Sermons @ Shepherd

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore Chapter 9 of the Book of John, where Jesus heals a blind man and is criticized by the Pharisees. Jesus describes himself as the gate for the sheep, and only those who know his voice will follow him. He also uses metaphors to describe himself as the bread of life and the light of the world. The sermon focuses on how gates can both keep pe...

Jesus said, "I am the gate for the sheep." That's odd. Thinking of Jesus as a shepherd makes sense. But what does it mean that he is the sheep's gate? It means that he lays down his life for the one he loves.

Welcome to today's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, where we delve into the transformative power of recognizing the presence of Christ in our lives. In this sermon, the pastor takes us through the gospel reading from Luke 24:13-35, where two disciples on the road to Emmaus encounter Jesus but fail to recognize Him until He breaks bread with them. We are called to reflect on how often we, like th...

We tend to think of the resurrection in very dramatic terms. But the resurrected Christ was revealed to his disciples in something as everyday as "the breaking of the bread." Jesus' resurrection does not do away with everyday life. It transforms it. 

In this episode of the Shepherd of the Hills podcast, we discuss the significance of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Drawing from the biblical account in Matthew 21:1-11, the sermon emphasizes how Jesus carefully choreographed his arrival to make a statement about his identity and mission. By riding on a donkey's colt, Jesus fulfilled a prophecy from the Old Testament and presented...

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we hear about the significance of cemeteries and headstones in reflecting our beliefs and attitudes toward death. Drawing inspiration from the scripture reading in Chapter 11, verses 32 through 45, the message reflects on how death is still an enigma despite our attempts to understand it. The pastor shares his personal experiences of holding people...

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we discuss the biblical story of Jesus healing a man born blind, found in John 9:1-16 and 35-41. The sermon emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbors without exception, just as God loves us. We also hear a personal anecdote about the pastor's mother's explanation of how love works, and how it is not a finite resource. Through this lens, we...

We often doubt ourselves: our abilities, our gifts, and our faith, especially in times of trouble. Doubt can be thought of as "debating on understanding bewildering thought." Living with doubt means that we live with mystery. Questioning our faith is often the precursor to growth. Finally, we can overcome doubt by having compassion for ourselves, being thankful, and finding time to connect with ot...

In today's podcast from Shepherd of the Hills, we will be delving into the Gospel of John, Chapter 20 verses 19-31. This passage tells the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection, and we are offered some context before delving deeper into the meaning of the passage. After a prayer, the sermon is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the disciples' perspec...

Welcome to this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, where we'll be diving into the powerful story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, found in John 4:5-26. This is a story of Jesus crossing boundaries - both ethnic and gender - to offer living water to a woman in need. As we explore this passage, we'll see how Jesus breaks down barriers and offers grace to all, regardless of past m...

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we learn that the church's purpose is to love their neighbors without exception, in response to God's love for them. The scripture reading for today's sermon is taken from John 3:1-17, where Nicodemus, a Pharisee, visited Jesus at night seeking to understand his teachings. Jesus responded by telling Nicodemus that one must be "born again" to see th...

Is the resurrection real? Absolutely. If you don't believe me – if you don't believe Matthew – look around. The divine residue of the resurrection is all around. (I am part of that residue – so are you). The real story of the resurrection is told in the lives of the people who lived it and in the lives of the people in whom resurrection hope lives .

This Easter message from Shepherd of the Hills is about the significance of Easter in Christianity, the history of its celebration, and how it is commemorated today. The sermon highlights the importance of the resurrection of Christ as the defining moment for those who claim Christ. It also mentions the various ways in which people prepare for Easter and celebrate it, such as getting new clothes a...

In this Palm Sunday sermon at Shepherd of the Hills, we focus on the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where he is celebrated by humble people who recognize their need for salvation. Using the contrasting parades of Jesus and Pontius Pilot, the sermon challenges listeners to choose Jesus over other options that may seem more exciting or appealing. The message emphasizes the importance of humil...

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee who visits Jesus in secret, seeking answers to life's big questions. Through their conversation, Jesus explains that in order to enter the Kingdom of God, one must be born again of both water and spirit, and emphasizes the importance of coming to the light and doing what is true in God's eyes. We also d...

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in the Gospel of John, chapter 4. This story teaches us the importance of true worship and reveals Jesus as the Messiah. The sermon begins by describing the differences between the Jews and Samaritans and their disagreement on worship locations. He then delves into the story of...

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the theme of spiritual blindness and healing through the lens of the gospel story of Jesus healing a man born blind in John 9:1-41. We reflect on the unusual nature of this healing story and how it highlights the messiness and uncertainty of the healing process. Through storytelling and biblical analysis, the sermon encourages listeners...

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we delve into the familiar story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. However, instead of just focusing on the miraculous event itself, the sermon takes a closer look at the events leading up to it. It explores the idea of how we often react to news of illness or tragedy in our lives and how we can learn from Jesus' response in this story. Rather...

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore the significance of Lent, a time for reflection and growth for Christians leading up to Easter. The theme for this year's Lenten journey is "Choose This Day," focusing on making important choices. The sermon delves into the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, exploring the idea of temptation and how it affects everyone. The s...

This week begins out Lenten series "Choose This Day." We begin with "Choose God" and the story of the Temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Throughout all 3 temptation, Jesus chooses God everytime. It is in this wilderness of Lent where we encounter God, where the Kingdo of God is won with faithful disciples choosing "the long obedience in the same direction." Matthew 4:1-11

Paul wrote that, "the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." We must remember there is a level of divine absurdity to our faith. Let us get in touch with that in 2023. Let us return to embracing mystery rather than planning each step. 1 Corinthians 1:18-3

The church is a group of people united under the banner of Christ. Whether we are UMC, or another denomination, we are Christians. God calls us to be one in spirit with one another. We all may sing in different parts, but we are called to be in harmony with one another. 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Paul opens his letter to the Corinthians in his usual style. He proclaims that they have everything they need, and that God is faithful. All they need to do is to wait for God to move in their community. I Corinthians 1:1-9

Every journey starts somewhere. Jesus' public ministry began at the Jordan River where we was baptized. God bore witness to Jesus' identity at his baptism. What are the signposts and demarcation points that signal our own journey? This sermon will look at the importance of marking our way. Matthew 3:13-17

Zaccheus was part of the famous group that we hear so much about in the gospels, "tax collectors and sinners." Zaccheus chose to live outside of God's covenant. But, when he encounters Jesus face to face, he sees everything, including himself, differently.