Kearney First UMC Podcasts

You've Got a Friend in Me: What Happens When Friends Die?

Welcome to the fifth sermon of our "You've Got a Friend in Me: What the Bible Shows Us About Friendship" sermon series!  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen addresses the heartbreaking reality of grief when a friend dies.  She looks at how David mourned Jonathan's death in 2 Samuel and sympathises with her own grief experiences.  Grief is not something that can be rushed, nor is it something that will ever fully go away.  God is always with us through our grief and often gives us friends who can be a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on when we go through grief.

You've Got a Friend in Me: I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends

Welcome to the fourth sermon of our "You've Got a Friend in Me: What the Bible Shows Us About Friendship" sermon series!  In this podcast, Pastor Matt looks at the story of the stretcher bearer friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing.  He shares that God brings life, healing, and wholeness often times through our stretcher bearing friends or the friends who carry us when we can't carry ourselves.  Who have been your stretcher bearing friends and who has carried you to Jesus?

Walking with the Word: Being a Host

Welcome to Walking with The Word!  In this episode, Pastor Matt thinks back on Pastor Jen's Sunday sermon and his time in college.  He challenges us to follow Jesus' example to be good hosts where ever we go.

You've Got a Friend in Me: Praying Friends

Welcome to the third sermon of our "You've Got a Friend in Me: What the Bible Shows Us About Friendship" sermon series!  In this podcast, you'll hear some of our children read the scripture and a message from Pastor Jen Gibbs.  Jen shares how God has a hand in bringing friends together. She uses the example of Daniel and his friends to show how powerful it is to have friends who pray for you and love you.  Who are your friends you know will be there for you no matter what?

Walking with The Word: Our Friendships Show God in the World

Welcome to Walking with The Word!  In this episode, Pastor Matt reflects on a conversation he had with a college student on friendship.  He remarks, "Friendships can be spaces and relationships through which we see God and through which God works in our lives to make us as friends living witnesses of what God is like to the world."

You've Got a Friend in Me: Best Friends Forever

Welcome to the second sermon of our "You've Got a Friend in Me: What the Bible Shows Us About Friendship" sermon series!  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen looks at the story of David and Jonathan and compares their friendship to the kind of friendship God wants with us.  God desires to know you and the whole arc of the Bible shows how much God loves us.  Will you be best friends with God?

Walking with the Word: Reflecting on Friendships

Welcome to this episode of Walking with the Word!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen reflects on Pastor Matt's Sunday sermon, a life-long friendship of her mother's, and two friendships of her own.

You've Got a Friend in Me: Fierce Friends

Welcome to the first sermon of our new sermon series, "You've Got a Friend in Me: What the Bible Shows Us About Friendship."  In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at the story of Ruth and Naomi along with modern studies and stories to show how friendships benefit us physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Through these examples, we can see how God bears fruit through our relationships and friendships and inspires us to be the means through which God bears fruit in the lives of others.

Walking with the Word: The Goal of the Christian Life and Practice Before Practice

Welcome to Walking with the Word!  In this episode, Pastor Matt expands on his sermon from Sunday.  He ponders what the goal of a Christian life is and compares it to preparing for and running a marathon.  Before one can step foot across the finish line, there are steps or practices that must be done before really practicing like finding the motivation to start, then making space and time to begin practicing, and then press on towards the goal.

Seeing Discipleship through Women in Mark: Cruciform Living

Welcome to the final sermon of the series "Seeing Discipleship Through Women in Mark."  In this sermon, Pastor Matt invites us to look at the shape of the cross.  It reminds us that Jesus is fully connected with God while still wholly and fully reaching out to humanity.  We are called to follow Jesus which can be shown by being a servant to others, welcoming those who are overlooked, and caring for all.  Discipleship requires humility in the midst of community.