Guerrilla Christianity

In this Lenten message from Romans 8:6–11, Pastor R. Bret Walker draws a hard line between two ways of living: life in the flesh and life in the Spirit. Using Scripture, personal story, and unapologetic clarity, he argues there is no middle ground—only life or death. To live in the Spirit is to love God and neighbor, reject the idol of self, and receive the resurrecting power of Christ through the Holy Spirit. The gospel confronts us with a choice. Guerrilla Christianity chooses life.

Children of Light calls believers to live visibly transformed lives in a world shaped by darkness. Drawing from Ephesians 5:8–14, this sermon explores how faith in Christ moves us from spiritual blindness into the revealing light of God. Walking in the light means discernment, fruitfulness, and accountability—not hiding sin, but exposing it so healing and renewal can begin. Through Paul’s teaching and John Wesley’s model of Christian accountability, we’re reminded that authentic discipleship is communal, courageous, and costly. Awakening from spiritual sleep, we live not for ourselves, but as people shaped—and sent—by Christ’s light. #ExposeTheDarkness

 

In this episode of Guerrilla Christianity, we confront the radical truth of reconciliation. Drawing from Romans 5:1–11, this sermon declares that peace with God isn’t earned—it’s given. While we were still sinners and enemies, Christ died for us, reconciling us to God through the cross. Suffering, faith, and hope are reframed in light of God’s relentless love. Like a tree covered in yellow ribbons, the cross stands as unmistakable proof: forgiveness is real, grace is abundant, and reconciliation is already accomplished in Jesus Christ.

In this episode of Guerrilla Christianity, we confront one of the most radical truths of the gospel: we are justified by faith, not by works. Drawing from Romans 4, we explore how Abraham was declared righteous simply because he believed God—not because he earned it. Grace is not a wage; it’s a gift. Faith itself is God’s work in us, opening our eyes to Christ and anchoring us in His promise. This episode challenges both legalism and empty belief, calling us to trust fully in Jesus alone—the God who brings life from death and calls into being what does not exist.

 

In this episode, The One Man, we unpack Romans 5:12–19 and the radical contrast between Adam and Christ. Through one man’s disobedience, sin and death entered the world; through one man’s obedience, grace and life are offered to all. This sermon explores why sin runs deeper than rule-breaking, why the Law can’t save us, and why Jesus’ sinless life is essential to salvation. Lent calls us to face the bad news honestly—then cling boldly to the good news: justification, righteousness, and eternal life come as a free gift through Jesus Christ alone.

Guerrilla Christianity dives into The Disciple’s Prayer, an Ash Wednesday sermon exploring Jesus’ model for prayer in Matthew 6. This episode unpacks why prayer isn’t about empty words but humble dependence on God. Walking through the Lord’s Prayer line by line, the sermon highlights adoration, submission to God’s will, daily reliance, forgiveness, and resistance to temptation. Listeners are challenged to see prayer as heart alignment, not performance—and to live as forgiven people who forgive others. This is a call to authentic, daily prayer that shapes disciples for faithful, obedient living before a holy God.

 

Sermon #94

God is the source of all light.  So when Jesus calls us the light of the world, he meant that we reflect the light of God in a world of darkness and sin.  But God is the source.  In today's reading, Isaiah says that God's glory will rise upon his people and they will arise and shine in the world, and will attract others out of the darkness.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Isaiah chapter 60, and prepare your heart and mind as we heed the words of Isaiah, to arise and shine.

Isaiah 60:1-6

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on January 4, 2015 (first published February 4, 2015)

S.D.G.

Sermon #136

Ambition is a human quality and at times it can be an admirable trait.  After all, if someone does not strive to better themselves they become stagnant or slide back into oblivion.  But when it comes to the Kingdom of God, ambition, Jesus tells us, is not a characteristic to be desired.  In today's reading we meet James and John, two brothers who were fishermen, who took their ambition to great heights whey they aksed to sit at Jesus' right and left hand when he comes into his kingdom.  But in the upside-down structure of God's kingdom, the person who humbles himself is the greatest.  For when we seek to make ourselves more important, what we are really doing is diminishing God in our lives.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Mark chapter 10, and prepare your heart and mind as we see what it means to be servants, everywhere and always.  

Mark 10:35-45

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on October 18, 2015 (Originally published November 24, 2015)

S.D.G.

Sermon #304

Laity Sunday is a day when we celebrate the work of laypersons in the church of God.  On this Laity Sunday we at Hudson UMC asked our Lay Leader Wayne Niebauer to describe a time when he felt abandoned by God, and how he could point to where God was at work in that moment.  We often feel like in our hard times we are all alone, and yet when we look back at those times we can often see how God was at work, and it is in the retrospective view that we can gain confidence in hard times when they come.  

Text: Mark 10:35-45

Recorded at Hudson UMC on October 21, 2018 (Originally published December 6, 2018)

S.D.G.