Central United Methodist Church (Arlington, Virginia) Sermon Podcast
An audio podcast of the weekly message preached at Central United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia. You're invited to join us online for worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Visit us on the web at cumcballston.org to learn how to join us for worship via zoom or facebook live. You're invited to join our congregation where we worship God, serve others, and embrace all.
Central United Methodist Church (Arlington, Virginia) Sermon Podcast
Step Up to the Plate: Offer Your Whole Self
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Step Up to the Plate: Offer Your Whole Self
Series: World Series of Stewardship
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11–19 (CEB)
Preacher: Lay Leader Lane Timm
What does it mean to step up to the plate and give God your whole self? As we begin our World Series of Stewardship sermon series on Laity Sunday, we explore how stewardship goes far beyond our financial gifts. It includes our time, talents, energy, presence, prayers, service, and witness.
Drawing on the dedication and teamwork of baseball, this message invites us to consider what it means to show up fully for God and for one another. In 1 Timothy 6:11–19, Paul calls us to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, reminding us that a life of faith requires active commitment—not simply showing up or giving out of habit.
Through the United Methodist membership vows of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness, we are challenged to recognize the gifts God has given us and consider how we can use them to build God's kingdom. Whether through generosity, serving others, being truly present in worship, or sharing our faith with compassion, each of us has something meaningful to offer.
Inspired by the example of Washington Nationals player Ryan Zimmerman, who continued to show up for his team with dedication and leadership, we are invited to step up to the plate in our own lives. Stewardship isn't about guilt or obligation. It's about thoughtfully asking God, “Here I am. All of me. Use me.”
As this series begins, consider where your heart is invested, how you are using what you've been given, and what it might look like to offer your whole self to God.
Reflection Questions:
· What does stepping up to the plate look like in your life this week?
· If you have financial resources available, how will you use them generously?
· If you have time available, how will you invest it in God's kingdom?
· How are you invited to witness to your faith in this current season of your life?