Guerrilla Christianity

S3E05: Addressing Racism (Deep Questions pt. 4)

Sermon #123

This week's topic is a particularly difficult one, and one that we rarely choose to discuss, especially among congregations that are not very diverse.  But the fact of the matter is that the church's long history as it pertains to racial equality is not a particularly good one.  Our track record throughout the ages is pretty poor, and it is only in the last fifty years or so that it has improved.  We take on the topic of racism in the world and in the church this week.  So grab your Bible, turn it to John chapter 13, and prepare your heart and mind as we begin addressing racism.

John 13:31-35

Recorded at Hudson UMC on July 19, 2015 (Originally published July 24, 2015)

S.D.G.

S9Lec01: Proper 12, Year B

Lectionary Readings for Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12), Year B

July 25, 2021

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Psalter: Psalm 14

Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 3:14-21

Gospel Lesson: John 6:1-21

S.D.G.

S3E04: How Do We Know? (Deep Questions pt. 3)

Sermon #122

How do we know that we are saved?  It's a question that comes up often in the heart of every believer, and it's the question that we address this week in our "Deep Questions" sermon series.  Do we have assurance from God of our salvation, and if so, what are the signs that we are saved?  What are the traits of a saved Christian?  If you've ever asked these questions, may you find the answers today in this message.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Matthew chapter 7, and prepare your heart and mind as we find out, how do we know?

Matthew 7:13-23

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on July 12, 2015 (Originally published July 23, 2015)

S.D.G.

S3E02: After We Die (Deep Questions pt. 2)

Sermon #120

This week we continue our sermon series Deep Questions - questions that members of the congregation have asked about faith, God, the Bible, and anything else they wanted to know.  Our question this week is about what happens after we die - do we go straight to Heaven, or do we mill around in Limbo waiting for Judgment day?  And is there such a place as Purgatory?  We'll address all of these questions and more.  So grab your Bible, turn it to second Corinthians chapter five, and prepare your heart and mind as we look at what happens after we die.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on July 5, 2015 (Originally published July 7, 2015)

S.D.G.

S6E02: Devoted Wholly (Mark 5:21-43)

This year I celebrated the completion of five years of ministry in Auburn and Pedricktown, and the beginning of my sixth year under appointment to Ebenezer UMC and Hudson UMC.  Rather than reflect on my own work I thought it best to look at the ministry of the church, what God has been doing with us and through us, and to look at our ministry next to the lessons we can learn from today's scripture from Mark.  Jesus was constantly being pulled in a thousand directions, and yet for each person who sought him, he focussed solely upon the immediate need and made that person feel as though they were the only person he was ministering to.  Even when the demands of many pressed around him, he still took time to ask the question, "Who touched me?"  Not to accuse, but to focus on that one person.  We can learn a lot from this simple act of personal attention.

Text: Mark 5:21-43

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on July 1, 2018 (Originally published August 13, 2018)

S.D.G.

S2E49: True Obedience

Sermon #118

Jesus as the Son of God has complete mastery over the elements, as seen in today's story.  So if the wind and the waves obey Jesus completely and immediately, then why do we as children of God seem to be so reluctant to say "yes" to God?  The message on this day is especially poignant as it comes on the heels of the church shooting at Emmanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina.  So grab your bible, turn it to Mark chapter 4, and prepare your heart and mind as we take a look at true obedience.

Mark 4:35-41

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on June 21, 2015 (Originally published June 22, 2015)

S.D.G.

S2E48: The Holiness of God (Trinity Sunday 2015)

Sermon #115

"Holiness" is a word that means "separation," as in separate from all other things.  Certainly God can be described in this way.  In today's reading from Isaiah, we take a look at God's holiness and what it means for us as Christians.  After all, if we are called to be holy, then we need to know what that means in relation to the ultimate measuring stick, God's own holiness.  So grab your Bible, turn it to Isaiah chapter 6, and prepare your heart and mind as we look at the holiness of God.

Isaiah 6:1-8

Recorded at Hudson UMC on May 31, 2015 (Originally published June 2, 2015)

S.D.G.

S8E59: Living in the Vine (Eastertide 2018)

Sermon #279

The word "Abide" is not one that we use in conversation very often, if at all.  It means to dwell, or to remain.  It also means to live and be connected to, which is surely what Jesus had in mind when he told his followers to abide in him.  He gives us the image of a vine with branches bearing fruit, and he calls us to be those branches and to remain or abide in the vine.  In truth, we can do nothing apart from Christ, the true vine.  And so we need to practice our faith in such a way that we remain connected to Christ so that we can bear much fruit.

John 15:1-8

Recorded at Hudson UMC on April 29, 2018 (Previously unpublished)

S.D.G.

S8E58: The True Vine (Eastertide 2015)

Sermon #112

As we continue to look at Jesus' "I Am" statements as recorded in the gospel of John, we come to this statement that Jesus said to his disciples in the upper room before his betrayal and crucifixion: "I am the true vine."  So we are looking at what it means to be a part of the vine, to be connected to the vine, and to bear fruit in keeping with the nature of the vine.  As Jesus said, the branches cannot bear fruit if they are not connected to the vine, and the same is true for us.  But Jesus also tells us that when we bear fruit we are pruned.  Sometimes when the church seems to be going through adversity, it is really in a period of pruning so that the branches may bear more fruit, all to the glory of God.

John 15:1-8

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on May 3, 2015 (Previously unpublished)

S.D.G.

S8E56: One Flock, One Shepherd (Eastertide 2018)

Sermon #278

What is it that connects us as Christians?  Though we may be separated by doctrinal differences into different denominations, we are ultimately one flock, one church, because we have one shepherd, Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church invisible.  As we look at what it means to be a part of the flock of Christ, we discover some things about ourselves.  First, as Jesus is the Good Shepherd, we are his sheep, and so he cares for us enough to lay down his life for us.  Second, as our shepherd, he is intimately connected to us, just as he is connected to the Father.  Jesus, our Good Shepherd, protects us, cares for us, and joins us who follow him as one flock with one shepherd.

John 10:11-18

Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on April 22, 2018 (Previously unpublished)

S.D.G.