Embrace Widely

First UMC - Gainesville, FL

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Embrace Widely

Luke 15:20-24

September 29, 2024 • Pastor Beth Snarr • Luke 15:20–24

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Verse 20 of Luke 15 says "So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him."

We are called to be a people of wide embrace. Our love of the “other” is rooted in God’s love for us. We seek, as Wesleyans, to love others as we have been loved in Christ. We acknowledge that not all people think alike but believe all can love alike.

More from "Wesleyan Rooted" Sermon Series

Serve Impactfully

October 6, 2024 • Pastor Beth Snarr • Matthew 25:35–40

Life in Christ, from a Wesleyan perspective, involves growth in grace and love. Our lives are rooted in God’s unbounded love and transformed by God’s universal grace. The Christian journey entails the restoration of God’s image in our lives and growth into deeper levels of love for God and neighbor. This series will explore and challenge us to embrace six practices that will deepen our personal discipleship and expand the positive impact of our Christ-centered congregation. Verse 40 of Matthew 25 says “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” God invites us to partner in God’s mission of love. As Wesleyan Christians, therefore, we assume the Christlike posture of a servant. We keep our eyes open to God’s activity around us and join in the practice of shalom—acts of compassion and justice in the peaceable reign of Christ.

Love Actively

September 22, 2024 • Dr. Harold Henderson • Mark 12:28–31

Life in Christ, from a Wesleyan perspective, involves growth in grace and love. Our lives are rooted in God’s unbounded love and transformed by God’s universal grace. The Christian journey entails the restoration of God’s image in our lives and growth into deeper levels of love for God and neighbor. This series will explore and challenge us to embrace six practices that will deepen our personal discipleship and expand the positive impact of our Christ-centered congregation. Verse 28 of Mark 12 says "One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?" In the Wesleyan tradition, we believe it is important to translate faith into loving action. Faith without works is dead. We view the Christian life as a dynamic journey rooted in a faith that works by love, leading to holiness of heart and life - active love of God and neighbor.

Read Faithfully

September 15, 2024 • Pastor Beth Snarr • 2 Timothy 3:16–17

Life in Christ, from a Wesleyan perspective, involves growth in grace and love. Our lives are rooted in God’s unbounded love and transformed by God’s universal grace. The Christian journey entails the restoration of God’s image in our lives and growth into deeper levels of love for God and neighbor. This series will explore and challenge us to embrace six practices that will deepen our personal discipleship and expand the positive impact of our Christ-centered congregation. Verses 16 and 17 of 2 Timothy 3 says "Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another- showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." As Wesleyan Christians we are rooted in scripture. The Bible is both the source of our faith and the measure of our spiritual authenticity. We embrace a dynamic, not a static view of scripture. The Bible becomes the living Word as we engage it under the guidance of the Spirit and are transformed into the image of Christ.