Galloway UMC ”Living the Word”

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.
 

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. 

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.
 

This sermon explores the final two statements of Jesus from the cross: "It is finished" and "Into your hands I commit my spirit." Pastor Raigan explains that these were not words of defeat but of triumph and trust. "It is finished" (tetelestai) was a shout of victory meaning "paid in full," signifying that Jesus had completed His mission of atonement for humanity's sins. Through substitutionary atonement, Jesus took our place, bearing the punishment we deserved so we could receive His righteousness. The second statement, taken from Psalm 31:5, represents Jesus' final prayer of absolute trust in His Father. Pastor Raigan encourages believers to make this daily surrender - "Into your hands I commit my spirit" - a rhythm of their souls, trusting God with what they cannot control while living in the freedom that comes from knowing their salvation is complete.

This sermon explores Jesus' fifth statement from the cross, "I thirst," revealing both His full humanity and the deeper spiritual meaning of His suffering. Pastor Raigan explains how Jesus' physical thirst represents His willingness to drink the cup of suffering for humanity's sins and to fulfill Old Testament prophecy. The message contrasts Jesus' refusal to take pain-deadening substances with His offer of living water to satisfy our spiritual thirst. Through the symbolism of the hyssop branch and connections to the Passover lamb, the sermon demonstrates how Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice to quench humanity's deepest spiritual longings and provide eternal satisfaction through a relationship with God.

This sermon explores Jesus' cry from the cross, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' - known as the words of dereliction. Rev. Dr. Miskelly examines how the crowd's cruelty toward Jesus reveals the darkness within all human hearts, not just those present at the crucifixion.  The sermon emphasizes that Jesus' words were actually the beginning of Psalm 22, which starts in anguish but ends in hope and deliverance.
Raigan challenges the congregation to recognize that God often answers cries of abandonment by sending people to love and serve others. Jesus chose to worship through scripture even in his darkest moment, reminding us that while the cross represents suffering, it is not the end of the story - resurrection and hope are coming.

Rev. Dr. Joey Shelton
This sermon explores the theme of truth and new creation through the lens of John's Gospel, beginning with a humorous story about a child telling tall tales to illustrate how truth can become distorted over time. The pastor addresses how the gospel message itself has been lost in translation, using the example of someone rejecting a 'love your neighbor' yard sign as 'too woke.' The sermon traces John's Gospel from the opening Logos passage through Jesus' ministry, trials, crucifixion, and resurrection, emphasizing that Jesus came not to condemn but to bring salvation and new creation. The message culminates with Peter's restoration at the charcoal fire, showing how God offers grace and empowers us to participate in bringing justice and love to a world marked by injustice.
 
 

This sermon explores Jesus' second statement from the cross, where he promises paradise to a dying criminal. The message emphasizes that Jesus' mission was to seek and save the lost, as demonstrated by his final act of mercy toward an undeserving thief. The sermon contrasts two responses to Jesus on the cross: one criminal who remained rebellious and mocking, and another who repented and asked to be remembered. Jesus' promise of paradise to the repentant thief illustrates that grace is available to anyone who turns to Christ, regardless of their past. The cross becomes a doorway to paradise, not an ending, and demonstrates God's incredible mercy toward sinners.
 

This sermon explores the Transfiguration of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 17:1-9, examining how Jesus has inspired a revolution of art, music, architecture, and literature throughout history. Pastor Raigan reflects on visiting European cathedrals and sacred spaces, realizing that all of this beauty and devotion stems from one man - Jesus Christ. The message emphasizes that while Jesus inspired countless works of art and magnificent buildings, His greatest work is transforming human hearts. The sermon challenges listeners to move beyond admiring old cathedrals and instead become 'living stones' - transformed people who reflect God's glory in the world.

Rev. Dr. Miskelly explores how Jesus redefined human dignity and worth in the ancient world. Dr. Miskelly explains that in ancient times, there was a 'dignity gap' where only kings were considered made in God's image, while children, slaves, and the poor were seen as disposable. Jesus revolutionized this by teaching that every person is made in God's image and has inherent worth - not earned worth, but bestowed worth from God's love. The sermon uses examples like the practice of 'exposure' (abandoning unwanted children) and contrasts it with Jesus' radical teaching about welcoming children. Through the story of Dick and Richard Hoyt, Dr. Miskelly illustrates how Jesus carries us when we are broken and unable to save ourselves,demonstrating that our worth comes not from our abilities but from God's love.