SERMONS

Aristotle defined God centuries ago as the "Unmoved Mover" — the primary cause of all motion, who remains inactive afterward. But is God merely a celestial butler? In Zephaniah 3, we encounter a very different picture of God: He is a singer and a dancer. How can this be?

God answered your prayers. You’re securely back home from exile. Yet, the problems of poverty, injustice, and corruption persist. This is the story of the Book of Malachi—and our story today. We have some cleaning to do as we wait for the coming of Jesus this Advent. What areas of your life need the most attention?

As we say, “This is the most wonderful time of the year!” Malls and markets are filled with Christmas trees, decorations, and people buying gifts, traveling back and forth to visit family members, and celebrating Christmas. Yet, is this—the coming of Christmas trees, people, and gifts—the reason we celebrate Christmas? If not, what is it? Who is coming? Furthermore, how does Jeremiah’s prophecy to the people of Judah, besieged by the Babylonians, relate to the “hope” of Christmas?

"Commenting on the last section of the Conference vision, 'Healing the World,' Rev. Sam Yun, Core Team Chair of the Cal-Nevada Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, says, 'This is the BHAG [Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal] for our Conference.' How can a small local church like Yuba City FUMC heal the world? Is this too big a dream to have?

Suppose you’re a doctor and the church is your patient. What diagnosis would you give—thriving or dying? It’s true: "When something isn’t growing, it’s a clear sign that it’s dying." So, how can we help the church—and our own lives—thrive once more?

You can enter Gods presence anytime. It is a free gift to all. Please do not take his blessing lightly. We are indeed very blessed people. Men of God like Abraham and David yearned for this kind of privilege. Let’s take this time to feel and enjoy the presence of God.

Do you know that the California Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church has a vision statement? It’s “Following Jesus, Thriving in Community, Healing the World.” Sounds simple and clear. But what does “following Jesus” mean, both personally and communally?

What if I told you, “The fact-checking score for God is 0, whereas the faith-checking score for Abraham is 100”? That’s the story of Genesis chapter 15. Should we continue to believe in God when His score seems so low?

“Do you think I’m dumb?” This is probably what Lot thought when his uncle, Abraham, said, “If you go right, I will go left; and if you go left, I will go right.” Do you know how the story ends? Do you also know what happens when we choose and do things that please only our eyes and bodies, rather than our minds and souls?

You’ve probably encountered many strange stories in the Bible. How about the one in Genesis 12:10-20? Did you know that Abraham deceived Pharaoh and not only survived but also became wealthy? How did that happen? What’s the point of the story?

Do you enjoy adventure—a journey into the unknown? While it’s exciting and enticing, it can also be challenging because you don’t know what to expect. What if I told you that faith is a journey? What if I told you it all began with one man, Abraham, who took the first step in faith? What if I told you that stewardship is a journey, not just about putting money into the offering basket?

We often hear, “Be a leader! Shine!” at school or in the media. However, we’re also painfully aware that the “be the first and the best” culture, fueled by social media, can easily lead to narcissism or neuroticism. What if I told you that the Christian message is quite the opposite? The Kingdom of God is the upside-down Kingdom, where what is up is down, and what is down is up. How is this possible?

Concert arenas, soccer stadiums, and bars are filled with people, while churches are often empty. Why? It’s because church isn’t perceived as “fun.” However, the kind of “fun” we seek might not be what truly calls our souls to action. Instead, consider dedication, or “discipleship.” Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” In Caesarea Philippi, He clarified three essential aspects of being a disciple.

What would you say if someone told you that you don’t listen? You wouldn’t agree with them, right? But in truth, we are all deaf and blind to something. Even Jesus experienced this in His encounter with the Syrophoenician woman, yet He changed His mind.

Why do we care so much about how others see us while the reality within us tells a different story? Similarly, in first-century Palestine, the Pharisees focused obsessively on the washing of cups, pots, and bronze vessels, neglecting the true issues of their hearts. Isn’t this also our story?

Do you know how Jesus’s famous miracle of multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish ends in John’s Gospel? Everybody leaves Him, except for the twelve disciples. Why is that? Do we come to Him for bread or for His word?

Do you remember the “Ice Bucket Challenge”? Do you remember why many (or probably including you) joined that challenge? It was to give those with ALS a better life. What if I told you that Jesus did something similar in the Gospel of John when he said, “ Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life.”

Do you find yourself blaming more often or praising more? If you tend to complain, you're not alone—many of us are caught in this vicious cycle. Do you want to break free from it and fill your life with intimacy, joy, and meaning?

When you turn on the TV or scroll through social media, the message is always the same: “You want this, don’t you?” Whether it's a fancy meal, a new car, a dream home, or money in the bank, you might realize deep down that these things aren't what you're ultimately seeking.