First United Methodist Church of Lakeland
Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. First United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Florida will fulfill this mission by living and sharing the love of Christ with joy. Visit us at firstumc.org.
Listen on:
Episodes
Monday Mar 07, 2016
Monday Mar 07, 2016
Matthew 6:12
At the core of our relationship with God is how John the Baptist began his ministry—‘offering a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.’ In Jesus, God was about coming to the people, us, and redeeming them. The story of the Prodigal illustrates clearly that God, the Father, is running toward us to forgive us of our sins. Once forgiven (but not to earn forgiveness), we are to respond by living and offering that same forgiveness to others. Matthew’s version uses the word ‘debts.’ As our debts are forgiven by God and we forgive other’s debts to us, the kingdom comes truly among us and relationships are set right.
Monday Mar 07, 2016
Monday Mar 07, 2016
Matthew 6:12
At the core of our relationship with God is how John the Baptist began his ministry—‘offering a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.’ In Jesus, God was about coming to the people, us, and redeeming them. The story of the Prodigal illustrates clearly that God, the Father, is running toward us to forgive us of our sins. Once forgiven (but not to earn forgiveness), we are to respond by living and offering that same forgiveness to others. Matthew’s version uses the word ‘debts.’ As our debts are forgiven by God and we forgive other’s debts to us, the kingdom comes truly among us and relationships are set right.
Monday Mar 07, 2016
Monday Feb 29, 2016
Monday Feb 29, 2016
Matthew 6:11
To pray for ‘Daily Bread’ does not mean letting that be the first of many items on the shopping list. Rather, it comes only after claiming our place as children of the Father and of the Kingdom he is seeking to establish on earth. It is then that this verse is put in right perspective. God’s provision is not just for the ‘good’ folks, rather Jesus’ use of daily bread is pointing to the great banquet that God has prepared for all people. It is a recognition that God is the God of all of our life and we can entrust ourselves to this God who will see to our needs but who also calls us to the table to be fed with all people.
Monday Feb 29, 2016
Monday Feb 29, 2016
Matthew 6:11
To pray for ‘Daily Bread’ does not mean letting that be the first of many items on the shopping list. Rather, it comes only after claiming our place as children of the Father and of the Kingdom he is seeking to establish on earth. It is then that this verse is put in right perspective. God’s provision is not just for the ‘good’ folks, rather Jesus’ use of daily bread is pointing to the great banquet that God has prepared for all people. It is a recognition that God is the God of all of our life and we can entrust ourselves to this God who will see to our needs but who also calls us to the table to be fed with all people.
Wednesday Feb 24, 2016
Monday Feb 22, 2016
Monday Feb 22, 2016
Monday Feb 22, 2016
Matthew 6:10To pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ means that we recognize that God’s rule and God’s realm is over both heaven and earth. It is for us to recognize that God’s ultimate intent is that heaven comes down to earth and both are integrated into one dwelling place with God. The prophets (Ezekiel, Zechariah, Malachi and Isaiah) all point toward the glory of God dwelling with God’s people. Jesus, in teaching to pray these words, was pointing toward himself as the one who was inaugurating God’s kingdom. It is for us now to be signs of the kingdom which has arrived and is moving to completion through Christ in us.
Monday Feb 22, 2016
Monday Feb 22, 2016
Matthew 6:10To pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ means that we recognize that God’s rule and God’s realm is over both heaven and earth. It is for us to recognize that God’s ultimate intent is that heaven comes down to earth and both are integrated into one dwelling place with God. The prophets (Ezekiel, Zechariah, Malachi and Isaiah) all point toward the glory of God dwelling with God’s people. Jesus, in teaching to pray these words, was pointing toward himself as the one who was inaugurating God’s kingdom. It is for us now to be signs of the kingdom which has arrived and is moving to completion through Christ in us.
Tuesday Feb 16, 2016