Guerrilla Christianity

S4E14: The Word Made Flesh (Christmas Day 2016)

Sermon #202

I found it interesting that Christmas fell on a Sunday this year (2016), but what may have been more interesting is the reaction many people had to having service on Christmas day. My rebuttal was usually in the vein of, "Well, if you don't want to come to church on Christmas, then don't." That might seem a bit blunt, but honestly, we as Christians are challenged to a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ than simply indulging in the gluttony of Christmas gift-giving. After all, what gift could possibly top the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus? None that I can think of. Through the opening stanzas of John's gospel we hear the incredible truth that Jesus is God, and that God became flesh and dwelt among us. It's a startling revelation that, once we as Christians fully understand it, we are never the same. So grab your Bible, turn it to John chapter 1, and prepare your heart and mind as we take a closer look at the Word made flesh.

John 1:1-14

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on December 25, 2016 (Originally published December 30, 2016)

S.D.G.

S4E13: Do We Get It? (Christmas Eve 2016)

Sermon #201

We hope you are finding some deeper meaning to this season of Christmas, and that's what this Christmas Eve message was all about this year.  We see it every year in the malls, in the extravagant light displays, in the mounds of presents under the tree, and so I just want to ask us all, do we get it?  Do we really get what this holiday is all about?  Because beneath the veneer of wrapping paper and bows and stockings and twinkling lights, there doesn't seem to be even a fleeting glimpse of the Christ child for whom this celebration is all about.  Now, I had planned a message based on Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful   Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  But as sometimes happens, God laid it upon my heart to change the message at the last minute.  And so here is the message from Christmas Eve, following an extended scripture reading that we had at Hudson United Methodist.

Luke 2:1-20 and related scripture

Recorded at Hudson UMC on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2016 (Originally published December 27, 2016)

S.D.G.

S4E12: Dare to Dream (Advent 2016)

Sermon #200

We're still working our way through the Advent sermons, and the fourth Sunday of Advent focuses on the word "Dream."  Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, had at least three dreams that we know of from Matthew's gospel account, and each time he acted on them swiftly and obediently.  The question for all of us today is, do we dare to dream big dreams when it comes to God's kingdom work, or are our dreams limited by our inability to imagine beyond what we are capable of?  Our God is a God of great possibilities, and he even gives us the faith to dream bigger.

Matthew 1:18-25

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on December 18, 2016 (Originally published December 26, 2016)

S.D.G.

 

S4E11: Seeing Differently (Advent 2016)

Sermon #199

We are continuing our Advent journey and the word for the third Sunday is "See."  When John the Baptist found himself in prison he began to have doubts.  After all, he had given his entire life to onepurpose, determined before he was even conceived.  That purpose was to proclaim the coming Christ.  And now, in prison, he was thinking, is this it?  Or did I waste my whole life?  Jesus' response to John's inquiry reminds us that sometimes we need to stop seeing things the way the world wants us to see them, and start seeing things the way God does.

Matthew 11:2-11

Recorded at Hudson UMC on December 11, 2016 (Originally published December 24, 2016)

S.D.G.

Lectionary Readings for Third Sunday of Advent, Year A

December 11, 2022

Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-10

Psalter: Luke 1:46b-55

Epistle Lesson: James 5:7-10

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 11:2-11

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.

S4E10: Turning Back (Advent 2016)

Sermon #198

The second sermon in our Advent series focuses on the word "Turn," and we look at what it means to repent, to turn away from sin and turn back to God.  The concept of repentance is what separates Catholicism from Protestantism, and is so pivotal that it was the content of the first four of Martin Luther's 95 Theses.  What is it about repentance that is so central to the Christian faith?  We're about to find out.

Matthew 3:1-12

Recorded at Hudson UMC on December 4, 2016 (originally published December 21, 2016)

S.D.G.

S4E09: Keeping Watch (Advent 2016)

Sermon #197

Well, the Advent season is upon us, and everywhere we look we see signs of Christmas rapidly approaching.  Of course, the Advent season is not like the secular Christmas season which seems to begin earlier and earlier each year.  Where the secular world is preparing for the arrival of a jolly old elf in a red suit, the church is preparing for another arrival - the return of Christ on earth.  And so we begin our sermon series based on the words: Watch, Turn, See, Dream, Peace, Word, and Reveal.  This week, we hear the words of Jesus as he proclaims the advent of his second coming, and we learn what it means to keep watch, keep vigilant, keep ourselves prepared for Christ's imminent return.

Matthew 24:36-44

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on November 27, 2016 (Originally published December 6, 2016)

S.D.G.

Lectionary Readings for First Sunday of Advent, Year A

November 27, 2022

Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-5

Psalter: Psalm 122

Epistle Lesson: Romans 13:11-14

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 24:36-44

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.

S8E24: A Better Meal (Thanksgiving 2013)

Sermon #29

In the good times and in bad times, no matter what we ought to give thanks to God for all things.  Here in 2020 we have been going through some of the most difficult times that most of us can remember.  And so this Thanksgiving message from 2013 is especially poignant.  When we consider the people who followed Jesus looking for a repeat of the miracle feeding of the multitudes, we see in them a glimpse of ourselves, who cannot see beyond our present circumstances.  Yet Jesus says to them and to us that we are to strive for the eternal things of God, not for the temporal things of the world.  

John 6:25-35

Recorded at Hudson UMC on November 27, 2013 (Originally published November 26, 2020)

S.D.G.

S6E57: The King on the Cross (Christ the King 2013)

Sermon #28

Although this sermon was preached for Christ the King Sunday (the Sunday before Advent begins), it is an appropriate message for Good Friday. The thief on the cross said to Jesus, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom." Strange words to say to a person condemned to death on a Roman cross. Yet what we see in the crucifixion is that Jesus is not the king that the people expected; he is the King that we needed. And even though his throne was a cross and his crown was made of thorns, he still reigns and lives today.

Luke 23:33-43

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on November 24, 2013 (originally published April 19, 2019)

S.D.G.