Country Club Christian Church Sermons

Rev. Monica Lewis, Minister to Children, Students and Families, presents the sermon, "Blessed," based on the Matthew 5:1-12.

Dr. Glen Miles' sermon "Walking in the Light of God," focuses on the quote from Isaiah found in Matthew's gospel, "the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light." This word proclaims the promise of God that there is never enough darkness in the world, not even the darkness of death, to cover up the light of Heaven's eternal dawn. Matthew ends this section with the words of Jesus: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near."

Jesus' teaching though is not about judgment, but about turning around. Matthew is telling us, "Hey look, Jesus is here! He's helping us see the dawn of a new day. Turn around and follow him. Let's walk together in the light of God." It is not always easy to turn around. And, yes, sometimes there are some serious things we need to let go of as we walk with God, but at the end of the day this news from Jesus is always good. Based on Matthew 4:12-17. (January 22, 2017)

Rev. Carla Aday delivers the sermon "Immersed," based on Matthew 3:13-17. (January 8, 2107)

Glen Miles' sermon, "Glory," is based on John 1:5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." This beautiful verse reminds us that even the tiniest candle can overpower the dark. (January 1, 2017)

This sermon, "Home for Christmas," is part 4 in Dr. Glen Miles' "Where the Love Light Beams" sermon series. Your ears might perk up when you hear the reading from Isaiah 7:10-16, which proclaims, "Look the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." The old prophet is referring to a sign within the context of his own situation. Ahaz, a lousy king, is the target of Isaiah's words. The king has tried to pretend like he is super religious. Like too many politicians, even contemporary ones, he thinks a sudden influx of faith will convince the people, Isaiah and God, to leave him alone. Isaiah will have none of this false piety. He is basically saying, "If you trust in God the future will be fine. If you try to cover your bases by telling everybody what they want to hear, you're in trouble."

When the earliest Christians read this old text, they thought of Jesus. They saw in this story a reflection of the way Jesus' life and teaching, spoken not from political power but rather through the authority that comes from an authentic life, can challenge even the greatest and most powerful Kings and Caesars. The same is true today. A Presbyterian preacher I know writes, "What keeps the wild hope of Christmas alive year after year in a world notorious for dashing all hopes is the haunting dream that the child who was born that day may yet be born again even in us and our own snowbound, snowblind longing for him." When that child is born again in us, we will finally be home.

This sermon,"A Long Road Back," is part 3 in Dr. Glen Miles' series, "Where the Love Light Beams." It focuses on Isaiah 35 and the prophet's joyous proclamation of the reality of hope and the road back home. He practically shouts to his congregation, "Be strong! Do not fear!" The road to the place of welcome and joy is sometimes a long one, but the promise of God rests on God's desire to finally bring each of us to the farms of love and grace. (December 18, 2016)

For hundreds of years, Christians have seen a reflection of the Messiah in the words, "and a little child shall lead them." "If Only," part 2 in Glen Miles' sermon series, "Where the Love Light Beams" will wonder out loud what our lives would be like if we lived them in the light of this child's arrival. Based on Isaiah 11. (December 4, 2016)

This is the first sermon in Glen Miles Advent sermon series, Where the Love Light Beams. The prophet is dreaming of a day when all of God's people are able to live in peace, of a time when spears and swords are transformed into pruning hooks and plowshares. It is a beautiful vision but it seems impossible. The dream is easily clouded by cynicism and fear. It can be reduced to a vague afterthought by all of the tension in the world. Nonetheless, the prophet's hope is relentless. He can see "in days to come" the promise finally being made real. Based on Isaiah 2:1-5. (November 28, 2016)

Rev. Carla Aday's sermon, "Loosening Our Grip," is based on Colossians 1:11-20. (November 20, 2016)

Glen Miles' sermon 'Twas Grace that Taught My Heart to Fear,' based on Isaiah 12, reminds us of God's universal love for all. Isaiah writes: "Surely God is my salvation..." The Hebrew word for salvation is a rich and deeply evocative one reminding us that being saved is about living a gracious and hope-filled life in the here and now. (November 13, 2016)