Right now in the UMC there is a deep divide between progressives and conservatives, or liberals and traditionalists, whichever way you choose to designate the factions.  On the conservative side, the Wesleyan Covenant Association is helping to set up a new Methodist denomination in anticipation of the passage of the Protocol for Grace through Separation (to be voted on in the 2022 General Conference).  But how did we get here?  And what are the differences between the two sides?  Is the divide so deep that we cannot overcome it?  Two conservative pastors, myself and Pastor Zach Taylor of New Hope UMC in Penns Grove, take on this expansive topic to find out where it all began, and where we believe we shall end up.

Recorded July 25, 2021 via Zoom

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S.D.G.

Sermon #124

This week as we continue our Deep Questions sermon series, we come across a very personal and difficult issue.  What happens when people begin to slip into dementia or other age-related mental issues?  Or how does God's grace work with those who are incapable of understanding the good news of Jesus Christ, like infants or those with mental handicaps?  It is a question that has no clear answer in scripture, but when we dig a little deeper we can find the heart of God on the matter.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Matthew chapter 18, and prepare your heart and mind as we discover Grace for All.

Matthew 18:1-6,10-14

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on July 26, 2015 (Originally published August 17, 2015)

S.D.G.

Sermon #448

Welcome to the 9th season of Guerrilla Christianity!  We are beginning a new series for the season of Pentecost called "Prophets & Kings."  We will be looking at how God has appointed kings to rule over Israel, and how He uses prophets to speak to those kings when they get out of line, which is a frequent occurance.  In today's lesson from 1 Samuel 8, we see the people crying out for a king to rule over them, God's warning through the prophet Samuel that the king they get will not be the king they want, and their ultimate rejection of both Samuel and God as they clamor for a king to rule over them "like the other nations."  

1 Samuel 8:4-20

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on June 6, 2021

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S.D.G.

Sermon #123

This week's topic is a particularly difficult one, and one that we rarely choose to discuss, especially among congregations that are not very diverse.  But the fact of the matter is that the church's long history as it pertains to racial equality is not a particularly good one.  Our track record throughout the ages is pretty poor, and it is only in the last fifty years or so that it has improved.  We take on the topic of racism in the world and in the church this week.  So grab your Bible, turn it to John chapter 13, and prepare your heart and mind as we begin addressing racism.

John 13:31-35

Recorded at Hudson UMC on July 19, 2015 (Originally published July 24, 2015)

S.D.G.

Our exposition of the Apostles' Creed brings us to the end of the Christological statement of faith.  We who have embraced Christ by faith for forgiveness of sins can rest assured in the final judgment.  But what about those who have not?  Jesus said he will come again, and he talks about his return as a time of judgment - what the Old Testament calls the "great and terrible day of the Lord."  Jesus came once as a savior.  He will return as a judge.  Though our society may want to clip the wings of Jesus and portray him only as loving and merciful, make no mistake: God is a God of justice, and He poured out His justice on Jesus at Calvary.  He did that for you and for me.  The question is, what will you do with the life God has given you in Jesus Christ?

Text: Matthew 25:31-46

Recorded at Hudson UMC on July 29, 2018 (Originally published September 21, 2018)

S.D.G.

Lectionary Readings for Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12), Year B

July 25, 2021

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Psalter: Psalm 14

Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 3:14-21

Gospel Lesson: John 6:1-21

S.D.G.

Sermon #122

How do we know that we are saved?  It's a question that comes up often in the heart of every believer, and it's the question that we address this week in our "Deep Questions" sermon series.  Do we have assurance from God of our salvation, and if so, what are the signs that we are saved?  What are the traits of a saved Christian?  If you've ever asked these questions, may you find the answers today in this message.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Matthew chapter 7, and prepare your heart and mind as we find out, how do we know?

Matthew 7:13-23

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on July 12, 2015 (Originally published July 23, 2015)

S.D.G.

Sermon #291

It is easy for us to slip quietly past this affirmation, but that would be a mistake.  We are told so much in the Gospels about the earthly ministry of Christ and very little about the forty days after the resurrection, and less about the actual ascension (only Luke records his account in his Gospel and in the book of Acts).  Yet the Ascension of Christ means three major things in the life of the Christian.  It means that Easter is not over; it means that the incarnation is not over; and it means that we have a brother sitting at the right hand of God and interceding for us sinners.  Indeed, affirming faith in the Ascension should be great joy for Christians everywhere.

Text: Luke 24:44-53

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on July 22, 2018 (Originally published September 17, 2018)

S.D.G.

We come to the pivotal point in the Christology of the Apostles' Creed, and, as some might say, it's all uphill from here.  Now, in the message today I make a strong assertion that to believe in the resurrection is nothing less than necessary for our salvation, and I stand by that statement (and back it up with Biblical text).  Yet there are many in the church today, professing Christians, who either do not believe in the Biblical account of the resurrection or don't believe it happened at all.  And if that is true, then we as a church, we as preachers of God's word, have failed in adequately emphasizing the importance of this one crucial aspect of the reality of Christ, that on the third day he rose from the dead.  

Text: Matthew 28:1-10

Recorded at Hudson UMC on July 15, 2018 (Originally published September 14, 2018)

S.D.G.

Sermon #120

This week we continue our sermon series Deep Questions - questions that members of the congregation have asked about faith, God, the Bible, and anything else they wanted to know.  Our question this week is about what happens after we die - do we go straight to Heaven, or do we mill around in Limbo waiting for Judgment day?  And is there such a place as Purgatory?  We'll address all of these questions and more.  So grab your Bible, turn it to second Corinthians chapter five, and prepare your heart and mind as we look at what happens after we die.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on July 5, 2015 (Originally published July 7, 2015)

S.D.G.