Sermons by Bob Rhodes (Page 2)
Prayers of the People
As we near the end of our Worship with Rejoicing series, we turn our focus to the “Prayers of the People.” In our scripture passage, we encounter David in a moment of deep sorrow as he learns of the death of his son Absalom. It reminds us that prayer is not just about the words we speak but also about the deep cries ofour hearts. Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 (NRSVue)
The Weight of the Word
In week 4 of our Worship with Rejoicing series, we step into a powerful narrative from the story of King David that reveals the weight and impact of God’s word in our lives. Following last week’s difficult text about David and Bathsheba, the King is confronted by the prophet Nathan. Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a (NRSVue)
Call to Confession
As we continue our series on the elements of our traditional worship service, this week we focus on the “Call to Confession.” In the scripture text, David’s actions serve as a stark reminder of the importance of seeking reconciliation with God and recognizing our need for God’s mercy and grace. This week gives us the opportunity to reflect on how we can respond to this call to confession with sincere hearts, trusting in God’s unfailing love and forgiveness. Scripture: 2…
Call to Worship
As we continue our series on the elements of our traditional worship service, we focus this week on the “Call to Worship.” Through David’s story, we explore how our desire to honor God and God’s presence calls us into a deeper relationship with the Divine. Let us consider how we can respond to God’s invitation to worship with hearts full of gratitude and reverence. Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a (NRSVue)
Gathering for Worship
Worship is the heartbeat of our faith community. It’s a time when we gather to celebrate, reflect, and connect with God and each other. In the story of King David, we find a powerful example of what it means to gather for worship. As the Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem, David leads the people in joyous celebration, dancing before the Lord with all his might. This scene captures the essence of worship as a communal and heartfelt…
In Weakness and in Strength
As we conclude our “Open Your Heart” series, we turn our attention to this paradox of faith: how embracing our weaknesses can reveal God’s strength in our lives. Let us open our hearts to understand how our limitations can become opportunities for divine power to be made known. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (NRSVue)
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)