Southport Trinity United Methodist Church

As we begin this advent season we remember that as they were once watchful for a baby, we are also now anticipating Christ's return.  Though things may get worse before it gets better, Pastor Taylor reminds us of the hope that it will get better.  That is the promise of the gospel.

On this, the last day of the Christian year, we are reminded of what Jesus has called us to do.

A man was given a sum of money.   Scared of losing the money when his boss asked for it back, he went and hid it in a hole.  Upon return the exact amount of money to his boss, his boss became angry that the man had done nothing with what he was given other than hide it away.  The man was unwilling to take a risk.  How about you?  What would you have done?

Rev. John Rice shares a unique perspective on prayer and how we can use prayers of blessing to share God's love with all around us.

On this All Saint's Sunday, we take time to look at the vision of heaven that John had.  What a glorious day we have to look forward to when the last of our tears will be wiped away.

Scripture is often complicated with nuances and layers, but today that is not so.  In this verse Jesus speaks plainly and clearly yet we still find a way to make this concept very complicated. 

The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus when they asked what they should do with the coins that had Caesar's face on them.  Jesus' answer teaches us more than just if we should pay taxes or not.

If God gives you 10 apples, do we actually give Him one back or do we take slices even from that for ourselves?

What does it really mean to be a cheerful giver?  It does not just mean giving money with a smile on your face.  Pastor Taylor shares what Paul was really talking about when he called us to be a cheerful giver. 

The Israelites were still in the desert and their water had long since run out.  They grumbled an complained to Moses once again.  Moses got frustrated with the people when they asked for water.  Had they not yet seen that God would provide?  Were they not grateful for what they had been given?  And an even bigger questions, was God as frustrated with the Israelites as Moses was?

We like math because math makes sense, it always adds up.  God's math, however, doesn't always add up in a logical or fair manner.  But that's the way of God's math because that's the way of His grace.

What could be better that just getting along?  Jesus gives us simple instructions on how to deal with conflict and yet we seem to try to find more "comfortable" ways.  Through Jesus' instructions we find that reconciliation can be far better than our ways.

Pastor Gary shares some important warnings found in the scriptures about how we should approach the scriptures and the importance of reading the Word for ourselves. 

Can you believe that Jesus entrusted the keys to the kingdom to Peter?  He did, and he entrusts those keys to us too.  So, what does that mean for us today?

A Canaanite woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter.  A as Jew Jesus should not have even been communicating with this woman and yet this story takes a turn and through this we see how his circle becomes increasingly bigger throughout his ministry.

Jesus commanded Peter to get out of the boat and walk on water.  But how many times do God or Jesus do that?  Have you ever noticed that when our Lord speaks, things happen?

Five thousand or more were fed with two loaves and a few fish.  They were not only fed but were filled.  What does that say about our God?  In this world of scarcity, how can we find abundance?

Jesus explained to his disciples what the Kingdom of God was like through parables and at the end asked if they understood.  Of course they said, "yes, boss."  But did they?  Do we?  How is it that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, or yeast, or a treasure in a field?

Paul writes to the the church in Rome, a church that is meeting in catacombs and praying to not be caught by the Romans.  All they see is persecution and they ask, "Paul, is there any hope?'  There is hope, even for us today, a hope that is in the unseen.

We have often looked at Matthew 13:1-9 from the standpoint of what kind of soil we need to be in order to receive the word.  But have you ever thought about the sower?  Why did he just throw seed everywhere?  Did he not know the basics of good farming or was God trying to tell more about his character and how extravagant his grace is?