Sermons @ Shepherd

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we hear about the significance of cemeteries and headstones in reflecting our beliefs and attitudes toward death. Drawing inspiration from the scripture reading in Chapter 11, verses 32 through 45, the message reflects on how death is still an enigma despite our attempts to understand it. The pastor shares his personal experiences of holding people's hands in their final moments and the importance of cherishing life and living in the present moment. We are encouraged to appreciate the music and the connections it can bring and to love our neighbors unconditionally, just as God loves us all without exception.

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we discuss the biblical story of Jesus healing a man born blind, found in John 9:1-16 and 35-41. The sermon emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbors without exception, just as God loves us. We also hear a personal anecdote about the pastor's mother's explanation of how love works, and how it is not a finite resource. Through this lens, we explore the themes of judgment, blindness, and the nature of love in the context of the story of the blind man and the Pharisees' reaction to Jesus' miracle. This sermon is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of love and the importance of looking beyond superficial differences to see the humanity in each other.

In today's podcast from Shepherd of the Hills, we will be delving into the Gospel of John, Chapter 20 verses 19-31. This passage tells the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection, and we are offered some context before delving deeper into the meaning of the passage.

After a prayer, the sermon is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the disciples' perspective and what it means to be a follower of Jesus in this story. The second part examines Jesus' perspective and what he is trying to accomplish in this passage. The message highlights that the passage takes place on Easter and the disciples are afraid and have locked themselves in a house because they fear persecution from the Jewish authorities.

In the second part of the sermon, we learn that Jesus appears in the room where the disciples are hiding with locked doors and shows them his hands and side to prove he is resurrected. He greets them with "Peace be with you" and breathes on them, giving them the Holy Spirit. Jesus is preparing the disciples to be sent, and reminds them that they are blessed for believing without seeing him. We are asked where we fit in this story when Jesus says he is sending all of them, gifting them with the Holy Spirit to give them strength and power.

The sermon concludes by discussing Jesus's bodily ascension into heaven, leaving the disciples with a mission to share the good news and continue his work. This sermon offers a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and the blessings that come with believing without seeing. Listen to this powerful passage and message teaching us about how we can look at faith and doubt in our own lives.

Welcome to this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, where we'll be diving into the powerful story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, found in John 4:5-26. This is a story of Jesus crossing boundaries - both ethnic and gender - to offer living water to a woman in need.

As we explore this passage, we'll see how Jesus breaks down barriers and offers grace to all, regardless of past mistakes or societal labels. Just like the Samaritan woman, we too can come to the well and drink deeply of the living water that Jesus offers, which will never leave us thirsty.

We'll also hear about the movie "Women Talking," and how the women in the film chose to leave an isolated religious community to protect their children and uphold their faith. We'll see how this connects to the deep grace of God, which transcends differences and offers hope, possibilities, and new life.

As we reflect on these powerful stories, we'll be reminded of the depth of God's love and grace. No matter who we are or what we've done, we can come to the well and drink deeply of the living water that Jesus offers. So let's open our hearts and minds to the transformative power of God's love and grace, and be inspired to share this good news with others. May we all be like the women in "Women Talking," offering the peace of Christ to those around us, choosing new life by drinking from his living water.

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we learn that the church's purpose is to love their neighbors without exception, in response to God's love for them.

The scripture reading for today's sermon is taken from John 3:1-17, where Nicodemus, a Pharisee, visited Jesus at night seeking to understand his teachings. Jesus responded by telling Nicodemus that one must be "born again" to see the Kingdom of God. The message reflects on the idea of hitting rock bottom in life and how it is often necessary to realize the potential of God's grace in one's life.

The sermon encourages listeners to have faith in God's love and to share it with others, regardless of their background, race, creed, nationality, or sexual orientation. It emphasizes that God's love is for everyone, without exception. We are urged to reach out to those who may be marginalized or excluded and to demonstrate God's love to them.

The sermon teaches us that accepting and sharing God's love with everyone is of utmost importance. It encourages us to have faith in God's love and to share it with others, regardless of their differences. We hope you enjoyed this week's sermon and that it inspires you to live out God's love in your daily life.

This Easter message from Shepherd of the Hills is about the significance of Easter in Christianity, the history of its celebration, and how it is commemorated today. The sermon highlights the importance of the resurrection of Christ as the defining moment for those who claim Christ. It also mentions the various ways in which people prepare for Easter and celebrate it, such as getting new clothes and enjoying a special meal. Additionally, we hear some interesting facts about Easter, such as the popularity of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. However, the sermon emphasizes that beyond all the silliness, Easter is the story of the resurrection of Jesus, which is told in all four gospels. We are encouraged to stop just thinking about the resurrection and to experience the resurrection and its power in our everyday lives. We learn that Jesus is Not Here, he is all around us every day.

In this Palm Sunday sermon at Shepherd of the Hills, we focus on the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where he is celebrated by humble people who recognize their need for salvation. Using the contrasting parades of Jesus and Pontius Pilot, the sermon challenges listeners to choose Jesus over other options that may seem more exciting or appealing. The message emphasizes the importance of humility and desperation in seeking salvation and experiencing the transformative power of Jesus. We encourage you to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and his disciples in choosing a parade in your life!

Matthew 21:1-11

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee who visits Jesus in secret, seeking answers to life's big questions. Through their conversation, Jesus explains that in order to enter the Kingdom of God, one must be born again of both water and spirit, and emphasizes the importance of coming to the light and doing what is true in God's eyes.

We also delve into a short video from the Skit Guys featuring Nicodemus reflecting on his conversation with Jesus. Initially taken aback by the idea that love is what truly saves, Nicodemus comes to understand that God sent his son to save the world out of love, not to condemn it. The video emphasizes the importance of love over strict adherence to religious laws and invites us to be more accepting and welcoming of others.

As we continue our exploration, we focus on the 16th and 17th verses of John 3, which remind us that God sent Jesus into the world out of love, not to condemn it. We are challenged to choose to follow the grace of God and be a light in the darkness, even when it's uncomfortable or difficult to do so. The sermon also acknowledges that while darkness still exists in the world, the light of Christ can never be overcome.

Join us as we delve into the story of Nicodemus and the powerful message of love and acceptance that it holds, and how it can help us to choose grace!

John 3:1-17