Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #239

We often talk about God's grace, but what is the difference between grace and mercy?  Where is the evidence in the Bible of God's mercy?  Is it only a New Testament ideal or is God's mercy demonstrated in the Old Testament as well?

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on August 20, 2017 (Originally published September 6, 2017)

S.D.G.

It's good to be in worship every week.  But when worship becomes routine, we lose sight of the object of our worship and we become complacent in our faith.  Our guest speaker Kyle Clement reminds us of this, and gives us ways to keep our faith alive and vibrant. 

This episode was recorded at Ebenezer UMC on August 17, 2014. (Originally published August 20, 2014)

S.D.G.

Sermon #566

Today we examine an account of Jesus' interaction with a Syrophoenician woman, and on the surface it appears as though Jesus' initial reaction to her presence is one of disdain and possibly even racism.  Certainly, modern scholars have interpreted this passage this way.  But when we look at the passage in the greater context of a discussion Jesus was having about how it is what comes out of the heart of a person that defiles him, we see that what Jesus is showing his disciples and us is that the woman has had a radical change in her own heart, demonstrated by the words and posture she uses in her encounter with Jesus.  How then can we examine our own words and actions to determine if we have been given a new heart with new desires from God?

Matthew 15:10-28

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on August 20, 2023

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S.D.G.

Sermon #405

When we run a race, we don't focus on where we've been but on where we are going.  By staying focused on the finish line, we can run the race with stamina and press on to the end.  This is the image that Paul is using today when talking about the Christian life in his letter to the church in Philippi, and he ought to know.  Imprisoned in Rome, if Paul were to focus on his present circumstances he would surely lose hope.  Instead he keeps his focus on his goal - attaining the resurrection of the dead through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on August 16, 2020 (Originally published August 17, 2020)

S.D.G.

August 20, 2023

Old Testament: Genesis 45:1-15

Psalter: Psalm 133

Epistle Lesson: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 15:10-28

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 #238

If all we have to do to be saved is to confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead, then why don't more people do it?  In fact, if it's that simple, then why isn't the entire world saved already?

Romans 10:5-15

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on August 13, 2017 (Originally published September 5, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #70

Jesus told the woman at the well that "Salvation is of the Jews."  Of course, that was before he gave his own life for the sins of the world.  In today's message, the apostle Paul tells us that salvation is available to anyone who wants it, and that God has made it very simple for us, according to his abundant grace.  But what does it mean to confess with our mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead?  It is a simple thing God requires of us, but it is not easy.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Romans chapter 10, and prepare your heart and mind as we look at The Place of Israel, part 2.  

Romans 10:5-15

Recorded at Hudson UMC on August 10, 2014 (Originally published August 16, 2014)

S.D.G.

Sermon #565

We come to another well-known and well-documented miracle, Jesus walking on the water.  All throughout this passage we see that Jesus is modelling for us how to get alone with God and to call out to him in times of trouble.  Yet the disciples, and especially Peter, miss the point.  Peter challenges Jesus, telling him to command Peter to come to him on the water, which he does.  And Peter gets out of the boat!  But as soon as he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the wind and the waves, he began to sink, and so he cried out the only prayer he could in that moment: "Lord, save me!"  How often do we attempt to fix things ourselves and never even consider calling out to the Lord?  Yet he answers each and every time and does what we cannot do.

Matthew 14:22-33

Recorded at Hudson UMC on August 13, 2023

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S.D.G.

Sermon #404

We all carry documentation that demonstrates who we are.  But when it comes to a life in Christ, the only documentation we need is the word of God.  In it we see what God has done for us through Jesus Christ, to rescue us from sin and death.  What Paul tells us is that even though he has the most impressive resume in his religious life, he considers it all rubbish for the sake of what Jesus did for him.  We rely not on our own merits, but on the righteousness of Christ, who gave his own life to save us and reconcile us to God.

Philippians 3:1-11

Recorded at Hudson UMC on August 9, 2020 (Originally published August 10, 2020)

S.D.G.

Sermon #237

Paul agonized over the salvation of his fellow Jews.  How could he see that Christ was the Messiah and others could not?  He begins to set up the urgent need for proclaiming the gospel to a people in need of salvation.

Romans 9:1-18

Recorded at Hudson UMC on August 6, 2017 (Originally published August 14, 2017)

S.D.G.