United Methodist Church of Kent Sermon Podcast

Does the cross make any sense? How can the crucifixion of a man 2,000 years ago save us? Many people today are not quite sure what to make of the cross. But in fact, the cross connects with us in a powerful way. It is, as Paul said, “the wisdom of God and the power of God.”

The way into a positive future may appear blocked, as firmly as the way was blocked for the people of Israel as they hoped to go to the Promised Land. But God can open the way.

God’s healing power can restore us, and that power can be at work in unexpected ways!

There is a “river of life” that flows through the Scripture—a powerful image of God’s power to refresh, cleanse, and enliven our spirits.

The story of the visit of the wise men portrays Jesus as a direct challenge to political authority. The wise men come to honor “the king of the Jews,” and it is not Herod. Herod responds with violence, but the power of God is stronger. The story proclaims that above all political authority there is a greater King, to whom we owe our highest allegiance.

We live in frightening times. But at the center of the Christmas story is the proclamation: “Fear not!”

It is now traditional that the Christmas story and nativity scenes include shepherds. It can be easy to forget the role of shepherds in the society of the day, and exactly what it meant that God included them in the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

On our most difficult journey, God is with us. This message, declared early in the Old Testament, comes to its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who is Emmanuel – God with us.

Is the gospel absurd? The apostle Paul, in I Corinthians, said that the gospel message appeared as “foolishness” to the “wise” of his day. Indeed there is paradox—apparent absurdity—at the heart of the proclamation about Jesus. How can the power of God be evident in the birth of a poor child in a barn? How can the truth of the ages be proclaimed by a carpenter’s son? How can life be made available through the death of condemned man on a cross? How absurd!

In the sermon, “How Absurd,” Rev. Douglas Denton offers an insightful message about how God is in fact at work within the apparent absurdities of life. The ways of God go far beyond our human comprehension! As Paul concluded, “For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” (I Corinthians 1:25)

As the people of Israel faced apparent disaster, the prophet Jahaziel declared, “Fear not, be not dismayed, for the battle is not yours but God’s, and the Lord will be with you.” The people moved forward in faith, giving thanks to God even before a victory, and found deliverance. The story brings an inspiring message to our lives today!