Sermons on Matthew

Wrestling with Favor

Have you ever wanted to walk on water? Have you ever wanted to stand out? Have you ever wanted to be the favorite? Careful what you wish for! Scripture: Genesis 37:1-4, 19-28; Romans 10:10-13; Matthew 14:22-33 (CEB)

Wrestling with Legacy

Like Jacob who wrestles an angel, we all wrestled with our own legacy. Today we will look to the past in order to plan for the future. Scripture: Genesis 32: 22-31; Matthew 14: 13-21

Inspired: Fish Stories

This week we near the end of our worship series “Inspired” based on the book Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans. Some of the loudest critiques from our non-theist friends about sacred Christian texts have to do with the more extraordinary and even super-natural stories. Did those things happen or were they written as allegory and an exaggeration? As Wesleyans, we understand the value of reason in our spiritual life—but this…

We Believe: The Forgiveness of Sins

This week we focus on a short and powerful statement in the Apostle’s Creed: the forgiveness of sins. The forgiveness of sins is a fundamental belief in the Christian faith. When we declare that we believe “in the forgiveness of sins” we affirm our belief in a divine grace that is available to everyone. Scripture: Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 5:38-48 (CEB)

We Believe: Jesus Christ

Our second week jumps into the absolute core of Christianity in the exploration of the history and personhood of Jesus of Nazareth. The creed makes a litany of statements that highlight classic Christian theology. Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 16:13-18 (CEB)

Grace in the Gardens

As we conclude our series this week, we find parallel imagery and inspiration in Victor Hugo’s masterpiece alongside the garden’s of sacred text. The bishop who gifts Valjean with silver has a daily practice of walking in a garden. As Valjean raises Cosette, he does so in a home with an unruly garden that he evidently struggles to maintain. Marius and Cosette profess their love to each other in the secrecy of that same garden. Often people associate God with…

Do You Hear the People Sing?

This week we consider the young students to whom Cosette becomes inextricably drawn. These idealists call themselves “Les Amis de l’ABC,” an interesting name that seems to indicate that their voices are raised on behalf of others. Do you hear the people sing? Scripture: Habakkuk 2:9-11; Mark 11:1-11 (CEB)

Hearts Full of Love

As we continue to explore the story of Les Misérables, we come to a story of love that is inserted in the middle of great conflict–the conflict of Valjean’s ongoing escape and the conflict brewing between Les Amis and local authorities. In the midst of this darkness, a spark of love erupts. Scripture: John 15:9-17 (CEB)

There Was a Time…

This week we continue our Worship series titled The Grace of Les Misérables, based on the book by the same title by Rev. Matt Rawle. This week we look at the life and struggles of Fantine, a woman who fell in love before finding herself a single mother. Fantine faced unimaginable choices and terrifying realities, and throughout this, is continually judged and continually dehumanized. Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46 (CEB)

Fallen?

As we continue our Worship series on Les Misérables, we turn our attention from Jean Valjean to Javert, the police inspector whose rigid sense of justice conflicts with Valjean’s expression of compassionate grace. Scripture: Matthew 5:38-39 (CEB)

Family Candlelight Service

Our 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Service focuses on children and families and will tell the story of Christmas through scripture and song. Children may be invited to join an informal visual tableau (no rehearsal required!) with fun costumes and easy movements. We will conclude with Christmas carols and candles.