Guerrilla Christianity

December 3, 2023

Old Testament: Isaiah 64:1-9

Psalter: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Gospel Lesson: Mark 13:24-37

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 #576

Throughout this series we have been looking at how we participate in the ministries of the local church, by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service.  Today we look at what it means to support the church by our witness.  So often we as Christians hesitate to testify to our faith because we fear the backlash, or perhaps we are afraid that we will be challenged and not have all the answers.  These fears are ungrounded, however, when we consider the testimony of scripture.  When those touched by the presence of Christ, such as this Samaritan woman at the well, give witness to what Christ has done for them, even those who are outcasts have a powerful impact on their community.  And what we see in this final lesson in our Five Things series is that all these things - our prayers, presence, gifts, and service - are a witness to the impact Christ has had on us.

John 4:3-42

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on October 29, 2023

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S.D.G.

Sermon #417

On this final Sunday of the church calendar, which we call Christ the King Sunday, we observe the reign of Christ in all of his glory.  And we conclude our short series in Matthew 25 with what is often called "The Parable of the Sheep and Goats."  However, as we will see in today's teaching, it is neither a parable, nor is it really about sheep and goats at all.  It is about two different states in the human condition.  We are either in Christ or we are not.  And when we are in Christ, we naturally act as Christ does without giving it much thought; yet when we are in the world, we only think of ourselves.  In which group do you belong?  

Matthew 25:31-46

Recorded at Hudson UMC on November 22, 2020 (Originally published November 23, 2020)

S.D.G.

November 26, 2023

Old Testament: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Psalter: Psalm 100

Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25:31-46

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 #252

When we pursue an object of our love, be it a person or some other thing, we go after it with everything we have.  In the same way, Christ gave everything out of love for us.  Why, then, wouldn't we as a church respond in adoration for our Lord?

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on November 19, 2017 (Originally published December 13, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #251

We continue looking at "Who We Are" as a church by examining the central message of everything we do: the Gospel (or the Good News).  But many modern Chistians face a dilemna: we don't know how to put the Gospel into words, and some of us don't really know what the Good News is, exactly.  In American society the Gospel has become watered down into a feel-good self-help message that doesn't challenge us out of our comfort zone.  Jesus said the Gospel would be an offense and a stumbling block.  But we are called upon to preach the gospel at all times, and so preaching the gospel as a church is what makes us who we are.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on November 12, 2017 (Originally published December 12, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #416

As we continue our expository look at Matthew 25, we come to the parable of the talents.  Often this has been misunderstood to be a parable about money or blessing, but it is really about the kingdom work that we do in the absence of Jesus.  The main thing to note about the talents given to the slaves is that it is not given to them as their own resources, but the resources of the Master, which he entrusts to them to grow in his absence.  In the same way, God gifts us with certain talents (a word in English derrived from this very parable) in order to grow his kingdom here on earth.  What are you doing with what God gave you?  And when he returns will he likewise say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of your master"?

Matthew 25:14-30

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on November 15, 2020 (Originally published November 18, 2020)

S.D.G.

Sermon #250

What does it mean to be a Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching, Christ-adoring church?  We will be looking at this question over the next three episodes, beginning with the first part: who are we as a Bible-believing church?  What is the United Methodist stance on the Bible as God's holy word?  And what is the theological foundation of our belief?  We begin looking at Who We Are by first affirming: We Believe the Bible.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on November 5, 2017 (Originally published December 4, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #575

This week we go to the Gospel according to St. John for our text.  At the last supper, in the upper room, Jesus took on the role of the servant, to model to us, his disciples, what servanthood looks like.  It is humbling ourselves and doing the work of the lowest, and being in service to the church means being in service to the community and to each other.  Jesus didn't say "Because I washed your feet, you should wash my feet."  The Good Shepherd leads by example and says "Because I washed your feet, you should wash one another's feet." And, "As I have loved you, so should you love one another."

John 13:3-17

Recorded at Hudson UMC on October 22, 2023

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S.D.G.

Sermon #414

As we come to All Saints Day, we remember those of the faith who passed on before us.  These are the ones whose example and witness brought us to Christ.  In the book of Revelation, we are given a glimpse of these saints, a multitude that no one could number, robed in white and carrying palm branches in their hands, singing praise to God.  We are told that these are they who have come through tribulation and have had their white robes washed clean in the blood of the Lamb.  Because prophetic and apocalyptic writing must be held with an open hand, we take a look at these with particular emphasis on remembering those whom we have lost in the last year.

Revelation 7:9-17

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on November 1, 2020 (Originally published November 9, 2020)

S.D.G.