Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #416

As we continue our expository look at Matthew 25, we come to the parable of the talents.  Often this has been misunderstood to be a parable about money or blessing, but it is really about the kingdom work that we do in the absence of Jesus.  The main thing to note about the talents given to the slaves is that it is not given to them as their own resources, but the resources of the Master, which he entrusts to them to grow in his absence.  In the same way, God gifts us with certain talents (a word in English derrived from this very parable) in order to grow his kingdom here on earth.  What are you doing with what God gave you?  And when he returns will he likewise say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of your master"?

Matthew 25:14-30

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on November 15, 2020 (Originally published November 18, 2020)

S.D.G.

Sermon #250

What does it mean to be a Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching, Christ-adoring church?  We will be looking at this question over the next three episodes, beginning with the first part: who are we as a Bible-believing church?  What is the United Methodist stance on the Bible as God's holy word?  And what is the theological foundation of our belief?  We begin looking at Who We Are by first affirming: We Believe the Bible.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on November 5, 2017 (Originally published December 4, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #575

This week we go to the Gospel according to St. John for our text.  At the last supper, in the upper room, Jesus took on the role of the servant, to model to us, his disciples, what servanthood looks like.  It is humbling ourselves and doing the work of the lowest, and being in service to the church means being in service to the community and to each other.  Jesus didn't say "Because I washed your feet, you should wash my feet."  The Good Shepherd leads by example and says "Because I washed your feet, you should wash one another's feet." And, "As I have loved you, so should you love one another."

John 13:3-17

Recorded at Hudson UMC on October 22, 2023

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S.D.G.

Sermon #414

As we come to All Saints Day, we remember those of the faith who passed on before us.  These are the ones whose example and witness brought us to Christ.  In the book of Revelation, we are given a glimpse of these saints, a multitude that no one could number, robed in white and carrying palm branches in their hands, singing praise to God.  We are told that these are they who have come through tribulation and have had their white robes washed clean in the blood of the Lamb.  Because prophetic and apocalyptic writing must be held with an open hand, we take a look at these with particular emphasis on remembering those whom we have lost in the last year.

Revelation 7:9-17

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on November 1, 2020 (Originally published November 9, 2020)

S.D.G.

November 5, 2023

Old Testament: Joshua 3:7-17

Psalter: Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17

Epistle Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 23:1-12

Scripture quotations from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

S.D.G.

Sermon #249

The final sermon in our series commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Soli deo gloria means that everything we do is for God's glory alone. He alone is God and worthy of all praise, glory and honor.

Romans 11:33-36

Recorded at Hudson UMC on October 29, 2017 (Originally published November 26, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #574

This week we look at our giving, and it's a sermon that's sure to make the average churchgoer grip their wallet a little tighter.  But it's important to understand that giving is an act of worship.  We respond to the grace that we have received by ensuring that the ministries of the church can reach others so that God's grace can be at work in the world.  Worship is a means of grace, and by supporting the ministries of the local church by our gifts, we are ensuring that future generations will also hear the good news of Jesus Christ.  The question then becomes, what is the proper amount to give?  As our giving is a response to the grace we have received, our giving displays just how vital and important God's grace is to us.

Mark 12:38-44

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on October 15, 2023

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S.D.G.

November 1, 2023

First Lesson: Revelation 7:9-17

Psalter: Psalm 34:1-10, 22

Epistle Lesson: 1 John 3:1-3

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 5:1-12

Scripture quotations from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

S.D.G.

Sermon #413

Today in the final chapter of the Pentateuch, we examine two of God's attributes: His emanence, and His omniscience.  God's emanence means that he is active in His creation, taking part in the lives of the people He created in His image.  God's omniscience means that God knows all things and sees all things and nothing is hidden from him.  We see both of these on display as God takes Moses up Mount Nebo to show him the promised land, just before Moses died at 120 years old.  And we ask the question:  what is God showing us today?  And are we courageous enough, at any age, to pursue God's vision for His church?

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Recorded at Hudson UMC on October 25, 2020 (Originally published on October 26, 2020)

S.D.G.

October 29, 2023

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Psalter: Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17

Epistle Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:34-46

Scripture quotations from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

S.D.G.