Discipling Life

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...

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...

In our daily lives, we often come across moments that draw us into deeper reflections about who we are and what we are called to be. Perhaps it’s during a quiet morning, sipping coffee, when you ponder the nature of your relationships. Or maybe it’s in a moment of uncertainty, where you feel that gentle nudge toward something greater than yourself. These moments invite us into a deeper understanding of our identity as covenant people, rooted in grace and empowered for transformation. The Scripture readings for this Sunday are rich and profound, particularly Genesis 12:1-4a, where God calls Abram to leave his homeland, promising to make him a great nation. God’s invitation is rooted in a covenant—a sacred promise that signifies relationship and belonging. Abram’s response is remarkable; he follows God without knowing the full depth of what lies ahead. Here, we see the essence of grace: prevenient grace, awakening a response in us long before we realize it. Psalm 121 further reassures ...

As we approach the first Sunday of Lent, we turn to this Sunday’s Gospel lesson: the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles we face in our own lives. Matthew 4:1-11 describes how, after his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. As this story unfolds, we see the character of the Christ who is God’s chosen to announce the Kingdom of Heaven. Reflecting on Jesus’ experience may provide insights into our own faith journey. The Wilderness Experience The wilderness is often portrayed in Scripture as a place of testing and transformation. It is also associated with the number 40 [ read more here ]. In Matthew 4:1, we read, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” This leading by the Spirit underscores the necessity of finding that quiet time for reflection in our lives, especially during Lent. It is in the quiet, and often uncomfortable, places...

Today’s scriptures show us the Heart of True Religion. The prophet Micah presents a courtroom scene where God lays out his case against Israel. The people respond by asking what kind of sacrifice would please him—thousands of rams, rivers of oil, or even their firstborn. But the answer is surprising because God has already shown us what is good and what he requires: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.  The Heart of True Religion Sermon Date:  January 18, 2026 Speaker:  Alan Swartz Scripture Lessons:   Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31;Matthew 5:1-20 The Illusory Measure of Success How do you measure success? How do you measure blessing? In our modern culture, the definition of a “blessed life” stands in direct opposition to the biblical narrative. We are surrounded by a world that prizes wealth, influence, and an unwavering sense of self-sufficiency. This creates a profound tension for us, as the values of the kingdom of God ...

  Not What We Ordered: The Messiah We Didn’t Plan For Sermon by Alan Swartz Third Sunday of Advent, December 14, 2025 Preached at Ebenezer UMC and Black Creek UMC Scripture References: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction: A Question from Prison Advent is a season of longing, of waiting, of anticipation and desire. But as it calls us to look forward, it is also a season of questions. Today, the gospel gives us one of the most honest and urgent questions in all of Scripture, posed by none other than John the Baptist. Here is the fiery prophet, the fearless preacher who prepared the way for the Lord, now sitting in a prison cell. He is in chains, in a place of darkness, just days away from being executed, and from there he sends a message to Jesus. “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Matthew 11:3) This ...

 Expendable Resources: Faithful Service to God Alan Swartz – 10/26/2025 – EUMC & BCUMC The second letter to Timothy holds a unique and strategic place within the New Testament. It is the final letter we have from the Apostle Paul, his last will and testament, penned from a prison cell as he awaited his own execution. Along with his first letter to Timothy and his letter to Titus, it forms a collection we call the “pastoral epistles”—letters written not to a whole congregation, but to individuals entrusted with the pastoral care and leadership of the burgeoning church. To truly grasp the weight of Paul’s words, we must first understand the deep relationship between the aging apostle and his young protégé. Timothy and Titus were young men in whom Paul had seen the promise and power of the Holy Spirit. He had recruited them early in his ministry, mentoring them not only in the foundations of the faith but also in the practical and demanding work of church leadership. He trai...

 Pruned for Purpose Sermon for August 17, 2025 – Ebenezer UMC & Black Creek UMC Year C, Proper 15, Ordinary 20 Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80, Hebrews 11:29-12:2, Luke 12:49-56   Reaping What We Sow Perhaps you are familiar with the saying that the Bible “comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.” The phrase highlights the transformative power of the Gospel, suggesting that it brings hope and solace to those who are suffering while challenging those who may be too comfortable in their lives. [i] We often find comfort in the scriptures when things are difficult. We take comfort in the image of our God as a Rock of our Salvation, a Good Shepherd, or of a Lord who carries our heavy burdens. [ii] As I was praying over the texts for this week another saying came to mind: those who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind. It reminds us that we will reap what we sow ( Galatians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 9:6, Proverbs 22:8 ). The expression comes from the prophet Hosea. ...

  July 13, 2025 – EUMC & BCUMC – Proper 10, Ord 15 Deuteronomy 30:9-14 and Psalm 25:1-10, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 Alan Swartz Have you ever wondered if good is good enough? I think of myself as a good person. I imagine all of us here today think of ourselves as good people. Isn’t that what God wants? I know I am a much better person than Adolph Hitler, or Joseph Stalin, or Jeffrey Dahmer. I mean, these were notoriously evil people. That is an easy comparison. Maybe I need to look around and see how I compare with others more like myself. I could check the social media feeds of other clergy or good Christian people that I know and see how I stack up. Ah, but the problem there is that I start to look and act an awful lot like the Pharisee who went to pray in the temple and seeing the sinner praying next to me I could plead, “Lord, I thank you that I am not like him!” (Luke 18:11) What am I to do? Bishop Gwinn encouraged pastors and church leaders to read the bo...