West Cork Methodists

From Empty Worship to Pure Hearts

Matthew 5:1-12 provides the text from which 5 Kingdom paths are explored:
Embracing Spiritual Poverty
Mourning That Leads to Comfort
Strength in Meekness
A Righteous Hunger
Seeing God with Clean Hearts
The questions for further reflection:
In what area of your life are you still relying on your own effort rather than admitting your total dependence on Jesus?
Will you lean into your pain long enough to let Christ comfort you and redirect your tears into compassionate action?
Where are you clinging to your rights or seeking revenge, instead of trusting God’s timing and yielding in meek humility?
Which injustice ignites restless compassion in you, and what first step will you take this week to pursue God’s righteousness?What hidden motive or divided loyalty do you need to confess—and how will you pursue purity of heart in the days ahead?

From: Ritual To: Righteousness

Matthew 15:1-20 and Matthew 5:1-6
The points and questions:
Righteousness begins with hunger, not habit.
Tradition must never outdo truth.
God looks at the heart, not the hands.
What comes out reveals what’s within.
Righteousness is a journey, not a performance.
Questions from the sermon this week:
Is my pursuit of righteousness driven by routine—or by real hunger for God’s presence? 
What spiritual habits have become empty rituals in my life, and how can I rekindle a genuine thirst for God's truth?
Have I ever elevated tradition above truth in my walk with God?
 What customs or expectations have I accepted without testing them against Scripture?
Am I more focused on what I do for God—or on who I am before Him?
Are my outward actions a true reflection of an inward hunger for righteousness?
When I speak in moments of stress or conflict, what do my words reveal about the condition of my heart? 
Am I willing to let God transform what’s within so that what comes out reflects His righteousness?
Am I chasing righteousness to impress others—or to grow closer to God? 
How can I embrace the journey of righteousness with grace, patience, and trust in God’s timing?

From: Pride To: Humility

Part three of seven in our series exploring the Beatitudes.
Luke 18:9-14 and Matthew 5:1-5 are the scripture readings, the Call to Worship is Psalm 133 and opening prayer is from Seedbed's daily Wake-Up Call.
This is a daily devotional, usually by JD Walt and can be found at https://seedbed.com/wakeupcall/
It is a good holy habit to inhabit. 

From Grief to Joy

We continue our journey in the Beatitudes with From: Grief To: Joy
Luke 7:11-17
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
Matthew 5:1-4
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn,    for they will be comforted.

From: Despair To: Hope

Today is week 1 of 7 exploring the beatitudes. Our Scripture readins are Matthew 5:1-3 and Mark 5:25-34
The weeks: 
From Despair to Hope
From Grief to Joy
From Pride to Humility
From Ritual to Righteousness
From Empty worship to Pure hearts
From Violence to Peace
From Majesty to Mocking

Under The Stars: Living The Mystery Of The Trinity

John 16:12–15 provides the background for this exploration of relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The response then is a dive into holiness and sanctification.

the Wind, the Fire and the ensuing Praise - It's Pentecost

We read Ezekiel 37 and Acts 2 this morning as we celebrate Pentecost.
 

The Fragrance of Jesus

The text is 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 
What does church smell like?
What is a pleasing aroma for the Lord?
What does Jesus smell of?

Crossing boundaries

Acts16:9-15 & John 14:23-29 are e scriptures today as we meet Paul meeting Lydia for the first time and why this matters today. 

All Creation Sings

Psalm 148 provides the context for this reflection on Praising the Lord.