Wesley Church | Springfield, MO

Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? What if the secret to loving your enemies isn't changing their mind, but changing how you see them? Discover how curiosity can transform your most challenging relationships and why Jesus chose dinner over debate with his biggest critics.

Our sins against Jesus are enormous, yet he forgave them all. The hurts others inflict on us are real but comparatively small. How can we, who have received such incredible mercy, withhold forgiveness from others? What would change in your relationships if you truly grasped the depth of God's forgiveness toward you?

What if the people you consider enemies are actually beloved children of God? Jesus calls us to love without boundaries - even those who oppose us. When we see people beyond labels, everything changes. Who comes to mind when you think of the word enemy?

What if the people you consider enemies are actually beloved children of God? Jesus calls us to love without boundaries - even those who oppose us. When we see people beyond labels, everything changes. Who comes to mind when you think of the word enemy?

Hiding behind locked doors of fear, anxiety, or shame? The disciples did the same thing - even after Easter. But here's the beautiful truth: there's no door thick enough to keep Jesus out. He meets you exactly where you are, not where you think you should be. What locked room have you been hiding in?

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to transform your life today. What would change if you truly believed death has been defeated? This Easter, discover how the resurrection isn't just about life after death - it's about new life right now.

Easter wasn't just a peaceful garden scene - it was an earthquake that shook the world! Matthew's Gospel reveals lightning-bright angels, terrified guards, and women who were afraid yet filled with joy. Even the disciples worshiped while doubting. What does it mean that resurrection power is available for your daily life right now? The same Jesus who conquered death promises to be with you always.

Death picked a fight with the wrong guy 2,000 years ago. The tomb is empty, which means your dead ends don't have to be final. What if the thing you think is too good to be true is actually the most profound truth of all time? The same power that defeated death is available to transform every hopeless situation you're facing right now.

Palm Sunday reveals a profound disconnect between what the crowds expected and what Jesus came to offer. While thousands cheered for a political revolutionary who would overthrow Rome, Jesus came as the Prince of Peace riding a donkey toward sacrificial love. In the midst of celebration, Jesus wept over Jerusalem because he knew the people were missing God's true visitation. The crowds wanted salvation from political oppression, but Jesus offered salvation from sin and death. This Holy Week challenges us to examine whether we follow Jesus only when it's convenient or if we're willing to embrace his way of humility, service, and sacrificial love even when it conflicts with our desires for power and dominance.

Palm Sunday reveals the tension between celebration and sorrow as Jesus enters Jerusalem. While crowds shouted Hosanna, seeking immediate deliverance from Roman oppression, Jesus wept because they missed the deeper peace he came to bring. He chose a donkey instead of a war horse, demonstrating that his kingdom operates through humility and sacrifice, not political power. The people wanted salvation on their terms, but Jesus came to offer reconciliation through the cross. This challenges us to examine whether we want Jesus as he truly is or shaped into the Savior we think we need.

The story of Lazarus reveals that faith doesn't require having all the answers or hiding our doubts from God. When Mary and Martha faced their brother's death, they brought their raw emotions and disappointments directly to Jesus. Even after experiencing delay and loss, Martha declared her continued faith with the powerful words, even now. Jesus responded by declaring He is the resurrection and the life, then demonstrated this truth by calling Lazarus from the tomb. This miracle shows us that nothing is too far gone for God to redeem, and we can bring our authentic selves - including our questions and hurt - to the one who weeps with us and calls us out of dead places.

The story of Lazarus reveals that Jesus offers resurrection power not just for the afterlife, but for our present struggles. When Lazarus died, Jesus waited two days before arriving, demonstrating that His timing serves a greater purpose. After four days in the tomb, Jesus called Lazarus by name, and he came out alive. Today, many people live trapped in various tombs - grief, anger, addiction, loneliness, fear, or self-pity. Just as Jesus called Lazarus by name, He calls each of us out of whatever darkness has trapped us. The same resurrection power that raised Lazarus is available to break every chain in our lives right now.

The story of four friends who carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus by lowering him through a roof reveals the transformative power of biblical community. When we face seasons of struggle and can't carry ourselves, God designed the church to be a reservoir of shared faith and strength. Unlike our culture's emphasis on rugged individualism, the kingdom of God operates through interdependent community where we both carry others and allow ourselves to be carried. True friendship goes beyond casual fellowship to audacious faith that refuses to accept obstacles. The church functions like a body where each member contributes unique strengths, creating a dynamic organism that sustains us through life's challenges.

In Mark chapter 2, four friends demonstrate extraordinary faith by refusing to give up on their paralyzed companion. When crowds block their path to Jesus, they climb onto the roof and lower their friend down through the ceiling. Jesus sees their persistent faith and not only heals the man physically but forgives his sins, proving His divine authority. This story challenges us to become 'mat carriers' for others, showing persistent faith that brings people closer to Jesus regardless of obstacles. Sometimes God works through our community and dedication to help others encounter His life-changing love and grace.

The story of Bartimaeus reveals that our greatest blindness isn't what we can't see, but our assumption that the way we see things is how they should be. While traveling to Jerusalem, Jesus stopped for a blind beggar who called out for mercy, demonstrating what true discipleship looks like. When Jesus asked what he wanted, Bartimaeus simply said he wanted to see—and after receiving his sight, he immediately began following Jesus on the road to the cross. This story challenges us to examine our own spiritual blind spots and surrender our securities to draw closer to Jesus. True discipleship isn't about what's in it for us, but about following Jesus wherever the road leads.

Life often feels like driving through thick fog, where our attempts to control outcomes only make things worse. The story of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar in Jericho, teaches us how to move from merely surviving to truly thriving. When Jesus came to town, Bartimaeus seized the opportunity, ignored the negative voices telling him to be quiet, and trusted Jesus completely for healing. His faith was rewarded with sight, and he followed Jesus down the road. We can apply these same three principles: seize the opportunities God provides, minimize negative voices around us, and trust Jesus completely. God has marvelous plans for each of us if we stop settling for survival and start embracing the abundant life He offers.

Jesus compelled his disciples into a boat during a storm, where they battled fierce headwinds for hours. In their darkest moment, Jesus appeared walking on water, demonstrating His divine authority over chaos. When Peter stepped out in faith, he walked on water until fear overwhelmed him. Jesus immediately rescued Peter, showing that grace meets us in our storms. This story reveals that God is present in our chaos, His power exceeds any storm we face, and faith empowers us to move forward despite our fears.

The story of Jesus walking on water reveals three powerful truths about deepening your relationship with Christ. First, God has a specific plan for your life and knows when you need rest and renewal. Second, Jesus sees every struggle you face and is already working on your behalf before you even realize you need help. Third, God's ultimate purpose is always your spiritual growth, which requires stepping out of your comfort zone in faith. Just as Peter had to leave the safety of the boat to walk on water, we must trust God enough to move beyond what feels secure. When we focus on Jesus rather than our circumstances, we discover that He is completely trustworthy and wants us to experience the rich, satisfying life He promises.

In a world that constantly reminds us of what we lack, Jesus shows us a different way. When the disciples faced feeding thousands with only five loaves and two fish, they saw scarcity. Jesus saw opportunity. He took their insufficient resources, blessed them, and fed over 10,000 people with twelve baskets left over. This miracle reveals that our moments of greatest need are opportunities to witness God's greatest provision. Instead of hiding our limitations, we're invited to surrender our "nothing except" moments to God, trusting that His love makes what we have sufficient for His purposes.

The first Sunday of Lent begins a 40-day season preparing our hearts for Easter by acknowledging our inner emptiness and spiritual hunger. After Jesus's baptism, the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness where he fasted for 40 days before facing three strategic temptations from Satan. The Devil waited until Jesus was physically weakest, then tempted him with personal comfort, spectacular display, and worldly power. Jesus defeated each temptation using Scripture, demonstrating that we don't fight for victory but from the victory Christ already secured. His triumph in the wilderness becomes our triumph, giving us power to overcome through the Holy Spirit rather than our own strength.

God's perfect love originates from His very nature and is revealed through Jesus Christ, who dealt with our sins not because we earned it, but because God loved us first. This love doesn't leave us unchanged - it transforms us through prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace, making us more Christ-like. Perfect love drives out fear by building tables instead of walls, seeing every person through God's lens rather than what divides us. We're called to live this love practically, moving it from our heads to our hearts to our hands, especially toward those we disagree with. The world needs God's perfect love in visible form, demonstrated through believers who allow His resurrection power to flow through them.

Our culture thrives on division, constantly creating "us vs. them" mentalities that destroy community and relationships. This divisive thinking stems from ancient survival instincts that once helped humans identify threats but now create harmful stereotypes and prevent genuine dialogue. Jesus modeled a different way by seeing individuals rather than categories, treating women as equals and praising the faith of Roman occupiers despite cultural barriers. Scripture calls us to love one another as God's chosen people, remembering that every person is created in God's image regardless of their differences. We can have conflict without division by choosing respectful dialogue over dismissive judgment and seeing each person as God's beloved child.

Jesus revealed that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. When we fulfill these two commands, we automatically fulfill all of God's requirements. The apostle Peter taught that love covers a multitude of sins in three ways: when we love others, they extend more grace to us; our love helps us overlook others' faults; and most importantly, God's perfect love covers all our sins through Jesus Christ. The story of Oskar Schindler demonstrates how love can transform even the most morally bankrupt person into someone who sacrifices everything for others. Our response to God's amazing grace should be to love others as Christ has loved us, making love the defining characteristic of our faith.

Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to teach His disciples about spiritual connection and fruitfulness. He declares Himself as the true vine, emphasizing that we cannot produce spiritual fruit on our own but must remain connected to Him. The key insight is that we don't obey God to earn His love - rather, God already loves us completely, and our obedience flows naturally from that relationship. True spiritual fruit includes love, joy, peace, and patience, which come through God's grace working in our lives. Jesus calls His followers friends rather than servants, showing that relationship, not rule-following, is at the heart of faith.

In a world filled with division and brokenness, we desperately need God's perfect love to heal what seems irreparable. Paul's letter to the fractured Roman church reveals that God's love isn't earned through moral performance or correct beliefs - it meets us exactly where we are, while we're still weak and imperfect. This divine love offers peace with God that defies our circumstances and hope that sustains us through suffering. As followers of Jesus, we're called to embody this unconditional love by refusing to reduce people to labels, pursuing peace without ignoring pain, and valuing love over being right. God's love transforms us from agents of division into instruments of reconciliation.

Many people struggle to accept God's unconditional love because our culture teaches us that everything must be earned. We look at our failures and think we need to fix ourselves before approaching God. However, the revolutionary truth is that you are valuable because God loves you, not the other way around. Romans 5:8 reveals that God demonstrated His love by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. You don't need to earn God's love or keep score of your good deeds versus mistakes. God's love isn't a reward for your goodness; it's the power that enables your transformation and healing.

Philippians 4:13 has become a popular verse for personal motivation, but we've misunderstood its true meaning. Paul wasn't talking about achieving personal dreams or ambitions when he wrote about doing everything through Christ. He was writing from prison, facing possible execution, and speaking about endurance rather than achievement. The verse is about God giving us strength to remain faithful and content in any circumstance, not about changing our situations. Paul discovered that Christ's presence is sufficient whether we have plenty or little, and that spiritual contentment comes from knowing Jesus is enough, even when life isn't going our way.

Pastor Chad explores the often misunderstood verse 'an eye for an eye' from Exodus 21:23-25, revealing that this wasn't divine permission for revenge but rather God's way of limiting violence and preventing escalation in the newly formed community of freed Israelites. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding biblical context rather than cherry-picking verses to support our own agendas. Jesus later reframes this law in Matthew 5, showing that the heart behind it was always about love, protection of the vulnerable, and building just community. The message concludes by connecting this principle to the worship song 'How He Loves,' written by John Mark McMillan after his friend Stephen's tragic death, demonstrating how context adds profound depth to both Scripture and worship.

This sermon explores the often misunderstood passage 'an eye for an eye' from Exodus 21, explaining that it was not meant to encourage revenge but to limit and restrain violence. The pastor uses his own genealogy, including ancestors involved in the Hatfield-McCoy feud, to illustrate how unchecked retaliation can spiral into generational cycles of violence. The law was given to judges to ensure proportional justice and protect the vulnerable, establishing that every person has dignity and deserves fair treatment. Jesus later built upon this foundation in Matthew 5, calling his followers beyond measured retaliation to radical grace and forgiveness. The cross becomes the ultimate example of breaking the cycle of violence through mercy rather than revenge.

Many people misread Jeremiah 29:11 as a personal promise for immediate prosperity and success. However, this verse was written to Jewish exiles in Babylon who would wait 70 years to see God's promise fulfilled. The passage reveals the difference between our desire for instant gratification and God's long-term redemptive plan. True transformation comes not from seeking quick spiritual fixes, but from understanding that God works on His timeline, not ours. We are called to live faithfully in our current circumstances while trusting that God is weaving our struggles into His cosmic story of redemption.

Many Christians approach the Bible like a spiritual first-aid kit, pulling out comforting verses without understanding their deeper context. This practice, called eisegesis, makes us read our own assumptions into Scripture rather than letting it speak for itself. When we examine Jeremiah 29:11 in its full context, we discover it wasn't a promise of quick relief but a declaration of God's faithfulness during a 70-year exile. The early church in Acts 15 demonstrates proper exegesis by carefully studying Scripture to understand God's will for new situations. Reading Scripture in context reveals God's promises aren't fragile or circumstantial, but steady and rooted in His eternal faithfulness across generations.

God used a star to guide foreign priests to Jesus, showing He meets people exactly where they are. If God makes every effort to reach every person on earth, shouldn't we do the same? Who in your life feels like an outsider that could use God's love today?

The same light that guided foreign astrologers thousands of years ago is the same grace available to you today. What darkness in your life needs God's light to shine into it? The magi traveled for years to worship a king they barely understood - sometimes the most profound encounters with God happen when we respond with open hearts rather than perfect knowledge.

Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

In this week’s message, we continue The Lyrics of Christmas by letting the beloved hymn “In the Bleak Midwinter” guide us into the hope of Scripture. Through the life and words of poet Christina Rossetti—who knew her own seasons of sorrow—we explore how Advent invites us to face the “winter” of life with honesty, but not with despair.Drawing from Isaiah 9, we discover the promise spoken into ancient darkness: a Child who brings light, peace, and redemption. Both Rossetti and Isaiah remind us that winter is real, but it does not define us. God’s coming light does.Join us as we reflect on the God who steps into our bleak midwinter and the simple, honest offering He asks of us: our hearts.Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

Christmas can be especially difficult for those carrying heavy hearts and dealing with loss. The prophet Isaiah promised that God would bring light to those walking in darkness, specifically mentioning the forgotten tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by spending most of His life and ministry in Galilee, the very region these tribes inhabited. He brought hope and healing to this overlooked, impoverished area. Jesus understands our pain because He experienced suffering, loneliness, and darkness Himself. His birth wasn't glamorous but took place in difficult circumstances, showing that He comes to meet us exactly where we are in our struggles. We don't need to hide our grief or manufacture fake joy during the holidays - Jesus invites us to bring our authentic pain to Him and find rest in His presence.Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

The season of Advent invites us to prepare our hearts for Christ's coming, but sometimes the joy of Christmas can feel threatening when we're carrying grief, stress, or disappointment. King Herod's fearful response to the newborn King contrasts sharply with the Magi's joyful worship, showing us two different ways to respond to Jesus' arrival. While Herod felt threatened because accepting Jesus as King meant he couldn't be his own king, the Magi approached with wonder and surrendered their gifts. This Advent, we can choose to respond like the Magi - with curiosity, trust, and joy rather than fear and resistance. When we truly embrace Jesus as our King, we're not losing control but gaining the greatest gift of all.Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

Many people fear Christmas not because of commercialization or early decorations, but because of what the nativity story truly represents. Like King Herod, they're threatened by the idea of surrendering control to Jesus as King. The Christmas story challenges everyone to make a choice: either worship Jesus as Lord or reject him entirely - there's no middle ground. However, those who fear Christmas misunderstand Jesus's purpose. He didn't come to take away freedom but to offer love, grace, and salvation. Christians should respond to modern-day Grinches with compassion and understanding, recognizing they're beloved children of God who simply haven't yet grasped the true gift of Christmas.Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

True thankfulness goes beyond gratitude journals and positive attitudes—it moves us to action. God gives us gifts not for our own benefit alone, but to serve others and build His kingdom. We are stewards, not owners, of our abilities and resources. Every gift matters, regardless of size, as demonstrated by the widow's offering in Luke 21. Don't let comparison discourage you; your unique gifts are specifically designed to work alongside others in the body of Christ. Start using what you have right now, trusting that God provides for those who are faithful with their gifts.Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

True gratitude isn't just a holiday feeling—it's a lifestyle choice that transforms our perspective and well-being. Research shows that people who practice daily gratitude experience better physical health, stronger relationships, and greater joy. The apostle Paul demonstrated this when he chose to rejoice while imprisoned, proving that our joy depends on our attitude, not our circumstances. God wants us to live gratefully not for His benefit, but for ours, because gratitude literally rewires our brains for happiness and strengthens our connections with others.Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

Gratitude isn't just a feeling—it's a posture that shapes how we see the world. Following Jesus' example, we can maintain thankfulness even in difficult circumstances by recognizing God's constant presence rather than waiting for perfect conditions. The Apostle Paul instructed believers to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances—not for everything that happens, but recognizing that God remains with us through everything. This posture of gratitude becomes a defiant declaration that hardship doesn't get the final word in our lives.Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

All Saints Day reminds us that death doesn't have the final word in our story. When Jesus told his troubled disciples not to be afraid, he wasn't asking them to ignore their pain but to trust in something greater than their circumstances. His promise of many rooms in his Father's house speaks to our deep need for belonging and permanence. Even in our darkest moments of grief, we are never truly alone because Jesus lives, and because he lives, we will live too. This sacred day calls us to remember the saints who have gone before us while recognizing our own calling to be faithful witnesses of God's love to others. Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

All Saints Day celebrates our eternal connection to the vast family of faith spanning across time and eternity. A saint is simply someone who loves God with all their heart and loves others as Christ loves us. This includes not just famous church figures, but every faithful believer who has gone before us—our parents, friends, and mentors who showed us what it means to walk in God's light. When we remember the saints, we're reminded that we're part of something much larger than ourselves, connected to a great cloud of witnesses. Through Jesus Christ's victory over death, we're united with saints from throughout history and around the world today. We're called to live as saints right now, running our race with endurance while surrounded by this eternal family of faith.Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

Halloween's true origins trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was transformed by early Christians into All Hallows' Eve, the night before All Saints Day. Rather than being anti-Christian, Halloween was actually created by the church to honor the saints who have gone before us. The original Celtic tradition involved communities gathering around fires to remember loved ones who had died, taking home embers to light their homes through winter. This beautiful practice of remembrance aligns perfectly with the biblical concept of being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who encourage us in our faith journey. Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)

Halloween is actually a Christian festival called All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saints Day. While it has Celtic origins from Samhain, early missionaries transformed this pagan celebration into a Christian holiday, just as they did with Christmas and Easter. The real issue isn't Halloween's history, but the church's defensive posture toward darkness. Jesus declared that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church, meaning we're called to advance against darkness, not hide from it. The ancient Celtic tradition of creating a massive bonfire to banish darkness beautifully illustrates this truth. Christians shouldn't fear Halloween or any darkness because overwhelming victory is already ours through Christ.Wesley United Methodist Church - Springfield, MO www.wesleymethodist.com(CCLI streaming license 2009194)