Guerrilla Christianity

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.

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.

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.

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

Watch on YouTube

S.D.G.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sermon #556

Today from Matthew's gospel we read how the gospel writer himself is called by Jesus right out of the tax collector's booth.  We see how Jesus associates with tax collectors and sinners, much to the chagrin of the ultra-religious Pharisees.  And we see how Jesus heals a woman afflicted for 12 years without even touching her, and how he raises a dead girl to life.  How are all these things connected?  Just like Matthew, the woman, and the little girl, we are dead in our sins until we encounter Jesus, who raises us to life as well.  Jesus is still in the business of healing the sick and he is raising the dead to life every day.  We can witness these miracles if we just take the time to open our eyes and see them. 

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on June 11, 2023

Watch on YouTube

S.D.G.

Sermon #232

When it comes to spiritual warfare, few things are more effective than the use of prayer. Considering how often the people of the Bible prayed and God responded, it is surprising that we do not pray more often, even though we are called to pray at all times in every situation. Continuing the examination of the whole Armor of God in Ephesians 6, this is part 2 of a two-part message delivered on July 2, 2017 at Pitman Grove Camp Meeting.

Ephesians 6:10-20

Recorded at Pitman Grove Camp Meeting, July 2, 2017 (First published July 7, 2017)

S.D.G.