United Methodist Church of Kent Sermon Podcast

Biblical people journeyed from anarchy (the period of the Judges) through authoritarianism (the period of the kings) through subservience (the period of being dominated by empires) to genuine freedom in Jesus Christ. Freedom is not simply being able to do what you want; it is being able to find wholeness in life. We find true freedom in Christ.

We so often imagine that we have to wrestle our way through life by our own shrewdness and ability; but when we come up short, we recognize our profound need for God.

We are invited to live in light of the future we have with God.

We can hear God’s voice speaking to us today.

God wants us to share the wealth, not hoard it.

Zephaniah initially proclaims God’s devastating judgment, then suddenly declares God’s forgiveness and promise. It is a theological movement foreshadowing what God does in Christ.

We often want to keep things controlled and comprehensible; but God works beyond our expectations.  We need to make room for mystery in life, to be receptive to the Spirit of God.

Although evil may rage on earth, there is a Judge on high.  God will ultimately bring justice.   We are called to be a part of God’s purposes on earth, trusting in the face of evil that good will prevail.

 We find our real strength, as individuals and as a nation, in God.

In Christ we see the incredible patience of God – that though humanity acts in sin and is slow to respond to God, God persists in grace.