United Methodist Church of Kent Sermon Podcast

This seminar explores the historical and theological backstory of the current “Points of the Cross” sermon series. Dr. Palmer leads participants through the key ways in which the great theologians of church history have “explained” what is happening on the cross. We will see how each approach can help us to come to a fuller and deeper understanding of the cross.

How can the cross be construed as some sort of victory? Isn’t Jesus’ death a defeat? In fact, the cross brings real and lasting victory because of how Jesus meets the powers of evil. Through the cross, we can find victory as we confront the powers of evil in today’s world!

The exhibit “Led the Way” by Ann Schierhorn, KSU professor emeritus of journalism, recognizes the sacrifices and perseverance of eight African American students who desegregated the Tallahassee, Fla., public schools during the civil rights movement. The students, who endured taunts, anger, and racism, went on to become lawyers, teachers, a doctor and a businessman. Schierhorn spoke about the students’ experiences at the exhibit. The exhibit featured photography by David LaBelle, former KSU photojournalism program director. For more information on the exhibit: www.ledtheway.org For a video of the slide presentation with this audio, visit Soudfaith.com (https://soundfaith.com/sermons/168719-led-the-way)

This week, we celebrated Youth Sunday, a service where our teens have an opportunity to lead in music and worship for the full service. This year’s theme was Made, using Psalm 139 as an inspiration. Here are three messages from Emma Herman, Ryan Dean, and Zach Wight, followed by a benediction given by Hanna Holman.

We know God’s concerns because God tells us! In a fast-moving Bible study, Dr. Palmer will take us from Moses through the Biblical prophets to Jesus to discover the “heart” of God. Please visit Soundfaith to view a video of the presentation slides with the audio. (https://soundfaith.com/sermons/167780-how-do-we-know-what-god’s-concerns-are)

Jesus received a mixed reception as the messiah. What was expected, and what did the world actually get?

In this Ash Wednesday sermon, Dr. Palmer discusses Jesus’ final words on the cross and what they mean for us today.

Humanity is clearly off kilter—we are out of sync with the goodness of God! How can our lives be set aright? We find the complete answer in the cross.

Through Christ, God has made reconciliation happen. It is up to us accept this and act on it…be ambassadors for Christ.

Why can’t God just forgive us without the cross? Is the God of the Christian gospel a bloodthirsty deity, demanding human sacrifice? To the contrary, when the cross is rightly understood, it is the ultimate enactment of God’s love. On the cross, God acts, at one and the same time, with perfect justice and perfect mercy, so that we can be brought out of our brokenness into fellowship with God.