Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #532

The first Sunday after Epiphany is the day when we commemorate the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In our churches, we take this day as a day not only to remember Jesus' baptism, but our own.  In today's message, we look at a doctrine that is essential to understanding how salvation works in the life of the believer - the doctrine of the new birth, or rebirth, or being born again.  There is much confusion over this topic, and has been much debate over the centuries among Christians.  But when we break down the Biblical text, we see that our spiritual rebirth, much like our physical birth, has little to do with our own efforts and everything to do with forces outside of us.  And when we remember this, then we can truly understand the doctrine of Prevenient Grace, as it is God acting on our behalf to open our blind eyes.  

Matthew 3:13-17

Recorded at Hudson UMC on January 8, 2023

S.D.G.

Sermon #206

Why did Jesus call fishermen to become his first disciples, calling them into ministry from their previous vocation?  As it turns out, God often calls the workers in His kingdom from ordinary people, not just from the priesthood.  

Matthew 4:12-23

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on January 22, 2017 (Originally published January 26, 2017)

S.D.G.

January 22, 2023

Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-4

Psalter: Psalm 27:1, 4-9

Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 4:12-23

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 #205

We don't have to have all the answers as evangelists. All we have to do is to bring them, and Jesus will make them see.

John 1:29-42

Recorded at Hudson UMC on January 15, 2017 (Originally published January 22, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #531

A new year brings the promises of starting over.  We often find ourselves in times or seasons of struggle and adversity.  The word of the Lord promises us that there are hard times in life, but there are good times as well.  As we mature and grow in God's word we begin to see that behind each season of life there is the promise of eternity, and that is what gives us hope. So if the season you are in is not to your liking, wait a moment, and a new season will begin.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on January 1, 2023

S.D.G.

Sermon #204

The first Sunday after Epiphany is called "Baptism of the Lord," and on it we remember both Jesus' baptism and our own.  In today's episode we will examine what baptism is, what it means, and why it was necessary for Jesus to be baptized.  

Matthew 3:13-17

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on January 8, 2017 (Originally published January 11, 2017)

S.D.G.

January 8, 2023

Old Testament: Isaiah 42:1-9

Psalter: Psalm 29

Epistle Lesson: Acts 10:34-43

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 3:13-17

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.

January 6, 2023

Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1-6

Psalter: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 3:1-12

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:1-12

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 #530

On Christmas Eve we sang Silent Night in a sanctuary lit with candles.  On Christmas morning we were bathed in the light of day.  What better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior than with the opening strains of John's gospel, which present a thorough Christology for us.  Jesus is described as the Word, who was with God and was God.  He is the life, and the light of men - the true light that darkness cannot overcome.  When we repent and trust in Jesus we come out of the darkness, hiding our sin in shame, and step into the light where we can give glory to God by our good works.  This Christmas we celebrate the Lord's day with praise and worship to our God and king, receiving the greatest gift ever given - salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

John 1:1-14

Recorded at Hudson UMC on December 25, 2022

S.D.G.

Sermon #529

This Christmas Eve we are looking at the text from Isaiah which prophecies the coming Messiah.  Isaiah begins by speaking of the darkness that has fallen over the northern kingdom of Israel - the darkness of war and the conquest of the Assyrian empire.  God had used Assyria to punish rebellious Israel, and the northern kingdom would never be the same again.  In Jesus' time, this area was called Samaria and Galilee - and it was out of a town in Galilee called Nazareth that salvation would come, in the person of Jesus Christ.  So out of the darkness of sin and apostasy, God has brought forth a great light, and Isaiah had told of this seven hundred years before Jesus was born.  Today, God is still bringing people out of the darkness of their sin into the light of Christ, and my own testimony bears this out.

Isaiah 9:2-7

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on December 24, 2022

S.D.G.