Sermons by Bob Rhodes (Page 2)
Royal Entrance
This is the first week of our Lenten sermon series based on the book “The Last Week” by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. As we open, we explore the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and compare this to the likely historical entry that Pontius Pilate would have made through the opposite side of the city. These differences are essential to understanding the divine power of the Christ, and his essential teachings during this final week. Scripture: Mark 11:…
Community
As we continue our post-Christmas sermon series called “Why Be Christian?” we might remember what we’ve explored so far. We began in the baptismal waters alongside Jesus, who entered the waters to show us the way to God’s abundant life. We listened for the voice of God alongside Samuel, Philip, and Nathanael. With Jonah, Simon, Andrew, James, and John, we received the persistent and grace-filled invitation to participate with God in living out the fullness of God’s kingdom here and…
Call & Response
This week we continue our post-Christmas sermon series called “Why Be Christian?” As we explore texts from the story of Jonah and the call of the disciples, we will consider the importance of our response: our response to God, to our faith, to the circumstances of the world. In doing so, we will ask ourselves whether these responses should be inward or outward… or perhaps both! Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Mark 1:14-20 (CEB)
Listening
This week we continue our post-Christmas sermon series called “Why Be Christian?” Liturgically, this is also the beginning of Ordinary Time (named for ordinal numbers), though we can also remember that being Christian is not necessarily ordinary. It is good, then, that we choose to focus this week on listening. Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; John 1:43-51 (CEB)
In the Beginning
This week we begin a new post-Christmas sermon series called “Why Be Christian?” This first week we begin at the beginning: with the opening verses of the Genesis creation story, and with the baptism of Jesus. These are essential beginnings to the stories of Christianity, and they offer us the opportunity to explore the beginnings of our own faith. Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5; Mark 1:4-11
Almost There
Can you believe it? We’re entering the final stretch of our Advent Road Trip series. Over the past few weeks, we’ve packed our bags, asked “Are We There Yet?”, and navigated the roadblocks on our journey. We’re approaching our destination. This is about the time you keep your eyes peeled for your exit, signaling that you’ve nearly made it to the end. Those exit signs bring a sense of relief and excitement that rivals the initial excitement we feel at…
Recalculating
A few weeks ago we began our journey Packed and Ready to prepare for the arrival of Christ. And last week, we leaned into that all-too-familiar question, “Are We There Yet?” with John the Baptist as our guide, as he prepared the way for Christ. This week we find ourselves facing an unexpected turn. It seems every trip has them. Have you ever encountered a roadblock or a detour sign when traveling? They can be minor, or sometimes they can…
Are We There Yet?
It’s the second week of Advent, and as you might recall, last week we kicked off our Road Trip: Journeying to Christmas series. We started by packing up, making sure we’re ready for the journey ahead, just like those anticipating the arrival of the Son of Man. This week, we’re on the road and maybe already starting to get a little antsy about the drive. Scripture: Mark 1:1-8
After Giving Thanks
As we conclude our brief series on gratitude, the text for this week is familiar. The story of the feeding of the five thousand is in all four Gospels, though some of the details are differentAnd in three of the Gospels, it is linked to the story of Jesus walking on water. Consider what it must have felt like to be in one of these settings… Scripture: John 6:5-23 (CEB)
In Everything
The opening verse this week is, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Consider someone in your life who acts this way. This doesn’t mean, even as we approach Thanksgiving, that there isn’t room for grief or sadness. Suffering can hit us even during the holiday season. Even in this suffering, God offers care and grace. Scripture: Philippians 4:4-13 (NRSVue)
Enter the Gates
This week we begin a new 3-week series on gratitude called Our Hymn of Grateful Praise. Through these few weeks, we will explore the essential nature of gratitude in our lives and in our faith. This first Sunday, we begin with a psalm of thanks. I think expressing gratitude is essential for us, and sometimes I wonder if we have lost that practice. I’m sure I’ve spoken before about how terrible I am at remembering to write Thank-You cards! I’m…
Called to Be One
This week we conclude our 6-week series called Unity in Diversity: The Beauty of The United Methodist Church. As we conclude this series, we are guided by the culmination of Jesus’ farewell discourse in the Gospel of John. Indeed, the verse that follows this selection finds Jesus going to the garden on the other side of the Kidron Valley. In this text, Jesus has been taking this final opportunity to teach, to pray, and to prepare the disciples—his friends—for his…