Sermons @ Shepherd

The baptism of Jesus may seem troubling; it was to John! John was confused as to why he should baptize Jesus; shouldn't Jesus baptize John? Jesus's nature, his being, is radical love, a love so deep that he gets in the water with us. Matthew 3:13-17.

Baptism at church is clean and cute; baptisms in the Jordan River today and 2,000 years ago are messy. The Good News is that Jesus gets in the water with us. You are beloved; walk through this world with me. Matthew 3:13-17.

In this special sermon, Pastor Karl outlines some historic struggles in the church's history and how this latest battle over language in the book of Discipline relating to the LGBTQ community came to be. Shepherd MV will continue to be an open and accepting congregation, no matter where you stand on this important issue. Roman 8:35-39.

In his life, David experienced triumphs and losses, love and despair. His last words are a prayer, a song of blessing to the Lord our God for a united Israel. After General Conference 2019, many feel we may be in the last days of a United Methodist Church. During these times of uncertainty, it is OK to bring our despair to God in prayer. We do not worship in a building of laws and regulations, but in a temple of love and grace. 1 Chronicles 29:10 - end.

Humans seem to have a "by-pass" switch, a thought process that ignores God, even common sense, and almost always gets us in trouble. David, after sleeping with Bathsheba and killing her husband, is a messed-up, broken leader. The Good News: God can put David back together again. 2 Samuel 11:1-5.

Remember Wild World of Sports - the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat? The story of David has a similar chapter when he sleeps with Bathsheba and has her husband killed. David's sin was probably initiated at the very beginning, when his aim was on other things. Loving God and our neighbor is what we aim for, and our aim is a product of how we prepare thru worship, prayer, study, and service. 2 Samuel 11:1-5

When Goliath comes down to taunt the Israelite army, many see him as if in a fun-house mirror: "objects may be bigger than they seem." So it is with obstacles in our lives. When we trust that what God sees in us is enough, and that God is with us, our imperfections are made perfect through God. 1 Samuel 17:41-51

The story of David and Goliath has come to symbolize a struggle where the underdog overcomes great odds to defeat a much larger enemy. But a closer look into the story reveals much more. The miracle of David vs. Goliath is about David's extensive preparation meeting God's opportunity. What would happen if we led lives as if a miracle might happen? (Note: sermon video illustration from "Miracle" can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nR3reKPE5Y). 1 Samuel 17:41-51.

"We don't see things as they are; we see things as we are." As Samuel decides whom to anoint as a replacement for Saul, he picks the unlikely person of David, the youngest and smallest of Jesse's sons. Even though David proves to be a very flawed person, he has a heart for God, a heart that drives him to his knees before God rather than seeking to be lifted up.  I Samuel 16:1-13

To the early Jewish people, the heart was the center of their being, the control center or seat of the self. When Samuel passes on Jesse's eldest sons and picks David as king, he reminds us that God looks into the heart, not outward appearances. The Good News is that even though our hearts are usually a mess, God still pursues us, ever asking for us to surrender our hearts to God. I Samuel 16:1-13