Guerrilla Christianity

S10E58: Acknowledging Christ (According to Matthew pt. 4)

Sermon #558

We continue to look at Jesus' instructions and encouragement as he sends out the apostles to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.  Last week we ended with warnings about persecution and this week we pick up where we left off.  Jesus tells his disciples that they are associated with him, and when he is reviled, they will be too.  We see this in the world today, that Christ-followers are persecuted for their beliefs because they represent Christ.  We are either of the world or of God, we cannot be both; and so when we choose to acknowledge Christ to the world, we are acting in opposition to the world and its celebration of sin.

Matthew 10:24-39

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on June 25, 2023

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S.D.G.

S6E07: Revival Starts Here (Camp Meeting 2018)

Sermon #297

Something happens when I preach at the Camp Meeting, and I suspect other preachers feel it as well. In Pitman Grove, the Camp Meeting has been continuously held since 1871, and the motto has been "Pitman and Power." It's not the power of the camp meeting or the people who run it, but the power of God's Holy Spirit at work in the hearts of those who adore him. This message was preached last Sunday, August 26, the final Sunday of the 2018 Camp Meeting season, and all I can say is, the Holy Spirit is still providing power to preachers at the Pitman Grove Camp Meeting. I couldn't wait to post this one, so I'm giving us a brief intermission in the Apostles' Creed service to bring you: "Revival Starts Here." Enjoy.

Psalm 84

Recorded at Pitman Grove Camp Meeting on August 26, 2018 (Originally published August 30, 2018)

S.D.G.

Lectionary Readings for Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7), Year A

June 25, 2023

Old Testament: Genesis 21:8-21

Psalter: Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17

Epistle Lesson: Romans 6:1b-11

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 10:24-39

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.

S7E75: The Harvest Is Ready... Are You? (Pentecost 2017)

Sermon #229

When Jesus sent the Apostles out, he said to them "Freely you have received. Freely give." When we as Christians consider the fullness of the good news of Jesus Christ, the depths of our sin and how far God reached down to rescue us, how can we not share that good news that we have been given? God paid the price in the blood of Jesus Christ. Shouldn't we, who received this good news without price, give it freely so that others may find peace with God and enjoy eternal life in the name of Jesus Christ?

Matthew 9:35-10:8

Recorded at Hudson UMC on June 18, 2017 (Originally published June 19, 2020)

S.D.G.

S2E08: The Pearl of Great Price (Summer 2014)

Sermon #68

We take a slight departure from our sermon series, Theology for Ministry, to look at some of the parables of Jesus that describe the Kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus used these simple stories to illustrate what the Kingdom of Heaven is like, to those of us who do not have the benefit of seeing it for ourselves... at least, not yet.  Of course, we can trust the words of Christ as authoritative in this regard, because he had firsthand knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven himself.

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

This episode was recorded at Pitman Manor Vespers on July 27, 2014. (Originally published August 12, 2014)

S.D.G.

S10E57: Laborers into the Harvest (According to Matthew pt. 3)

Sermon #557

What do we think of when we think of evangelism?  Ugh, I have to talk about my faith?  I don't even know the Bible that well, how can I give someone the Gospel when I don't even know what it is?  Well, we don't have to worry about such things.  Jesus shows us a model for evangelism that includes taking another believer with us for backup.  Not only that, but when we go in pairs in the name of Christ, the Spirit of God goes with us to strengthen us further, and all that is required on our part is the faith to set out.  Jesus' instructions include having radical faith that God will provide and also warnings of persecution, but even so he still assures the apostles that they do not go alone.

Matthew 9:35-10:23

Recorded at Hudson UMC on June 18, 2023

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S.D.G.

S7E73: Justified by Faith

Sermon #398

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul gives us an excellent treatise on the doctrine of grace. We as Christians often talk about God's grace, and we usually describe it as God's unmerited favor, but what does that really mean? And what does John Wesley mean when he talks about Prevenient, Justifying, and Sanctifying Grace? We focus our learning today on the second form of grace, that which we receive at the cross of Jesus Christ - Justifying Grace, and we learn what it means to be saved by Grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Romans 5:1-8

Recorded at Hudson UMC on June 14, 2020 (Originally published June 15, 2020)

S.D.G.

Lectionary Readings for Third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 6), Year A

June 18, 2023

Old Testament: Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7

Psalter: Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

Epistle Lesson: Romans 5:1-8

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 9:35-10:23

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.

S9E17: Salvation by Faith (Wesley’s Standard Sermons #1)

I'm not sure if this will be a regular installment of the podcast or a one-off, but it has been my intention for a while now to read and record the standard sermons of John Wesley, in the original language.  Wesley's sermons are one of the four foundations of Methodist theology, apart from the Bible (the others being Wesley's notes on the New Testament, the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church, and the Confession of Faith of the United Brethren Church).  

The first of Wesley's standard sermons, Salvation by Faith, was preached at St. Mary's, Oxford, in front of the University, on June 18, 1738.  In it, Wesley defends his stance that salvation is by faith alone (one of the five Solas of the Reformation) and not of works.  This position cements Wesley as a staunch reformer of the church and places his theology in the midst of Protestant reformers of his day.  He also offers several answers to objections to this doctrine, objections which are often raised today, such as that this doctrine will lead to licentiousness and sin.  Wesley instead argues that the faith that is preached is indellibly and irrevocably linked to holiness of heart, which can only come about when God is our rule and stay.  Please enjoy this, the first of what I hope will be many of Wesley's Standard Sermons, "Salvation by Faith."

Ephesians 2:8

Recorded January 11, 2022 (Originally published January 15, 2022)

Salvation by Faith - Wednesdays with Wesley Podcast

Salvation by Faith Full sermon text

S.D.G.

S2E04: Grace Greater than Our Sin (Camp Meeting 2014)

Sermon #64

Paul's words remind us that there is none righteous, no, not one.  If that's the case, then what hope can there be for the sinner?  Well today we look at Paul's words to the church in Rome and find that there is, indeed, hope that can only be found in the Grace of God.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Romans chapter three, and join us as we look at Grace greater than all our sin.

Romans 3:21-26

Recorded at Pitman Grove Camp Meeting on July 6, 2014 (Originally published July 11, 2014)

S.D.G.