Kearney First UMC Podcasts

Who Is Jesus: The Good Shepherd

Welcome!  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen looks at John 10 and Jesus describing himself as the "Good Shepherd"  Jesus is our good shepherd who watches over us, protects us, and leads us.  We are his sheep and part his flock.  Salvation is not just for when we die, but for every day. We participate in community and share our gifts and talents to better the flock.  What kind of sheep do you want to be and whose voice do you want to listen too?

Who Is Jesus: Asking Personal Questions While Reading Scripture

Welcome to the mid-week podcast!  In this devotional, Pastor Matt looks at an interaction in John 10 where people intend to stone Jesus.  He prompts us to read scripture while asking questions personal to us and our faith such as, "What does this passage mean for me in terms of my personal relationship with Jesus/God?" or "How would I fit in this story?"

Who Is Jesus: The Light

Welcome!  In this sermon Pastor Jo Ellen looks at John 9.  Jesus heals a man born blind by spitting on the ground, making mud, putting the mud on the man's eyes, then having him wash.  For this man, the miracle of sight is more than enough for him to believe.
Where have you seen Jesus?  Our testimony or story can be more powerful than any sermon.  People can see Jesus in us and we can see Jesus in others.

Who Is Jesus: Missing the Forest for the Trees

Welcome!  In this mid-week devotional, Pastor Matt shares a selection from John 7 where the pharisees question a man whose eyesight was restored by Jesus on a Sabbath.  The Pharisees are so focused on the act of breaking sabbath (a tree) that they miss the betterment of a man's life through miraculous healing (the forest).  When have we been too focused on a "tree" that we miss the "forest" the Holy Spirit is working in?

Who Is Jesus: The Son

Welcome!  In this Sermon, Pastor Matt looks at Jesus's use of repetitive language in John 8.  Jesus uses the "I Am" language to show connection to God using the same language God uses to identify Godself from the Old Testament.  Jesus will set free those in slavery to sin and "beastliness."  How have we been beastly and how can we be free of it?  If Jesus is persistent in showing grace when having to repeat himself, how might we respond with persistent grace when we are at the end our patience with others?

Who Is Jesus: Witness

Welcome! In this midweek devotional, Pastor Jo Ellen looks at the witness of Jesus in John 8.  She comments that we are often too harsh or quick to judge others while Jesus shows grace.  Perhaps we are called to be better witnesses of Jesus and give good testimony to what God is doing in our lives rather than to pass judgement upon others.

Who Is Jesus: Amazing Grace

Welcome!  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen preaches on the passage in John when a woman caught in adultery is brought before Jesus.  Pastor Jo Ellen explains that how Jesus responds to the crowd and this woman is reflective of how God reacts to us when we sin.  We are beings created to be in relationship with God, our community, creation, and fellow believers.  Through community we get a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God will be like.  During this season of Lent, let us take time to reflect on our practices and lean into and restore our relationships with God, creation, community, and the world.

Lent: Purses, Desks, and Truck Steats

Welcome to our mid-week devotional!  In this episode, Pastor Matt speaks to the season of Lent.  He asks listeners to consider one's purse, or desk, or truck seat.  These often collect a great number of things that need to be gone through and cleaned out as do our spiritual lives.  What do we need to sort through to better follow Jesus in these next 40 days?  What are practices you can to do turn your focus toward God and godly living?

Who Is Jesus: The Mystery

Welcome! In this Sunday Sermon, Pastor Matt encourages us to look around in John 7.  What is the setting?  Who are involved?  Can we relate to Jesus' biological brothers in being disappointed when Jesus doesn't do what we want or call us to act in the way that keeps us comfortable?  How do we react when God doesn't fit the box we think God should be contained within?  If we are to live as reflections of Jesus and if Jesus is Living water, what is flowing from us?

Who Is Jesus: The Living Water and Messiah

Welcome to our mid-week devotional podcast! In this devotional, Pastor Matt expands on John 7 looking at Jesus proclaiming to be "Living Water" and the people's reactions and contradictions in trying to figure out if Jesus is in fact the long awaited Messiah or if Jesus is just a prophet or simply a wise teacher.