Glorious Joy | 1 Peter 1:1-9

Explore the biblical theme of joy and discover the incredible inheritance waiting for us as citizens of Heaven. Joy appears over 430 times in Scripture—it's at the heart of God's plan for our lives.

KEY POINTS:

- One of the most prominent themes of the Bible is joy

- Do you know true joy? The gospel opens a new dimension of joy that surpasses everything else

- We are citizens of Heaven—exiles longing for our true home

- We have an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance reserved in heaven

- Go claim your inheritance—you are a child of God, a child of the King

SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Includes the powerful story of Ben Hooper, who grew up facing rejection until a preacher told him, "You are a child of God. Go claim your inheritance, boy."

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

Visit wetumpkafirst.com to connect with us!

#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Joy #Hope #Heaven #Christmas

Refined by Fire: Finding Joy in Trials

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Peter writes to scattered believers facing hardship, reminding them of the living hope found in Christ's resurrection. Though trials test our faith like fire refines gold, these momentary struggles produce something far more precious—a faith that brings glory to God. Even without seeing Jesus face to face, we can love Him and experience an inexpressible joy as we await the salvation of our souls.

Key Themes:

Our inheritance in Christ is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading

Trials serve a purpose—refining and proving our faith genuine

Joy transcends circumstances when anchored in eternal hope

We love and trust a Savior we haven't seen, yet know is real

This message offers encouragement for anyone walking through difficulty, pointing toward the eternal perspective that transforms how we experience suffering today.

Let the music of Christmas fill your heart and draw you closer to the One whose birth we celebrate.

Discover the incredible truth about peace with God and the hope we have through Jesus Christ. In this devotion, we explore one of Scripture's most powerful passages about grace, faith, and God's overwhelming love for us.

When the people of Jerusalem assembled to hear God's Word read aloud, something extraordinary happened. What began with attentive listening and heartfelt tears transformed into unexpected joy and celebration. In Nehemiah 8:1-12, we discover the power of gathering together around Scripture - how understanding God's Word turns our mourning into dancing and reminds us that "the joy of the Lord is our strength." Join us as we explore what happens when God's people come together with open hearts and eager ears.

The Grace of Giving | 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Discover what it means to excel in the grace of giving as we explore Paul's teaching about the Macedonian churches who gave generously despite extreme poverty, showing us that true generosity flows from a heart surrendered to God.

KEY POINTS:

• Give generously without a reluctant heart and the Lord will bless you

• God is more concerned with the condition of your heart than anything you could possess

• It's equal sacrifice not equal giving, based on our love for God

• When you tithe for the right reasons, you have gone into business with God

SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Through the examples of the Macedonian churches, the widow's mite, and George Mueller's lifelong generosity, this message challenges us to respond to God's love through sacrificial giving that reflects our gratitude and trust in Him.

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

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#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Generosity #Giving #Stewardship #ChristianLiving #Tithing

2 Corinthians 8: 1-7

His Witnesses | Hebrews 12:1-3

Explore the call to run our race of faith with endurance, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. This message challenges us to stay focused on Jesus and finish strong.

KEY POINTS:

- Others have completed the race - We're surrounded by witnesses who successfully ran their race of faith

- Get ready to run the race - Every morning, prepare yourself to run with endurance

- Keep your focus on Jesus - Don't take your eyes off Jesus; fix your gaze on Him, not yourself

- Stay strong and finish the race - Victory comes from finishing, not from being the fastest

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 12:1-3

A powerful illustration from the 2002 Winter Olympics reminds us that the gold medal goes to those who cross the finish line, not those who get tangled up in the chaos around them.

From First Methodist Church Wetumpka

Visit wetumpkafirst.com to connect with us!

#Sermon #Methodist #Faith #Perseverance #Endurance #ChristianLiving #Hebrews #RunTheRace