A Man of Destiny | 2 Samuel 5:17-25

The Bible calls David a man after God's own heart -- and then tells us, without flinching, about the wives, the pride, the census, and Bathsheba. Pastor Matt walks through the whole of David's life, the right way and the wrong way to honor God, and lands on a question none of us can dodge: does your heart's desire mirror God's heart?

KEY POINTS:

* David was a passionate man -- and some of those passions almost derailed his life.

* David indulged himself in unrestrained extremes. Whatever he did, he did with all his heart, for better and for worse.

* David was a man of destiny, but he waited on God's timing. Twice he could have seized the throne, and twice he chose obedience.

* Does your heart's desire mirror God's heart? God wants to give you the desires of your heart -- but the question is what those desires are.

* When you pursue God's heart, you discover He put you here to do something nobody else can do.

* All you are and all you have comes from God -- and that is what makes a grateful heart.

SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 5:17-25

Don't miss the moment in the cave at En Gedi. Saul is hunting David with 3,000 men and wanders into the very cave where David is hiding. David's men are certain this is God's gift. David cuts the corner of Saul's robe -- and is immediately conscience-stricken. "I would rather be obedient to God than to be the king."

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #KingDavid #GodsTiming #Obedience

A Woman of Strength | Esther 4:5-14

Five hundred years before Jesus, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin became queen of the Persian Empire -- and found herself the only person who could save her people. Pastor Matt walks through the story of Esther and asks the question that lands squarely on all of us: what if God has positioned you exactly where you are, for such a time as this?

KEY POINTS:

* God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

* Esther lived out her purpose right where she was -- your purpose is wrapped up in your position.

* She prepared herself. She fasted, gathered others around her, and refused to go in her own strength.

* She was proactive, willing to put her life on the line: "If I perish, I perish."

* She trusted God's providence -- though God is never named in Esther, His fingerprints are on every page.

* She proclaimed her identity, and so must we.

SCRIPTURE: Esther 4:5-14

Don't miss the sleepless night at the center of the story: Haman builds a 75-foot gallows for Mordecai, while across the palace a restless king calls for the royal records and hears how Mordecai once saved his life. By morning, Haman is leading his enemy through the streets in royal honor. There are no accidents with God -- life is filled with divine appointments.

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Esther #ForSuchATimeAsThis #GodsPurpose

EPISODE TITLE:

Inner Strength | Judges 13:24-25

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

Inner Strength | Judges 13:24-25

Samson was likely the strongest man who ever lived, but his story is a series of miracles and follies. He had extraordinary physical strength and almost no inner strength — and this message looks at where real, lasting strength actually comes from.

KEY POINTS:

* We cannot abuse the gifts God has given us. He can give, and He can take away.

* Sin always leads to consequences, even when the reckoning comes long after the choice.

* Even at our lowest, God can still use us.

* True strength is found in humility. As Paul learned, God's grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness.

SCRIPTURE: Judges 13:24-25 (with Judges 13-16 and 2 Corinthians 12)

Pastor Matt also shares the story of his son Garrett, who had just heard a sermon about how Satan doesn't always show up with horns and a pitchfork — and turned down a red convertible full of trouble that very afternoon.

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

Visit wetumpkafirst.com to connect with us!

#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Samson #InnerStrength #Humility