Sermons by Bob Rhodes
In Sorrow and in Rejoicing
This week we begin a new sermon series inviting us to explore how we live open-heartedly in a risky world and at a contentious time. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (NRSVue)
Perfect in Love
This week, we look at another profound aspect of God’s nature: God’s perfect love. Psalm 138 is a hymn of thanksgiving, highlighting God’s unwavering love and faithfulness. This is a love that meets us where we are, sustains us through our trials, and propels us toward a future filled with hope and purpose. Scripture: Psalm 138 (CEB)
Creative Creator
As we continue our series on Seeking God, we explore Psalm 139 which beautifully captures the omniscience and omnipresence of God, portraying a Creator who knows us intimately and is with us constantly. As we prayerfully consider these verses, we are called to recognize and celebrate the creative power of God today, in our lives and in the world around us. Scripture: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (CEB)
Awe-Inspiring Presence
We are beginning the longest season of the Christian Year, the Sundays after Pentecost. On Pentecost, the church takes the stage and seeks to live out what has been learned and to put it into action. We don’t do this work alone, which is why we begin with this season with a series about seeking God. Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8 (CEB)
Dry Bones, Flames, and a New Spirit
This is Pentecost Sunday! In the Christian tradition, this is sometimes celebrated as the birthday of the universal church. This Sunday we will explore how the gift of the Holy Spirit inspires us to new life, new ministry, new ways of being community and the church! Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Acts 2:1-8, 11b-21 (CEB)
Religion & Politics
We continue our post-Easter sermon series exploring “The Power of Words.” This week, we remember the common conflict-avoidance of never talking about politics or religion by exploring both! As our denomination gathers at General Conference in Charlotte, NC, important matters are addressed by this international decision-making body. How we address one another even in these high-impact situations can say a lot about who we are. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-12; 12:31b & 13:4-8a (NRSV)
Family Words: Hurtful or Life-Giving
We continue our post-Easter sermon series exploring “The Power of Words.” This week, we look at our families–whether those are families of origin, chosen families, church families, or some combination. Sometimes our family members know just how to push our buttons, and we are then faced with how to respond. Sometimes we are so comfortable with a family member that we don’t filter our words before speaking them. Our choices matter, our words matter, in how we treat and speak…
Resurrection
Please enjoy our Easter Sunday worship service. Scripture: Mark 16:1-8 (CEB)
The Crucifixion of the Christ
We continue our Lenten sermon series based on the book The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, journeying day by day through Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem. We are quickly moving to the end of the week, and therefore closer to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. Each day has been building, and this day we arrive at Jesus’ most profound teaching at the last supper. But that’s not the end of the day… Scripture: Mark 15:1-15…
A Meal, A Prayer, A Trial
We continue our Lenten sermon series based on the book The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, journeying day by day through Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem. We are quickly moving to the end of the week, and therefore closer to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. Each day has been building, and this day we arrive at Jesus’ most profound teaching at the last supper. But that’s not the end of the day… Scripture: Mark 14:1-11…
Challenging Authority
This week we move to Tuesday and an expanse of texts from the middle of the 11th chapter all the way through the end of the 13th chapter. Roughly two-thirds of this section shows Jesus in conflict with the religious leaders in the temple, where Jesus is continually challenged with questions intended to entrap and discredit him in a public setting. Scripture: Mark 12:28-34 (CEB)
The Temple in Frame
We continue our Lenten sermon series based on the book The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, journeying day by day through Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem. This week we move to Monday, the day that Jesus turns over the tables in the temple. Known as a “cleansing” of the temple, Jesus’ motives and intentions have been widely explored in countless sermons and papers. This story is framed by a narrative about a fig tree, something that…