Faith & Persistence
Camden First United Methodist Church
Luke 18 contains one of my favorite parables - The widow and the bad judge. She persisted even when he refused to care. But we worship a God that does care so if our prayers are not being answered in the timeframe we hope for, do we persist? More importantly, do we believed God is good and cares about our well-being?
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Fill Every Seat
Camden First United Methodist Church
Jesus is invited to a Shabbat dinner with local Jewish religious leaders. We are not sure if Luke believed it was a set up but Jesus finally told the Parable of the Great Feast about that great heavenly banquet we talk about whenever we have communion.
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Where You Least Expect It
Camden First United Methodist Church
Today we look at Luke 10:25-37 which most of us know as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In the first century, no Jew would have called a Samaritan "good" which proves once again that God shows up where you least expect it.
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Believe - Isaiah 65:17-25
Camden First United Methodist Church
God is doing a new thing, creating a new heaven and a new earth. We must have the courage to believe at work towards that new Kingdom.
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The Answer Is Always Justice
Camden First United Methodist Church
Everything Isaiah has warned about has now come to reality. God's people are in exile in Assyria and Babylon but now those in Babylon have the opportunity to return home and rebuild. It will be hard but Isaiah has words of encouragement. Isaiah 61:1-11
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Created, Formed, and Named
Camden First United Methodist Church
Today is World Communion Sunday where we celebrate the ties that bind us as a community to Jesus Christ. It is a great day to be reminded of the message of Isaiah 43.
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He Did It for You
Camden First United Methodist Church
The fourth Servant song is longest and clearest. It many ways it is like a prayer of confession because it exposes what we do not wish to see then reminds us that we are responsible. He was wounded for our transgressions. This Servant song leads to hope and redemption.
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A New Power
Camden First United Methodist Church
Today we are focused on the third Servant song found in Isaiah 50:4-9. It tells us of a Servant who is more a learner and a teacher but is brutalized. He does not return the violence against him. This represents a new understanding of God's power.
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A Beacon for All
Camden First United Methodist Church
In the second Servant Song, Isaiah 49:1-7, God does something amazing. God decides that the Servant role is greater than just returning Israel and Judah to the Lord. The Servant's message is for all people - and that includes you and me.
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What Is a Servant?
Camden First United Methodist Church
There are fourth Servant Songs in the second section of Isaiah. They tell us of a servant and they define what the servant is called to do and how the servant will accomplish the mission. Today we are exploring Isaiah 42:1-9, the first of the Servant Songs.
info_outlineThis morning we begin chapter 40 of Isaiah which is the first chapter of what scholars refer to as Second or Deutero-Isaiah. First Isaiah contained the oracles of the eighth century and God's judgment and called for repentance. Now we are in the sixth century and the unthinkable has happen. Judgment has been served and God's people are in exile. Now begins the promise of redemption and the gift of grace.