Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #572

In the Methodist church, when we become members of the local church, we promise to fully participate in the ministries of the local church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.  This is the focus of our current series, called "Five Things."  In this first installment we look at what it means to participate in the ministries of the local church by our prayers.  We look at Jesus' model of prayer (what we call the Lord's Prayer) and his justification for persistence in prayer.  And we find out what praying for our ministries does for the ministries of the local church.  When our congregations pray in one direction toward one goal, and that goal is the furthering of the Kingdom of God and his glory here on earth, he will answer every prayer in the affirmative.

Luke 11:1-13

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on October 1, 2023

Watch on YouTube

S.D.G.

In “Programmable Faith?” Pastor R. Bret Walker explores Jesus’ teaching on the greatest commandments in Matthew 22:34–46. Using memories of programming an Atari 800 in BASIC, he compares clear computer instructions with God’s simple yet demanding call: love God completely and love your neighbor as yourself. The sermon examines the Pharisees’ challenge, the Shema, sacrificial neighbor-love, and Jesus’ identity as David’s Lord. Though God’s “program” is perfect, human sin introduces the error. Christian perfection, Bret argues, means being perfected in Spirit-given love—obeying God wholeheartedly, serving others selflessly, and recognizing Christ as Lord over all creation and every life.

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In this episode of Guerrilla Christianity, Pastor R. Bret Walker explores Psalm 99 and asks what faithful Christian worship should be. Contrasting the Normative and Regulative Principles, he explains the Westminster conviction that God determines how he is worshiped through Scripture. Psalm 99 reveals the Lord as sovereign King: holy, just, merciful, omnipotent, and present with his covenant people. True worship is not designed merely to manufacture an emotional experience. It exalts God through his appointed means while graciously edifying believers. Because Christ satisfied divine justice for sinners, Christians may approach the holy King with reverence, faith, repentance, gratitude, and joy.

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In “The Wedding Garment,” Pastor R. Bret Walker explores Jesus’ parable in Matthew 22:1–14, where a king’s gracious invitation is rejected, extended to all, and finally met with a sobering question: Are we clothed for the feast? Connecting the parable to baptism, Pastor Walker emphasizes that salvation begins and ends with God’s initiative, mercy, and covenant faithfulness. We come as we are, but by the Holy Spirit we do not remain unchanged. The wedding garment is not human merit or religious performance, but Christ’s righteousness freely given and faithfully received. God’s wide invitation calls us to repent, believe, and come.

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Pastor R. Bret Walker explores Philippians 4:1–9, where Paul teaches believers to discover peace amid suffering, adversity, and persecution. From prison, Paul models a life anchored in eternity: stand firm in the Lord, pursue unity, rejoice always, and let Christian love and gentleness shape your reputation. Instead of surrendering to anxiety, bring every need to God with prayer, thanksgiving, and trust. Fill your mind with what is true, honorable, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, then practice what you have learned. Scripture widens our vision, reminding us that God wins and his surpassing peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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In Philippians 3, Paul tears up his spiritual résumé and calls every human achievement worthless beside knowing Christ. Pastor R. Bret Walker explains why Christianity is not moral self-improvement or salvation earned by good works, but freedom through grace and Christ’s righteousness received by faith. From prison, Paul shows how Christ takes hold of sinners, reshapes them through sanctification, and calls them forward through suffering toward resurrection. This message invites burdened people to stop striving, lay down self-righteousness, surrender to Jesus, and press on with unburdened hearts toward God’s upward call. Grace gets glory and gives weary souls rest.

 

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In this episode of Guerilla Christianity, Pastor R. Bret Walker explores Psalm 78:1–16, a teaching psalm calling God’s people to remember His mighty works and pass faith to the next generation. Through Israel’s history—the plagues, Red Sea, guiding cloud and fire, and water from the rock—Pastor Bret shows that Christian formation is not mere moralism but testimony to God’s saving grace. Parents bear primary responsibility for teaching children to hope in God, remember His deeds, obey His commands, and avoid repeating ancestral rebellion. Faithful homes and churches together raise disciples who know Christ and proclaim Him faithfully to others.

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In this sermon, Pastor R. Bret Walker explores Paul’s powerful declaration, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Drawing from Philippians 1:21–30, he unpacks what true spiritual life looks like—living outwardly for others, upwardly for God, and boldly as witnesses to the gospel. Paul’s joy in suffering becomes a model for believers to stand firm, strive together, and share the good news without fear. Spiritual life reproduces through witness, and the call is simple: live in a way that makes the gospel visible and invite others into the life Christ gives.

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In this off‑the‑cuff sermon, Pastor Bret reflects on Matthew 18:21–35 and Jesus’ command to forgive “from the heart.” Using Christ’s parable of the unforgiving servant, he explores how deeply God has forgiven us and how that grace must shape our relationships. Bret shares personal stories, honest struggles, and powerful examples—including the Amish school shooting—to show that forgiveness isn’t optional or conditional, but a gospel imperative. When we remember the immeasurable debt Christ paid for us, forgiving others becomes an act of obedience, humility, and freedom.

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In this sermon, Pastor Bret reflects on Exodus 15 and the Song of Moses, reminding us how easily God’s people forget His mighty works. Through the Red Sea miracle, God shattered Israel’s doubt and proved Himself their strength, salvation, and warrior. Bret shows how this ancient song anchors our faith today—calling us to remember God’s past deliverance, trust His present power, and hope in His future promises. When doubt sparks, we extinguish it with the waters of baptism and the memory of Christ’s triumph. God has acted, God is acting, and God will act for His people.

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