Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #583

In the fourth Sunday of Advent, we see the angel Gabriel coming to Mary in Nazareth to tell her that she will carry God's child and give birth to the Savior.  In the 21st Century we often hear objections stating that we do not need to believe in a virgin birth to be Christian, but I believe it is a bedrock foundational tenet of Christianity, and that to deny the virgin birth is to deny the divinity of Christ and the sovereignty of God.  The God of the universe, who created all things out of nothing, could certainly create life in a virgin's womb by his Spirit and enter creation as a human child - fully man and fully God.  The virgin birth demonstrates the miraculous nature of this birth and God's own intervention in his creation.  And when this announcement is paired with Isaiah's prophecy of the Son to be born, we see that this child will certainly be unlike any child born before or since.  

Luke 1:26-38

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on December 24, 2023

Watch on YouTube

S.D.G.

Sermon #92

There is nothing at all remarkable about the birth of Jesus.  No chronicler stood by to record the exact day and time of his birth.  No human herald declared it in the streets of Jerusalem.  Certainly very few even noticed that this child was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger with the animals, born of meager means, born to unremarkable parents.  And yet we still celebrate this birth two thousand years later, and that is because this unremarkable birth was more remarkable than any other birth in the history of mankind.  Of the billions of people who have been born and died in the history of the world, this is the only birth we celebrate year after year for millenia.  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called Wonderful! Counselor! The mighty God! The Everlasting Father! The Prince of Peace!

Isaiah 9:6

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on December 24, 2014 (Originally published December 28, 2018)

S.D.G.

Sermon #422

When company's coming and our guests arrive, what do we do?  We throw open the door, we run to them, we hug them and kiss them.  We welcome the guest into our homes.  In the story of the birth of Jesus, we find that Mary and Joseph were welcome guests in the home of Joseph's relatives, even if there was no room for them in the guest room.  This Christmas, let us also get ready to welcome the guest into our homes and into our hearts.

Luke 2:1-20

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on December 24, 2020 (Originally published on December 28, 2020)

S.D.G.

December 24, 2023

Old Testament: Isaiah 9:2-7

Psalter: Psalm 96

Epistle Lesson: Titus 2:11-14

Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:1-20

Scripture quotations from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

S.D.G.

Sermon #421

As we continue our series, "Company's Coming," we look at two scriptures from the Old and New Testaments that describe the anticipation of waiting for the coming of the Lord.  In 2 Samuel, we see how David desires to build a permanent dwelling for God in Jerusalem to replace the moth-eaten tent from the Exodus, yet God promises to build a permanent house forever for David.  And we see that promise fulfilled in the Lukan account of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary to announce the coming of the Christ child.  These scriptures taken together give us a glimpse into the heart of God, that though we desire to build and do for Him, He is the one who blesses us, because from Him come all things - not the least of which is salvation by His grace.

Luke 1:26-38 (with 2 Samuel 7:1-16)

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on December 20, 2020 (Originally published on December 23, 2020)

S.D.G.

December 24, 2023

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Psalter: Luke 1:46b-55

Epistle Lesson: Romans 16:25-27

Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:26-38

Scripture quotations from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

S.D.G.

Sermon #256

When John the Baptist was asked who he was and why he was baptizing in the Jordan (rather than in Jerusalem at the temple), his answer was that he was merely one crying out in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord."  Our testimony begins with Christ and what He has done in us.  John's entire purpose from birth was to point to the coming Messiah.  How are we doing the same today?

John 1:6-8,19-28

Recorded at Hudson UMC on December 17, 2017 (Originally published on December 18, 2020)

S.D.G.

Sermon #90

As Christians we are all called upon to bring the good news, but what exactly does that mean?  What is the good news, and why is it so hard to tell it?  After all, we are so ready to go on Facebook and tell about good news that pales in comparison to the eternal life that God offers.  Today we look at Isaiah 61, the scripture that Jesus used to begin his ministry in Galilee, and we look at what the good news is, and how we can share it.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Isaiah chapter 61, and prepare your heart and mind as we prepare to bring the good news.

Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on December 14, 2014 (Originally published December 19, 2014)

S.D.G.

Sermon #582

After looking at Mark's opening passage about John the Baptist and his role in Jesus' ministry, today we look at the same account from the gospel according to St. John.  When each of the gospel writers introduce John the Baptist, they all use Isaiah 40:3, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord; make straight a highway to our God."  In fact, G. F. Handel used the same prophecy to open his magnum opus, "The Messiah."  When we see so much agreement among the four gospels, it's a good indication that it's something God wants us to know.  And when John says to the people there that he is not the Christ, but that the Christ is standing among them, what he's really saying is that what the people had been waiting 400 years for was upon them, was imminent.  

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Recorded at Hudson UMC on December 17, 2023 (Portions also recorded at Ebenezer UMC)

Watch on YouTube

S.D.G.

Sermon #420

We've talked about seeing the mess of our lives, about the need for a clean up crew, and now we talk about decorations!  But it's not the decorations you might be thinking of.  When we become Christians, we put off the old person and put on Christ, so that all anyone sees is the Christ in us.  What we learn from the account of John the Baptist is that God gives us a purpose, a testimony, and a place to live out our faith so that others may come to a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  

John 1:6-8,19-28

Recorded at Hudson UMC on December 13, 2020 (Originally published on December 16, 2020)

S.D.G.