Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #74

We conclude our sermon series in Romans, "Theology for Ministry," by looking at how we as a body are to welcome new believers.  A common criticism of the modern church is that the many different denominations and different interpretations indicates that we are not a unified body.  But today we will look at how, even in our differences, we have Christ in common, and that is what unites us into, as the Nicene Creed states, one universal and apostolic church.  So grab your Bible, turn to Romans chapter 14, and join us as we look at what it means to treat each other with respect and mutual love.

Romans 14:1-12

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on September 14, 2014 (Originaly published October 7, 2014)

S.D.G.

Sermon #408

Over the next several weeks we will be in a new series based on the Old Testament texts in Exodus and Deuteronomy, called "The Attributes of God."  We will be looking at who God is by what He has done as recorded in the pages of the Bible, and we begin by looking at his awesome power as demonstrated in the parting of the Red Sea, and in the destruction of the Egyptian army.  Sometimes we in the 21st Century attempt to explain these events by scientific means, rather than simply accepting and appreciating the omnipotence of the God who spoke the universe into existence.  Today I invite you to consider the God of Power who delivered the Israelites, the same God who delivers us today from bondage to sin and death.

Exodus 14:19-31

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on September 13, 2020 (Originally published September 14, 2020)

S.D.G.

September 17, 2023

Old Testament: Exodus 14:19-31

Psalter: Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21

Epistle Lesson: Romans 14:1-12

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18:21-35

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 #569

When 18th Century Anglican Christians began to gather in what were called Methodist Societies, John Wesley initially stated that the only requirement for joining such was "a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins."  Simple, right?  Yet how can a person demonstrate such desire?  Wesley gave them three rules to live by - to do no harm, to do good, and to attend to all the ordinances of God.  Today in the reading from Romans, we will demonstrably see why these three simple rules are Biblical, why they are necessary, and how they demonstrate a heart of agape love in the true convert.

Romans 13:8-14

Recorded at Hudson UMC on September 10, 2023

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S.D.G.

Sermon #407

When we receive the blessings of God, do we give thanks?  As Christians, giving thanks ought to be like muscle memory, an automatic response to all that God has given us.  And as Christians, we believe that all good things come from God.  Yet few of us are quick to give thanks to God.  In the conclusion to our series, Paul demonstrates his quick willingness to give thanks to God and acknowledging all that God has done for and through him for the furtherance of the gospel.  

Philippians 4:10-23

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on September 6, 2020 (Originally published September 7, 2020)

S.D.G.

September 10, 2023

Old Testament: Exodus 12:1-14

Psalter: Psalm 149

Epistle Lesson: Romans 13:8-14

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18:15-20

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 #241

The common thread throughout the reading today is "Let love be genuine."  By this we will examine all the exhortations of Paul to the church in Rome.  What does genuine love look like?  In order to avoid the counterfeit, we must first know what the genuine looks like, and Paul gives us a glimpse into genuine love through his teaching today.

Romans 12:9-21

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on September 3, 2017 (Originally published October 3, 2017)

S.D.G.

Sermon #72

What is it that marks us as Christians?  What is it that sets us apart?  In today's message, the apostle Paul gives us in his letter to the Roman church a list of marks that define the Christian ethos.  But more than a set of instructions, or a new group of commandments, the common theme in all these is God's divine love.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Romans chapter 12, and join us as we take a closer look at the heart of the matter.

Romans 12:9-21

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on August 31, 2014 (Originally published September 11, 2014)

S.D.G.

Sermon #568

This week we are beginning a new series that examines what it means to be Methodist.  From its inception in the 18th Century, the Methodist movement has been one that is meant to bring people into closer relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Its founder, John Wesley, himself an Anglican priest, described what the people called Methodist were like in a letter to a colleague who was wondering what this movement might be about.  Today as we look at the text from Romans 12, we compare Paul's words to the words of John Wesley as he describes this burgeoning Spirit-filled movement within the Church of England, and we see that the first mark of a Methodist - indeed, any true Christian - is that of genuine love, not hypocritical or fake but from the heart where God's Spirit resides.

Romans 12:9-21

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on September 3, 2023

Watch on YouTube

S.D.G.

Sermon #75

At Hudson (in 2014), we started a Wednesday night contemporary worship service.  In this message, the first preached at the Wednesday night service, we look at what forgiveness is, and how it heals, not just the forgiven, but the forgiver as well.  It's been said that holding on to anger is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.  When we offer forgiveness, we free ourselves from the shackles of anger and resentment.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Matthew chapter 18, and join us as we look at freedom in forgiveness.  

Matthew 18:21-35

Recorded at Hudson UMC on September 17, 2014 (Originally published October 9, 2014)

S.D.G.