Discipling Life

 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...

 Enduring Faith: A Call to Persevere October 19, 2025 – Proper 24c – EUMC & BCUMC Introduction: A Season of Endings, A Call to Endure Today’s scriptures converge upon a powerful and recurring theme: the certainty of endings. We are brought to stand with the prophet Jeremiah as he bears witness to the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem. We listen in as the Apostle Paul, knowing his death is near, pens his last words of encouragement to his young protégé, Timothy. And we follow Jesus, who has turned his face resolutely toward Jerusalem, marching steadily toward the conclusion of his earthly ministry, aware that the same crowds shouting “Hosanna” will soon demand his crucifixion. From these disparate and dramatic moments of closure, a single, unifying message emerges with profound clarity—the critical importance of perseverance and steadfast faith in the face of trial and persecution. This call to endure is not a passive suggestion but an active command, one that Jesus himself w...

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...

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 ...

 Loosed by Love: Breaking the Bonds Scripture Texts: Isaiah 58:9b-14; Psalm 103:1-18; Hebrews 12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17 August 24, 2025 – Proper 16c – EUMC & BCUMC There’s something deeply moving about watching someone stand up straight after years of being bent over. That moment of straightening, of restoration, touches something profound in the human spirit. Today’s scriptures invite us into that sacred space where God’s heart for liberation meets human need, where divine grace encounters our deepest bondage, and where personal healing and social transformation unite to change not just individuals, but entire communities. The Divine Heart for Liberation Our God is a God of liberation. From the exodus out of Egypt to the Messiah’s proclamation of freedom for captives, the biblical narrative pulses with divine passion for setting people free. This isn’t merely about spiritual salvation – it’s about God’s comprehensive vision for human flourishing, where every form...