Galloway UMC ”Living the Word”

ROOTS: A Longing for Holiness (part four of six)

Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly continues this 6-part sermon series.
 
This sermon, part of a series called 'Roots,' explores the Methodist movement's deep connection to the Trinity and the pursuit of holiness. Drawing on the life of John Wesley, the pastor traces how the Father's prevenient grace pursues us before we even know God's name, how Jesus models holiness in the flesh, and how the Holy Spirit produces holiness in surrendered lives. The Methodist revival was not about rules or religious performance, but about being drawn into a living relationship with the triune God. Central to the message is Wesley's challenge to move beyond being an 'almost Christian' to becoming an 'altogether Christian.' Pastor Raigan connects this to the danger of convenient Christianity, where faith fits comfortably into one's schedule without ever truly transforming the heart. True holiness, the sermon argues, is not achieved through human effort alone but is produced when the light of Christ shines through a life fully surrendered to God. The call is for believers to dedicate every thought, word, and action to the glory of God, just as Wesley resolved to do at age 23.

ROOTS: Precursors to Revival part three of six

This sermon explores the Methodist movement and the Great Awakening, examining what transforms religious individuals into a movement and the precursors to revival. The pastor draws parallels between the first Pentecost and John Wesley's experience at Aldersgate, emphasizing that movements begin with fresh encounters of the Holy Spirit, create radical communities, multiply through ordinary people, and carry missions bigger than themselves. The message warns against churches that maintain religious activity while losing their spiritual fire, calling believers back to their first love and dependence on God's transforming power.

ROOTS: Power in the Waiting, part 2 of 6

SERMON SERIES ROOTS -- part 2 of 6 -  Rev. Brandon Halford
 
This sermon explores the theme of waiting as a season of spiritual formation, drawing parallels between John Wesley's early years of preparation and the disciples' waiting period between Jesus' ascension and Pentecost. Pastor Brandon emphasizes that waiting is not wasted time but rather God's way of deepening our faith, building character, and preparing us for His purposes. Through Wesley's story - from his rescue from a house fire as a child to his years of disciplined religious practice before experiencing true spiritual transformation - we see that God often works in hidden seasons to form us before using us. The disciples similarly had to wait for the Holy Spirit's power rather than rushing into ministry through human strength alone. The sermon challenges the congregation to trust God's timing and recognize that preparation often feels powerless, but God uses these seasons to create dependence on Him rather than on our own abilities.

ROOTS - The Mother of Methodism - part one of six

This Mother's Day sermon explores the profound influence of Susanna Wesley, known as the Mother of Methodism, on the origins of the Methodist movement. The message emphasizes how faith is often formed not in pulpits but in homes, through the quiet, faithful presence of mothers and women of faith. Susanna Wesley, mother of 19 children including John and Charles Wesley, demonstrated remarkable spiritual discipline through daily prayer, individual weekly meetings with each child, and family devotions that grew into community gatherings. Her intentional faith formation and unwavering commitment to personal relationship with Christ became the foundation of Methodist practices like small groups and class meetings. The sermon challenges listeners to recognize that they don't need to stand in a pulpit to change the world - they can shape faith through everyday moments, conversations, and faithful living, just as Susanna did in her ordinary yet extraordinary life.

Baccalaureate Sunday - Remember Who You Are

Rev. Katie Giedd, Student Minister
In a world that constantly pressures us to conform, we must remember our true identity as God's chosen people. Peter reminds us that we are a royal priesthood, called to declare God's praises. Paul instructs us not to conform to worldly patterns but to be transformed by renewing our minds. This transformation, like a metamorphosis, changes us from the inside out. While the world tells us our worth comes from grades, social status, or careers, these things should never define our identity. We are called to live countercultural lives, being in the world but not of it. Like Simba in The Lion King, who forgot his royal identity, we sometimes hide from our calling instead of embracing who God has made us to be.

The Shepherd's Voice

Confirmation Sunday -- Rev. Haven Boyd -- "The Shepherd's Voice
This sermon explores the importance of recognizing and following the voice of Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd. Using the analogy of Pastor Haven's relationship with his dog Elton, the message illustrates how we learn to recognize voices through relationship and time spent together. Just as sheep know their shepherd's voice, we must learn to distinguish Christ's voice from the many competing voices in our world. The sermon emphasizes that we are shaped by the voices we listen to, and that through spiritual practices such as worship, prayer, scripture reading, and service, we can grow closer to Christ and better discern His voice. The message concludes with a focus on confirmation, in which young people use their own voices to commit to following Christ, while also serving as a reminder for all believers to realign with the voice that brings abundant life.

AWAKENING: Abide, Part Two

Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly, Senior Pastor 
 
This sermon explores the restoration of Peter after his denial of Jesus, focusing on the intimate conversation by the charcoal fire where Jesus asks Peter three times 'Do you love me?' Pastor Raigan connects this to Jesus' teaching about being the vine and branches, emphasizing that Christian life is not about trying harder but about staying connected to Christ. The message highlights how union with Christ transforms us from the inside out, enabling us to live an 'awakened life' in divine relationship. Just as Peter was restored and commissioned to feed Jesus' sheep, we are invited into this divine dance of relationship that naturally overflows into blessing others.

AWAKENING: Are We There Yet? - part one

Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly, Senior Pastor, Galloway United Methodist Church
 
Part One of Two in the Sermon Series, AWAKENING
 
This sermon explores the concept of eternal life as something that begins now, not just after death. Pastor Raigan challenges the common understanding of salvation as merely a transaction to secure our future destination in heaven, instead presenting eternal life as knowing God personally and intimately in the present moment. Using the metaphor of spiritual awakening from a coma, the message emphasizes that resurrection is not just about Jesus rising from the dead, but about us being awakened to a new quality of life with God right here and now. The central theme is moving from asking "are we there yet?" to asking "are we awake?" - awake to grace, purpose, and Christ's presence in our everyday lives.
 

Easter Changes Everything

Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly, Senior Pastor, Galloway United Methodist Church
This Easter sermon centers on the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the defining moment in human history and the central tenet of Christian faith. Pastor Raigan Miskelly emphasizes that the resurrection is not merely a metaphor or symbol, but a literal miracle that transformed frightened disciples into bold world-changers. Using John 20:1-18, she illustrates how Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the beloved disciple all saw the empty tomb, but only one believed. The sermon challenges listeners to move beyond simply seeing to truly believing in the resurrection. 
 
Pastor Raigan addresses three key truths that flow from the resurrection: your life is not futile, your failures are not fatal, and your death is not final. Through the resurrection, Jesus calls us by name (as he did Mary), refers to his followers as brothers despite their failures, and promises eternal life. The sermon concludes with the powerful declaration that 'Easter changes everything' and invites people to not just observe but to believe in the risen Christ, allowing this truth to transform their lives completely. 

PALM SUNDAY, Politics and Parades - Rev. Dr. Lt. Ricky James

Guest Pastor - Rev. Dr. Lt. Ricky James, Chapel at Millsaps College
This Palm Sunday sermon explores the political context of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, contrasting it with the Roman governor Pontius Pilate's parade of power. Rev. Dr. Lt. Ricky James explains how Jesus' humble procession on a donkey, accompanied by common people with palm branches, served as a deliberate parody of Rome's military might and political authority. While the crowd expected Jesus to lead a political revolution against Roman occupation, Jesus had different plans that challenged everyone's expectations about power, victory, and kingship. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus' entire final week became a living parable, teaching profound truths about God's love, forgiveness, and the nature of true power through service and sacrifice.