Journey of Hope UMC's Weekly Sermons

Ennui - Jason - Elgin Campus

Pastor Jason shares about the emotion of ennui as we continue our mental health and faith series based on the Disney/Pixar movie, Inside Out 2. 

Embarrassment

In our exploration of emotions through the lens of faith, we delve into the powerful feeling of embarrassment. We're reminded of the liberating truth found in Romans 8:1 - 'There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.' This profound statement invites us to release our shame and embrace God's unconditional love. We see examples of embarrassment in Scripture, from Adam and Eve hiding their nakedness to Peter denying Jesus. Yet in both cases, God's grace prevails. These stories remind us that even in our moments of deepest shame, we are not abandoned. The message challenges us to cultivate empathy and vulnerability in our relationships, echoing Brene Brown's insights on shame and courage. As we approach life's challenges, let's remember that our vulnerability is not weakness, but a pathway to deeper connection with God and others.

"ENVY"

In this powerful exploration of envy, we're challenged to confront one of the most pervasive yet often overlooked emotions in our spiritual lives. Drawing from Proverbs 14:30 and James 3:13-18, we're reminded that a heart at peace gives life, while envy rots the bones. The message delves into the roots of envy, revealing how it often stems from feelings of inadequacy, fear of scarcity, and unrealistic comparisons. We're encouraged to combat envy by fostering gratitude, recognizing our unique value, and trusting in God's abundance. The insight that envy can distort our view of God's kingdom is particularly striking, pushing us to embrace a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity. As we reflect on this, we're called to celebrate others' successes and remember that someone else's joy doesn't diminish our own. This message invites us to transform our relationship with envy, using it as a tool for growth and self-discovery rather than allowing it to breed resentment.

Inside Out - Foundations

In this powerful message, we're reminded of our divine origin and purpose. The scripture from Genesis emphasizes that we are created in God's image - not physically, but in the image of love. This fundamental truth shapes our identity and calls us to both receive and exude love. However, we're also confronted with the reality of living in an imperfect world, as reflected in Ecclesiastes. The message tackles the critical issue of mental health, challenging us to create safe spaces for sharing emotions and supporting one another. We're encouraged to understand that faith and mental health challenges can coexist, and that seeking professional help is not a sign of weak faith. The staggering statistics on mental illness serve as a wake-up call, urging us to be present, listen without judgment, and offer comfort to those struggling. Ultimately, we're reminded of Jesus' invitation to find rest in Him and the assurance that it's okay not to be okay. This message calls us to embrace our worth as God's masterpieces and to actively participate in bringing hope and healing to our communities.

By Water and the Spirit - Pastor Jarrod - Bartlett Campus

Today, we dive into the powerful symbolism of baptism and its profound significance in our spiritual journey. The scripture from Acts 8 and Luke 3 reminds us of Jesus' own baptism and the descent of the Holy Spirit. This beautiful moment isn't just a historical event; it's a call for us to remember our own baptisms and the transformative power they hold. We're challenged to consider: How are we living out our baptismal vows? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us? The message emphasizes that baptism isn't a ticket to heaven, but rather an outward sign of God's inward grace. It's a celebration of our adoption into God's family - a family that, like the Hawaiian concept of 'ohana', leaves no one behind. As we reflect on this, let's consider how we can embody this inclusive love in our own lives and communities.

Remember Your Baptism, and Be Thankful - Pastor Jason - Elgin Campus

Today, we dive into the powerful symbolism of baptism and its profound significance in our spiritual journey. The scripture from Acts 8 and Luke 3 reminds us of Jesus' own baptism and the descent of the Holy Spirit. This beautiful moment isn't just a historical event; it's a call for us to remember our own baptisms and the transformative power they hold. We're challenged to consider: How are we living out our baptismal vows? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us? The message emphasizes that baptism isn't a ticket to heaven, but rather an outward sign of God's inward grace. It's a celebration of our adoption into God's family - a family that, like the Hawaiian concept of 'ohana', leaves no one behind. As we reflect on this, let's consider how we can embody this inclusive love in our own lives and communities.

Gifts, Pastor Jarrod Severing, Elgin Campus

The story of the Magi visiting Jesus offers profound insights into God's inclusive love. These mysterious visitors from the East, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolize God's invitation extending beyond Israel to all nations. Their journey reminds us that God's plan of salvation is universal, crossing cultural and ethnic boundaries. As we reflect on this, we're challenged to examine our own attitudes: Who do we consider 'outsiders' in our faith community? Are we truly welcoming all, as God does? The Magi's gifts, prophetically pointing to Jesus' kingship, divinity, and sacrificial death, invite us to consider what unique gifts we bring to worship and serve. This Epiphany story urges us to broaden our understanding of God's family and to actively participate in His inclusive kingdom.

Reflection - Jason - Elgin Campus

Pastor Jason shares a brief reflection during our "Lessons and Carol" service following Christmas.

The Unlikely Advent - When God Shows Up

In this powerful message, we're reminded of the extraordinary ways God shows up in our ordinary lives. The story of the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20 takes center stage, highlighting how God chose to reveal the greatest news of all time to some of the most overlooked people in society. This narrative challenges us to look for God's presence in unexpected places and mundane moments. Are we too distracted by the flashy and loud to notice the quiet miracles around us? The concept of '531 moments' - times when we become acutely aware of God's presence - encourages us to be more intentional in recognizing divine encounters in our daily lives. As we navigate this Advent season, let's open our eyes to the signs of God's love and grace that surround us, remembering that like the shepherds, we too are called to share the good news of great joy with others.

An Unlikely Advent - A Curious People

In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the profound story of the Magi from Matthew 2:1-12. This unlikely Advent narrative challenges our perceptions of who belongs in God's story. The Magi, foreigners from the East, were guided by a star to worship the newborn King Jesus. Their journey reminds us that God's invitation extends far beyond our expectations. The gifts they brought - gold, frankincense, and myrrh - symbolize Jesus' royalty, divinity, and sacrificial death. But more than the gifts, it's the givers who teach us a crucial lesson: God's guest list is all-inclusive. We're challenged to examine our own 'guest lists' in our families, communities, and churches. Are we truly welcoming to all, or do we unconsciously exclude those who are different? This message urges us to embrace the spirit of radical inclusivity, recognizing that every person brings unique, God-given gifts to enrich our faith communities.