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MESSAGE SERIES || Committed To Christ: Essential Practices of a Disciple

SERMONS

Our sermon resource provides access to the last six messages offered during worship. Our Sermon Archive provides access to messages offered over the past three months. While these are audio only, you may visit the Rayville UMC YouTube channel for the video version of these messages.
MOST RECENT SERMONS
Rev. Mike Palermo
September 12, 2021
Even though Peter answers correctly when Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” it becomes very evident he provided an answer that neither he nor the rest of the disciples completely understands. As we continue reflecting on the idea of practical Christian living, we come to realize picking up our cross is to live not die for Christ and that is a difficult challenge.
Rev. Mike Palermo
September 5, 2021
The lesson from Mark’s Gospel is greater than a physical healing. These two stories mark the beginning of Jesus tearing down the walls that separate the children of God, in this case, Jews and Gentiles. All are to have access to God through the Son, Jesus Christ. The lesson for us is that it is our faith that opens our eyes to such a relationship. It is faith that compels us to be bold and take risks getting out of our comfort zone asking who is my neighbor?
Rev. Mike Palermo
August 29, 2021
The Book of James was written to a decidedly Jewish community now following Jesus’ teachings. They were of modest means at best and were easily taken advantage of by their richer counterparts who would blaspheme the name of Jesus, withhold their wages, and regularly dragged them before the courts to humiliate them. In verses 2 and 3, James addresses their difficulties writing, “whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy,  3  because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance;  4  and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” Follower, perseverance, endurance, testing, these are behaviors and characteristics of those who confess to be followers of Jesus. And James reminds us of the difference between being casual “hearers” and involved “doers” of the Word of truth.
Rev. Mike Palermo
August 15, 2021
Make no mistake about it, the “Bread of Life” discourse recorded here in the Gospel of John is rough and tough. In fact, many of Jesus’ followers lamented, “This teaching is difficult, who can accept it?” (v. 61), and they left. Beyond the harshness of what we hear, the lesson for us today is that knowing about Jesus is not enough. We are to absorb Jesus in such a way that we can no longer tell where we end and Jesus begins in our attitudes, actions, and in our witness to the world.
Mark Brown
August 1, 2021
Our lay-leader, Mark Brown offers the message while my wife and are with family . Thank you Mark for your service and witness in the life of our church.
Ben Hutto
July 25, 2021
My wife and I were away due to a death in the family. I again called on Ben Hutto, our Choir Director who stepped in to offer a summary of the sermon I intended to share. I am thankful and blessed for Ben’s generosity in helping under these circumstance.

Visit SERMON ARCHIVE for older sermons ::

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Suggested Bible Readings for the Week of September 12, 2021:

Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

Bible Verses Theme

These past few weeks we’ve been focusing on the Gospel of Mark and the New Testament Book of James emphasizing being “doers” of the Word of God. That is good counsel for being practical Christians listening for the wisdom of God rather than responding to the temptations of this world. And our readings this week, Proverbs, James, and Mark all agree: Willful people do foolish and destructive things that annoy God. In Proverbs, Dame Wisdom cries out to those who love being simple and whose actions are fraught with folly. When calamity strikes, she will laugh, for they have been warned. The epistle speaks of the dangers of gossip and errant teachings, warning that an unbridled tongue can unleash the very fires of hell. In Mark’s Gospel, when Peter rebukes Jesus for his talk of dying, Jesus rebukes Peter for setting his mind on worldly things. Finally, the psalmist proclaims that fear (worship) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Prayer Requests for the Week of September 5, 2021: ::

Birthdays: Evan Roark, Matthew Mulhern, David Hendershot, Billy Stodgehill
Anniversaries:
Betty Landrum, Penny Hammons, Edna Watts, Gail Doles, Doug & Donna Cook, Sandra Pesnell, David and Marsha Hendershot, Arthur Defee, Jim and Melissa Ball, Veronica Malloy (Melissa’s mother), Terry Haire Mike and Diann King, Janna Clack, Chuck Clack, Brent Webb, Laverne Hudson, Lisa Chaney, Bessie Tabb, Ann Temple, Sandra Riley, Ginger Sanford, Jane Smith Charlotte & BJ McKnight, Martha Harrell, Jan Morris, Gaston Solice, Linda Blood, Shane & Becky Mees, Joe Bruyninckx, Kenny Hill, Buddy & Kaye Hill, Ben Hutto, Pastor Mike Palermo, Patti and Luke Palermo, Darryn Walker, Nancy Rogers, Mike Moncreif, Cheryl Castleberry, Carol Sorey, Cindy & Dennis Odom, Jim Berry, Tena Dodson, Henry Cumpton, Alice Cumpton, Becky Davis, Ronnie Hubbard, Cresta Langley, Larry & Beth Milby, Carol Ann Morris, Frank & Barbara Oliver, Orie Gene & Ann Morris, Bob & Terica Raulerson
The family of Linda Blood