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Faith (2nd Corinthians 5:1-10)

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 Sermon for Milledgeville UMC Faith (2 nd Corinthians 5:1-10)   You may have heard the old joke about a hiker who slipped and fell off a steep mountain cliff. He managed to grab a tree root hanging out. He cried out for help. But he was alone. He kept calling for help, but no one was coming. His arm grew tired. So he prayed. “God, please save me or I’m going to die.” A voice said, “Let go!” He said, “What?” The voice again urged him, “Let go! I’ll catch you!” He hung there desperate, but then called back, “Is there anybody else up there?”   Today we are talking Faith.   Geroge Michael had a #1 hit song called Faith in 1987. It even made the Songs of the Century list compiled Recording Industry Association of America. Faith is 322 on a list of 365 songs selected from the 20 th century. That’s high praise. The song is about love and attraction. He’s turning down a one-night stand and holding out for a love that’s real. He’s got to have faith that there’s...
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Our Mission: Living By Faith (2nd Corinthians 5:1-10)

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 Sermon for Centenary UMC [Slide] Our Mission: Living By Faith (2 nd Corinthians 5:1-10)   Boom Box: Duh duh duh duh… Mission Impossible Theme.   [Slide] We’ve all surely seen Tom Cruise or Peter Graves receiving his next mission for IMF. “Good evening, Mr. Hunt. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, blah blah blah. This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds.” Shhh - Smoke!   There are 8 Mission Impossible films, 171 episodes in the original television series, and another 35 eps in the 1988 reboot. With so many missions, are they really impossible?   Today we are talking about our mission. What is a mission and why do we need one? [Slide] A mission statement clarifies our purpose. It says what we are to do. It gives the reason an organization exists.   [Slide] The term "mission" originates from the Latin missio (meaning "act of sending"), used by 16 th century Jesuit priests to describe overseas religious expeditions. For c...
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On to Rome (Acts 27:22-44)

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 Sermon for Centenary and Milledgeville UMC... [Slide] On to Rome (Acts 27:22-44)   Paul is shipwrecked on Malta A sailor off the coast of Germany discovers that his boat is taking on water. Alarmed, he radios the German coastguard: "Hello coastguard, I'm sinking, I'm sinking!" There is a pause for a few seconds, before the coastguard replies, "OK ... Vat are you sinking about?"   An old sailor told a friend he could hear the ocean sing in the calm before the storm. Friend: Oh yeah? What does it sound like?   C flat.   We are with Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus of Thessalonica on a ship bound for Rome. They are sailing in late September to early October. [Slide] We know this because Luke tells us it’s already after the Fast, meaning The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Yom Kippur occurs anytime between September 14 and October 14.   [Slide] The Mediterranean Sea is a dangerous place to travel in the autumn months. The waters of the Med...
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Paul Before Herod Agrippa II (Acts 26:1-32)

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 Sermon for Milledgeville & Centenary UMC... [Slide] Paul Before Herod Agrippa II ( Acts 26:1-32 )   Well, golly Bill, Marshall! IYKYK - Gunsmoke How many of you are familiar with the HBO series Game of Thrones? [Slide] It’s a series filled with political intrigue, murder and war. Houses of wealth and power compete for the control of the seven kingdoms. It’s part King Arthur and Lord of the Rings. There is magic and dragons, evil ghouls from the wintery north and, of course, teachery. It’s great fun!   [Slide] Paul finds himself in a game of thrones of his day. He stands trial before Governor Felix, then Festus, then King Agrippa and Queen Bernice, and finally to Rome to stand before Caesar.   [Slide] Felix was a duplicitous and cruel governor. He often sought bribes for political favors. Crime increased in Judea under his rule. He consistently put the needs of the Greek population ahead of the Jews. This caused angry disturbances among the Jews...
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