New Beginnings UMC Sermons New Beginnings UMC Sermons

This week's message turns our attention the Healing that occurs when we embrace our belovedness.

Key Points


We are God’s beloved; that’s our truth and we cannot change that. 
We are called to recognize and claim our belovedness, so that we may share this with our neighbors and the world.
Our journey leads to healing, which leads to gratitude, which leads to praise for the God who created us and calls us beloved.

Self-Reflective Thoughts for the Week Ahead


You are invited to take an active role in owning your belovedenss, what is in the impact to this decision?
Where are you now in your journey? Do you feel more or less beloved?
Where do you need healing in your life to feel beloved?

Scripture: John 3: 14 - 21

When we embrace our belovedness we also need to demonstrate the same passion as Jesus did for the marginalized.

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Key Points


Part of being beloved is recognizing the sacred value of our bodies and honoring them as such.
Passion, then, must be an inherent part of belovedness since our belovedness is the expression of God’s deep love within us.
Recognizing God’s passion within us will allow us to live out the calling in our lives for others.

Self-Reflective Thoughts for the Week Ahead


Knowing your body is a temple for God, how can this shape your view of yourself?
How is having passion and knowing you are beloved connected in your life?
What would it look like if you lived your life with passion as a beloved disciple?

Listen to Him! It is a message from God that as Disciples we are called to be listeners in this world. When we listen we clearly hear are calling to love and worship God. It is also in listening that we will hear the Gospel message and go and share that message with the world.

Key Points


Disciples are called to listen to Jesus.
Listening to Jesus leads to us knowing we are beloved.
Listening requires being still, unplugged, patient, and giving Jesus control.

Self-Reflective Thoughts for the Week Ahead


When have you avoided being present to an experience by focusing on another task and staying busy?
How do you listen to Jesus and what makes this listening a challenge?
How many times does God tell you that you are beloved before you can hear this news?

Scripture: Mark 9: 2 - 9

We begin our Christian walk at Baptism when the Heavens part and God proclaims, "You are my Beloved." 

Key Points

1. God calls us to live lives that are representative of being beloved by God.

2. Knowing we are beloved does not come easy yet we must never forget we are beloved.

3. God is Love

Self-Reflective Thoughts for the Week Ahead


What does it mean to you that you are God’s beloved?

Who is helping you in the wilderness as you learn you are beloved?

At this point in time, where do you see yourself in the story: moment of God declaring you beloved, in the wilderness, or beginning to share the Good News?


Scripture: Mark 1: 11

There is no doubt that Christ left this earth with one main message: tell and teach others. Teaching and making disciples is what the Christian neighborhood watch program entails.

Key Points


There is no doubt that Christ left this earth with one main message: tell and teach others.

Teaching and making disciples is what the Christian neighborhood watch program entails.

It’s not about us. It’s about obeying what Christ has commissioned us to do. It’s about loving our neighbor, to whom Christ calls us.


Self-Reflective Thoughts for the Week Ahead


The Great Commission from Jesus calls us to go, are you going?

What exactly have we been commissioned to do? Is it just to spread the gospel?

It’s not about us. It’s about obeying what Christ has commissioned us to do. It’s about loving our neighbor, to whom Christ calls us.


Key Scripture: Matthew 28:19

The church in Acts had to completely revolutionize their way of thinking and widen the scope to allow “all” in their gospel message. Christ often works in ways we do not understand—or even agree with—but his plan is always best.

Self-Reflective Thoughts for the Week Ahead


When did you feel lost and who was your mentor who walked with you to bring you “home”?

Change makes anyone uncomfortable and when has God created challenges in your life to deepen your faith?

Do you know friends who are “lost” and need your help coming “home"?