Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #76

This week we begin a new series based in Paul's letter to the church in Philippi, known as the book of Philippians.  Paul opens his letter - written from a Roman prison - with joy and thanksgiving, and then exhorts the believers in Philippi to stand firm and strive together in the faith.  It's a model of the church that we in the 21st century can learn from and live by.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Philippians chapter 1, and join us as we look at a church that is of one heart and mind.

Philippians 1:21-30

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on September 21, 2014 (Originally published October 12, 2014)

S.D.G.

Sermon #409

Today as we continue to examine the attributes of God, we see that God is an abundant provider to those whom he calls his own.  The people of Israel had just been delivered from slavery, saved from death, walked through the Red Sea and witnessed the destruction of Pharaoh's army at the hand of God.  Yet they could only see the place where they were, not where God had brought them, and so they complained that God was not providing for them.  Indeed, God would provide for all their needs for over 40 years in the wilderness, and that is what we need to see from this reading - that we need to remember the blessings of God even when we are going through difficult times.

Exodus 16:2-15

Recorded at Hudson UMC on September 20, 2020 (Originally published on September 21, 2020)

S.D.G.

September 24, 2023

Old Testament: Exodus 16:2-15

Psalter: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45

Epistle Lesson: Philippians 1:21-30

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 20:1-16

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 #243

In the prayer that we often call "The Lord's Prayer," we say "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."  But think about it.  If God forgives us the way we forgive others, does that make us feel good?  Or are we lacking in our forgiveness, according to God's standard of forgiveness?

Matthew 18:21-35

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on September 17, 2017 (Originally published October 9, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #74

We conclude our sermon series in Romans, "Theology for Ministry," by looking at how we as a body are to welcome new believers.  A common criticism of the modern church is that the many different denominations and different interpretations indicates that we are not a unified body.  But today we will look at how, even in our differences, we have Christ in common, and that is what unites us into, as the Nicene Creed states, one universal and apostolic church.  So grab your Bible, turn to Romans chapter 14, and join us as we look at what it means to treat each other with respect and mutual love.

Romans 14:1-12

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on September 14, 2014 (Originaly published October 7, 2014)

S.D.G.

Sermon #408

Over the next several weeks we will be in a new series based on the Old Testament texts in Exodus and Deuteronomy, called "The Attributes of God."  We will be looking at who God is by what He has done as recorded in the pages of the Bible, and we begin by looking at his awesome power as demonstrated in the parting of the Red Sea, and in the destruction of the Egyptian army.  Sometimes we in the 21st Century attempt to explain these events by scientific means, rather than simply accepting and appreciating the omnipotence of the God who spoke the universe into existence.  Today I invite you to consider the God of Power who delivered the Israelites, the same God who delivers us today from bondage to sin and death.

Exodus 14:19-31

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on September 13, 2020 (Originally published September 14, 2020)

S.D.G.

September 17, 2023

Old Testament: Exodus 14:19-31

Psalter: Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21

Epistle Lesson: Romans 14:1-12

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18:21-35

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 #569

When 18th Century Anglican Christians began to gather in what were called Methodist Societies, John Wesley initially stated that the only requirement for joining such was "a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins."  Simple, right?  Yet how can a person demonstrate such desire?  Wesley gave them three rules to live by - to do no harm, to do good, and to attend to all the ordinances of God.  Today in the reading from Romans, we will demonstrably see why these three simple rules are Biblical, why they are necessary, and how they demonstrate a heart of agape love in the true convert.

Romans 13:8-14

Recorded at Hudson UMC on September 10, 2023

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S.D.G.

Sermon #407

When we receive the blessings of God, do we give thanks?  As Christians, giving thanks ought to be like muscle memory, an automatic response to all that God has given us.  And as Christians, we believe that all good things come from God.  Yet few of us are quick to give thanks to God.  In the conclusion to our series, Paul demonstrates his quick willingness to give thanks to God and acknowledging all that God has done for and through him for the furtherance of the gospel.  

Philippians 4:10-23

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on September 6, 2020 (Originally published September 7, 2020)

S.D.G.

September 10, 2023

Old Testament: Exodus 12:1-14

Psalter: Psalm 149

Epistle Lesson: Romans 13:8-14

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18:15-20

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.