Sermons by Bob Rhodes (Page 4)

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…

Embracing Theological Diversity

The United Methodist Church spans the globe and there is rich theological diversity. Even in this diversity, we agree on a few key elements. This is not new to the church today! Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Romans, John Wesley preached a sermon on it, and as we read Wesley’s sermons we see that he–and we–can evolve theologically. Scripture: Romans 14:1-12 (CEB)

One Body, Many Parts

Whether you are new to this congregation or have been a part since the beginning, you know that we are diverse in our history, our background, our education and socio-economic status, our theology, our age, and so much more! Enriched by this diversity, we are a church family who cares for and prays for one another, a church family who lifts one another up, a church family who nurtures and loves. We do not do these things because we are…

Trusting the Unknown

This Second Sunday after Pentecost includes texts that remind us that God’s presence and call can rarely be described as expected or ordinary. Abram isn’t young when God calls him to leave everything he knows. Matthew isn’t the kind of person anyone would expect the Messiah to call and equip for ministry. Both of these Biblical figures respond to their respective calls even facing significant unknowns. In spite of these realities, both respond faithfully. Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9;  Matthew 9:9-13 (CEB)

Breathing Fire

As we prepare for this Sunday, we look forward to the celebration of Pentecost! This week’s message will explore two New Testament texts. Through the imagery of fire and the act of breathing, we will consider the theme of inspiration and empowerment, stirring our hearts to make a positive impact on our communities and the world around us. Scripture: Acts 2:1-8, 11b-20; John 20:19-23 (CEB)

Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin?

Like many of the other phrases we’ve explored, this one seems great on its surface. Of course we should love those who sin! Indeed, Paul reminds us that we all fall short of the glory of God. Loving the sinner is something we understand and that is clearly the way that Christ engaged in his ministry. But the second part of the phrase starts with hate, and I question the idea that love and hate can co-exist. Scripture: Matther 7:1-5…