Wesley Church Sermons

In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind, but the deeper miracle unfolds long after the mud is washed away. This sermon explores how the story is not only about physical sight, but about spiritual vision—about who truly sees the work of God and who misses it. As the healed man's understanding of Jesus grows from "a man called Jesus" to "Lord, I believe," we are invited to ask where we might still be blind to grace, truth, and God's activity right in front of us.

In John 9, Jesus heals a man who was born blind—but the miracle itself takes only two verses. The rest of the chapter is filled with arguments about what it means. This sermon explores how miracles aren't meant to simply make life easier; they reveal God's vision for the world and invite us to see reality differently. When God changes our lives, it may disrupt the systems and expectations around us, but it ultimately calls us to bear witness to a greater kingdom.

In John 4, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well and offers her something deeper than the water she came to draw—living water. This sermon explores how Jesus crosses cultural, religious, and personal barriers to reveal the heart of God to someone the world considered an outsider. After encountering Christ, the woman leaves her water jar behind and becomes a witness, reminding us that when we truly experience living water, we don't just stay at the well—we go and tell others.

Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4 is the longest recorded conversation he has in the Gospels, and it happens with someone he was never supposed to meet. This sermon explores how Jesus crosses barriers of gender, ethnicity, history, and religion—not to lecture, but to truly know her. In a world full of opinions, efficiency, and surface-level exchange, Jesus shows us that real transformation often happens through honest, vulnerable conversation that opens us to grace, truth, and the possibility of new life.

In John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus under the cover of night, carrying questions, curiosity, and the quiet risk of being seen with him. This sermon explores how every encounter with Jesus is an invitation to change—from the inside out. As Nicodemus moves from cautious seeker to quiet disciple, we are reminded that faith often begins with a willingness to step beyond what is safe, open ourselves to the Spirit, and trust that Christ can transform our lives in ways we never expected.

Jesus' wilderness testing reminds us that temptation doesn't usually look dark or dramatic — it often sounds reasonable and feels justified. While we may never face the temptations Jesus faced, we all know the pull of pride, control, fear, and self-centeredness. This message invites us to use Lent as a season of honest reflection, naming the small daily compromises that quietly shape who we are becoming.

Jesus calls his followers to be salt and light—not someday, but now. In this message from Matthew 5:13–20, we're reminded that participation in God's Kingdom doesn't have to be complicated, and that simple, faithful witness can shine brighter than we realize.

Too often, we treat baptism and confirmation like something we "finish"—when Scripture shows us they are where faith truly begins. In Matthew's account of Jesus' baptism, the water is not the conclusion of his story, but the launch of his public ministry. This sermon invites us to remember our baptism not as a past moment, but as a present calling—naming us, claiming us, and commissioning us to live as God's beloved people in the world.

At the beginning of a new year, we often focus on looking good—but Epiphany invites us to consider whether we're actually looking in the right direction. In Matthew 2, the Magi follow the star faithfully, but danger enters the story when assumptions replace attention to God's leading, while those who knew the Scriptures best never made the short journey to see Jesus for themselves. This sermon challenges us to ask what we're fixing our eyes on in 2026 and invites us, like the wise men, to kneel in worship and follow the light Christ gives—one faithful step at a time.

Week One of Advent: Hope 

This sermon connects the space-age hope of the 1960s, the promise of Isaiah 65, and Jesus' call in Mark 13 to remind us what Advent is truly about. We don't deny the brokenness around us—Advent teaches us to hope right through it, to live as if God's future is already breaking in. It all centers on one question: Do you see what I see?

This week, Pastor Greg preaches on Luke 21:5-19 and reminds us that Jesus asks for us is to be the presence that offers transformation for all the world. 

This week, Bishop Beard preaches on his new ministry "Catching Like Jesus" and reminds us that Jesus can catch fish anywhere. 

Traditional Worship 8.17.25

Week 3: Require  Micah 6:8- "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  The Book of Micah delivers a message of both judgment and hope. Micah confronts Israel and Judah for their injustice, idolatry, and exploitation of the vulnerable. He warns that their actions will lead to destruction, yet he also proclaims that God will not abandon His people forever. In the midst of this, Micah reveals what God truly requires: not empty rituals, but a life of justice, mercy, and humility. Ultimately, the book points to a future where God will restore His people and reign in peace from Zion.  The thing to know: God doesn't hand out prescriptions, but if we choose to live a life of returning to God, there are some requirements that make the return more rich.  The thing to do: Commit not to what you will get in return, but commit to God all that you will put in to the relationship 

Amos 9:11- "In that day I will restore David's fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins—and will rebuild it as it used to be."  Amos, a shepherd turned prophet, warns Israel of impending judgment due to their social injustice, idolatry, and neglect of the poor. He proclaims that God will not overlook their corruption and exploitation, and that destruction will come upon both Israel and its neighbors. However, the book ends with a hopeful promise: God will restore the fallen house of David, rebuild the ruined cities, and bring prosperity and peace to His people. This restoration points to a future where justice and righteousness prevail, and God's covenant with His people is renewed. 

Have you experienced moments where you couldn't find the words to say - or pray?  Of course!  We all have!  In Luke 11, the disciples ask Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray,” not because they needed a script, but because they wanted what they saw in Him: intimacy, honesty, and trust. From asking God for answers to learning to walk with His presence, this message invites us to move from “God, give me…” to “God, be with me.”

What does it take to make you shout? This week, Bishop Beard leads us through Acts 3. The same as Peter helps the man up, it is our job as the church to do the same for those outside our walls. We must remember that as children of God, we have something to shout about. 

Anything you do, when you give it to God, is better than when you do it by yourself. It is what He wants and what He has designed. 

This week, Pastor Greg preaches on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story we see that no one is beyond the need of the love of God. 

What do a stolen trash can, a dangerous desert road, and student ministry mission trips have in common? In this week's message from Luke 10, we explore how Jesus flips the question “Who is my neighbor?” into a call to costly, inconvenient, embodied love — the kind that crosses the road, breaks the rules, and reflects the mercy of the one true Good Samaritan. Sometimes, grace walks the bloody way… and calls us to go with it.

This week's message is about good intentions, abandoned mandolins, untested soil kits, and the many “but firsts” that get in the way of truly following Jesus.  We're looking at Luke 9:57–62, where Jesus meets a few fired-up followers who aren't quite ready to sign up for the cost of discipleship.  It's a reminder that enthusiasm is easy — but commitment? That's where faith gets real.

Who do you trust?  Whose voice do you listen to?  Do we cling to our own way?  Our own plan?  Our own understanding, or are we acknowledging God is all that we do so that our paths may be laid out better in front of us?  This is part 2 of our Summer Wisdom series this summer at Wesley!

Knowledge is good, but there is a vast difference between knowledge and wisdom  We might amass all the knowledge we can cram into our brains, but without wisdom, our knowledge is useless. Where does real wisdom come from?  Where can we find it?  How do we obtain it?

What challenges our integrity?   What threatens our humbleness and our ability to remain true to good moral character and uprightness?  2nd Samuel Chapter 11 tells of how David, in a position of power and authority chose hubris over humility.  At just the moment when he thought he could no no wrong, everything went wrong.   **Also, Senior Recognition Sunday at Wesley. 

This week, Pastor Greg guides is through John 11 & 12 while reminding us of the scents that we encounter in this scripture. From Lazarus' body to Mary's fine perfume, we see that Jesus makes all things new. 

What are your house rules?  Could the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) make it into your house rules?  Does it work?  Can it work?  Where does this fit into the upside-down kingdom Jesus talked about? 

This week, Pastor Greg teaches about the parable of the prodigal son. 

If everything was gone tomorrow, what would matter most? The temptation of Jesus revealed His character. When we follow Jesus, we must know what we live for & what we are all about. 

The only one who can lead us to true righteousness, to being the salt of the earth, and the light of the world, is Jesus- and he does so not by status but by relationship- to God, to Jesus, to others. We are capable of so much because of who Jesus is. Jesus has made you “it” because you are valuable, because you add so much to this world, and because he knows you can do it.  You are the salt of the earth because of who Jesus is.  

This week, Pastor Greg teaches on the transfiguration of Jesus. In his teaching, he reminds us to look at the text a bit closer & notice what is and what is not there. 

What if there was a way to harness the power of a reaction (or an over reaction) for good?   What about for the good of the Upside Down Kingdom Jesus talk sabout in the Sermon on the Mount?   Tune in and see how doing more than what is expected can help point others toward a God who went the extra mile for us. 

For week one of "Upside Down," we venture into the upside down kingdom that Jesus describes in the beatitudes. 

This week, Pastor Greg teaches over Luke 6: 27-38. 

Jesus is telling us that BECAUSE you're a sinner, do something differently. BECAUSE you are broken, there is a new way.  So do not be afraid of your sin, what you will do, what you are inclined to do, don't be afraid that you will fall short. BECAUSE, from now on you will fish for people. Change is coming, and God is sending us on a mission.