Episodes
Monday Jun 28, 2021
S6E08: Crucified, Dead, and Buried (We Believe... Pt. 5)
Monday Jun 28, 2021
Monday Jun 28, 2021
Two major considerations face us today as we continue our examination of the Apostles' Creed. First, what is the point of mentioning Pontius Pilate? When Jesus was betrayed by so many - the crowds, the Sanhedrin, Judas Iscariot - why do we affirm that he "suffered under Pontius Pilate?" Next, we look at the dual nature of Christ and that he was fully God and fully human, as demonstrated in that he was "crucified, dead, and buried - none of which makes any sense if Jesus were only God and not human.
Text: John 18:33-19:16
Recorded at Hudson UMC on June 24, 2018 (Originally published September 5, 2018)
S.D.G.
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
S8E62: The Resurrection Life (Living the Resurrection pt. 8)
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
Sermon #445
Since Easter Sunday we have been looking at what it means to live life in light of the resurrection of Christ. Today in a summary message, delivered on Ascension Sunday, in looking at Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus, we are examining several different markers of the Christian life. What is it that distinguishes us from the rest of the world? Paul mentions six different markers of the Christian life, given to us through the Holy Spirit, and made available for us because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, God offers to us the power he showed in the raising of Christ from the dead. When we repent of our sin and trust in Christ alone for our salvation, God offers to us eternal life in Jesus' name.
Ephesians 1:15-23
Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on May 16, 2021
S.D.G.
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
S2E49: True Obedience
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Sermon #118
Jesus as the Son of God has complete mastery over the elements, as seen in today's story. So if the wind and the waves obey Jesus completely and immediately, then why do we as children of God seem to be so reluctant to say "yes" to God? The message on this day is especially poignant as it comes on the heels of the church shooting at Emmanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina. So grab your bible, turn it to Mark chapter 4, and prepare your heart and mind as we take a look at true obedience.
Mark 4:35-41
Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on June 21, 2015 (Originally published June 22, 2015)
S.D.G.
Monday Jun 21, 2021
S6E06: Conceived by the Holy Spirit (We Believe... Pt. 4)
Monday Jun 21, 2021
Monday Jun 21, 2021
Sermon #286
As we continue our examination of the Apostles' Creed, we come to one of the most difficult affirmations for the modern believer, that Jesus was "Conceived by the Holy Spirit" and "Born of the Virgin Mary." Such things we would be tempted to write off as superstitious nonsense and mythos but we need to be reminded that in affirming this belief, what we are saying about the birth of Jesus is that it is very special, for a child born of a very special purpose, and that it was real - and also very human.
Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on June 17, 2018 (Originally published on August 29, 2018)
S.D.G.
Monday Jun 14, 2021
S6E05: Christ, Son, and Lord (We Believe... pt. 3)
Monday Jun 14, 2021
Monday Jun 14, 2021
Sermon #285
We begin looking at the Christology of the Apostles' Creed with three statements of who Jesus is. First, he is Christ, the anointed of God. Second, he is the only begotten son of God. And third, he is Lord of all. Third in the series on the Apostles' Creed.
Text: John 1:1-18
Recorded at Hudson UMC on June 10, 2018 (Originally published August 27, 2018)
S.D.G.
Monday Jun 07, 2021
S6E04: Maker of Heaven and Earth (We Believe... Pt. 2)
Monday Jun 07, 2021
Monday Jun 07, 2021
Sermon #285
As we continue to examine our affirmation of faith, we turn next to the notion of God as "maker of heaven and earth." What does it mean that God is the creator of all things? What does it mean for us that we are part of His creation? And how does acknowledging God as creator of the universe affect our relationship with Him and with His creation: our home, the earth?
Text: Genesis 1:1-2:4
Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on June 3, 2018 (Originally published August 20, 2018)
S.D.G.
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
S6E03: God the Father, Almighty (We Believe... Pt. 1)
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
Sermon #283
The Apostles' Creed is one of our most ancient statements of the Christian faith. It affirms our belief in the triune nature of God, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Many churches recite this affirmation of faith each week, but how often do we really consider the meaning of the words? Why did the ancient Christians determine the need for such a statement of faith, and what does it mean to us today? On this Trinity Sunday it seems only appropriate that we begin this series, "We Believe..." with a look at God the Father, Almighty, from the throne room vision of Isaiah the prophet.
Text: Isaiah 6:1-6
Recorded at Hudson UMC on May 27, 2018 (Originally published August 16, 2018)
S.D.G.
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
S2E48: The Holiness of God (Trinity Sunday 2015)
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
Sermon #115
"Holiness" is a word that means "separation," as in separate from all other things. Certainly God can be described in this way. In today's reading from Isaiah, we take a look at God's holiness and what it means for us as Christians. After all, if we are called to be holy, then we need to know what that means in relation to the ultimate measuring stick, God's own holiness. So grab your Bible, turn it to Isaiah chapter 6, and prepare your heart and mind as we look at the holiness of God.
Isaiah 6:1-8
Recorded at Hudson UMC on May 31, 2015 (Originally published June 2, 2015)
S.D.G.