Sermons @ Shepherd

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in the Gospel of John, chapter 4. This story teaches us the importance of true worship and reveals Jesus as the Messiah.

The sermon begins by describing the differences between the Jews and Samaritans and their disagreement on worship locations. He then delves into the story of Jesus meeting an outcast Samaritan woman at a well, where He offers her living water and reveals Himself as the Messiah. Despite the woman's five previous husbands, Jesus does not condemn her and instead praises her honesty and offers her salvation.

Jesus explains that salvation comes from drinking the waters of new life and that true worship is not about external rituals or locations, but about a heart devoted to God in spirit and truth. The sermon highlights that we are all thirsty for new life, but we often try all sorts of things to quench our thirst without success. The only way to quench our thirst is to drink from the waters of living water, which is Christ, who grants eternal life.

Join us as we explore this powerful scripture and learn how to connect with God in spirit and truth, by drinking of the waters of New Life!

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the theme of spiritual blindness and healing through the lens of the gospel story of Jesus healing a man born blind in John 9:1-41. We reflect on the unusual nature of this healing story and how it highlights the messiness and uncertainty of the healing process. Through storytelling and biblical analysis, the sermon encourages listeners to have faith in the transformative power of Christ, even when the path to healing is not clear or straightforward. The sermon also emphasizes the importance of seeing with spiritual eyes, rather than physical sight, and highlights the skepticism and resistance that often arise when people encounter something new or unfamiliar. Through thoughtful reflection and engaging storytelling, this message provides listeners with a deeper understanding of the power of spiritual healing and the transformative nature of faith. Join us as we learn about the healing power of Jesus Christ, and how his guiding light is revealed to us if we only choose to see!

John 9:1-16,35-41

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we delve into the familiar story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. However, instead of just focusing on the miraculous event itself, the sermon takes a closer look at the events leading up to it. It explores the idea of how we often react to news of illness or tragedy in our lives and how we can learn from Jesus' response in this story. Rather than rushing to Lazarus' side when he first hears of his friend's illness, Jesus stays put for two more days before finally deciding to go to Judea. The preacher challenges us to consider how we react to difficult situations in our own lives and encourages us to follow Jesus' example of having faith and trusting in God's plan. Listen in to gain a fresh perspective on this timeless story and discover how you can apply its lessons to your faith journey, learning how like Jesus with his friend Lazarus, to choose life!

John 11:32-45

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the significance of Lent, a time for reflection and growth for Christians leading up to Easter. The theme for this year's Lenten journey is "Choose This Day," focusing on making important choices. The sermon delves into the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, exploring the idea of temptation and how it affects everyone. The speaker warns about the temptation of power, which is a problem in both the secular and religious world, often leading people to cause harm. In the final section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of service over power and discusses the third temptation of Jesus, which was the temptation of worldly power. He emphasizes the importance of knowing the Scriptures to help resist temptation by choosing God instead. Tune in to gain insights into the nature of temptation, the power it presents, and how you too can overcome temptation by choosing God, and choosing this day!

Mathew 4:1-11

This week begins out Lenten series "Choose This Day." We begin with "Choose God" and the story of the Temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Throughout all 3 temptation, Jesus chooses God everytime. It is in this wilderness of Lent where we encounter God, where the Kingdo of God is won with faithful disciples choosing "the long obedience in the same direction."

Matthew 4:1-11

Paul wrote that, "the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." We must remember there is a level of divine absurdity to our faith. Let us get in touch with that in 2023. Let us return to embracing mystery rather than planning each step.

1 Corinthians 1:18-3

The church is a group of people united under the banner of Christ. Whether we are UMC, or another denomination, we are Christians. God calls us to be one in spirit with one another. We all may sing in different parts, but we are called to be in harmony with one another.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Paul opens his letter to the Corinthians in his usual style. He proclaims that they have everything they need, and that God is faithful. All they need to do is to wait for God to move in their community. I Corinthians 1:1-9

Every journey starts somewhere. Jesus' public ministry began at the Jordan River where we was baptized. God bore witness to Jesus' identity at his baptism. What are the signposts and demarcation points that signal our own journey? This sermon will look at the importance of marking our way. Matthew 3:13-17

Zaccheus was part of the famous group that we hear so much about in the gospels, "tax collectors and sinners." Zaccheus chose to live outside of God's covenant. But, when he encounters Jesus face to face, he sees everything, including himself, differently.