Hosted by First Houston United Methodist Church
Episodes
782
Latest episode
Jun 2026
Language
EN
At First Houston United Methodist Church our vision is to have an empowered, diverse faith family built on the foundation of God’s Word, sharing the transforming love of Jesus Christ throughout Houston and the world. We are First Methodist Houston: transforming lives and communities by putting God’s love into action. Click the subscribe button to always have the latest podcast downloaded to your device.
What does it mean to cause "good trouble"? In this message, we explore the calling of the prophet—someone who holds up a "God-given mirror" to society and speaks truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.1 Drawing on the story of Elijah confronting King Ahab and the legacy of civil rights leader John Lewis, this sermon examines the personal cost of faithfulness and what it looks like to live on the edge of trust when God calls us to act. fmhouston.com
Rev. Dr. Vaughn explores the biblical account of the man born blind from the Gospel of John (John 9). The sermon examines the intersection of divine healing, rigid religious tradition, and the courage required to own one’s personal testimony. fmhouston.com
Pastor Lindsay addresses the painful reality of failure, whether in parenting, work, or relationships, and explores how God specializes in bringing redemption from our greatest mistakes. Using the tragic yet redemptive story of the priest Eli, who failed as a father but found a new purpose mentoring Samuel, we learn that failure is not the end. Just as the Cross, a symbol of ultimate failure, led to the empty tomb and resurrection, God promises that nothing is wasted in His economy. By holding our failures in trust for the Lord, we can discover a new path, a second chance, and experience God doing through us what we never could have done on our own. fmhouston.com
fmhouston.com
On Ascension Sunday Pastor Lindsay explores the dual nature of Jesus's return to heaven: a source of both longing and empowerment for believers. The speaker first uses personal anecdotes about parental "pre-grieving" to frame the reluctance to see a loved one leave, acknowledging the common human wish that Jesus had simply stayed on Earth to provide clear direction. However, the text explains that Jesus ascended to fulfill two crucial roles: preparing individualized places for us in heaven (John 14:1-3) and serving as our eternal High Priest, constantly interceding for us before God (Hebrews 7:24-27). Most significantly, Jesus's ascension demonstrates His profound trust in His followers, who, despite their flaws, are equipped with the Holy Spirit and His teachings (Acts 1:8). The message concludes by challenging listeners to stop being passive "watchers" and become active "doers," recognizing that God loves them, trusts them, and has provided everything necessary for them to act. fmhouston.com
We all have days that break us, from minor mishaps (like a disastrous zoo trip) to deep trauma. But what if those struggles didn't leave us broken? This message explores the incredible transformation of Peter and John, who went from hiding and denying Jesus after his crucifixion to becoming bold, unafraid leaders. Discover how their story, and the modern concept of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), shows that when we stop trying to control our lives and rely on the power and presence in the name of Jesus Christ, we can emerge from trial stronger, more resilient, and more courageous than ever before. fmhouston.com
Pastor Lindsay explores the powerful tension between grieving what was lost and celebrating what is being built now, drawing inspiration from the book of Ezra. When the returning Jewish exiles laid the foundation for the new temple, the older generation who remembered the glory of the original structure wept because the new one was objectively less grand, while the younger generation—born in exile—shouted with pure joy for what God was doing in the present moment. The message emphasizes that both the tears and the shouts are honest, holy offerings, and notes that the sound of the joyful praise was so loud that from a distance, all that could be heard was joy. The modern application is a call to reject dualistic thinking, recognizing that we can stand together in unity, being faithful in both grieving and celebrating, and refusing to let a focus on the "good old days" prevent us from being excited about God's future. fmhouston.com
Nicodemus was a wealthy, privileged, and educated Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin (Supreme Court). Initially, he came to Jesus at night because he was afraid of losing his status and credibility among his peers, earning him the reputation of a "coward" or "night stalker". However, this persistence in seeking Jesus, despite power structures, led to him becoming a hero for enslaved communities who also had to hold worship services secretly at night. You do not have to wait for your life to become perfect to live unafraid. When we realize how deep the Father’s love for us is, God’s perfect love casts out all fear, allowing us to love Jesus with boldness, unashamedly claiming his name in our lives. fmhouston.com
We dive into the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8). Philip, a respected and Spirit-led minister, showed radical obedience, responding to the Holy Spirit's nudges with "So he did" and by running to the Eunuch's chariot. The Eunuch, a wealthy and earnest seeker reading Isaiah 53, felt like an outsider due to his status as a eunuch, but was searching for a connection to God.1 The core message is that we must submit ourselves to being followers of Christ before we can be leaders for God. Philip's deep understanding of Christ's character allowed him to interpret the Scripture and show the Eunuch that in Christ, we are all equal. Learn to recognize the Holy Spirit as the third main character—the "not-so-silent partner"—and commit to riding with the Spirit and running when He says go.1 fmhouston.com
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