Free Methodist Church Of Santa Barbara

Devotion to Jesus- Rev. Colleen Hurley- Bates, 4.5.2020 by Sermons

Be Strong and Courageous - Rev. Colleen Hurley-Bates (3.29.2020) by Sermons

The Goodness of God - Rev. Colleen Hurley-Bates, 3.22.2020 by Sermons

The Best Way - Rev. Doug Ranck (3.15.2020) by Sermons

A New King - Rev. Colleen Hurley-Bates (3.8.2020) by Sermons

On this first Sunday of Lent, we pause our study in Samuel for just a week to meditate on a scripture about Jesus when He is led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It is good that we think about all our Lord endured and important to remember how His difficulty was in the beginning of His ministry, as well as in the end. What stands out to us in this piece is the scripture Jesus uses against the promises of the enemy. Those three citations will be our focus. Jesus combats His temptation with the Word of God. It is a powerful reminder of what is available to us. God has equipped us with everything we need for knowing Him and doing His will. Sunday we will be partaking in communion as we celebrate Jesus' perfect life offered for us.

The text we have before us this week reveals a disparity between what God wants and what His people Israel want. In Samuel's old age the elders of Israel demand a king to take Samuel's place, which would introduce a monarchy into Israel for the first time. God wants to be their king but Israel refuses this because they want to "be like other nations." God warns them of the dangers of having a king, but then ultimately relents and listens to their request. What happens when what God wants and what we want conflict? Do we recognize that God wants to walk with us through all of life and wants us to trust Him? Or do we forsake him and turn to other Gods, trusting in earthly power and security? What do we do when the life we have chosen for ourselves doesn't add up and isn't what we wanted?

Encounter- Santa Barbara Mission Conference Recap- Members of J.O.L.T. (2.23.20) by Sermons

Due to technical issues with our recording equipment, we had to use a back-up recording for this week's sermon. Please excuse the lower quality of the recording and the missing introduction. Thank you for listening. In this piece of scripture, we see Samuel at work. Much has happened since God called him and I encourage you to read chapters 4-6 to catch up on the story. I will be summarizing what has gone on in my message, yet it is always good to get a feel for movement of the narrative yourself. In chapter 7, Samuel is directing the people how to humble themselves before the Lord so they might have victory. There are many ideas we might think about here: the nature of holiness, warring neighbors, faithfulness to God. This is a classic passage about what life was like for Israel in that time. As we understand their reality a little bit, God has lessons for us to know about Him and how we trust Him today. How incredible that the God of Samuel is the same one we know today.

Encounter-Discipleship Ecosystem- Rev. Dr. Denny Wayman - (2.16.20) by Sermons

The chapter we read is one of the most important in the book, in my estimation, because it is a piece of the story which is wonderfully soaked in the Spirit of God. Because of this, we want to pay special attention to what is happening. Please read the chapter before you come into the sanctuary to worship the Lord. See how God is alive. Notice how He is bringing new life as He prunes away what is dead, diseased, and toxic. . .so He can make room for the fruit He so wants to produce for His people. All of it has to do with His holiness and those who serve Him. We will have many important ideas to think about together as we gather in the name of Jesus this Sunday. As you read this passage, what does the Lord say to you? He speaks to us today, just as He did to Samuel. What does that look like in your life? How would you welcome His voice more?

Encounter-Doubt- Rev. Dr. Denny Wayman - (2.9.20) by Sermons

We have begun 1 Samuel and already we are drawn into a compelling story of the family who will change the history of a whole nation. Most people consider the main characters of this book to be Samuel, Saul, and David. However, some scholars count Hannah, and I think we should as well. She is the catalyst for this whole narrative. Without her sorrow and prayer of surrender, there is no Samuel. There is always the story behind the story, which is often crucial, and we want to stay another week on who she is and the part she played. Sunday, we will use Hannah's prayer as our reflection for communion. I encourage you to meditate on her words and not skip over them to see what happens next. Prayer IS part of our story because it influences our actions. Those who pray see God work in powerful ways in their lives, as they invite Him to do what they cannot do for themselves. Take time this week to think about various parts of Hannah's prayer, asking the Lord what it means for you.

Encounter- The Five Issues that Bring People into Counseling- Cheryl Wayman LMFT (2.2.20) by Sermons

Encounter-Discovering Dementia- Joe Wheatley (1.26.20) by Sermons

Dedicated to the Lord 1 Samuel 1:3-20; 2:1-10 This week, we will delve into the Old Testament to glean insight from the Lord through the familiar and the unknown. These stories may be ones we have read many times, yet the culture and time in which they are set can be difficult for us to grasp. However, the Lord has lessons for us to learn as His people today! As we read, let's listen for what He is saying to us both individually and as the church. We will begin with an overview of the books of Samuel, a critical and interesting time in the history of Israel. Then, we will talk about the story of Hannah, whose longing for a child led to choices which changed the trajectory of her life. God is faithful. He sees us and honors those who submit their plans to Him. Let us come into the house of the Lord on His day to bring Him honor and hear His voice. I hope to greet you with His peace! Praying for you all.

Encounter-Wesleyan Quadrilateral | Reason- Rev. Dr. Jim Mannoia (1.19.20) by Sermons

One, Vision, One, Voice, One Victory | 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 We are thrilled this week to welcome Pastor Kenny Martin speak to us on Sunday. He has been a good friend of our pastors for many years. We consider he and his wife Estelle, who also serves as a pastor, to be fruitful co-laborers for the gospel. Kenny was a nominee for Bishop for our denomination this year and serves in multiple leadership capacities across the nation. We are excited to hear what God has put on his heart. He and Estelle will hold a prayer meeting for our leaders on Saturday, and then he will preach on Sunday morning: "Sunday's sermon is about God's ONE Vision for His people to be blessed and to grow in His likeness and divine image. It is important for us to hear the voice of the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit speaking to us with ONE Voice in unity. My prayer is the presence of God would speak and we would hear Him calling us to a higher place in Him. Also, there is ONE Victor who conquered death on the cross

Jesus the Bread of Life John 6:25-35 Wrong Questions and Right Answers Happy New Year! It's the first week of the year 2020. Can you believe it? As you think about what kind of life you'd like to lead this year, what kinds of questions are you asking at the beginning of the year? The quality of questions we ask often determines the quality of answers we seek and receive. However, sometimes we ask wrong questions and thus find wrong solutions. Other times even when we ask wrong questions, Jesus out of his mercy, gives us right answers. In our text today the crowd asks Jesus a series of what they think earnest but wrong questions but Jesus provides for them right answers-i.e., what they need to hear. Together we will discover the significance and implications of Jesus' answers and his fitting "I Am" saying as we prepare hearts for the very first Communion of the year 2020. In this New Year, why don't we let Jesus frame our life's search for where, what, and who the will of God is for us?

On this first Sunday after Christmas day we will be exploring the way that Jesus describes himself as the "good shepherd" in John 10. The good shepherd distinguishes himself from the hired hand because the good shepherd knows his sheep and they know him. And, even more powerfully the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Do we entrust our lives to the good shepherd believing that he loves us and will lay down his life for us? Or do we entrust our lives to the hired hand who when the going gets rough leaves us and runs away? This Sunday we will be exploring God's identity as shepherd and what it means to be His sheep. This Sunday I hope we are reminded that It is never too late to join or rejoin the loving fold of our Good Shepherd.