Love One Another | 1 John 3:16-24

In this week's message from First Methodist Church Wetumpka, we explore how God's love changes everything — drawing us back to Him, opening our eyes to what He is doing, and sending us out to love others with truth and action.

KEY POINTS:

* God's love has the power to turn us around.

* God's love has the power to turn us on.

* God's love has the power to turn us loose.

* So, how do we lay down our lives for each other?

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 3:16-24

Along the way, Pastor Matt shares the unforgettable story of "Wrong Way Rhodes" from his high school football days and the sacrificial love of Marine William Manchester at Okinawa — reminding us that laying down our lives is less about dying for someone than living for someone.

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Love #SacrificialLove #GodsLove

Proclaiming the Truth | Acts 2:14-21

On this Pentecost Sunday, we look at how Peter -- once the disciple who denied Jesus three times -- was transformed by an encounter with the risen Christ and emboldened by the Holy Spirit to stand before the crowd and proclaim the good news.

KEY POINTS:

* Peter encountered the risen Christ, was restored by Jesus, and witnessed His ascension.

* When the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost, Peter stood and addressed the crowd.

* Peter declared that the One they crucified is the Messiah, and the people were cut to the heart.

* When they cried out "What shall we do?" Peter called them to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit.

SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:14-21

Pastor Matt reminds us that the Holy Spirit gives us both "the power to do and the power to don't," and challenges us to tell the next generation -- because Christianity is only ever one generation from being forgotten.

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Pentecost #HolySpirit #Gospel

Crown of Life | James 1:2-18

Life is filled with trials, temptations, and struggles — but God has a purpose in every one of them. In this message, Pastor Matt walks us through James 1:2-18 and four essentials for turning adversity into victory and trials into triumph.

KEY POINTS:

* Count it all joy — God wants us to have a joyful attitude because He is with us through every trial

* Have an understanding mind — seek God's wisdom, not worldly wisdom, and trust Him when doubts arise

* Have a surrendered will — grow willingly into His likeness, not kicking and screaming, but eagerly working out our salvation

* Have a heart that truly believes — faith is not wishful thinking; it is confidence in God's unchanging character

SCRIPTURE: James 1:2-18

Through the stories of Joseph and Abraham, Pastor Matt shows us what it looks like to remain steadfast under trial — and what awaits those who do: the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Trials #CrownOfLife #James #Perseverance

On this Mother's Day, Pastor Matt explores the profound depth and beauty of a mother's love — why it takes everything you have, how it mirrors the love of Christ, and why the work of motherhood truly matters.

KEY POINTS:

* It takes ALL you have to be a Mother

* Jesus was raised by a loving Mother

* A Mother's Love is Christ-Like

* A Mother's Work Matters

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 31:28-31 — "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her... Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #MothersDay #MothersLove #Proverbs31

Two on the Road to Emmaus | Luke 24:13-35

Two discouraged disciples walking away from Jerusalem encounter a stranger on the road — and everything changes. In this week's message, Pastor Matt shows us how the risen Jesus still seeks us out, opens our eyes through Scripture, reveals himself in fellowship, and moves us to share the good news.

KEY POINTS:

* Jesus sought the disciples out — he comes to us wherever we are, even in our discouragement

* Jesus opens the eyes of the disciples — Scripture still opens eyes and transforms despair into hope

* Jesus reveals himself to the disciples — in fellowship and around the table, Jesus makes himself known

* Jesus moves the disciples to share — a real encounter with the risen Savior compels us to tell others

SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:13-35

One of the two disciples in this story is unnamed — and Pastor Matt reminds us that makes it easy to put our own name in the story. Whatever road you're walking today, Jesus is ready to walk beside you.

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Resurrection #RoadToEmmaus #Hope #Scripture

Why We Sing | Psalm 95, Colossians 3:16, James 5:13, Acts 16:25

Guest speaker Thad Hankins delivers a heartfelt message on why Christians sing — drawing from scripture, personal testimony, and three congregational hymns woven throughout the sermon itself.

KEY POINTS:

* We sing to worship and praise God — He is always worthy, in every season of life

* We sing for teaching and encouragement — music helps us memorize and carry the truths of scripture

* We sing together to strengthen our faith community — corporate worship builds up the body of Christ

* We should sing in all seasons — in joy and especially in hardship, just as Paul and Silas sang from prison

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 95:1-2 | Psalm 100:1-2 | Colossians 3:16 | Ephesians 5:19 | James 5:13 | Acts 16:25

Thad shares a moving personal story about his father choosing "Victory in Jesus" as the song for his mother's funeral — a beautiful picture of how singing carries us through even the most difficult moments of life.

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Worship #ChurchMusic #Hymns

He's Alive | Matthew 28:1-10

In this Easter Sunday message, Pastor Matt proclaims the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what it means for our lives today — hope, courage, and an invitation to stop doubting and believe.

KEY POINTS:

* The tomb is empty — no body lies where Jesus was buried, because God raised him from the dead.

* The women are commissioned to tell the disciples — God uses unlikely messengers, and we are all called to share the good news.

* The resurrection gives us hope and courage to face evil, suffering, fear, and death.

* Jesus is alive and invites us, as he invited Thomas, to give up doubting and believe.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:1-10

Pastor Matt opens with the story of William E. Sangster, a Methodist minister dying of progressive muscular atrophy, who wrote to his daughter on Easter morning: "How terrible to wake up on Easter and have no voice to shout, 'He is risen.' Far worse to have a voice, and not want to shout." That's why we shout — Christ is risen!

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Easter #Resurrection #HeIsRisen #Methodist #Sermon #Faith #Hope #EmptyTomb

The Triumphal Entry | John 12:12–19

On this Palm Sunday, we explore what it truly means to receive Jesus as our King — and what each of us is called to do with that life-changing knowledge.

KEY POINTS:

* When Jesus speaks to you, do you obey Him immediately?

* Are you pursuing a love relationship with Jesus today?

* What does it mean to worship Jesus as our King?

* When the Spirit of God makes the power of the cross clear to us

* What are we to do with this life-changing knowledge?

* What are you going to do about Jesus?

SCRIPTURE: John 12:12–19

The message closes with the story of Hank Parker, whose father persistently asked him the same question — "What you gonna do about Jesus, Hank?" — until Hank surrendered his life to the Lord, and everything changed.

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #PalmSunday #JesusIsKing #HolyWeek