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
Championship Sunday: Commit Your All
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Championship Sunday: Commit Your All
Series: World Series of Stewardship (Final Week)
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:26–31:10 (Common English Bible)
Preacher: Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen
What does it mean to commit your all? In the final message of our World Series of Stewardship series, Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen explores the story of King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem, who rediscovered the joy of worship and responded with renewed generosity and commitment to God.
Using the spirit of a championship team as a metaphor, this sermon highlights five ways we can offer our whole selves to God's work in the world. First, we clear the field by removing the things that take God's place in our lives. Then we find our position, recognizing that everyone has gifts to contribute and no one is meant to sit on the sidelines. We learn from leaders who give first, offer our best in proportion to what we have, and practice faithful generosity through the ordinary commitments we make day after day.
Stewardship is about more than money. Through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness, each of us has a meaningful role in the body of Christ. And when we bring what we have together, we can help build a community where everyone has enough and no one is left behind.
As we celebrate the conclusion of this series and make commitments for the year ahead, we're reminded that we don't give to earn God's love or win a place on the team. God's love has already been given to us through Christ. We commit our all as a joyful response to that grace, trusting that our faithfulness today will help create a foundation for generations to come.
Reflection Questions:
- What is standing in the place where God belongs in my life, and what would it look like to take it down?
- Where is my place on this team, and am I playing it?
- Who gave first in my life, and how can I pass that on?
- Which of these five—prayers, presence, gifts, service, or witness—is God inviting me to give more of this year?