Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #211

We come to Transfiguration Sunday and the end of our Great Invitation series. All along the way we have been challenged to obey the command of Christ to go make disciples of all nations... but have we? And if not, is there any reason that we ought to obey the word of Christ? We find out in today's episode.

Matthew 17:1-9

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on February 26, 2017 (First published March 15, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #536

After the blessing (beatitudes), Jesus moves into the heart of his sermon to his disciples.  We must remember that these words are for all our benefit, as Christ followers, but they are also directed to those who have experienced the new birth and are living in the Kingdom of God.  And so Jesus tells us that we are salt and light, bringing the preserving action of the Holy Spirit to a world of sin and driving away the darkness with the light of Christ.  He goes on to say that the law and the prophets will not pass away until all is accomplished.  And everything is pointing to the glory of God, and not to ourselves.  That is the new purpose we are given as children of God, reborn in his image - the purpose of glorifying him and enjoying him forever.

Matthew 5:13-20

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on February 5, 2023

S.D.G.

Sermon #535

As we continue to look at how God is making all things new, we begin our examination of the Sermon on the Mount in light of the new birth that we as believers experience in Christ.  Jesus begins his sermon with a blessing, whereas most of the time the blessing is given at the end of the message.  But what Jesus is showing us is that to be reborn of water and the Spirit is to be blessed.  And although to the rest of the world around us it might seem counter to nature, we are truly blessed when we are poor in spirit, when we are merciful, when we are meek.  Jesus' words set society on its ear and tell us that there is not a blessing reserved for us when we are these things, but that being blessed means that we are already those things in our heart because of the new birth.  

Matthew 5:1-13

Recorded at Hudson UMC on January 29, 2023

S.D.G.

Sermon #209

Question: What does Jesus mean when he says "You have heard that it was said... But I say to you..."?

In part 2 of "This, Not That," we continue our look at the Sermon on the Mount and how Jesus calls his disciples to a deeper understanding of the law, rather than what was said in the oral tradition.

Matthew 5:21-37

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on February 12, 2017 (First published February 18, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #209

As we continue our Great Invitation, Jesus begins to pick apart the contemporary interpretation of God's law by saying "You've heard that it was said... But I say to you..." both affirming the validity of the written word and his own authority as the Son of God.

Matthew 5:21-37

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on February 12, 2017 (First published February 15, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #208

What does it mean to be the "salt of the earth?" Or what does it mean to be the "light of the world?" Jesus says WE are salt and light. We'll take a deeper look at just what that means in the life of a believer today.

Matthew 5:13-20

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on February 5, 2017 (Originally published February 7, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #39

Have you ever wondered why the accounts of Jesus calling the disciples differ between John's gospel and the others? Well, today we look at this very question as we examine the way Jesus calls us all, and how we respond to his call.

Matthew 4:12-23

Recorded at Hudson UMC on January 26, 2014 (Originally published January 17, 2014)

S.D.G.

Sermon #534

[Sermon #533 was called "A New Name" but was never preached, as Pastor Bret was sick that week and services were cancelled.  The next in the series was preached the following week.]

Repentance is a core doctrine in the Christian church, so much so that it is the first sermon that Jesus ever preached.  We have talked a lot about what repentance is and what it is not.  In today's message, we cover what worldly repentance (attrition) is, and how it differs from godly repentance (contrition), and why only the regenerate heart can fully express the latter type.  It is the repentance we see in David's song of repentance (Psalm 51).  When God calls us to repentance, it is not for sorrow over the consequences of our sin, but the sin itself.

Matthew 4:12-23

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on January 22, 2023

S.D.G.

Sermon #207

Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount with a benediction, telling his disciples that they are blessed at times when the world may consider them cursed.  God's ways are not our ways.

Matthew 5:1-12

Recorded at Hudson UMC on January 29, 2017 (Originally published February 5, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #38

There are many churches today that are welcoming churches, including the two that I serve. But today I challenge the congregation at Ebenezer United Methodist Church to be not just welcoming, but invitational. So grab your Bible, turn to John chapter one, and join us as we "Come and See."

John 1:29-42

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

S.D.G.