Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #69

In chapter nine of his letter to the Romans, Paul takes a departure from speaking on God's grace and our salvation, and turns his attention to the people of Israel.  The apostle Paul was born a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin.  So it would stand to reason that he would have great concern over his people and their salvation.  This week we begin a two-part subseries to our Theology for Ministry series called The Place of Israel, and we will look at how the Jews receive God's grace, even today.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Romans chapter nine, and join us as we look at the place of Israel.

Romans 9:1-5

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on August 3, 2014 (Originally published August 13, 2014)

S.D.G.

Sermon #564

The feeding of the 5,000 is a miracle so remarkable that it is recorded in all four gospel accounts.  In fact, it is the only such miracle recorded in all four gospels, apart from the resurrection itself.  So if it was so important that all four gospel writers needed to include it in their good news, we ought to take notice of what's going on.  And what we see is a picture of how Jesus uses what we have to accomplish the work that he assigns to us, even when what we have is insufficient to the task.  It's easy as human beings to look at things pragmatically or practically, but when we are answering the call of God we must act in faith to know that God will take our meager offerings and multiply them until they are more than enough.

Matthew 14:13-21

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on August 6, 2023

Watch on YouTube

S.D.G.

Sermon #403

To be a living sacrifice means to live sacrificially, to spend yourself for the sake of Christ, who died for you.  Very few people in the Bible exemplify this idea of being a living sacrifice as well as the two men we meet in today's reading from Paul's letter to the church in Philippi.  Timothy and Epaphroditus, though from very different backgrounds, were united by faith in Jesus Christ to work alongside Paul in his imprisonment, even if it meant giving their lives for the furtherance of the Gospel. 

Philippians 2:19-30

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on August 2, 2020 (Originally published August 3, 2020)

S.D.G.

August 6, 2023

Old Testament: Genesis 32:22-31

Psalter: Psalm 17:1-7, 15

Epistle Lesson: Romans 9:1-5

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 14:13-21

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 #236

Paul asks the question: If God is on our side, who could possibly stand against us?  It's a fair question, and one we ought to examine for ourselves.  

Romans 8:26-39

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on July 30, 2017 (Originally published August 2, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #67

It's a mistake to think that coming to Christ will automatically exempt us from the bad things that happen in life.  We are never promised an easy life for coming to Christ.  We have to endure hardships just like everyone else.  But the difference is, we have faith that God is always in control, and that our suffering is just for a season.  This week we look at one of the greatest and hardest promises in the Bible, the promise of Romans 8:28.  So grab your Bible, open it to Romans chapter 8, and join us as we Join Creation's Song.

Romans 8:26-39

Recorded at Hudson UMC on July 27, 2014 (Originally published August 10, 2014)

S.D.G.

Sermon #563

Today we are concluding our look at the parables of Jesus recorded in Matthew's gospel.  We find six short parables about the kingdom of heaven, and what its characteristics are.  From these we can determine five characteristics of the Kingdom of Heaven, plus one characteristic of the workers of the kingdom who declare the gospel to the world.  As we Christians claim to be citizens of this kingdom, with God as our king, we ought to know what the kingdom looks like and how we fit in.

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Recorded at Hudson UMC on July 30, 2023

Watch on YouTube

S.D.G.

Sermon #402

When we talk about our life as Christians we talk about light and darkness.  Jesus said we are the light of the world.  The thing about light is that it pushes out darkness.  Darkness cannot overcome even the weakest of lights.  In fact, the more complete the darkness is, the more even a weak light will shine.  In the reading in Philippians today, Paul is exhorting the church in Philippi to be the lights in the world, and we can take his words to heart for ourselves as well. 

Philippians 2:12-18

Recorded at Hudson UMC on July 26, 2020 (Originally published July 27, 2020)

S.D.G.

July 30, 2023

Old Testament: Genesis 29:15-28

Psalter: Psalm 105:1-11, 45b

Epistle Lesson: Romans 8:26-39

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

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 #235

Are all human beings children of God?  Today we continue examining Romans chapter 8 and we discuss what it means to be adopted into the family of God. 

Romans 8:12-25

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on July 23, 2017 (originally published August 1, 2017)

S.D.G.