Shows
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Ultimate Law Professor - Part 1We welcome you to the sermon podcast of First United Methodist Church. This is the third week in the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus takes us into understanding how to study the law. It is not about do's and don'ts. It is all about how to have a relationship.
2026-02-1823 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchBe Salty: Stay LitWe are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are called to reflect the love of God that is reflected in the laws and commandments.
2026-02-0917 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchEverything or Nothing at AllIn the Gospel of John, Jesus invites those curious about his ministry to "come and see." Later, when he calls them to follow him, he is asking them to put aside all else. We should ask if wqe are still just observing or are will following Jesus.
2026-02-0416 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchLosing It All and Finding BlessingThe lectionary for this week includes the famous words from Micah 6, the Beatitudes, and the second chapter of Paul's letter to the church in Corinth. So much of our religious fervor is focused on verifying that God loves us when we should be asking Tex Samples' question, "Can God change us?" If you want to understand the blessedness of the Beatitudes, ask how we can be changed.
2026-02-0220 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchHow to Change the WorldJohn did not realize it, but when he baptized Jesus, the world changed. The Holy Spirit descended and there was a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." How do you changed the world?
2026-01-1227 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchScandalous CourageThe Lectionary for the Fourth Sunday in Advent in Year A features King Ahaz and Joseph, the fiance of Mary. The men were both in crisis and both knew the law but they made very different decisions.
2025-12-2219 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Last ProphetMoses was the first prophet but perhaps John the Baptist was the last? John prepared the way for Jesus who changed everything. If you want to know what God is saying, Listen to Jesus. John had a clear message Repent & live lives worthy of the Gospel!
2025-12-0822 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchDespair vs. HopeMany of us have never read the parables of the minas found in the Gospel of Luke because we look it over and think it is the same as the parable of the talents found in the 25th chapter of Matthew. Jesus tells this story after he visits Zacchaeus in Jerricho. It is the last parable before he rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. The parable gives despair but Jesus offers hope.
2025-11-2419 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchFaith & PersistenceLuke 18 contains one of my favorite parables - The widow and the bad judge. She persisted even when he refused to care. But we worship a God that does care so if our prayers are not being answered in the timeframe we hope for, do we persist? More importantly, do we believed God is good and cares about our well-being?
2025-11-1717 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchFill Every SeatJesus is invited to a Shabbat dinner with local Jewish religious leaders. We are not sure if Luke believed it was a set up but Jesus finally told the Parable of the Great Feast about that great heavenly banquet we talk about whenever we have communion.
2025-11-1016 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchWhere You Least Expect ItToday we look at Luke 10:25-37 which most of us know as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In the first century, no Jew would have called a Samaritan "good" which proves once again that God shows up where you least expect it.
2025-11-0325 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchBelieve - Isaiah 65:17-25God is doing a new thing, creating a new heaven and a new earth. We must have the courage to believe at work towards that new Kingdom.
2025-10-2724 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Answer Is Always JusticeEverything Isaiah has warned about has now come to reality. God's people are in exile in Assyria and Babylon but now those in Babylon have the opportunity to return home and rebuild. It will be hard but Isaiah has words of encouragement. Isaiah 61:1-11
2025-10-2024 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchCreated, Formed, and NamedToday is World Communion Sunday where we celebrate the ties that bind us as a community to Jesus Christ. It is a great day to be reminded of the message of Isaiah 43.
2025-10-0617 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchHe Did It for YouThe fourth Servant song is longest and clearest. It many ways it is like a prayer of confession because it exposes what we do not wish to see then reminds us that we are responsible. He was wounded for our transgressions. This Servant song leads to hope and redemption.
2025-09-2923 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchA New PowerToday we are focused on the third Servant song found in Isaiah 50:4-9. It tells us of a Servant who is more a learner and a teacher but is brutalized. He does not return the violence against him. This represents a new understanding of God's power.
2025-09-2223 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchA Beacon for AllIn the second Servant Song, Isaiah 49:1-7, God does something amazing. God decides that the Servant role is greater than just returning Israel and Judah to the Lord. The Servant's message is for all people - and that includes you and me.
2025-09-1520 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchWhat Is a Servant?There are fourth Servant Songs in the second section of Isaiah. They tell us of a servant and they define what the servant is called to do and how the servant will accomplish the mission. Today we are exploring Isaiah 42:1-9, the first of the Servant Songs.
2025-09-0826 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchFrom Grasshoppers to EaglesOur faith is dependent on our memory. The 6th century BCE Isaiah is speaking to a community in exile and he is offering an opportunity to remember. We are offered that opportunity as well. It is remember who is our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
2025-09-0217 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Remarkable Love of GodThis morning we begin chapter 40 of Isaiah which is the first chapter of what scholars refer to as Second or Deutero-Isaiah. First Isaiah contained the oracles of the eighth century and God's judgment and called for repentance. Now we are in the sixth century and the unthinkable has happen. Judgment has been served and God's people are in exile. Now begins the promise of redemption and the gift of grace.
2025-08-2519 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchPessimists Need Not ApplyToday, we are taking a little break from Isaiah to talk about mustard seeds and yeast. It is also a retelling of the history of God's call to our church and what God has done through our faithfulness.
2025-08-1824 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchKnow When to Show ThemHezekiah was considered an almost faithful king. Learn why.
2025-08-1123 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchJustice Is the LineToday we are in the portion of First Isaiah that is called a mini-apocalypse. It goes from Chapter 24-35. We will be exploring the prophetic word found in Isaiah 28:14-22.
2025-08-0622 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Rock of our RefugeIn Chapters 13-23, Isaiah calls out those nations that have conspired against Judah, including Israel and Aram. Israel forgot who is the rock of their salvation.
2025-07-2824 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchFearful and FaithlessOne man's lack of faith resulted in disaster for three nations. God sent Isaiah to speak to him and God promised him directly. He did not listen.
2025-07-2118 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchCalled to FailThe calling of Isaiah has helped many of us understand the pattern of worship but we usually stop at verse 8. This week, we will go through the reminder of the chapter and discover that God was calling Isaiah to a ministry of failure. But what looked like failure then turned out to be a promise to keep hope alive.
2025-07-1422 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchBetraying GodJesus used vineyards as the setting for many of his parables so it should not be a surprise to see Isaiah using the setting of a vineyard for one of his early oracles. Rotten grapes betrays God. How should we respond as Christians if we find ourselves in a surrounding of bad fruit?
2025-07-0722 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchBlessed Are the PeacemakersToday we look at Chapter two of Isaiah, a chapter promoting peace. It contains the famous line, "Then they will beat their swords into iron plows and their spears into pruning tools." Peacemaking is not just between nations. Nations are made up of people. Our pride musr be subdued if we wish to make peace with our neighbors.
2025-07-0120 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchHouston, We Have a ProblemApollo 13 launched on April 11, 1970 in hopes of making a lunar landing but two days into the mission, an oxygen tanks exploded, disabling the electric system and life support system in the main capsule. Apollo 13 Commander addressed this issue with NASA with the opening line of, "Houston, we have a problem." That has become a key phrase to use whenever a problem crops up. It is the calling of the prophet Isaiah as he tried to help God's people understand that there was definitely a problem. For Israel and for today, the problem is greed.
2025-06-2330 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Office of ProphetToday we start a new series on the book of Isaiah. We will begin by understanding the role and responsibility of the prophet.
2025-06-1625 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Measure of a ManThis is our last Sunday in the Epistles of John and we are looking at the third letter where John the Elder is writing to Gaius. In the brief letter, he defines three men by one trait - truth.
2025-06-0224 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchLove Is Doing What Is RightWhat we do is driven by where our faith lies. In the 5th Chapter of John's first letter, John said our victory is possible through our faith in Christ - not our faith in systems or family or even our country. They are powerful but often flawed. Our faith in Jesus never fails.
2025-05-2525 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchTaking the Word to HeartGod is love and we are called to love one another. So why are Christians marketing fear?
2025-05-1925 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchAn Active and Truthful LoveWe know that Jesus was the ultimate example of self-giving and self-sacrificial love but what does that means for us?
2025-05-1220 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchSpiritual Self-AwarenessI John is to the Gospel of John as Acts is to Luke. Luke and John tells us about Jesus' ministry, his death, and his resurrection. Acts and I John helps us understand why that has made a difference in our world and in our lives. Today we begin our series on 1 John and the call to knowing yourself.
2025-05-0531 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Road Less TakenJesus Said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." Do you understand what this means? The disciples were busy asking lots of questions but they will eventually discover that Jesus was giving the all the answers in that one sentence. You just have to understand Jesus to know what it means.
2025-04-2820 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Cross and the TableThis Easter sunday we are exploring the I AM saying from the 11th chapter of John where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus tells Mary and Martha, "I am the Resurrection and the life." What does he mean by "the life." Let's explore where Jesus appears to the disciples.
2025-04-2112 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchConnection"I am the true Vine." This is the fifth of Jesus' I Am saying in the gospel of John. Jesus' first sign in John is creating wine out of water at a wedding in Cana. Like many of the other saying, it has toos in the Old Testament.
2025-04-0824 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchChoose Your Shepherds WiselyThis is the fourth sunday in Lent and the fourth sunday in our Sermon Series, " I Am." Today, we look at the 10th Chapter of John once again for the second I Am saying - I Am the Good Shepherd. What is a good shepherd compared to a bad shepherd? Ezekiel 34 makes it clear.
2025-03-3120 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchLife More AbundantlyToday we explore Jesus' saying, "I am the gate." Do you know that gates are mentioned over 400 times in the Bible? The vulnerability and strength of a fortress is found in the gate.
2025-03-2417 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Importance of LightJesus declares in Chapter Eight of the Gospel of John, "I am the Light of the World." How important is light? We also look at one of his seven signs where he brings light to a blind man's eyes.
2025-03-1720 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchMore Than Enough (I Am)On this first Sunday of Lent, we begin a new series on the seven I Am sayings of Jesus and the seven signs of Jesus. Today, we look at John 6 which contains the "I am bread of life," and the feeding of the five thousand.
2025-03-1024 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchJesus & the New CovenantAlll the previous covenant led us to this new Covenant. It was not made with words, it was made with flesh and blood. His name is Jesus and he is fully human and fully divine, God's word incarnate. He is the ultimate self-revelation of God. Redemption is not possible for us all.
2025-02-2423 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchTiming in God's HandsThis week we will look at the timing of God's Covenants with humanity. We operate in chronological time but God operates in "kairos" time. What does that mean?
2025-02-1725 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchRedemption Moved to One Earthly KingdomThe fourth covenant God made was with the unlikely king of Israel, King David. Today, we explore what God created kings to do versus what God expected kings to end up doing and God was right. Power corrupts even those near to the heart of God.
2025-02-1022 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchRedemption Moved to One PeoplesToday our Redemption Story moves to Moses and the covenant God made with the Hebrew people at Sinai.
2025-02-0226 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchRedemption Moved to One FamilyGod began God's plan of redemption with one man, Noah, but now God moves to one family - headed by a man named Abram.
2025-01-2719 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchRedemption Started with One ManToday we look at the Noah story through the lens of redemption and covenant.
2025-01-1918 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchRemember Who You AreToday we celebrate Baptism of the Lord's Sunday and Holy Communion. Isaiah 43:1-7 reminds of to remember who we are.
2025-01-1321 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchContentmentToday as we celebrate Epiphany, we come to the end of Paul's letter to the church at Philippi and discover that Paul has had his own epiphany!
2025-01-0621 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchStill LearningToday we learn why Paul was writing this letter to the church but it is a minor point compared to his encouragement to lead a life worthy of the gospel and to be joyful!
2024-12-2921 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchPerseverance of the SoulIn the third chapter of Philippians, Paul provides his credentials. If our salvation depended upon our credentials, Paul would be at the head of the line. Credentials provide certainty, not faith. Paul had to let go of certainty to create space to grow spiritually. We do, too.
2024-12-2316 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchIn Fear and TremblingIn the second chapter of Philippians, Paul reminds us who we follow. We follow a God who humbled himself, took on human flesh, and lived among us. As he came to live humbly among us, so we should live humbly with each other. After all, we are all being refined.
2024-12-0915 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Power of Overflowing LoveThis morning we begin a new series with Paul's letter to the church at Philippi. This is a love letter to this church and today offers hope for us all.
2024-12-0322 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Year of the Lord's FavorEvery sermon series on Leviticus should conclude with a sermon on Jubilee, found in the 25th Chapter of Leviticus. We do not have evidence that this command was practiced but if it had been, it would have been revolutionary. This idea of God making everything right every fifty years was not abandoned. It evolved into a eschatological promise that we call the Day of the Lord or the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus, in Luke 4:14-21, refers to it in his sermon in Nazareth as the Year of the Lord's Favor.
2024-11-2524 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchCreating a Faithful CommunityI broke a 25 year streak and spoke about election politics from the pulpit this week. Why? Because not talking is not leading us to a better understanding. In humility, I admit there were legitimate concerns shaping the election that did not have my attention. There are legitimate concerns others have that are also being ignored. We have legitimately elected a president by popular vote and electoral college vote and we need to respect this process but we all have to get out of our echo chambers and talk to one another.
2024-11-1121 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchBuilding a Lasting CommunityChapter 17-26 in the Book of Leviticus is known as the Holiness Code. Chapter 17 spells out the sacredness of blood as life and Chapter 18 outlines the sexual ethics of the time. We will spend most of our time in Chapter 19 which reads like an extended version of the Ten Commandments but it is really about healthy communities. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all community based faiths. We walk this road together and to do so, there are definitely some guidelines.
2024-11-0418 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Tale of Two GoatsHave you ever used the term "scapegoat"? Did you know it comes from the 16th chapter of Leviticus? Let's explore the depth of God's mercy and all that God has done for us through Jesus Christ!
2024-10-2822 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchCleam & Unclean: The Great DivideToday we pick up Leviticus 11 that tells us what we can eat and what we must avoid. But then we go to the four chapters we would rather skip - the chapters on body fluids and skin irritations. But can we learn something from the discussion of clean and unclean? Yes, we can.
2024-10-2119 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchGetting to HopeThis has been such a difficult week that I choose to interupt our series on Leviticus to talk about suffering. We used the Lectionary texts for today of Psalm 22 & Job 23.
2024-10-1430 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchBlessed to BlessIn today's scripture, Moses ordains Aaron and Aaron's sons as the priests who will keep the Tabernacle holy for the presence of God. By the first century, the priests and religious leaders had stopped being the people's representatives to God. Jesus is our prophet, priest, and king, and everything we understand about God should be witnessed through him.
2024-10-0819 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchSin & Guilt OfferingsWe previously looked at the standard sacrificies of burnt offering, grain offering and peace offering. Today, we look at offering regarding sin and guilt. Sin is attitudes, behaviors, and speech that are out of line with God's values. Leviticus differieniates between unintentional sins, intentional sins, and what we might call high-handed or plotted sins. The sacrifice depends on who committed the sin as well because there was a catagory for priests, for community, for leaders, and for a common person.
2024-09-3023 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchRoots of SacrificeThis is the second sermon in our series on Leviticus. There are twenty-seven chapters in Leviticus and ten of them are on worship. God is declaring that God cannot be worshiped as other gods are worship. Offering sacrifices are one of the main components of ancient worship and the first six chapters of Leviticus cover the instructions for sacrifice. Today we will look at the voluntary sacrifices - whole burnt offering, grain offering, and peace offering.
2024-09-1627 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchIt Begins with HolinessThis is the first week in our series on the Book of Leviticus. Why is there a book of Leviticus? It is the resolution to an issue in the Sinai wilderness. How does God live among God's people when God's holiness is so powerful. Leviticus is the temporary answer. Times will change but God's holiness is unchanging.
2024-09-0925 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Church Is the Witness of ChristHow will the world find out about Jesus. The Church. We are called to be the Light and the Salt. If we are doing it right, everyone should want to know Jesus.
2024-08-2628 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Church Is our Practice FieldEvery great Olympic athlete has a place of training. It is there that they receive the best coaching, the best nutrition, the best nutrition, and the best encouragement. They will compete in a different arena, but at their place of training, they are learning and preparing. For those who follow Jesus, the church is our training facility.
2024-08-1931 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Church Is the Body of ChristPaul uses the metaphor of the body in speaking about the church. We find this in Romans, I Corinthians, and in Ephesians. He could have used family or team or other metaphors but he uses the body. So let's explore what that means.
2024-08-1222 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Church Is a sign of God's KingdomLast week, we talked about the joy, the hope, and the promise of God's Kingdom. It is important to remember that because the church is a sign of that kingdom.
2024-08-0524 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchLet's GoThis summer was held Round Robin services at seven of the United Methodist Churches in Columbia, Union, Calhoun and Ouachita Counties. This is my sermon at Norphlet UMC.
2024-07-3024 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchDo Not Be AfraidI grew up hearing Hellfire and Brimstone sermons about the coming apocalypse. They warned of fiery pits and terrifying beast. Those sermons were pretty scary then I read the scriptures they left out, like the 365 times the Bible tells us "do not be afraid." Today we talk about end times with a different vision intended to give us hope.
2024-07-2926 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchEmbodied WholenessFor God so loved the world that God gave God's only begotten Son so that whoever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. We have all been asked, " Have you been saved?" like it is a one time transaction. That is not how Paul describes it and it isn't really the overall picture in the Gospels so what is salvation?
2024-07-2222 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Harmony of WisdomToday, we are talking about the third person of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit and what do it do for us?
2024-07-1520 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchFollow the MelodyToday we talk about Jesus. Who was he and what did God accomplish through him? How are we called to follow him? We look at the seventh chapter of Daniel for the earliest concept of the Son of Man then look to the Christ Hymn in Philippians to understand how to follow him.
2024-07-0824 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Noise of DiscordSin was not created by God. It is dischord and it is noise and humans participate in it every day.
2024-07-0131 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchInstruments of GraceWho are we as humans that God is even mindful of us. We were created by intention as instruments of God's grace to care for the earth and to care for each other.
2024-06-2425 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchReckoning with DissonanceToday, we are talking about Providence or how God interacts in our world. There are sopme who believe God directs everything and on the oppostie end, there are those who see God as creator but totally inactive in our world. Most of us are somewhere inbetween.
2024-06-1724 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchIt Is GoodToday, we talk about the Creation. Did you know the Hebrew verb "to create" is used in the Old testament many times but when it is used, there is only one subject and only one creator, God.
2024-06-1022 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchMore Than We Can KnowThe week starts our new Sermon Series on what we believe. Sometime we become so comfortable with what we think we know, we forget about what we do not know and what we cannot know. We learn very little when we are comfortable but we can learn so much when we are uncomfortable. Today, our first lesson begins, as it should, with what we can know about God. You are invited to post questions as we work through our understanding and misunderstanding together.
2024-06-0331 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Fine Art of RestorationIn this last sermon on Paul's Letter to the Galatians, we explore our own motives as we confront sin - in others and in ourselves.
2024-05-2025 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchWelcomed FruitIn the Fifth Chapter of Galatians, Paul is challenging the church to a journey of faith and hope, led by the Holy Spirit. This chapter is the most persuasive argument of the church's need to be spirit led.
2024-05-1319 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Danger of Telling the TruthPaul challenged the Galatians by telling them the missionaries from Jerusalem were wrong. They did not need to being in good standing with the Old Covenant to become mmbers of the New Covenant. So I'm wondering if it is wrong to tell LGBTQ individuals they must become straight before they are fully included in the New Covenant.
2024-05-0642 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchKinfolkThe new kingdom Jesus presents in not the resurrection of the old kingdom of God found in the Hebrew Bible. The old Kingdom was a physical kingdom with boundaries and politics. The new Kingdom has no boundaries. It expands only when Jesus changes a heart and mind.
2024-04-2931 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchLet's Start with AbrahamIf you do not understand the story of Abraham, you will not understand Paul's theology. Abraham was not redeemed by the Law; he was redeem by faith.
2024-04-2234 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchConflictedPaul began his ministry as a Pharisee, sworn to abide by and protect the law then he encountered Jesus. Paul's call was to the Gentiles. Paul's call was to preach salvation by faith alone in the grace of Jesus Christ. Peter knew this but took heat from the church in Jerusalem where they followed Jesus and kept the law. It is a debate we have been having for 200 years.
2024-04-1522 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchWhere Is Our Thanksgiving?In every letter of Paul, both the seven certain and the two maybes, there is a greeting followed by a prayer of thanksgiving except one - Galatians. Why is Galatians different? That is what we will be learning in this seven week series.
2024-04-0820 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchWalking with JesusOn this Easter Sunday, we take a look at the two disciples walking home to Emmaus. This story is a real story of discipleship. We walk together, we listen to the word, and we receive grace in the breaking of the bread together.
2024-04-0112 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchSteadfastAccording to the gospel of Luke, Jesus spent his last week on earth teaching at the Temple in Jerusalem. He told his followers they might be persecuted but do not hire a lawyer to prepare a defense. Prepare your faith to be steadfast.
2024-03-2519 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Damage of PrideToday we talk about excessive pride. We look at a short passage in the ninth chapter of Luke that contains three examples of the damage pride can cause.
2024-03-1822 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchRecovering JoyJoy! The religious leaders complaining that Jesus was hanging out with the wrong people in the wrong places certainly did not have it. So Jesus told them three stories. We look at the first two today!
2024-03-1127 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Dirty Second ChanceMost of us wish there was a magic formula that could keep those we love away from harm. That secret wish reveals itself when we hear of a tragedy and want to believe it was not random. Jesus is tells his disciples that it is. Then he says, Repent or you will die. Yikes! Thank goodness a parable comes to explain.
2024-03-0422 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Deepest LamentIn the 13th chapter of Luke, Jesus is standing on the Mount of Olives, looking over the Kidron Valley to the Temple Mount. There, he expresses a deep lament for the past, present, and future of Jerusalem. Today, we lament how our world has changed.
2024-02-2629 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Temptations of BelieversThe first Sunday of Lent always includes a the story of Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. Why? The temptations of Jesus mirrors the temptations that snag us all - appetite, status, and control.
2024-02-2220 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchYou Won't Believe This OneToday, we look at the Transfiguration story. We usually emphasize the glory shone but maybe we need to listen to what god has to say.
2024-02-1221 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchBlessings & WoesThis week we explore Luke's Sermon on the Plain which is similar to Matthew's Sermon on the Mount but abbreviated and given to the disciples, not to thousands. If you choose to follow Jesus, you are expected to take a different direction in the way you live life. Discipleship is caring for your neighbor's well being as much as your own.
2024-02-0622 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchLet's Go FishingToday, in Luke 5:1-11, we find Peter, James, John, and Andrew returning from an all night fishing adventure having caught nothing. Jesus shows up and turns things around.
2024-01-2925 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchBlessing OthersJesus went to his hometown and ended up being the preacher for the service. He chose to read from the prophet, Isaiah, chapter 61. He told the truth to his hometown crowd and they did not like it.
2024-01-2223 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchRemember Your Baptism - Called by NameThis week we celebrate the baptism of Jesus by remembering our own baptism.
2024-01-2123 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchWe All Need EpiphanyAn epiphany is defined as a manifestation of the Divine. In the turmoil of our world and the newness of this year, we all need an epiphany.
2024-01-1321 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchWhat If It Were Today?This Christmas Eve we think about Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. He was born in oppression but today, he would have been born in the Bethlehem of the West Bank.
2024-01-1314 min
Camden First United Methodist ChurchThe Wisdom of FaithfulnessDiscipleship starts at somepoint in our lives and continues for eternity unless we decide we know enough. If we stop striving and if we stop being curious, we do not become all god has called us to be. Simeon and Anna were old but God gave them what God promised.
2024-01-0524 min