Sermon Series - 2014

Trinity United Methodist Church - Rev. Dr. David N. Wentz

 

The Word for the Week

A series of sermons inspired by Pastor Wentz's understanding of what the Holy Spirit is saying to us each week.  Each sermon may connect with events in the world, the church, or in his own life.  They may be favorite Bible stories or verses.  But each will be a new insight that Pastor Wentz believes God wants us to hear that week.  Come, be surprised, encouraged and blessed!

January 5, 2014

January 12, 2014

January 19, 2014

January 26, 2014

February 2, 2014

February 9, 2014

Be Wise

Bible reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Key verse: Proverbs 3:18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those 

who hold her tightly.

Knowledge is knowing facts; understanding is knowing what they mean; wisdom is knowing what to do about them.

Wisdom is worth gaining

  • Wisdom is valuable (Proverbs 3:13-18)
  • Wisdom is powerful (Proverbs 3:19; 21:30)
  • Wisdom fits us for responsibility (Acts 6:1-4)

True wisdom is godly wisdom

  • Wisdom starts with knowing God (Proverbs 1:7; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Ephesians 1:16-19)
  • Wisdom is found in God and his word (Proverbs 2:6-7;  2 Timothy 3:15)

Human wisdom is a deceptive counterfeit (Proverbs 3:5-8; Ecclesiastes 1:16-18; 1Corinthians 1:18-25)

Anyone can gain true wisdom, but it takes work (Proverbs 2:1-5; Luke 2:52)

Wisdom shows itself in a godly life (Matthew 7:24-27; Colossians 1:9-10; James 3:13-17)

God will give wisdom for a specific situation if we ask for it (James 1:5; Romans 8:14; Proverbs 13:10)

How to Walk on Water

(This sermon is preached in two parts: points #1-3 on Jan. 12, and points #4-5 on Jan 26.)

Bible reading: Matthew 14:22-33

Key verse: Luke 17:6 The Lord answered, "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could 

say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you!” 


Walking on Water in Five Easy Steps


1.  Be doing what you already know to do (v. 22)

  • a)      Don’t let a storm stop you (v. 24)
  • b)      Expect Jesus to show up unexpectedly (v. 25-26)
  • c)      Listen for God’s voice (v. 27) 2.

2. Tell God your wildest dream (v. 28)

3.  When God says “yes,” get out of the boat (v. 29)
4.  Walk on that water!

  • a)      Keep putting one foot in front of the other (v. 29)
  • b)      Be sure you’re walking toward Jesus (v. 29)
  • c)      Keep your eyes on Jesus (v. 30)
  • d)      If you start to sink, call on Jesus (v. 30)
  • e)      Focus your faith on Jesus (v. 31)
  • f)       Walk with Jesus until he leads you back to the boat (v. 31)
  • g)      Keep walking even if the wind blows (v. 32)

5.  Never lose your wonder (v. 33)

 

Great Love


Rev. Dr. Evan Young, Superintendent of the Annapolis District of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church spoke on Great Love and our response to it.

How to Walk on Water, Part 2

(Second part of the sermon from Jan 12.)


Bible reading: Matthew 14:22-33

Key verse: Luke 17:6 The Lord answered, "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could 

say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you!” 

 

Walking on Water in Five Easy Steps


1.  Be doing what you already know to do (v. 22)

  • a)      Don’t let a storm stop you (v. 24)
  • b)      Expect Jesus to show up unexpectedly (v. 25-26)
  • c)      Listen for God’s voice (v. 27) 2.

2. Tell God your wildest dream (v. 28)

3.  When God says “yes,” get out of the boat (v. 29)
4.  Walk on that water!

  • a)      Keep putting one foot in front of the other (v. 29)
  • b)      Be sure you’re walking toward Jesus (v. 29)
  • c)      Keep your eyes on Jesus (v. 30)
  • d)      If you start to sink, call on Jesus (v. 30)
  • e)      Focus your faith on Jesus (v. 31)
  • f)       Walk with Jesus until he leads you back to the boat (v. 31)
  • g)      Keep walking even if the wind blows (v. 32)

5.  Never lose your wonder (v. 33)

 

Victory in Jesus


Bible reading: Job 1:1-22

Key verse: John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.


Trouble is not an option (John 16:33)

Some troubles come from just living in this world

  • The world is fallen, no longer the good way God created it to be (Romans 8:19-21)

                “Stuff happens!” - accidents, natural disasters, economic collapse, etc. (Luke 13:1-5)

  • God wants to give you victory over the world’s troubles

                 Use wisdom to avoid them where possible

                 Be prepared in case they come anyway

                 When worldly troubles do come

                      Pray (Philippians 4:6-7)

                      Stand firm in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)


Some troubles comes from ourselves

  • We are fallen, no longer the good way God created us to be (Genesis 3:1-24)
  • God wants to give you victory over troubles you bring on yourself

                  Admit what you did wrong and go a different direction (Acts 2:38)

                  Use your body for God (1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 12:1)

                  Change your life by changing the way you think (Romans 12:2)


Some troubles come from the devil

  • The devil tries to hurt God by hurting the one God loves: you!

                  Recognize the source: the devil often fools people into doing his dirty work, but people 

                  are not your enemy (Ephesians 6:12)

  • God wants to give you victory over troubles the devil brings you

                  Jesus defeated the devil (1 John 3:8)

                  Jesus gives every Christian “power of attorney” to use his name against the 

                  devil (Mark 16:17; Acts 3:6)


Troubles can’t defeat a child of God (John 16:33)

Healthy is Good

Bible readings: Luke 5:12-15 and Ephesians 4:11-16

Key verse: Luke 5:13 Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 

  • Everybody needs a body
  • Healthy is good
  • Unhealthy doesn’t help anybody
  • Look at the roots
  • Jesus likes healthy
  • When a sick person gets better, we call it healing; when a sick church gets better,           we call it revival

To think and pray about: Do I really believe it is God’s will for me to be healthy, energetic and pain-free?    If I don’t, am I willing to search the Bible to discover what it says on that question?





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