In a world shaped by fear, division, and self-protection, what does biblical love actually look like?

In this Advent message, Choosing Love in a Selfish World, we explore Isaiah’s promise of Immanuel—God with us—and discover that God’s response to fear is not control or power, but faithful, compassionate presence. Drawing from Scripture, the life of Jesus, and a deeply personal pastoral encounter, this message invites us to see love not as sentiment or comfort, but as courageous presence that refuses to abandon others in vulnerability.

Biblical love shows up when answers are unavailable, when fear tempts us to withdraw, and when power feels safer than presence. Advent reminds us that love has already come down—and the question is whether we will choose to live that love now.

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10–16
Series: Waking to God’s Dream

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 Biblical joy is not denial or optimism, but resilient trust in God’s faithfulness. This Advent sermon from Isaiah 35 invites listeners to choose joy in the wilderness through gratitude, service, and generosity while living toward God’s promised future. 

 Pastor Mark unpacks Isaiah 11 and shows how biblical hope empowers us to resist despair, trust God’s promises, and work for justice. Hope is not optimism—it’s courageous, faithful resistance in a fearful world. 

This Advent message explores Isaiah’s vision of swords turned into plowshares and invites us to choose God’s peace in a fearful world. Through Spirit-led imagination and daily faithfulness, we become peacemakers shaped by the world God intends to bring.

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🙏 Support Our Ministries: If this message has blessed you, consider making a donation at www.fumccb.com to help us continue our work. 

📅 Worship with us: Sundays at 9:30 AM (in-person/online) & 11:00 AM (in-person). We’d love to see you there!

Speaker: Pastor Mark Reynolds 

Venue: First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL) 

Connect with Pastor Mark: 

🌐 Website: www.revmarkreynolds.com 

📘 Facebook: PastorMarkReynolds 

 In this closing message of The Game of Life series, discover how resurrection hope speaks into our deepest grief. When life feels like “checkmate,” God is not finished—the King always has one more move. 

 Jesus redefines greatness as humble service. In this message, we explore how grace frees us from striving for status and empowers us to lift others up, following Christ’s example of self-giving love. 

 Pastor Mark challenges us to choose calling over comfort. Based on Matthew 14, this sermon reminds us that true faith begins where comfort ends—and that the safest place to be is wherever Jesus is. 

 You don’t win the game of life by staying in control—you win by letting Jesus lead. In this message, Pastor Mark shares how surrendering control brings true peace, joy, and freedom in Christ. 

In this episode of The Game of Life series, Pastor Mark unpacks what it really means to “keep score where it counts.” Drawing from Romans 12:10, he invites us to rethink success—not in terms of wealth, status, or achievements, but in the depth of our love and relationships.

What if the real competition in life wasn’t about getting ahead, but about outdoing one another in showing honor? What if the greatest victories came through small acts of kindness, generosity, and grace?

Through practical examples and heartfelt teaching, Pastor Mark helps us see that when we love God fully and love others deeply, we’re winning in the only game that truly matters.

Listen in and discover how to live with purpose, measure your life by love, and keep score God’s way.

Life can feel like a game—filled with goals, strategy, and the desire to win. But in the end, Jesus reminds us that everything goes back in the box. In this opening message of The Game of Life series, Pastor Mark Reynolds unpacks Jesus’ parable of the rich fool and challenges us to think about what truly matters.

What does it mean to “win” in God’s eyes? How do we measure success in a world that keeps score differently? This sermon invites you to live richly toward God—through generosity, compassion, and trust—and to invest your life in what lasts forever.

In this final message of The Me I Want to Be series, Pastor Mark Reynolds explores how God uses everyday pressures—our work, our waiting, and our will—to form the person we’re becoming.

Drawing on the story of Caleb, who declared at 85 years old, “Give me this mountain,” this sermon invites us to see how God renews our strength through both challenge and faith. Whether you’re weary from the climb, stuck in a season of waiting, or searching for meaning in your work, you’ll find hope and direction in this message.

Discover how God transforms ordinary experience into sacred opportunity—and how His Spirit gives courage to keep climbing.

Listen in to be reminded: You’re never too young, too old, or too tired for God to do something new in you.