St. Martin United Church of Christ - High Ridge, MO

In this message, we'll explore Jesus' agenda as spelled out in the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-11.

John the Baptist gets our attention and points to Jesus’s identity as the Messiah in the act of Baptism. However, Jesus isn’t what we expected. In the aftermath of violence in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where a young woman lost her life in a dispute with ICE agents, perhaps all of us are having trouble seeing Jesus. Today, I’ll talk at length about Christ’s identity, so we might see him as something other than “blue-eyed, blonde, and part of the established power structures.” This sermon is based on Matthew 3:13-17.

Today we explore Matthew 2:1-12 the day after the USA conducted a military action against the nation of Venezuela. What does the Bible say about such power? How are Christians to respond? Perhaps the story of Herod’s violence against children in Bethlehem in pursuit of killing any threat from a new King could be instructive to us in our new situation as we enter 2026.

Why is the story of Jesus’ birth important to the Christian faith? In this message, we’ll explore the significance of Jesus’ birth and title, Savior of the World based on Luke 2:1-20.

If you have your doubts about Jesus, then don’t sweat it. John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin, yet in today’s scripture from Matthew 11:1-6 he asks about Jesus’ identity. So, Jesus’ own cousin is surprised by what Jesus is doing, namely, eating and holding fellowship with sinners and outcasts. “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” In this message, we will explore this text as we visit a live nativity at one of those megachurches. The problem is I’m okay with punishing people not so good about show mercy. Spoiler alert, Jesus is all about mercy!

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” …is there something about fire that can help us understand our need for forgiveness and reconciliation with God? In today’s sermon, we will explore the imagery of fire in Matthew 3:1-12 as we come to grips with John the Baptist’s message and baptism.

What are we supposed to be preparing for this Advent? The second coming of Jesus Christ? Our own deaths and eternal life? In this sermon, I'm going to debunk "the Rapture" while lifting up Noah as an example to follow in our Christian life. Maybe what we need to prepare for is the next tragedy? One minute, we are living our normal lives, then suddenly it hits us! The death of a loved one, a tragic accident, a pink slip. Wise Christians prepare themselves for these surprising changes, just like the first century Christians did for the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D. Okay, that's a lot, so why not listen to this message?

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let's explore what blessings we have received from God. Is it possible we have mistaken the religious packaging of the true gift from God? Let's explore John 6:25-35 together in this podcast sermon.

Luke gives us an opportunity to see ourselves in the two men who hang on crosses on either side of Jesus Christ. What choice will you make? Will you praise Christ? or, will you rebuke Christ? God doesn't want to save anyone against his or her will, so you are free to decide. Come along with me as we discuss eternal life and discipleship in Luke 23:33-43.

What will eternal life be like? What about my marriage? Are relationships different in heaven than they are here on earth? the Bible doesn't say much on this topic and Jesus says even less. But what Jesus does say about the subject should cause churches to think again about marketing strategies. Have churches gone too far is trying to welcome families with children? What about single adults? widows? and other family configurations? In this message, I'll explore some answers from Luke 20:27-38.