Tomorrow we celebrate Palm Sunday. We are at the end of the main message of The Sermon on the Mount. Since Chapter 5, verse 20, Jesus has been explaining to us what he means when he says, “You must obey God’s commands better than the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law obey them.” Here, at the end of Chapter 6 and the beginning of Chapter 7 (remember it was not Jesus that divided this sermon into chapters and verses), Jesus speaks to us about worry and condemnation – about how we relate to God and to each other. Then, in 7:7-12, Jesus tells us how to become the kind of person he has described in 5:21–7:6; the person who obeys God’s commands because it is who they are. Jesus then sums up those commands in one short sentence we call The Golden Rule.
When we read Matthew 6:25-34, we hear Jesus telling us not to worry. That is a valid, quick reading of the text. A more studied reading of these verses will tell us exactly why we don’t need to worry .... even telling us why it is counter-productive for us to worry. Jesus teaches us that our worry is based on a misunderstanding of who God is. When we can see clearly (go back to v.22-23) who God is, then we will understand the futility of worry. Now, at the closing of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus comes to his last example and he assumes the best about us; that we have been listening and paying attention, and striving to be the people he is describing. We have dealt with our anger and our closest relationships; we do not manipulate, but seek to help the way God helps us. We are not doing these things just to look good or to be admired, but because we know and love and trust God. Now Jesus encourages us to abandon Condemnation Engineering. Condemnation Engineering is the art of telling people how not to do everything before they ask. After Jesus has given us these examples of obeying God better, the logical question is, “How?” Jesus answers, “Ask, search and knock. If this is what you want to do then devote your time and your energy to the task of transformation. God is good and is waiting to help you. And if you want to get off to a quick start then treat others the way you want them to treat you.” Join us this Sunday online at 10 am for worship. You can worship with us on our Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/FirstMethodistSealy) or wait for a new Sunday email to deliver the sermon. You can still watch last week's sermon on our website or find us on YouTube.
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First UMC will not host in-person Sunday Worship until further notice. Beginning March 19– April 5 (weeks beyond will be evaluated on April 5):
God is with us and will be with us when these days are over! Make the best you can of these times through Bible study and prayer. This is an opportunity. God has plans for you “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love – not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! Romans 8:38-39Dear First UMC Church Family,
Following the advice of the Bishop, and after careful consultation with our church leadership, First UMC Sealy, along with most Methodist churches, has suspended traditional services and activities for the next couple of weeks. First Sealy is currently planning to get Sunday services broadcasted on Facebook, then sent via email, but please continue to check our Facebook page and our website to stay informed and updated. So, in short, beginning March 19– April 5 (weeks beyond will be evaluated on April 5):
For 2,000 years, Christians have been called to turn away from anxiety, stress, and chaos and instead turn to Jesus Christ. We ask that you join us in pressing into the living hope that has been bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Brother Mike First UMC Family:
The situation regarding the COVID-19 virus, and the steps being taken by community, state and national leaders to curb its further spread, seem to be changing on a daily if not hourly basis. If you do not already know, Sealy ISD and most surrounding schools/universities have decided to close their classes. Because of this, and our long-standing policy of following Sealy ISD in regards to school closings, our First Kids Mother’s Day Out will remain closed until the week of March 23. At this time, we have no plans to cancel Sunday worship services, and we simply make these particular requests:
While we cannot control the virus, the spread or the impact it has in our church, we’re doing everything we can to make our church as safe and clean as possible. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to help us do just that. Also … please remember … that God has not called us to live in fear but in faith. As the apostle, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind..” Our prayer is that God will fill all of us with these three gifts, no matter what comes our way. |
AuthorIn matters of faith, we at First United Methodist Church, Sealy put primary reliance on the Bible. In scripture, we understand that we are all God’s children; therefore, we will be a church that cares for the needs of our church and local community through prayer, deeds, inspiration, and love in the spirit of Christ. Archives
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Our MissionCaring for the needs of our church and community through prayer, deeds, inspiration and love in the Spirit of Christ.
Sunday Worship: 10 am Adult & Children & Youth Sunday School 9 am First Kids Mother's Day Out (Tuesday & Thursday; 8am to 2pm; Ages 1-3) Rev Pat Bell, Pastor First United Methodist Church Sealy
200 Atchison Street Sealy, Texas 77474 979.885.2223 |
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