Grenola UMC Sermons

After revealing Himself as the Christ, Jesus begins telling His disciples what lies ahead: suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. This week, Pastor Kenny shows how Jesus’ call to “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me” is not theoretical; it’s the path every disciple eventually walked. From Peter’s restoration on the shores of Galilee to Stephen’s bold witness before the council, and from the apostles’ courage to Paul’s dramatic conversion, Scripture reveals a faith that endures hardship, stands firm in truth, and follows Christ no matter the cost. The cross is not a symbol of comfort but of surrender — and Jesus invites us to follow Him with the same devotion.

Scripture  
Matthew 16:21–28
John 21:14–22
Acts 7
Romans 12:17–21

Quiz of the Week  
In John 21, what did Jesus tell Peter to do after Peter affirmed his love for Him?
Answer the quiz on YouTube

Jesus’ question to His disciples echoes across every generation: “Who do you say that I am?” This week, Pastor Kenny walks us through Scripture to show how God has revealed Himself — from the burning bush where He declared “I AM that I AM,” to Jesus’ own words identifying Himself as the Door, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, and the Bread of Life. Through Moses, David, Isaiah, and the Gospel of John, we see one unified truth: the eternal God has made Himself known in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. He is Savior, King, Redeemer, and Friend — the One who walks with us, loves us, and calls us to trust Him fully.

Scripture  
Matthew 16:13–20
Proverbs 18:24
Exodus 3:13–15
John 10:9–11
John 1:1–14
John 8:52–58
Psalms 132:11
Isaiah 43:2–19

Quiz of the Week  
According to John 1, who is described as the Word that became flesh?
Answer the quiz on YouTube

When the waves rise and the wind grows fierce, Peter steps out onto the water—and sinks the moment fear steals his focus. This week, Pastor Kenny reminds us that the storms of life are real, but so is the Savior who reaches out His hand. Through the promises spoken to Isaiah, Joshua, Timothy, John, Paul, and the other heroes of faith, we’re shown that God has not given us a spirit of fear. He strengthens the weary, upholds the fainthearted, and calls His people to trust Him when circumstances shake. Fear may shout loudly, but God’s Word speaks louder: Be not afraid… I am with you.

Scripture  
Matthew 14:22–33
Isaiah 41:10
Joshua 1:9
2 Timothy 1:6–13
1 John 4:17–19
Romans 8:15
Ephesians 6:12
Hebrews 11:6–40
Isaiah 40:28–31

Quiz of the Week  
What did Jesus say to Peter after pulling him up from the water?
Answer the quiz on YouTube

Thomas wanted evidence he could touch, but Jesus points us to a deeper blessing—the kind that comes from trusting what God has already revealed. This week, Pastor Kenny reminds us that the Scriptures were written so we might believe: believe the testimony of the apostles, believe the fulfillment of prophecy, and believe the good news that brings life. From John’s eyewitness account to Peter’s assurance of inspired prophecy, from Isaiah’s ancient declaration to Paul’s call to confess and believe, we’re shown that God has spoken with clarity and purpose. His Word is not distant or uncertain; it is the foundation that steadies our faith and fills our hearts with hope.

Scripture  
John 20:25–31
Romans 10:8–17
2 Peter 1:16–21
1 John 1:1–4
Isaiah 45
Philippians 1–4

Quiz of the Week
According to 2 Peter 1, how did the prophets speak the words recorded in Scripture?
Answer the quiz on YouTube.

Jesus crosses the lake and steps directly into a place of darkness; where a man no one could help, bind, or understand was living among the tombs. This week, Pastor Kenny reminds us that Christ still moves toward the broken, the tormented, and the forgotten. His mission is to set captives free, calm storms that shake our faith, and reveal the compassion of a God who never abandons His children. Through the story of Legion, the rebuke in Luke, and the hope of Romans, we’re shown that nothing—not fear, not demons, not the battles in our minds—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Scripture  
Mark 5:1–20
Luke 9:52–56
Romans 8:26–39

Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares reminds us that good and evil grow side‑by‑side in this world until the final harvest. This week, Pastor Kenny points us to the hope believers have in Christ—the promise of resurrection, the assurance of new bodies, and the confidence that God’s plan is unfolding just as He said. Even creation itself longs for the day when everything broken is made new. For those in Christ, the harvest is not a moment to fear, but a promise to hold onto.

Scripture  
Matthew 13:24–30, 37–43
Revelation 14:14–19
1 Corinthians 15:1–58
Romans 8:18–22
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
1 Thessalonians 5:9–11

Jesus tells a simple story with a profound truth: the same seed can fall on very different kinds of ground. This week, Pastor Kenny reflects on how God’s Word meets each heart—sometimes crowded, sometimes hardened, sometimes ready to grow—and how the fruit of a transformed life becomes a blessing to others. Through the call to restore, encourage, and bear one another’s burdens, we’re reminded that good soil is not just about receiving the Word, but letting it produce love, compassion, and grace in the lives around us.

Scripture
Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23
Galatians 6:1–10

Jesus reminds His followers that those who receive His messengers receive Him—and that those who reject them are rejecting the One who sent them. This week, Pastor Kenny speaks about the call to endure: to stand firm in faith when the world grows darker, when deception increases, and when believers face pressure, rejection, or spiritual attack. Through the warnings of Jesus, Paul, Peter, and the prophets, we’re urged to remain rooted in God’s Word, to stay watchful, and to trust the Lord who keeps His promises. In every generation, God’s people have faced trials—but the message remains the same: don’t give up. Hold fast. Endure to the end.

Scripture  
Matthew 10:40–42
Matthew 10:22
1 Timothy 4:1–2
2 Timothy 3:1–17
2 Timothy 4:1–5
2 Peter 3:1–9
1 Peter 5:6–8

Jesus invites us to lay down our worry and trust the Father who knows our needs before we speak them. This week, Pastor Kenny turns our attention to the promises God has spoken over His people—promises of grace, identity, strength, and protection. From ancient covenant blessings to the hope we have in Christ, we’re reminded that God is faithful, and His word still holds firm for every believer today.

Scripture  
Matthew 6:24–34
Ephesians 1:2–14
Ephesians 2:8–12, 19–22
2 Corinthians 12:7–10
Deuteronomy 28:1–14
1 John 3:1–3, 22–24
Philippians 4:6–8
Psalm 91:14–16

Jesus looks at a weary, scattered world and sends His followers out with compassion, courage, and a message that still changes lives. This week, Pastor Kenny explores what it means to be sent — to trust God’s Word, to rely on the Spirit, and to carry the light of Christ into places that resist it. From ancient prophecy to the risen Jesus opening the Scriptures, we’re reminded that the mission has always been His… and now it’s ours.

Scripture  
Matthew 9:35–10:23
Isaiah 8:13–22
Luke 24:13–32, 44–45