that faith does not require us to hide our struggles. God welcomes our honest prayers, even when they are filled with questions and pain. The psalmist begins with lament, but he does not stay there. As the psalm unfolds, he turns toward trust: “But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation” (v. 5). The circumstances have not yet changed, but the psalmist chooses to place himself in God’s care. This is one of the quiet miracles of grace. God meets us in our sorrow and slowly reshapes our hearts. We live into that grace when we continue to pray, trust, and seek him even when we cannot yet see the outcome. God meets us in our struggles ...

Have you ever wondered if God is disappointed in you? Perhaps there have been moments when you felt distant from him, burdened by mistakes, regrets, or choices you wish you could undo. Father’s Day often reminds us of the relationships that have shaped us, for good or for ill. Yet Jesus offers us a picture of a Father whose love is greater than our failures. In Luke 15:20, Jesus tells of the prodigal son: “But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him” (NRSV). Before the son could explain himself or prove his worth, the father was already moving toward him in love. This image reveals the heart of God. The father in the parable does not wait with crossed arms and a list of conditions. He watches, he notices, and he runs. God’s grace reaches toward us long before we deserve it. Yet the son still had to rise and begin the journey home. Grace invites, and we respond. This is the beautiful partnership of...

Here are three takeaways from the lectionary texts for this Sunday First: Grace That Reorders Our Fears When Jesus calls us to follow him, He doesn’t promise an easy path. He promises his presence. And that changes everything. Grace doesn’t just comfort us in our fear—it transforms our fear. Grace reshapes our loyalties, our desires, and our courage. Grace teaches us to trust Christ more than we trust our anxieties. If you’re facing conflict or uncertainty today, hear this good news: You do not walk alone. Grace is already at work in you. “Do not be afraid… you are worth more than many sparrows.” — Matthew 10:31 Second: When Loyalties Collide Sometimes following Jesus brings us into tension with the people and patterns we love most. Family expectations. Cultural pressures. Personal ambitions. But Jesus doesn’t call us to fear—He calls us to faithfulness. And the Spirit gives us the courage to live it. Sanctifying grace is the slow, steady work of God reshaping us into Christ’...

1 1:53 When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees became hostile to him and began to interrogate him about many things, 54 lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say. 12:1 Meanwhile, when the crowd had gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops. Luke 11:53-12:3 (NRSVue) Have you thought about (or struggled with) the difference between pleasing God and pleasing people? Most of us know that temptation. We want others to think well of us, and sometimes we can focus more on appearances than on what is happening in our hearts. In Luke 11:53-12:3, Jesus faces intense opposition from...

²Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. ⁴You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love . Galatians 5:2-6, NRSVue Have you ever wondered what truly matters in your relationship with God? It is easy to focus on religious practices, traditions, or outward signs, believing that they are what make us acceptable to God. Yet Paul reminds the Galatian Christians that the heart of the gospel is found elsewhere. He writes, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is fa...

Have you ever delayed doing something kind because it was inconvenient, only to realize later that the opportunity had passed? Proverbs 3:27-35 invites us to see that wisdom is not merely something we know but something we practice. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it” (v. 27). The passage reminds us that our daily choices reveal whether we are walking in God’s wisdom. When grace shapes our hearts, it moves our hands toward generosity, honesty, and peace. The writer continues by urging us not to plot harm against a neighbor or envy those who gain power through violence. Instead, we are called to a different way of living, one marked by trust in God and love for others. This is an invitation to cooperate with God’s sanctifying grace as he forms Christlike character within us. As we respond to his work with willing obedience, our lives become places where kindness replaces selfishness and humility overcomes pride. “The wise will inherit...

Have you ever felt misunderstood or abandoned during a difficult season? Psalm 69:7-18 gives voice to the pain of someone who feels rejected, isolated, and overwhelmed. The psalmist speaks of insults, shame, and tears. Yet even in the middle of suffering, he turns toward God rather than away from him. He prays, “Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me” (v. 16). These words remind us that faith does not require pretending everything is fine. God welcomes honest prayers. We can bring our grief, our questions, and our disappointments before him, trusting that his love remains steadfast even when life feels uncertain. There are seasons when following God can leave us feeling lonely or misunderstood. The psalmist experienced that reality, and many believers have as well. Yet suffering does not mean that God has abandoned us. His grace continues to work within us, shaping holy hearts that learn to trust him more deeply. As we respon...

Have you ever reached a point where your own strength simply was not enough? Most of us know what it feels like to grow weary, to discover that determination alone cannot carry us through every challenge. Exodus 17:8-13 reminds us that God often chooses to work through the strength and faithfulness of others. As Moses held up the staff of God, Israel prevailed, but “whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.” When his arms became heavy, Aaron and Hur came alongside him, “one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the sun set” (vv. 11-12). This story is not simply about military victory. It is a picture of the life God intends for his people. None of us is called to follow Christ in isolation. We need companions who pray for us, encourage us, and stand with us when our faith or strength begins to falter. Holiness grows not only through personal devotion but also through the grace we receive and share within Christian community. God invites us...

Have you ever felt like you were running out of strength while problems kept piling up around you? Are there times when you wonder if God still sees you, especially when fear, failure, or uncertainty seem to close in from every side? In Psalm 40:11-17 , the psalmist voices that very struggle, crying out, “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me” (v.  17). His prayer reminds us that faith does not ignore hardship. Instead, it brings every burden honestly before God and waits for his steadfast love and faithfulness. The heart of this passage is not self confidence but confidence in God’s character. The psalmist asks, “Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever” (v.  11). Even while surrounded by troubles and aware of his own shortcomings, he continues to seek the Lord. God’s grace is always reaching toward us before we even know to ask, inviting us into a life that is continually being renewed...

Have you ever paused to consider what kind of people God is forming us to become? We often think of faith as a personal journey, but Hebrews 3 reminds us that God is also creating a community that reflects his character. After describing the faithfulness of Moses and the greater faithfulness of Christ, the writer declares, “Christ, however, was faithful over God’s house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope” (v. 6). By God’s grace, we are being joined together into something far greater than ourselves. This means that the house of God is not merely a building we enter on Sunday. It is a people being shaped by the faithful work of Christ. God’s grace transforms each of us personally, calling us to holiness of heart and life, while at the same time binding us together in love, service, and mutual encouragement. As we respond to his grace with trust and obedience, our individual lives become part of a larger testimony to God’s pr...

Have you ever felt discouraged by how slowly spiritual growth seems to happen? Many Christians long to become more like Christ, yet wonder why the journey can feel gradual and challenging. In 2 Peter 1:2-11 , Peter reminds believers that growth in holiness is not something we accomplish alone, nor is it something that happens automatically. God graciously provides what we need, and we are invited to respond faithfully. Peter writes, “His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness” (v. 3). Because God has already acted through Christ, we can actively participate in the work of becoming the people God created us to be. Peter encourages believers to grow in faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. These qualities are not merely virtues to admire. They are signs of a life being transformed by grace. Christian maturity is not about perfection overnight. It is about daily cooperation with the Holy Spirit as God shape...

Have you ever waited so long for something that you wondered if it would ever happen? Waiting can test our faith, especially when God's promises appear delayed. Genesis 21:1-7 tells the joyful story of Isaac's birth. After decades of waiting, Sarah gave birth just as God had promised. The passage begins, “The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised” (v. 1). What once seemed unimaginable became reality through God's faithfulness. Sarah's laughter, which had once been marked by doubt, was transformed into laughter filled with joy. She declared, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me” (v. 6). God's promises are not empty words. Even when fulfillment takes longer than we expect, God continues to work in ways we cannot always see. This story reminds us that God's blessings often arrive after seasons of patient trust. While we may not receive every answer in the way or timing we desire, we...

Have you ever wondered if an ordinary act of kindness might become a holy encounter? In Genesis 18:1 through 8, Abraham is sitting at the entrance of his tent when he notices three strangers approaching. Without hesitation, he runs to greet them, offers water for their feet, invites them to rest, and prepares a generous meal. What begins as simple hospitality becomes an unexpected meeting with God’s presence. Abraham’s open heart and willing service remind us that welcoming others can also become a way of welcoming the work of God into our lives. Hospitality in Scripture is more than good manners or entertaining guests. It is a way of living that reflects the generous heart of God. Abraham’s eagerness to serve shows a faith that moves beyond belief into loving action. Grace had already called him into covenant, and he responded by making room for others. In the same way, God continues to shape our hearts through everyday opportunities to notice the lonely, care for the stranger, and s...

I recently visited a sweet church member, Helen Little, from my days at Horne Memorial. She is always a joy to spend time with and on this visit she gave me a couple of old newsletters from my days at Horne. The text that follows is from the article “The ‘Would-be Disciples’” that was run in the church’s newsletter The Methodist Messenger . Jesus had his twelve disciples. Actually, he had many more disciples, but there were the Twelve. They were the closest to Jesus. Sometimes they were called Apostles. There were other disciples. We know that 70 were sent out two by two to prepare the way for the coming of the Teacher. We also know that many women went about with Jesus. I imagine that it seemed to be quite a caravan whenever Jesus moved on to another town. It is no wonder he craved time to be alone with the Twelve or to be by himself. Sadly, there were the others - the “Would-be Disciples”. Jesus called many people to follow him. These were people who said they wanted to be discipl...

This is a sermon I preach at Ebenezer and Black Creek on June 7, 2026. 1. Introduction: The Physician and the Sick Today we find ourselves standing before a table that is more than a piece of furniture—it is a battleground for the heart of the Gospel. In the cultural landscape of first-century Judea, the table was the ultimate site of radical inclusion or cold exclusion. Consider the scene in Matthew 9. Jesus is walking down the road when he sees a man named Matthew sitting at a tax booth. To the crowd, Matthew was a traitor, a collaborator with Rome, a moral leper. Yet Jesus looks at him and says, “Come, follow me.” Matthew doesn’t just follow; he opens his home. That night, the clinking of cups and the smell of roasted meat filled the air as Jesus sat as a dinner guest alongside a crowd of “notorious sinners.” Some Pharisees, watching from a distance with narrowed eyes, were indignant. They didn’t just question the etiquette; they questioned the holiness of the mission. “Why does ...

Have you ever wondered whether God could really use someone with a complicated past? Many people carry the weight of mistakes, regrets, or labels that seem impossible to escape. In Matthew 9:9-13 , Jesus walks past the tax booth of Matthew, a man many in his community would have considered a traitor and a sinner, and simply says, “Follow me” (v. 9). Matthew responds immediately, leaving behind his old life to follow Christ. This brief encounter reminds us that Jesus sees more in us than our failures. He sees who we can become through the transforming power of grace. The religious leaders were troubled when Jesus shared a meal with tax collectors and sinners. Yet Jesus responded, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” and “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (vv. 12-13). Christ’s ministry was not centered on preserving appearances but on restoring people. God’s grace reaches toward those who know their need, inviting them into a new way of life. Grace not o...

Have you ever felt like you had exhausted every option and still found yourself hoping for a miracle? In Matthew 9:18-26, two people come to Jesus carrying desperate needs. A synagogue leader kneels before him and pleads for his daughter, believing that even death is not beyond Christ’s power. At the same time, a woman who had suffered for twelve years reaches out to touch the fringe of his cloak, trusting that even the smallest connection with Jesus could bring healing. Jesus responds to both with compassion and power. To the woman he says, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well” (Matthew 9:22, NRSV). Then he goes to the ruler’s home and raises the girl to life. In both stories, faith is not presented as certainty or perfection. It is the willingness to turn toward Jesus in hope. These stories remind us that God’s grace invites a response. The ruler comes seeking help. The woman reaches out her hand. Neither has everything figured out, but both act on the hope that Chri...