Discipling Life

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...

In the early church (2nd to 4th centuries), re-robing was a central symbolic ritual in which newly baptized adults, having stripped off their clothing before baptism, were clothed in new white garments upon emerging from the water; this action symbolized leaving behind the “old man” of sin and putting on Christ and a new life, with the white garments representing purification, innocence, and being clothed in the righteousness of Christ. The rite commonly followed a pattern of renunciation and immersion in which candidates stripped before baptism to signify death to the old life, were immersed, and then were given new white clothing, and the re-robing itself carried special significance that was often connected to Galatians 3:27 and Ephesians 4:24, emphasizing that those baptized into Christ have “put on” Christ. In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul invites us into this very transformation. He tells us that we are to put away our former way of life and be renewed in the sp...

In this message, I invite you to explore the Transfiguration of Our Lord, a profound event that reveals God’s radiant glory and challenges us to follow Christ into the heart of our daily lives. Drawing from my own memories of a confirmation retreat in State College, Pennsylvania, under the mentorship of Dr. Nelson Frank, I reflect on the Celtic concept of “thin places”—those sacred moments where the boundary between heaven and earth becomes porous and the divine presence feels especially near. By examining the experiences of Moses on Mount Sinai and the eyewitness testimony of Peter, we see how these mountaintop revelations are not meant for us to hide away in “shelters,” but to transform and equip us for the journeys through the valleys. Ultimately, I want to emphasize that our spiritual life hinges on the Father’s singular command to “Listen to him,” a call that requires us to pay attention to Jesus’ teachings and find direction in His Word even when the world feels chaotic. The Tran...

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 ...

This was one of those weeks when the lectionary texts are incredibly full of possibilities. We could look toward Isaiah’s call for us to be a light to the nations or follow the invitation of Jesus to “come and see.” But my heart has been especially moved by John the Baptist’s profound declaration: “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” It feels like a text that belongs to Holy Week. It reminds us that from the very beginning Jesus is focused on his mission. Behold the Lamb of God that Takes Away the Sin of the World Author:   Alan Swartz Churches:   Ebenezer UMC and Black Creek UMC Date:   January 18, 2026 (The Second Sunday after the Epiphany) Scripture References:   Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 Introduction: The Abundance of the Word The lectionary texts for this Sunday presented a unique challenge for me. There are some weeks when I look at the lectionary texts and pray, “Lord, what in the world do you want...

God continually places before humanity the choice between life and death, blessing and destruction, calling people to deliberately choose the way of life through faithful discipleship and wholehearted devotion to Christ. Choosing life is both a decisive moment and a daily practice expressed through prayer, worship, justice, service, generosity, and faithful community, with the reminder that our choices shape not only our own lives but also the lives of future generations.  September 7, 2025 – Proper 18, Year C – EUMC & BCUMC Scripture Texts: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1; Philemon 1:1-21; Luke14:25-33 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 o...

 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. ...