First UMC Newport, TN
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​​Philosophers from Plato to Pixar all assume we have a soul. But what does that actually mean, and why does it matter? We will weave together Scripture, history, theology, and pop culture to reclaim the ancient concept of a soul. A soul is not afterlife vapor but something very real and very specific: the resurrection of the body. Jesus’ message is that the kingdom of heaven is here now. Some think the state of our soul only comes down to one big spiritual decision in life. However, while we depend on the grace of God, our soul is shaped by life’s little everyday decisions, not just a few big ones. These small decisions in our relationships, in our work, and for ourselves put us on a trajectory towards a more solid soul, or a more shriveled soul, one that is isolated from others and God. The choices that we make in every moment lead us toward heaven or away from it. Learn to see your life and the lives of others with eternal eyes, and learn how to live life in such a way that you find yourself on a trajectory toward fulfillment and flourishing.

"Solidify Your Soul" September 4

"Solid Choices"
​September 11

​You are a soul. Scripture helps us understand that we are more than mere flesh and blood. We have spirit and body which means we are souls. We are eternal. That single revelation should change how we think about every decision we make. When we realize all of our life’s choices, pettiness, and strife are sitting before the throne of God, who do we want to be? Every single one of us is a soul and each of us has a choice: will we live lives with shriveled or thriving souls?
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​People misunderstand heaven and hell as simply places where we go when we die. We do not understand that we can experience heaven here and now. Or we can experience hell here and now. It is each soul, each of us, who can make that choice right now. And why do things that feel like small choices matter? Because small sins compound, transforming our very reality into a living hell. The good news of Christ is we can make another choice: Repent and believe in the Gospel!
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"Solid Relationships"
September 18

​What does it mean for our friendships, marriages, and families that we are souls? The truth is that every relationship is eternal. Your eternal soul is wrapped up in how you navigate your coworker, your father-in-law, your best friend, and your child. The question to help us understand this reality: Is your trajectory in these eternal relationships one that is one of anger or reconciliation? Christ calls us to reconciliation in all things. We are called to a heavenly trajectory.​

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"Solid Living"
September 25

​Truth feels rare these days. This is not actually a new reality. As we read in the Gospels we see Jesus dealt with this problem too. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs his disciples to simply say yes or no, not bound by others expectation, but going further in love and grace. Unlike Pilate, who gives us an example of aban-doning the truth in the face of political and cultural pressures, we are called to solid living.                                                    Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Living a life for Jesus is the most true way to live because it is aligned with the creator and creation. Living in truth frees you to be more you.
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"Solid Purpose"
October 2

​Two truths: God wants good for you. You are not an accident. This means that God has an inten-tional purpose for your life. Secular organizations like to talk about purpose and meaning and values, but our true purpose, meaning, and value is only derived from the one that created the world and each of us. This week, we ask the question, “What is my purpose?” and explore together how we can ask God to reveal the answer so we might live into that purpose fully.
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  • Home
  • Worship
  • Sermon Studies
  • Church Calendar
  • Celebrate Recovery
  • Children
  • K-5 Resources
  • Sunday School
  • Fellowship Groups
  • Camp in the Community
  • Staff Team
  • FUMC In The News
  • Helene Disaster Relief
  • First UMC Campus
  • Contact