Midwest City Free Methodist Church

Few people can say they "had it all." The writer of Ecclesiastes could. But looking back, he gives wisdom that only someone who had it all can provide. Spoiler alert: having everything this world offers can't fulfill you. You need something greater than that.

Few people can say they "had it all." The writer of Ecclesiastes could. But looking back, he gives wisdom that only someone who had it all can provide. Spoiler alert: having everything this world offers can't fulfill you. You need something greater than that.

The height of wisdom literature, the preacher/teacher of Ecclesiastes is giving lessons learned from a long life. The first, which is really the theme of the book, is that none of the good things of life can provide the ultimate meaning we seek and need. Outside of that, it all comes to futility. It is a vain chasing after the wind.

The height of wisdom literature, the preacher/teacher of Ecclesiastes is giving lessons learned from a long life. The first, which is really the theme of the book, is that none of the good things of life can provide the ultimate meaning we seek and need. Outside of that, it all comes to futility. It is a vain chasing after the wind.

Both in Hebrews 12 and in I Corithians 9 we are told that the life of a Christian is like a race. It's not a sprint but a marathon. We can't opt out; we are in this race. We have to stay focused. We should watch out for things that will trip us or distracts us or disqualify us. Our goal is the finish line where the prize awaits. We are in it to win it.

Both in Hebrews 12 and in I Corithians 9 we are told that the life of a Christian is like a race. It's not a sprint but a marathon. We can't opt out; we are in this race. We have to stay focused. We should watch out for things that will trip us or distracts us or disqualify us. Our goal is the finish line where the prize awaits. We are in it to win it.

Jesus is usually pictured as a gentle lamb, or a suffering servant, which are true & biblical images. But this is incomplete. The resurrected Messiah is powerful & victorious, a conquering hero who has crushed the head of the enemy.

Jesus is usually pictured as a gentle lamb, or a suffering servant, which are true & biblical images. But this is incomplete. The resurrected Messiah is powerful & victorious, a conquering hero who has crushed the head of the enemy.

In Luke 4 Jesus begins with Scripture to proclaim his true identity, calling and purpose in the world. Some liked it, at least at first. But some, eventually many, hated it. Jesus had the courage to be obedient and speak the truth no matter the cost. This is a lesson for all who follow Him.

In Luke 4 Jesus begins with Scripture to proclaim his true identity, calling and purpose in the world. Some liked it, at least at first. But some, eventually many, hated it. Jesus had the courage to be obedient and speak the truth no matter the cost. This is a lesson for all who follow Him.

Sickness is a universal part of human life. We all die of our final illness. God is the all-powerful healer, as he reminded His people in Exodus 15.

Sickness is a universal part of human life. We all die of our final illness. God is the all-powerful healer, as he reminded His people in Exodus 15.

Early in the Bible we learn something important about God. He sees everything. He hears our praise and pleas for help. He knows our needs, our sacrifices, and our sins. Nothing escapes His eye or ear.

Early in the Bible we learn something important about God. He sees everything. He hears our praise and pleas for help. He knows our needs, our sacrifices, and our sins. Nothing escapes His eye or ear.

Does the God of Peace also make war? Yes He does. It is one of the names often used of Him. He is the LORD of Hosts (as in, armies). The world is not a paradise. Evil is real and has to be fought. Christians have to fight in this war that is not against flesh & blood.

Does the God of Peace also make war? Yes He does. It is one of the names often used of Him. He is the LORD of Hosts (as in, armies). The world is not a paradise. Evil is real and has to be fought. Christians have to fight in this war that is not against flesh & blood.

Righteousness is simply 'rightness.' It is the same word translated just or justice. It refers to lining up to the standard. In this world every line is crooked to some degree. God alone judges perfectly. The only time He interrupts justice is for the sake of mercy, which is the basis of our hope.

Righteousness is simply 'rightness.' It is the same word translated just or justice. It refers to lining up to the standard. In this world every line is crooked to some degree. God alone judges perfectly. The only time He interrupts justice is for the sake of mercy, which is the basis of our hope.

Psalm 95 calls God "Yahweh Osenu," the LORD our Maker. Creation is not only biblical, it is logical and intuitive. The sciences point increasingly toward this fundamental belief. God is the Creator of the universe.

Psalm 95 calls God "Yahweh Osenu," the LORD our Maker. Creation is not only biblical, it is logical and intuitive. The sciences point increasingly toward this fundamental belief. God is the Creator of the universe.

From Abraham onward, Israel's God was recognized as "olam," meaning "everlasting." We know that our universe is not eternal. Time was created by God just like everything else. He is timeless.

From Abraham onward, Israel's God was recognized as "olam," meaning "everlasting." We know that our universe is not eternal. Time was created by God just like everything else. He is timeless.

In Exodus 3 Moses encountered God, who asked him to do something insane. Moses asked God a bold question: "Who shall I say sent me?" Instead of the more generic name for God, Moses got something distinct and profound: "I am who I am." He was told "Tell them the "I am" (Yahweh) sent you." In this message we explore the meaning of that unique name.

In Exodus 3 Moses encountered God, who asked him to do something insane. Moses asked God a bold question: "Who shall I say sent me?" Instead of the more generic name for God, Moses got something distinct and profound: "I am who I am." He was told "Tell them the "I am" (Yahweh) sent you." In this message we explore the meaning of that unique name.

The Church's commission from Christ is to make disciples. Paul says in Colossians 1 that his life's work is to lead the church to teach people with all wisdom & make them mature believers. We are not just making coverts, we are building mature people in Christ.

The Church's commission from Christ is to make disciples. Paul says in Colossians 1 that his life's work is to lead the church to teach people with all wisdom & make them mature believers. We are not just making coverts, we are building mature people in Christ.

In this message, Rev. Steve Smith shares the meaning behind a Hebrew word that is known universally around the world.

In this message, Rev. Steve Smith shares the meaning behind a Hebrew word that is known universally around the world.

Paul says that the Church warns and teaches in all wisdom. He says in another place that we should admonish as a friend as opposed to ignoring like an enemy. Life is full of pitfalls. We need warnings and guardrails to avoid disasters.

Paul says that the Church warns and teaches in all wisdom. He says in another place that we should admonish as a friend as opposed to ignoring like an enemy. Life is full of pitfalls. We need warnings and guardrails to avoid disasters.

In Numbers 35 we see that Israel had laws about murder, manslaughter & due process. To prevent hasty vengeance there was a city for refuge. If not guilty of murder, the accused, when the high priest ultimately died, could then go free. The gospel foreshadowing and application is plain to us.

In Numbers 35 we see that Israel had laws about murder, manslaughter & due process. To prevent hasty vengeance there was a city for refuge. If not guilty of murder, the accused, when the high priest ultimately died, could then go free. The gospel foreshadowing and application is plain to us.

We are told that no one has ever truly seen God as He is, in his fullness or glory. But the apostle tells us that the man Jesus is the image of God, the most visible picture of God ever shown to man.

We are told that no one has ever truly seen God as He is, in his fullness or glory. But the apostle tells us that the man Jesus is the image of God, the most visible picture of God ever shown to man.

A series of brief commentaries on social issues: "Things People Say." This one is on a common saying in the abortion debate: "If you oppose abortion, then don't have one."

A series of brief commentaries on social issues: "Things People Say." This one is on a common saying in the abortion debate: "If you oppose abortion, then don't have one."

It's too easy for Christians to think they can't be fully committed, obedient disciples and servants in the Kingdom because of particular circumstances in their lives. Daniel & his friends were young men in the worst possible circumstances, and they made no excuses. It's a lesson for everyone.

It's too easy for Christians to think they can't be fully committed, obedient disciples and servants in the Kingdom because of particular circumstances in their lives. Daniel & his friends were young men in the worst possible circumstances, and they made no excuses. It's a lesson for everyone.

Slavery has been the rule and not the exception on every continent in every age. The Christian message, seen in Paul's words to Philemon, formed the basis for a movement that freed untold numbers of slaves around the world.

Slavery has been the rule and not the exception on every continent in every age. The Christian message, seen in Paul's words to Philemon, formed the basis for a movement that freed untold numbers of slaves around the world.

The brief letter to Philemon is to a man on behalf of his runaway slave, who has become his brother in Christ. For context and understanding, we look at slavery's meaning and practice throughout the ages.

The brief letter to Philemon is to a man on behalf of his runaway slave, who has become his brother in Christ. For context and understanding, we look at slavery's meaning and practice throughout the ages.

Society judges people outwardly, praising physical attributes and abilities. Some assess moral worth on the basis of gender, skin color, or other things. But the Bible is clear throughout: God is concerned with the INNER man, the true heart and character of each person.

Society judges people outwardly, praising physical attributes and abilities. Some assess moral worth on the basis of gender, skin color, or other things. But the Bible is clear throughout: God is concerned with the INNER man, the true heart and character of each person.

From the very beginning Satan is depicted as a false accuser. The N.T. Greek word for "devil" is "diabolos," which means slanderer. When people slander each other, as is so common in our world, they are being Satanic.

From the very beginning Satan is depicted as a false accuser. The N.T. Greek word for "devil" is "diabolos," which means slanderer. When people slander each other, as is so common in our world, they are being Satanic.

Israel was blessed as a result of sacrificial faithfulness to Yahweh. But they grew decadent - fat, entitled, forgetful of their past. This can happen to any nation - victims of their own God-given prosperity.

Israel was blessed as a result of sacrificial faithfulness to Yahweh. But they grew decadent - fat, entitled, forgetful of their past. This can happen to any nation - victims of their own God-given prosperity.

The judgment is harsh for Israel when she forgets her past & the blessings of her roots and heritage. To throw away such a gift to run after worthless things is an act of abominable foolishness. Each person, family and nation should read these sobering words of warning.

The judgment is harsh for Israel when she forgets her past & the blessings of her roots and heritage. To throw away such a gift to run after worthless things is an act of abominable foolishness. Each person, family and nation should read these sobering words of warning.

500 years ago Martin Luther got a rare opportunity to speak before the emperor. In Acts 26 Paul got "permission to speak" to two powerful men. What did they say and what can we learn from it?