Believe it or not, some people find sermons entertaining. They are stimulated by the ideas and theories put forth. But is entertainment enough, or are we called further? Last week, we discussed those who were offended by the Jesus message. Today, we look at those who were entertained. 

Our familiarity with Jesus can be a stumbling block. The certainty we have about God can keep us from growing and learning. It happened in Nazareth. It happens with us. Let's embrace the mystery of a God who is bigger than we can imagine. 

Sometimes, when you're hurting, does it feel like God is asleep on the job? In the restlessness of our times, has the church been caught napping? Maybe it's time to ask the tough question, "Don't you care that we're perishing?" Let's continue the conversation at kthomas@forestlakeumc.org. 

The kingdom of God is like a farmer planting seed. Farming is hard work. It's unpredictable. It depends completely on God for growth. Let's talk about what that means for ministry. 

Jesus launched His ministry not on creeds or confessions but on radical acts of extravagant love. Then He called disciples to love like He loves. May God help us join this conspiracy of love!

"God doesn't give us more than we can handle." It's a popular saying, but is it true? Is it what the Bible teaches? In fact, God sometimes allows more than we can handle. What are we supposed to do about it? Let consider that question in today's message. Continue the conversation at Kthomas@forestlakeumc.org. 

Fights over doctrine and orthodoxy are tearing apart the Body of Christ! Jesus invites us to a better way, if we have the courage to follow. Let's continue the conversation at kthomas@forestlakeumc.org. 

Jesus risked it all for those whom the religious leaders rejected. How far will the church go to share the love of Christ with those who haven't yet experienced it? What risk will we take? Let's talk about it.

In the New Testament and throughout church history, Jesus frequently disagrees with religious rules, sometimes even breaking them. That reality poses an important question to Christians, today. Will we follow our religious rules, or will we dare to follow Jesus? Let's talk about it. Continue the conversation at kthomas@forestlakeumc.org. Check out my books at https://www.amazon.com/author/revkev 

On that first Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead! Yet, nothing changed, not right away at least. The world tried to go on as if nothing had happened. What will it take for the church to live the reality of the resurrection in ways that will transform our world? Let's talk about it. Continue the conversation at kthomas@forestlakeumc.org. 

We carry the weight of the wrongs we've done and the wrongs done to us. Good Friday reminds us that our pain was healed by Christ's bruises. Because we belong to Christ, God calls us to suffer with those who suffer so that we might join in the ministry of Christ and bring healing to our world. May God once again make the church a healing force in our divided world!

"Not all of you are clean." That's what Jesus said to the disciples during the Last Supper. He invited them to the meal anyway. Christ invites all of us to the table regardless of our failures. Our response will lead us toward death or resurrection. Continue the conversation at kthomas@forestlakeumc.org.

It feels great to worship the Prince of Peace on Palm Sunday, but where will we be when the march is over? It's actually pretty easy to speak out. It's the follow through that gets us.  May this Palm Sunday move us into far-reaching, life changing action.

The Law is not so much written on tablets as it is etched in the human heart. Each of us carries God's law in our DNA. What are the implications? What about absolute truth? How will we know who's doing the right things? Let's talk about it.

Rules drive many people away from church and from God. Did God give the Ten Commandments to punish us? To spoil our fun? To make us feel bad? Maybe the Ten Commandments are a gift designed not to restrict but to liberate! Let's talk about it. Continue the conversation at kthomas@forestlakeumc.org. 

We want success fast! God sometimes moves slower than we'd like. Let's journey with Abraham this week to consider God's timing for our lives.

Is God our adversary or our advocate? What is the church's relationship to the world? Are we to be advocates or adversaries for those who question our story? These are important questions. They speak volumes about who we understand God to be. Let's talk about it. Continue the conversation at kthomas@forestlakeumc.org.

Many Christians expect a reward for good behavior in this life and the next. It doesn't always work out that way. Bad things happen. Faithfulness doesn't guarantee success. How do we make sense of the difficulties that come when we're following Christ? Continue the conversation at kthomas@forestlakeumc.org.