Guerrilla Christianity

As we continue to examine our affirmation of faith, we turn next to the notion of God as "maker of heaven and earth." What does it mean that God is the creator of all things? What does it mean for us that we are part of His creation? And how does acknowledging God as creator of the universe affect our relationship with Him and with His creation: our home, the earth?

Text: Genesis 1:1-2:4

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on June 3, 2018

S.D.G.

The Apostles' Creed is one of our most ancient statements of the Christian faith. It affirms our belief in the triune nature of God, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Many churches recite this affirmation of faith each week, but how often do we really consider the meaning of the words? Why did the ancient Christians determine the need for such a statement of faith, and what does it mean to us today? On this Trinity Sunday it seems only appropriate that we begin this series, "We Believe..." with a look at God the Father, Almighty, from the throne room vision of Isaiah the prophet.

Text: Isaiah 6:1-6

Recorded at Hudson UMC on May 27, 2018

S.D.G.

We begin our sixth season of the Guerrilla Christianity podcast with a deeper look at the Holy Spirit.  We see the Holy Spirit at work in the pages of the Bible, and we know He is at work in us as believers in Jesus Christ.  What exactly does "Pentecostal Power" mean?  How can the Holy Spirit of God move in us to bring about glory for God as never seen before?  We look at the first Christian Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles in the upper room, and when three thousand people were converted to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Text: Acts 2:1-21

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on May 20, 2018

S.D.G.

What does it mean to be a witness? Jesus called upon His disciples to be witnesses, and He calls upon us to be witnesses as well. But what does that look like in the life of a Christian? Is it enough to simply model a particular life, or do we actually have to articulate, with words, just what we have experienced in a loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ?

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on April 15, 2018.

The Lectionary Reading for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year B.

First Reading: Acts 3:12-19

Psalm: Psalm 4

Epistle Reading: 1 John 3:1-7

Gospel Reading: Luke 24:36b-48

(Readings from New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America)

The Apostle Thomas gets such a bad rap. His name has become a byword among us to mean one who is skeptical or cynical (who among us doesn't know a Doubting Thomas?). Yet what we find in the story of Thomas is the generous grace of God, who, as James says, "gives to all liberally and not grudgingly." When we have doubts, God answers them with just what we need, and puts aside our fears with his gentle proof.

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on April 8, 2018.

The Lectionary Reading for the Second Sunday of Easter, Year B.

First Reading: Acts 4:32-35

Psalm: Psalm 133

Epistle Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

(Readings from New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America)

It's easy for us to forget that the disciples and the women were not expecting an encounter with the risen Christ that first Easter Sunday. After all, we know the rest of the story. We know how it ends. But for the women on the first day of the week who went to anoint the body of Jesus for burial, it was not a time of celebration but a time of mourning, and their mourning soon turned to fear.

Mark 16:1-8

Recorded at Hudson UMC on April 1, 2018.