Sermons @ Shepherd

Jesus is coming home to Nazareth, and the hometown people expect he's come home to do miracles and wonders. But Jesus has different plans, a plan that opens the kingdom to those even outside the community. The church today often gets bogged down in buildings and budgets. We, too, need to refocus our energy on ministries that reach out to others.

Being connected is part of our lives. Jesus want us to be connected to himself, the vine. How do we abide in the vine? By loving one another, just as Jesus loves you. John 15:9-17

In RSM, where every house, street, and business all look the same, how does one stand out? In a community of uniformity, Christians distinguish themselves by how we love one another. John 15: 9-17.

Our guest preacher this week is Nicole Armstrong, who works at the Anaheim UMC. In this sermon, Nicole talks about Jesus' words from Matthew 18: "Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. This radical Gospel of Jesus says that to be great, we need to understand that greatness is not defined by wealth, power, or influence. Rather, we become great through trust, hope, laughter, wonder, and acceptance. Matthew 18:1-5.

The famed theologian Karl Barth once summed up the Gospel with the lyrics, "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so." In the story from Matthew 18, we learn about the characteristics of Kingdom-seekers; they allow themselves to be led, they immerse themselves in what they are doing, they are able to freely receive, and are not worried about "the score" while being open and welcoming.

In this 30 minute interview, Pastor Jon and Pastor Karl talk through some of the reasons for Karl's upcoming sabbatical. The 2 biggest issues we want to share is that renewal leaves are part of the UMC tradition and, most importantly, Karl is coming back. Be in prayer for Karl, his family, and our church during this time of change.

In a time of increasing polarization and separation into groups and factions, Jesus' statement to his followers that they are his brothers, sisters, and mothers is a call to the church to be united as family. Matthew 12:46-50.

Family gives us a sense of identity, of who we are to the greater community. Family identity was of even greater significance in Jesus' time. When Jesus says, "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and my sister and my mother,", he is broadening the definition of what family is; all are welcomed to the table.

"Doubting" Thomas gets a bad rap; he only wants to see what all the other disciples got to see - the risen Jesus. Like the others, Thomas had no idea that Jesus would die, let alone be raised. Jesus is waiting to reveal himself to us. Will you offer even your doubt and follow him?

Easter is a celebration; today we make some NOISE about the resurrection of Jesus. We see a pattern in the way Jesus works through his meals, from the feeding of 5,000 to the Last Supper. He takes us, blesses us, even breaks us, and then gives us to the world that we might believing the resurrection in our lives.