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Articles by Bascom Ratliff
Our (almost) unforgivable sins?
Matters of Faith By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor Beagle, Fontana and Parker United Methodist Churches Matthew 12: 31-32. And so I (Jesus) tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Hebrews 10:26 – 29.
Do words matter?
Image by Kane Reinholdtsen Matters of Faith By Bascom Ratliff, pastor Beagle/Fontana/Parker United Methodist Church Matthew 12: 33-37.“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make it bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Am I making a difference?
By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor Parker/Beagle/Fontana United Methodist Churches Scripture selection: Mark 12: 41-44. These verses talk of Jesus watching wealthy people giving large sums of money to the treasury. He then observed and praised a widow who had given two small coins. Jesus taught that the widow’s offering was actually greater than all the others because while the wealthy had given out of excess, she had given out of her poverty and sincere faith.
Challenging the deafening silence of God
Matters of Faith By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor Beagle, Fontana, Parker United Methodist Churches Psalm 13: 1-3a. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death. Today's message is about our perceived silence of God.
Living our faith: Serving God
Photo by Elijah Pitchard / Upsplash By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor Beagle, Fontana, Parker United Methodist Churches Matthew 19: 16-30. Jesus answered, “if you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sad, because he had great wealth.“ This dialogue between Jesus and the young rich man can also be found in Mark, chapter 10 and Luke, chapter 18.
A simple request
Matters of Faith By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor Parker, Beagle, Fontana United Methodist Churches Scripture (NRSV): Matthew 22: 37-39. Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
A kick in the seat of our pants
Matters of Faith By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor Parker, Beagle and Fontana United Methodist Churches Scripture (NRSV): Leviticus 19: 33-34. “When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Matthew 22:37-40. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.
Damned by faint commitment
Matters of Faith By Bascom Ratliff Pastor, Parker / Beagle / Fontana United Methodist Churches Scripture: Revelation 3: 15-16 (Christ’s message to the church in Laodicea). “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered and I need nothing.
At war with our Christian faith
By Bascom Ratliff Pastor, Parker/Beagle/Fontana United Methodist Churches Scripture: Mark 13: 5-8, “Then Jesus began to say to them, “beware that no one leads you astray”. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” And they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.
A Divided Kingdom
Matters of Faith By Dr. Bascom Ratliff Pastor, Beagle, Fontana, and Parker United Methodist Church Scripture: I Corinthians 1: 10, “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” I have been very deliberate about avoiding politics in my messages.
Are we believers or bystanders?
(Wix file photo) Matters of Faith By Dr. Bascom Ratliff Pastor, Beagle/Fontana/Parker United Methodist Churches I recently received a text message from one of our presidential candidates asking me if I was a true believer. This is followed by a second question about how much money would I be willing to contribute to this candidate. The notion was that, if I really believed, I would support my beliefs with a hefty donation.
The lost sheep
Matters of Faith By Bascom Ratliff Pastor, Parker/Fontan/Beagle United Methodist Churches George woke up after a troubled night and headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. He set the coffee to brew and sat at the counter to plan his day. The first thing that came to his mind was that, prior to going to sleep last night, he had received a strange call to be prepared for a visitor at breakfast. He remember thinking, "This is a prank call from my brother," and he ignored it.
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