HPUMC - Cornerstone Sermons (Contemporary Worship)

Hannah Buchanan

Alex Johnston

Rev. Billy Rainey | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Pentecost is more than a moment in church history; it is an invitation to a way of life. After the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the early believers responded not only through miraculous signs and radical generosity but also through simple, intentional practices. They devoted themselves to Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and breaking bread together. The power of Pentecost was expressed through everyday faithfulness. Acts 2:42-47 paints a picture of a community transformed by the Holy Spirit. The early church experienced God's power, practiced radical generosity, and built deep relationships through fellowship and shared meals. While the miracles inspire us, the passage reminds us that life in the Spirit is often shaped through simple, faithful practices. One of the clearest examples of this is table fellowship. Throughout Luke and Acts, God works powerfully around tables as people gather to pray, share their lives, and encounter Christ. These ordinary moments became places where the Holy Spirit transformed lives and built authentic community. Living into Pentecost means recognizing that the Holy Spirit is still active today. The Spirit continues to heal, restore, guide, and transform people through the ordinary rhythms of Christian life. As we make room for prayer, fellowship, and meaningful relationships, we open ourselves to experience God's presence and become a witness to His love in the world.

Rev. Chelsea Peddecord | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In James 1:2-4, James writes to believers facing persecution, division, and hardship and tells them to “consider it joy” when they face trials. He is not saying suffering is enjoyable, but that God can use trials to build endurance and deepen our faith. Just like an athlete develops strength through training, spiritual endurance is formed when we continue trusting God through difficult seasons. The Christian life is a journey of endurance through both joy and suffering. Scripture reminds us that God is faithful in every season, even when life feels painful, uncertain, or overwhelming. Job endured by continuing to bring his honest prayers to God, and Joseph endured long seasons of hardship before seeing God bring redemption from it. The good news of the Gospel is that suffering is never the end of the story. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the support of the church, God gives us strength to keep taking the next step of faith. Endurance leads to resurrection. To build endurance, we must keep trusting, keep praying, and keep moving forward, knowing that God is still at work bringing hope, healing, and new life.

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In 2 Timothy 1:1-7, Paul reflects on the sincere and genuine faith that shaped Timothy’s life, which was first seen in his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. Their faith was not merely talked about; it was consistently lived out in everyday life. This week’s message reminds us that our faith is often formed by the people who surround us and the generations that come before us. The faith modeled for us frequently becomes the faith we embrace ourselves. Paul points to the influence of Scripture and the example of faithful family members in helping Timothy develop a real and lasting faith. But he also challenges Timothy to take ownership of that faith by “fanning into flame” the gift God placed within him. Faith cannot remain borrowed from someone else. It must be nurtured personally and continually renewed. The passage closes with a reminder that God does not lead His people through fear but through power, love, and self-discipline. As we grow in authentic faith, we are called not only to receive the gift of faith from others but also to live in a way that passes it on to the next generation.

Hannah Buchanan | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. New things often bring both excitement and fear. Whether it’s stepping into a new season, trying something unfamiliar, or sensing God’s call, the unknown can feel overwhelming. Yet throughout Scripture, and in our own lives, God consistently invites us beyond comfort and into trust. This week’s message reminds us that the life of a disciple is not about personal strength or ability but about trust and obedience. As followers of Jesus, we are called to step out in faith, obey his voice, and trust that he will hold us. In Matthew 28, the disciples encounter the risen Jesus. Some worship, while others doubt, providing a powerful reminder that faith and uncertainty often coexist. Despite their fear and lack of qualifications, Jesus gives them a mission: to go and make disciples. This calling wasn’t reserved for the elite or the fearless; it was given to ordinary people willing to trust an extraordinary God. The same invitation extends to us today. As we go about our everyday lives at work, at home, and in our communities, we are called to live as disciples who reflect Jesus. And all the while, this promise remains: we are not alone; Jesus is with us always.

Rev. Matt Tuggle

Hannah Buchanan

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Jesus was asked many questions throughout his life. In fact, most of his teachings come as responses to what people asked or assumed. But here, just before his final week, Jesus turns the tables and asks a question himself—twice, in two different conversations: “What do you want?” First, a mother comes on behalf of her sons, asking for places of honor in his kingdom (Matthew 20:20-28). Then, two blind men cry out from the roadside, simply asking to see (Matthew 20:29-34). It’s a familiar question, but Jesus invites a deeper answer, one that moves beyond surface desires to the longings underneath. Placed side by side, these stories invite us to compare and reflect. One asks for power, and the other asks for sight. One reveals a kind of blindness despite proximity to Jesus, and the other demonstrates true spiritual vision despite physical blindness. Both, however, need Jesus to open their eyes in different ways. Through these moments, Jesus redefines life in his kingdom: greatness is not found in status or control but in service, sacrifice, and surrender—the way up is down. He not only teaches this truth but lives it, moving toward the cross and praying, “Not my will, but yours be done.” His invitation is to examine what we want, uncover what we really want, and bring those desires honestly to him. As we follow Jesus, we trust that he will reshape our desires according to his will.

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Research shows, as children, we naturally long for equality in that we want everyone to have the same. But as we grow older, that instinct often shifts toward self-interest, and our concept of “fairness” is defined by what benefits us. This way of thinking shows up in Peter’s question to Jesus in Matthew 19:27: “What’s in it for us?” In response, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16), where each worker receives the same wage regardless of how long they labored. What initially feels unfair exposes something deeper within us: a resentment and resistance to generosity. Through this story, Jesus reframes the conversation. The kingdom of God is not built on fairness but on grace. If God operated strictly on fairness, giving each of us exactly what we deserve, none of us would stand. Instead, God is extravagantly generous by offering love, forgiveness, and new life to all, regardless of timing or merit. With an honest examination of our own lives, we see how quickly we fall into judgment and comparison. Yet as followers of Christ, we are invited into a different way of living that is shaped by gratitude, humility, and grace. Following Jesus is not about calculating what we gain but about receiving a love so generous that it transforms our lives completely.

Alex Johnston | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. We live in a world obsessed with greatness, which is measured by success, influence, recognition, and achievement. Whether through social media, career status, or personal accomplishments, we are constantly evaluating where we stand compared to others. Like the disciples, we often ask, “Who is the greatest?” or, more personally, “How can I be great?” In Matthew 18, Jesus responds to this question in a way that challenges our assumptions. Instead of pointing to power or prestige, he places a child in their midst and says that true greatness begins with humility. In Jesus’ day, children had no status, no power, and no influence. They were overlooked and dependent. Yet Jesus says that unless we “turn” and become like them, we cannot even enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-5). In God’s kingdom, greatness isn’t found in climbing higher but in going lower—serving others, especially the vulnerable and overlooked. At the same time, Jesus warns that chasing worldly greatness can leave a trail of wounded people behind. True discipleship requires a radical reorientation that sees others as image-bearers and reshapes how we think, act, and relate. Ultimately, Jesus points to the cross as the clearest picture of greatness. He did not grasp for power but gave himself away in sacrificial love. To follow him is to take up our cross by laying down our crown, embracing humility, and becoming people marked by sacrificial love.

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. What is the last thing you purchased for the purpose of improving your life? Every day, we encounter hundreds of proposals about how we should spend our money, time, and attention. Advertisements, products, and opportunities promise to make our lives better—healthier, happier, more successful, or more fulfilled. Each of these proposals asks us to run a kind of cost–benefit analysis: Is this worth it? Will this truly improve my life? Jesus offers a different kind of proposal. In Matthew 13:44, Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man discovers the treasure, he joyfully sells everything he owns in order to obtain it. Jesus is telling us that there is one thing worth everything. It is as valuable as buried treasure. It is like a precious pearl. The “it” Jesus is pointing to is life in the kingdom of God through discipleship to him. It is a life spent knowing Jesus, learning his ways, and becoming like him. The invitation of the parable is simple but profound: Consider the cost. Consider the benefit. Decide whether it is worth it. The life Jesus offers—one filled with love, joy, peace, and purpose—is the greatest treasure we could ever discover.

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:31–33 reveals that the kingdom of God often begins in ways that seem small, hidden, and insignificant but ultimately become transformative and far-reaching. Just as a seed absorbs water, soil, and light to become something new, Jesus’ ministry began in the obscure village of Nazareth within the vast Roman Empire. What started small grew into a movement that outlasted empires and changed the world.  Jesus understood that his Father’s kingdom is ever-expanding, and he continues this seed-like work in human hearts today—absorbing pain, shame, addiction, and sorrow and transforming them into hope, forgiveness, healing, and love. The central message is that the world changes one human heart at a time. Though individual lives may feel small and insignificant in the face of seemingly overwhelming global problems, God works through quiet, faithful transformation, turning surrendered hearts into catalysts for change in families, communities, and beyond.

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Resolutions often fail because they demand an undefined, lifelong commitment; “forever” feels overwhelming. Lent, however, offers a grace-filled, 40-day invitation to intentional change. Rather than relying on sheer willpower, we lean on God’s strength. It is a season of formation—a time to prepare for Easter by saying “yes” to what deepens our life with God and “no” to what distracts or diminishes it. At the heart of this week’s message is Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds. A weed called darnel, also known as wheat’s evil twin, looked like wheat at first but proved poisonous with its roots entangling and choking the crop. It mirrors our lives: the “weeds” we tolerate often seem harmless, even good, at first, but eventually entangle our hearts and harm others. Still, the field belongs to the Son of Man. Though good and evil grow side by side, Jesus continues planting “children of the kingdom,” marked by forgiveness, patience, grace, and truth. The parable then moves into the present. Jesus is still sowing good seed in our homes, workplaces, and communities, forming us to think and act in step with his heart. We are sent into the ordinary spaces of life as his representatives. The invitation for Lent is simple: let these 40 days be a season of growth. Ask God to expose the weeds and cultivate his fruit in you. His life sets the pattern, his death brings forgiveness, and his resurrection provides the power to change.

Rand Carlson

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In this week’s sermon, we see Jesus interrupt ordinary life with an extraordinary invitation. Matthew 4 tells the simple version: four fishermen—Peter, Andrew, James, and John—are working their nets when Jesus says, “Come, follow me.” Immediately, they leave everything and go. But when we read Luke’s more detailed account, we see why this call was so compelling. Before Jesus asks them to follow, he gets into Simon’s boat, teaches from it, and then leads them into an overwhelming, net-breaking catch of fish. In that moment, the fishermen encounter the power and presence of God—and everything changes. Jesus speaks their language. He doesn’t discard their skills; he reimagines them. It’s about offering ordinary, everyday work to the kingdom of God. What once served only the economy now becomes part of God’s redemptive work in the world. Following Jesus doesn’t necessarily make life easier, safer, or more comfortable—but it does make it larger, deeper, and more meaningful.

Clcik/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Following his baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (Matthew 4:1). There, he faces three temptations that engage the whole human person. First, Jesus is tempted in his body—the pull toward immediate physical satisfaction. Next, he is tempted in his mind—the subtle twisting of Scripture and the rationalizing of disobedience. Finally, he is tempted in his heart—offered a good and even noble end, authority over the world, but through the wrong means: worshiping something other than God. Each temptation strikes at Jesus’ identity: “If you are the Son of God…” Yet Jesus does not respond with sheer willpower or clever debate. Instead, he draws from a deeply formed way of life. He is fueled by the Word of God, grounded in God’s truth, and steadfastly committed to worship and service of God alone. When temptation presses on his body, mind, and heart, Jesus remains rooted in loving God fully—with heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). This portrait of Jesus shows us not only how temptation works but also how it can be resisted. We live inside this same “dome of temptation”—in our marriages, parenting, relationships, work, habits, and even within our thoughts.  Temptation is inevitable. But because of Jesus, victory is possible.  

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Psalm 1 invites us to reclaim our lives by paying attention to the habits that quietly shape us each day. Life is not formed by one defining decision but by the paths we walk over time. The psalm sets before us two ways of living: one rooted in God’s life-giving wisdom and another shaped by influences that slowly drain our attention, peace, and joy. The blessed life is shaped not just by our actions, but by where we are planted and what, or rather who, we orient our lives around. At the heart of Psalm 1 is the image of a tree planted by streams of water. This picture reminds us that a flourishing life doesn’t happen by accident or overnight. It is the result of being intentionally rooted in a steady source of nourishment. Faithful lives are reclaimed through daily rhythms that keep us close to God’s sustaining presence. What we give our attention to, again and again, is what shapes who we become. Psalm 1 reminds us that flourishing is not about trying harder, but about being planted wisely. Where we begin our day matters, because where we are planted determines what kind of life—and fruit—we will bear.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Luke 2 proclaims peace—but not the kind offered by the world. Jesus was born during the Pax Romana, the “peace” of Caesar Augustus, which was enforced through power, military strength, and control. Caesar’s peace depended on domination and fear, rewarding loyalty and crushing opposition. It was orderly on the surface, yet fragile and costly beneath it. Luke intentionally sets the birth of Jesus within this context to reveal a sharp contrast. While Caesar rules from a throne, Jesus is born in a manger. While imperial decrees are enforced by soldiers, God’s good news is announced by angels to shepherds. This is not a sentimental story but a declaration that a new king and a new kingdom have arrived. The peace Jesus brings is different in every way. He does not conquer by force but brings peace through humility, self-giving love, forgiveness, and the cross. Instead of demanding control, he invites surrender. Instead of eliminating enemies, he reconciles them. His peace does not depend on circumstances; it meets us in fear, chaos, and suffering and begins within the heart. We are invited to choose between these two kinds of peace: the fragile peace of control offered by the world, or the lasting peace of Christ, found in surrender to the true king whose kingdom will never end.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. This week, we’re invited to reflect on where we are stuck, weary, or struggling to keep going by returning to the birth of Jesus and the very different responses it provoked.  Drawing from Isaiah 49 and Matthew 2, we’ll explore how Jesus’ birth fulfills God’s promise of a servant who would reveal God’s glory, bring salvation to the nations, and draw even kings to attention. The Magi respond to the birth of Jesus with courage and movement, leaving everything familiar to worship the true king, while Herod responds with fear and violence, desperate to protect his throne. Together, their reactions reveal that Jesus’ arrival is not neutral—it demands a response. This challenges the common assumption that Jesus simply wants to improve our lives. Like Herod, we often sense—rightly—that Jesus’ kingship threatens our control. Jesus does not want to merely reside in our lives; he wants to reign over them, claiming authority over our decisions, relationships, finances, work, and future. This is not bad news but good news, because Jesus is far more fit to be king than we are.  Jesus is coming for our crowns, and giving them to him is the way out of being stuck and leads to true life.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. A higher vantage point changes everything. What once felt overwhelming begins to make sense. What felt hopeless begins to open toward possibility. When God gives us a glimpse of the bigger picture, it doesn’t just change how we see the world—it changes how we live in the world. Isaiah 49:1-7 and Matthew 1:18-23, though separated by centuries, belong to the same story. What God promises in Isaiah—the calling of a servant to bring hope and salvation—begins to take flesh in Matthew with the birth of Jesus. God’s people are given a vision for the future so that they can live with hope in the present. Through Scripture, God gives us a view from the top, allowing us to see His unfolding plan across time. From the promises of the prophets to the fulfillment in Christ, God reveals His Son has come to save us from our sin by being with us—Emmanuel. We are invited to lift our eyes above our immediate circumstances and see the bigger picture of God’s redemptive plan. With this vision, we can be confident that God is at work and His promises are true, giving us hope for the future and informing the way we live today.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Psalm 1 invites us to picture a life that truly flourishes—not because circumstances are easy, but because it is rooted in God’s love and shaped by the steady practice of meditating on His Word. The psalm portrays someone who refuses to be guided by voices that diminish life and, instead, finds joy and clarity in God’s presence. Like a tree deliberately planted beside streams of water, this person becomes resilient, grounded, and fruitful.  This image echoes Joshua 1, where God urges Joshua to step forward with courage by holding tightly to the Book of the Law. His strength came not from his own effort but from staying close to God’s instruction and trusting the assurance of God’s constant presence. These truths speak directly into our weary seasons—those moments when we feel drained, uncertain, or spiritually dry. With Advent, we are reminded that God meets us exactly in those places. “Emmanuel, God with us” is more than a title; it is a promise of God’s nearness. As we abide in Christ, we receive the hope, peace, joy, and love our hearts long for, even as we wait for the One who has come and who remains faithfully with us.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. The Bible’s temple imagery reveals the unfolding story of God’s glory—a story He has been writing from the beginning and continues through His people today. God’s presence once dwelled in the temple, then took on flesh in Jesus, and now God’s Spirit dwells within us, making the church the living temple He sends into the world. In this week’s sermon, we explore passages from both the Old and New Testaments to better understand who we are and what we are called to do. With his last words in 2 Samuel, David depicts a life shaped by God as dawn’s first light and refreshing rain, a presence that renews and helps others flourish. Romans 8 shows how this life becomes possible. We are children of God and have been made heirs with Christ, invited to participate in his mission and embody his character. The story of God’s glory continues through us today as He forms us into people who reflect His goodness and carry His presence wherever we go.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. As David prepares God’s people for the building of the temple—an assignment he himself will not fulfill—he gathers them around a vision bigger than their own lives. He reminds them that the work is great because it is the Lord’s. Their giving, serving, and devotion are not the start of God’s work but a response to it. David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:10–20 is a confession of God’s greatness and sovereignty: “Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” On Vision Sunday, we step into that same posture. We remember that God is the author of every good work. We offer ourselves, our resources, and our devotion not to build our own kingdom, but to join God in His work—in Dallas as it is in heaven.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. After years of hardship and struggle, David finally experiences peace. The battles are over, the throne is secure, and his home is established. From this place of stability and success, David desires to honor God by building Him a house—a temple worthy of His name. But God gently reminds David that He doesn’t need anything from David; what He desires most is a heart that remains faithful. Rather than allowing David to build Him a house, God promises to build one through David—an enduring “house,” a royal line that will find its fulfillment in Christ. It’s natural to cling to God out of need or desperation. But what happens when the pressure lifts? When life finally settles and success arrives, our hearts face a new kind of test. Will we continue to depend on God, or will comfort make us forget the One who brought us here? Isaiah speaks to this same truth. God’s people were searching for strength in their own strategies and alliances, yet God calls them back to quiet trust: In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength. —Isaiah 30:15 Both David and Israel needed the same reminder—and so do we: true faithfulness isn’t found in what we do for God, but in staying near to Him.  

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In 2 Samuel 11, David—the man after God’s own heart—makes a series of devastating choices that spiral into deeper sin. What begins as a private temptation leads to adultery, deceit, and ultimately, the death of an innocent man. David’s story reminds us that sin is never isolated. Our choices ripple outward, wounding others, damaging relationships, and distorting the trust God calls us to live in. Instead of confessing, David tries to cover up what he’s done. The more he hides, the more harm he causes. But when the prophet Nathan confronts him, David finally stops running. In Psalm 51, we hear his broken, honest confession: “Have mercy on me, O God… Create in me a clean heart.” In that moment, David learns that the only way forward is not by managing appearances but by coming clean before God. Sin always leaves a mess—both in us and around us—but grace offers a way to clean up. Confession doesn’t erase consequences, but it opens the door for healing and restoration. God’s grace not only forgives the sinner; it can begin to heal the people and places our sin has affected. When we stop covering up and start cleaning up, we discover that God’s grace is bigger than our biggest mess.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Before David was a king, he was a shepherd. In the quiet fields, he learned to guide, protect, and care for sheep—lessons that would later define how he led God’s people. Psalm 23 reveals that before David could lead others, he first had to be led by God. David knew what it meant to depend on the Shepherd who restores, guides, and provides. His leadership flowed from intimacy, not authority—from being cared for, not from striving to control. Centuries later, Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd—the One who knows his sheep by name and lays down his life for them. Jesus leads not through power or position, but through love and service. To lead like Jesus, we must have a willingness to follow—learning what it means to be led by the Shepherd. We cannot lead others well if we are not first following well.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. David knew God had called him to be king—but that promise didn’t come to pass quickly. Around 15 years passed between David’s anointing and the moment he finally took the throne. David faced 15 years of uncertainty, running, hiding, and trusting that God was still at work. We often think of faith as a belief we hold—but Scripture shows us that faith is meant to shape how we live. The life of David in 1 and 2 Samuel offers us a vivid picture of what faith looks like in real time: not only in great victories, but also in the long stretches of waiting. Last week, we looked at one of the fruits of faith: courage. This week, we focus on another: patience rooted in trust. In 1 Samuel 24, David has the perfect opportunity to take matters into his own hands. Saul—the king trying to kill him—falls right into the cave where David and his men are hiding. David can end the threat and get the crown, but instead of seizing power, he chooses restraint. He refuses to harm the one God had appointed for that season. David waits—trusting that the promise would be fulfilled in God’s timing. David shows us that waiting well is not passive—it’s a courageous act of faith.  

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. When David faced Goliath, he wasn’t the strongest, tallest, or most experienced warrior on the battlefield. He wasn’t even supposed to be there—he was just delivering supplies to his brothers. But David showed up. And when the moment came, he offered what he had: a sling, a few stones, and a heart confident in God. David didn’t try to wear Saul’s armor or fight with someone else’s weapons. He knew who he was and trusted that God could use his own unique gifts and experiences for a greater purpose. What seemed small in the world’s eyes became powerful in God’s hands. The story reminds us that God isn’t asking us to be someone else. He’s asking us to show up with what we have—regardless of the odds. Our gifts, our stories, and our faith can all be used by God when we step forward in trust. Victory doesn’t come from our strength but from our willingness to let God work through us.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In 1 Samuel, God sends His prophet to anoint a new king. Everyone assumes the next leader will look impressive—someone strong, tall, and commanding. But God reminds Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). When God chose David, the youngest and least expected son of Jesse, He revealed something essential about His Kingdom: God’s concern is not appearance, status, or performance—it’s the condition of our hearts.  Later in life, having faced his own failures, David prayed in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” The same man chosen for his heart learned that a heart for God requires continual renewal. Our hearts are shaped not by perfection, but by repentance—a willingness to be remade by God’s grace. This week’s sermon challenges us to ask: How’s your heart? Is it teachable, humble, and open to the leading of the Spirit? God still searches hearts today—raising up people who are less concerned with outward appearances and more devoted to His presence and purposes.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This prayer isn’t just words—it’s an invitation to live as people shaped by God’s kingdom. Likewise, in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13, King David reminds the people that everything—power, greatness, glory, and majesty—belongs to the Lord alone. Both passages call us to orient our lives around God’s reign, God’s power, and God’s glory. Through Project Mockingbird, HPUMC is seeking to embody this prayer and confession right here in Dallas. From the corner of Mockingbird Lane, we long to see God’s kingdom take root—in raising up new leaders, strengthening families, serving the vulnerable, and sending disciples into every corner of the city. This vision isn’t about building our name or power, but about declaring with David, “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the glory and the majesty.” As followers of Jesus, our calling is not just to pray “Your kingdom come” but to live it out: in Dallas as it is in heaven, by God’s power, and for God’s glory.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness. Offered shortcuts to comfort, recognition, and power, he responds each time with God’s Word and chooses obedience to the Father. His testing shows us that true ministry flows not from ease or compromise, but from faithfulness and dependence on God. In the same way, Project Mockingbird calls our church to trust God with a bold vision. It’s not simply about buildings or numbers—it’s about creating spaces of worship, raising up leaders, and serving our city so that God’s Kingdom comes in Dallas as it is in heaven. For each of us, the call is personal. Just as Jesus resisted the temptation to take the easy path, we too are invited to surrender our comforts, our pride, and our desire for control, choosing instead to live by God’s Word. This means asking: Where am I tempted to take shortcuts in my discipleship? Where is God calling me to trust Him more deeply? As we give, serve, and pray, we participate not only in a church-wide vision but also in the ongoing work of God’s Kingdom in our own lives and in the city we call home.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray not just for our own needs but for God's Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven—including right here in Dallas. This is a call to live in alignment with heaven's values: relationship with God, justice, mercy, forgiveness, and daily provision. HPUMC’s Project Mockingbird puts this prayer into action—by investing in the church, equipping leaders, and partnering with the community to bring hope, healing, and renewal to our city.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he gave them words that were both simple and revolutionary: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This prayer is more than words—it’s a vision for life under God’s reign. The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that we don’t just pray for heaven to come; we step into God’s mission and embody His kingdom wherever we live, work, and play. Dallas can be a place where glimpses of heaven break through, and we believe God wants to begin that work right here, right now, within us, and through us. We believe that God has big plans for what He wants to do on our street corner and from our street corner at 3300 Mockingbird Lane, and we are invited to be part of His mission in our city and beyond!  

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. We all carry worries—not just about what might happen in the future, but about how we’re doing in the present. Am I doing enough? Am I the spouse, parent, friend, or follower of Jesus that I should be? These questions weigh heavily on many of us. In Matthew 28:18-20, often called the Great Commission, Jesus meets us with both grace and clarity. Instead of leaving us to guess what truly matters in life, he tells us plainly: “Go and make disciples… baptizing them… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Jesus gives us direction and purpose—not a rigid checklist, but an invitation to be with him, become like him, and do what he did. If we are leaning into this commission—helping others know Jesus, growing together in obedience, and trusting his presence—we are right where we need to be. The pressure to “measure up” is lifted, because Jesus not only tells us what to do but also promises to be with us always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). So, when the worries creep in, we can rest in this truth: life is not about perfect performance but about faithful participation in Jesus’ mission with the assurance that he is with us.  

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Before giving the Great Commission, Matthew tells us that when the disciples saw the risen Christ, they worshiped him—but some doubted (Matthew 28:17). It’s a striking moment: face-to-face with the resurrected Savior, both worship and doubt existed side by side in the hearts of his followers. Matthew doesn’t hide this tension, and Jesus doesn’t rebuke them for it. Instead, he meets them right there—in the mixture of faith and uncertainty—and entrusts them with the greatest mission in history. There is a myth that if we do not understand everything, we cannot believe anything. However, in reality, our doubts do not disqualify us from discipleship. The disciples’ story shows us that faith and doubt can coexist and that Jesus still calls us to follow him. When we are rooted in the firm foundation of what we do know, we can be honest about our questions without being paralyzed by them. Like those first disciples, we are invited to move forward in obedience, trusting Jesus’ promise that he is with us always (Matthew 28:20). Even without all the answers, we worship and move forward in faith, trusting Christ to transform us into his likeness.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Jesus began his public ministry with a clear and urgent message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). The kingdom is not distant—it is God’s reign breaking into the world through Jesus. When we pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,” we are aligning our lives with his mission. Jesus’ ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing shows that God’s kingdom is holistic—addressing spiritual as well as physical needs. As his church, we are called to embody that same mission, praying for and working toward God’s will in our lives, our church, and our city. To pray “Thy kingdom come” is to offer ourselves as God’s hands and feet. Much like the first disciples, we are invited to step out in faith and step into the story, joining his transforming work in the world around us. In the year ahead, may we be a people devoted to seeking God’s will and living on mission.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul urges believers to live in a way that pleases God and to keep growing more and more in their walk with Christ. This is not about reaching a point where we’ve “arrived,” but about continually maturing in three key areas: faith, hope, and love. We grow in faith by obeying God’s Word and pursuing holiness, trusting Him in every area of life. We grow in hope by fixing our eyes on the risen Lord, who conquered death. We grow in love by encouraging and building up one another, speaking truth, offering comfort, and walking together through life’s challenges. Paul’s vision for the church is a community that keeps growing and pressing forward, more and more, until the day Christ returns to make all things new.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. How do you respond when life turns up the heat—when the trials and tribulations inevitably come? Do you find yourself reacting in fear, scrambling for answers and stability? Or are you able to respond with faith, drawing from a place of preparation and strength? In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul offers a powerful reminder: Scripture is not merely a sacred text or a religious tradition—it is the very word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It’s alive, authoritative, and divinely designed to shape every part of who we are and how we live. Paul’s words are a call to spiritual readiness. He makes it clear that if we want to stand firm in the face of adversity, we can’t afford to be passive or spiritually unprepared. We must be people who are trained in the Word—letting Scripture teach us, correct us, strengthen us, and prepare us for whatever lies ahead. Training doesn't begin in the fire; it begins long before. So that when the trials come, we can respond in faith and stand firm in God’s truth.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In this week’s sermon on Matthew 5:9-10, we explore the deep meaning of shalom—a peace that is more than just the absence of conflict but the presence of wholeness, justice, and the right relationship with God and others. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, not by passively avoiding confrontation, but as active agents of reconciliation in a broken world. True peacemaking often leads to resistance, even persecution, because it challenges systems of injustice and selfishness. Yet Jesus reminds us that those who pursue peace and righteousness are blessed and belong to the kingdom of heaven. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody God's peace wherever we go. Is there a specific issue or injustice you feel deeply passionate about? That burden may be more than a feeling—it could be God’s invitation to lean in, take action, and bring shalom to the world around you.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Do you ever struggle to see how God is at work? Not just in the world, but in your own story? Though God is never mentioned by name in the book of Esther, His presence is unmistakable through every twist and turn of the story, revealing that God is at work even when we can’t see it or understand. This week’s sermon shifts our perspective and reminds us that God isn’t part of our story—we are part of His redemptive story, and it is still being written. We’re invited to join God in His ongoing purpose of restoring what is broken and making things whole.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. During difficult or trying seasons, there’s power in showing up. All of us are moved by stories of people who go beyond their own security and sense of comfort to show up for people in need. In this message, we’re asking ourselves this question: What does it look like to be people who show up for others but also as those who are fully alive in our own stories? Esther’s story reminds us that, while there is often a cost to showing up for others, there is also a cost to not showing up. Esther’s boldness in the face of unimaginable fear inspires us to move from comfort to courage in our own lives so we can show up and make a difference for others.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In the midst of suffering and tragedy, the example of Stephen in Acts 7:55–56 offers a profound glimpse of hope and perspective. As he faced death, Stephen, "full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." Even while being unjustly stoned, he fixed his eyes on the risen and exalted Lord. This vision reminds us that in our darkest moments, Christ is not distant—he is with us.  Together with John 16:33, where Jesus assures us that though we will have trouble, he has overcome the world, we are able to acknowledge and face suffering with steadfast faith. The risen Lord is our peace in trials, our source of wisdom, our strength in weakness, and our hope beyond tragedy.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. We all face moments in life when we feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or simply unsure of what to do next. Whether it’s a major decision, a season of suffering, or a quiet struggle, those moments can leave us feeling stuck or unprepared. In this week’s sermon, we learn what it looks like to couple wisdom with action to navigate the difficult seasons of life. It’s not enough to just know what’s right—we need the courage and capacity to live it out. What we need is wisdom to know what to do, strength to actually be able to do it, and hope to know God is with us no matter what.