Guerrilla Christianity

Sermon #497

As Christians we all face ups and downs in our walk with Christ.  Today we are talking about four "ups" that we as Christians all experience.  First, we "Get Up."  Our conversion is a rising from the dead, putting to death our old sinful nature and rising in Christ's resurrection to newness of life.  Next, we "show up."  We join a faith community that can nurture us and disciple us, and as we mature and grow we can nurture and disciple other new Christians.  Third, we "step up."  We get into service and express agape love through selfless acts of charity and goodwill.  Finally, we "point up" to God in everything we do, giving Him glory for his mighty deeds in Jesus Christ.  In today's reading, which deals with the raising of a dead woman named Tabitha, we see all of these (and a few other "ups") on full display.

Acts 9:36-43

Recorded at Hudson UMC on May 8, 2022

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S.D.G.

May 8, 2022

First Lesson: Acts 9:36-43

Psalter: Psalm 23

Epistle Lesson: Revelation 7:9-17

Gospel Lesson: John 10:22-30

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 #496

This might come as a shock to you, but those who deny God's existence or oppose His people are opposed to God and at war with Him.  The problem is a matter of knowledge about who God is.  Saul faced the same issue when he was persecuting the early church.  He had no idea that the God of the universe was the very Lord that he was opposing by bringing Christ's followers to their death.  And make no mistake, we are in the same situation as Saul before we repent and trust in Jesus Christ alone for our forgiveness.  We find that we are enemies of God when we oppose His people.  But God's prevenient Grace, in the form of the Holy Spirit's conviction, will knock us off our high horse and into reality - a reality where we realize we have been blind, but now by God's grace we see.  

Acts 9:1-20

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on May 1, 2022

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S.D.G.

May 1, 2022

First Lesson: Acts 9:1-20

Psalter: Psalm 30

Epistle Lesson: Revelation 5:11-14

Gospel Lesson: John 21:1-19

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 #164

Eastertide is the season of seven weeks beginning with Resurrection Sunday and ending with Pentecost.  It's easy on the day after Easter Sunday to feel as though we have reached the end.  But historically in the Church, Eastertide was the time of preparation for one's baptism into the Body of Christ.  To that end, for the next seven weeks we are going to look at the seven vows that we as United Methodists make at our baptism, and we'll look at them against the backdrop of the beginnings of the Christian church as chronicled in the Book of Acts.  This week we look at the first vow we make, to renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil of this world, and repent of our sin.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Acts chapter 5, and prepare your heart and mind as we renounce, reject, and repent.

Acts 5:27-32

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on April 3, 2016 (Originally published on April 11, 2016)

S.D.G.

Sermon #335

After the cross, after the empty tomb, what have we got to celebrate?  On this second Sunday of Easter we look at the continuation of the story in the building of the Christian church in the First century.  Peter and the disciples are told by the Jewish authorities that they must not teach in "that" name (the name of Jesus Christ).  Even today, the name of Jesus Christ is an offense to those who do not believe.  But when the good news is so good, how can we but proclaim it boldly?  When God offers us eternal life in Jesus' name, how can we but share it with everyone we know?

Acts 5:27-32

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on April 28 2019 (Originally published May 1, 2019)

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S.D.G.

Sermon #495

In the world of godless people, the most offensive name is the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  The world would deny that name because it is the name of salvation, and carries with it the power of God's grace to save.  When we see people objecting to religious activities, they are almost certainly Christian activities.  In today's reading we see the high priest accusing the disciples of preaching in the name of Jesus, yet he will not even say the name.  Peter tells him that they must obey God and not men and this is true; where governments make laws that are contrary to the word and commandment of God, we must, in good conscience, oppose those laws.  We have been called by God to be witnesses to his authority and power, called to be in the world but not of the world.  And we are thankful for the early Christians who fulfilled their duty as witnesses, so that we could receive the witness of their faith today.

Acts 5:27-32

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on April 24, 2022

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April 24, 2022

First Lesson: Acts 5:27-32

Psalter: Psalm 150

Epistle Lesson: Revelation 1:4-8

Gospel Lesson: John 20:19-31

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 #334

Easter is a day when we celebrate the fact that Christ rose from the dead three days after being crucified for our sins.  While we often focus on the promise of the empty tomb, some only observe the resurrection of our Lord without considering the reality of the cross.  In today's message, we will see why, using the Old Testament model of atonement, both the cross and the empty tomb are required for the the complete deliverance of the sinner from his or her sin.  

Luke 24:1-12

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on April 21, 2019 (Originally published April 26, 2019)

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S.D.G.

Sermon #494

For the season of Easter we are starting a new series called "We Are Witnesses" based on Acts 10:39, in which Peter tells the Cornelius and his family, "[W]e are witnesses of all that [Jesus] did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem."  From Luke's account of the resurrection, we see how the women are witnesses to the disciples that Christ has been raised from the dead.  We find that witnesses first of all see, hear, or experience something that others do not, and they also tell others what they know.  A witness tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as per our legal parlance.  So what is it that we know that others do not?  What can we witness about Jesus and His love?

Luke 24:1-12

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on April 17, 2022

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S.D.G.