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Monday 9:30am - 1:30pm Tuesday 9:30am - 2:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 1:30pm Thursday 9:30am - 1:30pm Sunday 9:30am - 1pm

Hill City United Methodist Church, 118 North Fourth, Hill City, KS (2026)

09/11/2026

Bulletin and announcements for Sunday, September 13, 2026. Please join us for Sunday school, worship, and an indoor picnic after worship.

09/10/2026

Sermon and Sermon questions for Sunday, September 13th, 16th Sunday after Pentecost:

Turbulent World
(John 16:31-33)

Dear Lord, as we hear this message from Jesus in the Gospel of John, we recognize that it can be troublesome, but it is also full of hope. Let us hear that hope and live into it in our own lives in our turbulent world. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.

Today, as we look at John 16:31-33, we see Jesus both confronting his disciples and encouraging them in his final teaching after the Last Supper. Beginning with the opening question, “Do you now believe?” Many biblical scholars now question whether this was meant as a question or as an affirmation of what the disciples had shared earlier in John 16, so maybe Jesus is saying instead, “So, now you believe.” Either way, Jesus is not congratulating the disciples for finally figuring out who he is and living into their faith. In many ways, he is mocking them. However, he does affirm their faith; it is just immature faith. They will struggle when their faith is tested by the coming events of his arrest, crucifixion, and burial. And when this happens, when it is tested, it will be revealed as weak. This makes me think of 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, in which Paul scolds the Corinthians for being immature Christians: “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly – mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly.”
This is what Jesus was facing with the disciples; they have newborn faith. But Jesus, being Jesus, reorients them to understanding what having true faith means. They will be scattered like sheep because they are not ready to face the “hour” that Jesus is talking about. This echoes Zechariah’s prophecy and appears in both Matthew's and Mark’s Gospels. Yet, despite all this, Jesus acknowledges that he is not abandoned because God the Father is with him. Highlighting Jesus’ understanding of his close, unbroken relationship with God, even in suffering. In many ways, this helps the disciples understand that through the “hour” Christ must experience for our sake, peace will be accomplished.
So, let us consider what this means for us. First, maybe we all experience immature, or perhaps a better way to say it, fragile faith. Like the disciples, we may sincerely believe, but we overestimate our strength, especially in times of testing and trial. We are overconfident and don’t really recognize the struggle of our heart. Thus, we must remain on guard, quickly recognize when we are failing, and repent. It is important for our faith to always be growing and developing, what John Wesley called Sanctification. We should therefore strive for solid food faith. Thank goodness we have Jesus and God on our side, and the Holy Spirit to help us, because we live in a turbulent world that constantly tests our resolve.
Second, Jesus teaches that even when others abandon us, God is always present, as referenced a moment ago. Jesus understood this in his own time of trial, as he faced that hour of torture and desertion. He knew his Father would be with him in divine unity. That exact same assurance is guaranteed for us. Thus, we must persevere and maintain our faith. And although victory is guaranteed, it also requires great courage. Because there may be moments when we feel alone, just as Jesus did on the cross, when he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And perhaps because we have been given this advance warning, we can better prepare ourselves for those moments of trial. I'm not sure we can always, because of our human frailty; sometimes things happen unexpectedly and in an instant, but at least we can remember this promise in the midst of them.
Third, we find ultimate peace only through union with Jesus. Tribulations will come and go; there is no promise of a trouble-free life. However, peace is certain because Christ has promised it. It is not earthly peace; it is a divine force that stands before, sits behind, and within us, so that we may encounter and stand against the tremendous odds that oppose us, endure the mysteries and forces that exist in our world, and have the ability to fight the temptations that constantly place themselves in front of us. As Pulpit Commentary states, to resist the “antagonism of the world.” This turbulent world. It is a peace provided through only his sacrifice and resurrection. Therefore, allow this peace to engulf you, offering calm in the midst of life’s storms.
Fourth, Jesus tells us he has “conquered the world.” Therefore, we should be of good cheer, being courageous, for he has overcome its hostility, temptations, and powers; thus, they can no longer defeat us. I want you to soak that in for a moment. Jesus has done the work. So, even before he went to the cross, he gave us this promise. “I have conquered the world, and now through my death and resurrection I will conquer death; therefore, you have nothing to be afraid or worried about!” What an amazing and powerful assurance. And yet, because of our infant faith, there are times when we don’t fully live into this promise. That is our challenge! As the New Interpreter Bible Commentary states, “When one lives in hope, the present moves toward the promises and possibilities of the future, and the future transforms the sorrows and seemingly impossibilities of the present.” Transformation! Jesus’ promise of peace and conquering this world and death is transformative. And that, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, is what we should strive for daily: Jesus’ loving and amazing transformational power.
So, although Jesus lays it out pretty harshly that his disciples lack mature faith, despite their sincere desire, he also offers hope and reassurance in this final farewell. For Jesus has already guaranteed the victory of God’s love for our salvation. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew that he was the sacrifice necessary to obtain our salvation. In his coming, he had already promised the victory over death and sin. In a few days, his disciples and over 400 others would witness his resurrection. And then would come the giving of the Holy Spirit. The marvelous and mighty power of the Spirit.
But let us consider one more thing. Despite our times of insecurity in our faith, we are also reminded in Romans 8:35-37, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us.”
Jesus handed over the baton to us to run with. Through his peace and victory, we too have become victorious. So, in this turbulent world, let us remember Jesus’ promise: “I have conquered the world.” Our faith may be fragile, but his love is strong. Troubles will come, but we are never alone. Through Christ, we can face each day with courage, peace, and hope. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Sermon Questions for Turbulent World
1. Fragile faith: Jesus’ disciples sincerely believed, yet they overestimated their ability to remain faithful. How can we recognize when our own faith is fragile, especially during times of testing?

2. Peace in troubled times: Jesus does not promise a life without trouble, but he does promise peace. How is the peace Christ offers different from simply having peaceful circumstances?

3. Living in hope: The sermon says that hope transforms the sorrows and seemingly impossible situations of the present. How can we live out that hope in our daily lives and help others experience Christ’s peace and victory?

Closing thought: Jesus does not ask us to pretend that life is easy or that our faith is always strong. He calls us to trust him, grow in faith, and remember that even in a turbulent world, we are more than victorious through him who loved us.

09/08/2026

Join us for Sunday school, and then for the indoor potluck picnic in Fellowship Hall after worship! Hamburgers, hotdogs, condiments, drinks, and table service will be provided. If you’re able, bring a dish to share.

09/06/2026

Bulletin and announcements for Sunday, September 6, 2026.

09/03/2026

Sermon and sermon questions for Sunday, September 6th, 15th Sunday after Pentecost:

Pure Religion?
(James 1:26-27)

Dear Lord, we pray that you will help us be those who desire pure religion, to worship you not only in our presence but also in our work and in our hearts. Let us hear today from James what it means to have pure religion in our lives. We are praying this in the name of Jesus our Lord, through the Spirit. Amen.

John Wesley shared this concerning Methodism, “I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.” In other words, he feared that Methodists would stop the dynamic process of winning non-believers to Christ, doing social justice work, and merely exist as another religious institution. Today, as we look at what James is sharing with us, one might say he had similar fears of the first-century Christian churches.
James, in a sense, is trying to mentor us and help us understand what true belief is all about. He names two things: Watch your words, and support those most vulnerable. The problem is that we can hear this text but don't fully understand what it's about. One big issue is understanding what James meant by “religion.” MacLaren’s Expositions puts it this way: for James, religion was “the feeling,” while “expression” was the worship. Many scholars take this to mean that James was not talking about religion as an institution or ritual, but rather an illustration of worship. Further, if we believe James, then pure religion is a life focused on pleasing God in which you can clearly identify what that means, and one that has genuine value by doing God’s work and will.
And for James, there are two objectives. First is that one must bridle their own tongue or they deceive their own hearts. Further, this is not just about judging others in our speech; James rejects this thinking in James 5:9. Rather, it is meant to be an effective self-test to see whether we are following the call to please God. We can understand this better if we consider what a bridle is used for. A bridle is a device used to guide or control an animal by putting a bit in their mouth. When we bridle or control our mouths, we align our hearts and actions with God’s. And here’s an interesting thing: James describes someone who is unbridled as the person who has God’s word in their heart but does not speak as if they live a truth-based life. Think about that for a moment. We can seemingly have God in our lives…know God’s Word, but if our actions or our speech are the opposite of God’s Word, perhaps we need a closer look. However, it is also important to remember that bridling one’s tongue is different from speaking truth to power, corruption, or wrongdoing. We actually should be speaking out against these earthly activities or systems that hurt the most vulnerable and in need.
Thus, when we continue to live a self-seeking or human religion, it is worthless. It has no purpose. Which is the second objective. God has given us a noble ideal of life. So, we must keep ourselves pure, and our duty is to the most in need and vulnerable. But here’s the problem: we often have trouble doing either. In our Wesleyan beliefs, we see true religion as authentic faith actively expressed through compassionate social action and personal holiness, rather than a religious practice or mere ritual. Of course, it is important to worship God, follow our doctrine, and come together as a community of faith; that will always be so, but true religion is not necessarily about United Methodism or worship. Or perhaps a better way to say it is that we find a different way (better way) to express our worship through true religion. We do it in action.
So, let us understand what that might look like. In James 1:22, which we did not read today, James tells us, “But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” In other words, we are to be doers and hearers. We must both act on God’s Word, not just listen to it. This helps us understand verses 26 and 27. This means our faith, our belief, our religion is active. Not pew-sitting. Great to sit in the pew sometimes; love to see you all here on Sundays, but God would much rather we be out in the field harvesting new souls.
So, I think the question being asked, then, is who is a disciple? Much like James's use of religion here, disciple is a troublesome word. The UMC stated mission is to make disciples of all people for the transformation of the world. So, if we pause here on this word, disciple, we can make space for it to make us uncomfortable. Because if we are not being disciples, to make disciples, then how are we to fulfill our mission? Therefore, if we are not committed to this mission, then our religion becomes nothing more than a social gathering, a club, and is not true religion. A commentator called it “religious veneer.” Fake. Unsubstantial. A façade.
John Wesely, did not use the word disciple except when referring to Scripture; instead, he used synonyms that might help us understand this more deeply. John would use Christian or Methodist. For him, this meant DISCIPLINED Christians. Those who practiced social holiness and followed social principles. John brought about radical changes in 18th-century England through social principles that provided for the most vulnerable in society. Thus, there are three core pillars for this idea of social holiness and principles.
Core pillar #1: There is no solitary religion. The concept insists that Christian faith cannot be practiced in isolation; it must actively transform society through justice, community, and advocacy for the marginalized. John Wesley wrote that ‘the Gospel of Jesus Christ knows no religion but social holiness; no holiness but social holiness.’
Core pillar #2: Faith in community. Because we live in a social network, we see spiritual growth happen in community where we hold each other accountable and serve together to make those social principal activities a reality.
Core pillar #3: Justice over charity. While charity is important and meets certain immediate needs, social holiness helps us target the root problems. Changing the systems that cause poverty, oppression, and suffering.
Four ways that the UMC practices social holiness are through:
1) The natural world – advocating and protecting the environment and sustainability.
2) Social community – defending the rights of women, children, minorities, and the marginalized.
3) Economic community – opposing poverty and unchecked corporate greed.
4) Political community – promoting human rights, working for peace, and civic engagement.
When we observe that our discipleship calls us to social holiness and principles, we see that they are direct applications of James 1. Our social principles stem from the four practices of social holiness. Importantly, these are not church laws! However, they may be thought of as an official summons to action in our lives to help guide, inspire, and challenge us to live our faith out loud!
These principles stem from our 1908 social creed, which focused on labor rights, when workers had none, and child labor laws when children were used much like slaves. As recently as 2024, we revised the language to make it more concise, biblically grounded, and not limited to North American culture. As stated, our social principles “articulate our ethical aspirations for the common good in our public policies and personal commitments. Through them, we seek to love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. And to desire for our neighbors what we desire for ourselves.”
So, how might we put some of this into practice? James tells us we are “to care for orphans and widows in their distress.” Well, when we think of our own community, we might not see orphan children, but there are most certainly kids out there living on the edge. Fort Hays University sponsors a “grandparent” program that trains retired folks to assist in classrooms and be another person in kids’ or youths’ lives. Many community churches have begun offering programs that provide after-school care; one program I heard about took place on Wednesdays. The kids came to the church after school, and while some volunteers helped tutor, others fixed a supper. When parents came to pick up the kids, they all sat down for a meal, prayed over the meal, and ate together like a large family. Volunteers helped begin and stir conversations. On a more national scale, think of the many immigrant children who have been separated from parents who could use love and care. Perhaps you could become a pen pal or sponsor for them?
As for widows, there is a variety of options there as well. Just reaching out to someone you know who is a widower can bring joy, especially during special occasions and holidays. Perhaps start a widow group that could do Bible study and have visitation and coffee time to help with the loneliness and quiet. On a larger scale, advocate for programs that support single people, especially single parents working one or two jobs who still cannot make ends meet. Or in-kind support cuts to Supplemental Security Income benefits for the low-income disabled, elderly, and children.
But I might add a couple of things here. First, although orphans and widows are specifically listed, James is talking about all marginalized and vulnerable people. Our work is not limited to just these two groups. They were often pointed to in the Bible as part of God’s work, and God made very specific laws to protect and provide for them, but they are not the only ones. Second, concerning “pure and undefiled,” James is not saying we keep ourselves from the world, only that we stay spotless in it. Because we must be IN the world to do the discipling and care work. And third, no matter how VERY important all these things are, we must also care for ourselves, because we cannot love others if we burn ourselves out. Further, we cannot love others if we don’t keep our holiness growing. We have to fully understand the Word to live it out. We cannot just be good Christian workers, but must also be good Christian thinkers and learners. In John Wesley’s means of grace, where we work on our piety and mercy, John provides both individual and communal practices in each category, indicating both are important to keep growing.
Finally, remember this as you prepare to embrace this challenge and let our faith shine by reaching out to those in need while spreading positivity and wisdom through your words and deeds. Begin with Jesus. Begin with the Word. Begin with prayer! And if you do, you will end up with true religion. Genuine worship that harmonizes with what we say and the service of our lives. Leading to a holy life. Imitating Christ. And fulfilling both the Great Commission and the Commandments. Now go and start something wonderful!
Adult Questions for True Religion
1. James connects pure religion with both our words and our actions. Which of these areas is more challenging for you, and why?

2. What does it mean to “bridle” our tongues? How can we control our words without remaining silent when we see injustice or wrongdoing?

3. John Wesley warned against becoming a “dead sect” with only the form of religion. What are some signs that a church or an individual might be going through the motions rather than living out a genuine faith?

4. James calls us to care for those who are vulnerable and marginalized. Who are some people in our community who may need our attention, care, or advocacy?

5. The sermon describes social holiness as faith lived out in community. How can our congregation better support one another in putting faith into action?

6. The sermon concludes with “Begin with Jesus. Begin with the Word. Begin with prayer.” What is one practical step you can take this week to make your worship more visible through your words and deeds?

08/30/2026

Bulletin and announcements for Sunday, August 30, 2026.

08/27/2026

Sermon and sermon questions for Sunday, August 30th, 14th Sunday after Pentecost:
Resurrection
(Daniel 12:1-4)
Dear Lord,
We thank you for the blessing of the Book of Daniel and the stories and lessons it shares with us. We thank you for the blessing of the Resurrection and the assurance of everlasting life we learn about in this story. We thank you for every blessing poured out upon us, whether we deserve it or not. Let us hear this today in our final chapter of Daniel, given to us in the book of Life! In Christ’s name, the resurrected through the Spirit. Amen.
We have reached the conclusion of Daniel. And what a journey it has been. We see a culmination of the wisdom, stories, and God’s sovereignty as we read this chapter. We are reminded again that Michael, the archangel, is present and fighting for us. We see God’s comfort and encouragement for the people. How God works in seasons of trial. We see how prophecy is sometimes sealed up and unveiled slowly. But most importantly, we are introduced to the idea of resurrection and eternal life. In other words, Daniel 12 is a picture of trouble, protection, resurrection, and hope, much of what I want to explore today. But before I do, I’d like to ask you all a question. Actually, a couple of questions. First question: have you ever been told a secret- I mean a BIG secret and an important secret- that you could not tell anyone, but boy, did you want to? It’s HARD keeping it to yourself! I wonder if this wasn’t how Daniel was feeling when he was told to “keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end.” Can you imagine? To be given this prophecy of the end times, mostly good news, and then be told, “but don’t tell anyone!” Especially when the conversation begins with “there shall be a great time of anguish such as has never occurred…” You most definitely would want to share the good news to help people be encouraged and unafraid, or at least I would want to. But, no, you can’t - don’t say anything.
How would you feel? Would you be able to seal it up and keep it a secret? That’s a toughie.
However, despite this secret, Daniel 12 reminds us that God loves and knows His lambs. It shares with us that the resurrection is real, judgment is true, and the wise will shine forever. The sealed word teaches us that we must trust in God’s timing. We cannot possibly understand everything (nor are we supposed to) that God does. However, if we trust that God’s promises are firm and that God is the One who holds all history, then we should understand that God is walking with us through every troubled season. But not just in troubled times, but in the good times too. God is always near, guiding us, loving us, and keeping His promises.
So, here’s my second question for you: what is your definition or understanding of resurrection? Daniel 12 offers an interesting perspective. Long before Jesus walked this earth and offered resurrection power, Daniel promises it to us. So, despite this time of anguish, there will be many delivered: “everyone who is found written in the book.” So, I want to explore that in a moment: this wonderful hope! But first, we need to look at what is stated after this: some “shall awake” to “everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” This is righteous judgment.
I have to be honest: in our modern world, we don’t really like hearing about righteous judgment. If we think about it, many often believe that’s for someone else, not for me. I wish I could say that is true. However, we all sin and fall short. Sin is usually defined as missing the mark. And we all miss the mark sometimes. That’s not to say we don’t try, but we are human. Even a moment's harsh thought is a sin, and maybe we forget that. Gossip is a sin, and often folks are so used to gossiping they don’t even realize they are doing it. If we are completely honest with ourselves, we all sin daily. Why we need forgiveness, why we need to forgive each other, and why we definitely need grace! But this sort of sends us back to verse one and that opening warning. Because “God allows seasons for shaking,” as Bible Study Toolbox shares. God doesn’t abandon us, but God does challenge us. This statement makes me think about the metaphors throughout Scripture in which the wheat is shaken/sifted, separating the grain from the chaff, indicating trials that reveal true faith. In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus warns Simon Peter of the Spiritual warfare at play for his soul when he states, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail, and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Although Satan was fighting for Peter’s soul, as he fights for ours, sometimes the shaking or sifting brings the pure grain to the top. Jesus was praying for this to happen with Peter. For all of us!
But there’s another truth to this deliverance: some will not be. Some will awake “to shame and everlasting contempt.” Contempt here reflects a deep spiritual reality: a complete loss of relationship with God. Can you imagine how horrible it would be to have a complete loss of relationship with God? Why, we, the wise, must be working to lead many to righteousness. Our Great Commission, as stated in Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I particularly love that last part: Jesus is with us in this commission, in this mission to lead many to righteousness. We do not stand alone.
And this brings us back to resurrection. Again, I ask: how do you define or understand resurrection? Before I share my answer, I'd like to make a couple of interesting points. My first point is that this is the clearest understanding of resurrection in the Old Testament. This explanation shows us that death does not have the final word. Remember that the people of Daniel’s day had not known Jesus at this point. Only a promise of a Messiah, a Savior, but not the resurrected Lord. We are Easter people; we know the mystery and miracle of resurrection, but they did not. How amazing must their faith have been to hold fast in it through all these trials. Another fascination I have is the fact that the Sadducees, a sect of the Jewish people, did not believe in resurrection. Even with this ancient prophecy, and in the time of Christ, the witness of resurrection, they held to this belief. That is a sad truth, because God’s promise that God has prepared a place for us beyond death is such good news! Plus, resurrection hope strengthens our faith and helps us endure those shaky times.
So, what is resurrection? Well, I certainly hope you have all heard that word used before today! Most associate resurrection with Jesus Christ rising from the grave after his crucifixion, burial, and time in the grave. Jesus was resurrected from the dead and appeared to numerous witnesses before ascending into heaven. It is one of the cornerstones of our faith, which symbolizes hope, transformation, and victory over death. Despite the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf as the sacrificial lamb upon the cross, it would all been for not, without the resurrection. As Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain and your faith is in vain.” I certainly do not want to believe that my faith is in vain! We also confess the resurrection to be true through our Creeds, although we state it as “rose from the dead.”
So, what does this mean to us today? As Daniel shared with us, the resurrection of the dead is more than a past event. It shapes our here and now as well as our future. It is not just some symbolic gesture, but a transformative result with ongoing spiritual consequences. Therefore, the resurrection is both a historical event and a spiritual reality. It validates our faith, gives us hope, and should transform our lives.
I’d like to share some insights from our United Methodist belief concerning the resurrection, which I hope will be helpful. Much of this information comes from UMC.org, ask-the-umc. First, we of course believe in the resurrection; we have doctrinally proclaimed it true in our Articles of Religion, but we have also affirmed “the resurrection of all people who have ever died,” in our Confession of Faith. This is also what Daniel shares: there will be a resurrection of all people, just two different sorts of resurrection. One to everlasting life and glory, another to despair and woe. Although, I sincerely believe God would like us all transformed into the everlasting spiritual beings we should be in life and glory.
However, I like the next part of our understanding of resurrection: “resurrection is not the resuscitation of a person.” Resurrection is not zombies rising from their graves or tombs. It does not make people “undead.” As a matter of fact, we believe the exact opposite: in the resurrection of the righteous, we believe all are truly, fully, and completely alive!
Now, what that exactly looks like is still somewhat of a mystery. It is not the reviving of the physical body. There are many arguments for and against this idea, but as Methodists, we support the idea of a newly created spiritual body. It is still “us” but also “very different and full of far greater potential than what came before.” Thus, resurrection is not a form of life of this current age. Of this earthly realm, but rather is for the “new heaven and new earth.” As stated in our understanding of resurrection, “This newly created spiritual body is created for thriving on the new earth in the new creation.” Further, we have Jesus, the firstborn of the dead; through him, we have an example of the resurrected body. He wasn’t immediately recognized by his disciples, and yet he was himself; he could suddenly appear, walk through walls and doors, but still seemed to be physically touchable and able to eat. So, it is a mystery!
So, what does that mean to us? Well, we can be assured that, whether we are buried, cremated, or donate organs, our new spiritual bodies will be what they need to be. Again, this is one of those holy mysteries that, quite simply, we should not worry about. However, in one of my theology classes, we had a rather interesting and heated discussion concerning how one should be buried. Some were against cremation. Our professor said something interesting: “Let me ask you, if the God of all creation, who can make man from the dust of the earth, do you not believe that if you were cremated, God could not make you new again from the ash?”
But here is something else to consider while you contemplate resurrection. When we accept Christ in our lives in this earthly realm, we become new creations as well. We experience a transformation as Easter people. As people of the resurrection. This means that while we remain in this earthly state, we should treat our bodies as “temples of the Holy Spirit,” as Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 6:29. Our bodies already have the capability to house the divine. As witnessed by having the Holy Spirit within us. Given to us through Christ. As ask-the-umc states, “So while we live, we are called to treat our bodies with reverence – our own and that of every neighbor.” Thus, we experience life beyond death and the promise of new beginnings in this life. Living into our sanctification and command to love.
Because of this, as God told Daniel to continue to live a faithful life, trusting in God’s promises, so should we. Further, we should strive to live the type of life that will make us worthy of resurrection, one of wisdom, doing righteous work to lead as many to God as we possibly can. So that no one has to have an everlasting life of contempt. For when we do this work, we are accomplishing the call given us by God, and fulfilling the promise to shine forever in the heavens. Resurrection is then the ultimate hope and victory over sin and death. It has been accomplished through Jesus our Savior. And perhaps that is the most important thing to know, and the best good news there is. So, while we wait for the final resurrection in our lives, let us be the Easter people of resurrection here and now, helping to bring God’s kingdom to earth. Amen.
Sermon Questions for Resurrection
• Daniel 12 reminds us that God is present during seasons of trouble. When have you experienced God’s presence or comfort during a difficult season of your life?
• Daniel was told to trust God’s timing, even when he did not understand everything. What makes it difficult for us to trust God when we cannot see or understand what God is doing?
• Daniel speaks of resurrection and everlasting life. How does your belief in resurrection influence the way you face death, grief, uncertainty, or difficult circumstances today?
• The sermon describes resurrection as both a historical event and a spiritual reality that should transform how we live today. What does it mean to live as an “Easter person” in your everyday life?
• Daniel calls the wise to lead others toward righteousness. What are some practical ways we can help others discover God’s love, hope, and promise of eternal life?
• The sermon ends with the challenge to be “Easter people of resurrection here and now.” What is one change you could make this week that would allow the hope of resurrection to be more visible in your words, actions, or relationships?

Hill City United Methodist Church

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Monday	9:30am - 1:30pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 1:30pm
Thursday	9:30am - 1:30pm
Sunday	9:30am - 1pm