Andy Talks

We see Jesus crucified today, and there’s a lot that we can unpack. We see Jesus honoring His mother by providing for her care. We see how scripture is being fulfilled. But for me, I am fascinated by “the place of the skull.” What does that mean? What is important or significant about that? Today, we’ll look at why the place where Jesus was crucified means so very much to us. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019%3A%2016-27&version=NIVYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Traditional message from November 24, 2024, Andy shares with us from John 18: 33-37. We see here that Pilate didn't know what to do with Jesus because Jesus knew His kingdom was not of this world. We live with hope because we have a great home. Jesus is king.  Rejoice!

The religious leaders of the day understood that the Romans believed Caesar was a god. That is why when the people came to the Temple, they had to “change” over their money. No pagan god could be in the Temple. Yet, what do they say today? We have no king but Caesar. They did not believe this. But they chanted it to make sure Jesus went to the cross. They lost themselves. Let us be careful that we stay rooted in Jesus and His grace. Let us be careful in life that we do not lose ourselves. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019%3A%201-16&

Jesus stands before Pilate today and is asked, are you a king? Jesus takes that conversation in another direction. He talks to Pilate about truth, to which Pilate asks, what is truth? Now, we know the answer; Jesus tells us earlier He is truth. He is the way, the truth, and life. But here’s the problem. Pilate didn’t want truth. The religious leaders didn’t want truth. Jesus is truth and He would change things. He would burn down the false securities that they had built their lives on. What is truth? Jesus. Do we want truth? Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com

Today’s reading is a bit longer because we look at what is called a “sandwich.” We see these in the Gospels, in particular. What is happening is a story is broken up into two stories, with another story in between, a sandwich. This is done to show a contrast. Today, we see Peter’s denial of Jesus broken up into 2 seconds, with Jesus before the High Priest in the middle. We see Peter, not standing firm, and Jesus, standing firm. We see in this why we need Jesus. We need Him with us for us to stand. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2018%3

We see one of my favorite examples of who Jesus is today. When they come to arrest Jesus, Peter draws the sword and cuts off the ear. And, if we are going to be honest, we feel like Peter sometimes, don’t we? We want to lop off some ears sometimes. Sometimes, it even feels right to do that, doesn’t it? But look at what Jesus does. He puts away the sword. I want to follow Jesus in that way. In a world that lops off ears, I want to be like Jesus. I want to bring healing. I want to bring healing in a world of pain. Let’s follow Jesus wherever He leads us. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here -

In our INTERSECTION message from November 17, 2024, Andy shares with us from Hebrews 10: 19-25. We can come with confidence before Jesus because of what He has done. Let us gather today and be thankful for all He has done!

Jesus prays for us today. We have seen prayers for the disciples who were there with Him, but today, He is praying for me and for you. He is praying for the church of this moment. Of all the things that He can pray for, what does He choose? Unity. He prays that we may be one. That we may be one as He and the Father are one. Unity matters to Jesus. As Christians, and particularly those of us who are Protestants, we often don’t think that way. But we see here today that unity matters to Jesus. So, unity should matter to us as well. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegatewa

Today, we see Jesus continue His prayer for the church. He asks the Father not to take us out of the world but to keep us safe in it. Often in our lives, our growth doesn’t come from easy times but from hard times. God’s desire for us is not that we are happy, but God’s desire for us is that we are holy. We see Him pray for our sanctification or our holiness. But let’s remember that holiness is not morality. Morality leads to legalism: I’m good, you’re bad. Holiness is God’s love, being shed abroad in our hearts so that we perfectly love God and neighbor. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here

John 17:3 is one of my favorite passages. It tells us what heaven is. Eternal life is this: knowing God and His Son, Jesus Christ, who He sent. That’s what it is. This is a future thing, yes, but it’s also a now thing.  A professor called this a not but not yet thing. We experience foretastes of heaven but not the fullness. One day, we’ll know the fullness, but not yet. So, today, in this moment, you can know eternal life. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2017%3A%201-5&version=NIVYou can watch this in video form here - https://revan

Jesus today makes us a promise. We will have trouble. He tells us that. But He also tells us to take heart because He has overcome this world. He has overcome all things: sin, death, tragedy, pain, hurt, loss, all of it. That’s not to say that these things aren’t real or that they won’t bring us to tears. But He promises this: those tears will turn into joy. He is overcome. Today, take that absurd, outrageous, abundant, overwhelming, amazing hope with you into every room you are in! Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016%3A%2016-33&v

Jesus says the Spirit will come from the Father and reveal what He has said. Any knowledge you have, from prayer, Scripture, reading, fasting, or any of the means of grace, comes from the Father, through the Son, or by the Spirit.  Everything, everything we know, is an act of the Holy Trinity. Jesus said that this will come in a time of grief, and that is often the way that it is; it is in those times of pain that is when we can most know truth. Today, listen to the Spirit. Sek the Spirit. Walk with the Spirit. For the Spirit will point us to all truth. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here -

Jesus tells His followers today that He was hated. We take some time this morning to look at what He is talking about in the original context. He is talking about how the religious leaders hated Him, and they will hate the disciples. But He is also talking about us. Following Jesus is always hard. Following the leading of the Spirit is always a challenge. Folks may not like it. They may judge us. They may even hate us. But we know that Jesus is always with us, no matter what. Following Him is hard, yes. But it is also the way to life. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.bibleg

In our Traditional message from November 10, 2024, Andy looks at Mark 12: 38-44. We see that the widow gives sacrificially. While this is hard, giving, sacrificing, and following Jesus, is always a challenge. But it is always where life is found. 

We see that Jesus is the source of our life. He is the vine; we are branches. Our life flows from Him. Apart from Jesus, we can’t do anything at all. He is our life. When we remain in Him, we have life, and we bear fruit. What is that fruit? When we keep His commands, we love. That is the command that He has for us. Love. When we remain in the vine, that is the fruit we will bear. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015%3A%201-17&version=NIVYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We resume our time in John 14 this morning by looking at one of the most powerful of all of Jesus’ statements. He is the way, the truth, and life. No one comes to the Father but through Him. What does this mean? What does this mean for our salvation and for our works? Jesus is life. He is the way. He is the truth.  These verses should be at the heart of our faith, our doctrine, and how we are as Christians. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A%205-14&version=NIVYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We are told today that Jesus has not left us orphaned. He is with us. He has given us Himself through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He has given us an advocate and a comforter. We are never alone. If we are Christian, we have the Spirit because we can only be Christian through the Spirit. Today, let’s not pray for God’s presence because we know He is with us. Let’s pray for an awareness of that presence. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A%2015-31&version=NIVYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today is election day. I’m going to do what I always do or have done for many years. I’m going to go vote. And I am going to read Psalm 2. This Pslam has words to speak to us in moments such as this. This Psalm reminds us of this truth. The Lord is upon the throne. The nations may rage. They may plot, they may scheme, they may plan. But God is God. He is God today, on Election Day, and He will be God tomorrow. Today, vote, work for you person, and pray. But, in all things, trust. Why do the nations rage? God is God. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/

Jesus tells us today that He is going to His Father’s home and will prepare a place for us. This is a phrase we have heard a lot through the years, and we probably heard a few sermons preached about it. But what is happening? What is Jesus talking about when He says this? Preparing a room has a specific meaning in that culture that still rings true for us today. I unpack what that means for us, but in short, our Father loves us, and our Father will take care of us. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A%201-4&version=NIVYou can wa

In our All Saints Sunday sermon, Andy shares with us from Revelation 21:1-6. We are heading home. We aren't yet there, but God is taking us to better place. We rejoice for our saints who are already there. But we know we are going home.