Concord United Sermons

The Church was Jesus’ idea. It was not the disciples plan to institutionalize the message of Jesus. It was their response to Jesus’ directions to establish the church as a hospital for sinners not a hotel for saints. (Donatism is a heresy rejected by the early church because it sought to offer church membership based primarily upon the degree of obedience of believer – a hotel for saints – rather...

The Church was Jesus’ idea. It was not the disciples plan to institutionalize the message of Jesus. It was their response to Jesus’ directions to establish the church as a hospital for sinners not a hotel for saints. (Donatism is a heresy rejected by the early church because it sought to offer church membership based primarily upon the degree of obedience of believer – a hotel for saints – rather...

As the early Church reflected on the nature and character of God made known through Christ, they quickly came to a conclusion that would have been shocking to the ancient societies in which they lived. God’s essence, God’s most fundamental nature was not power – though God was all powerful. Nor was it wisdom, though God was all-wise. The nature of God was, and is, love! Scripture - 1 John 4:7-12

As the early Church reflected on the nature and character of God made known through Christ, they quickly came to a conclusion that would have been shocking to the ancient societies in which they lived. God’s essence, God’s most fundamental nature was not power – though God was all powerful. Nor was it wisdom, though God was all-wise. The nature of God was, and is, love! Scripture - 1 John 4:7-12

Jesus was truly God and truly human. If Jesus were not truly God, he could not save us and forgive us. (Heresies such as Arianism and Ebionitism were rejected by the early church because they did not recognize Jesus as fully God.) If Jesus were not fully human, he could not be the authoritative example for faithful living. (Heresies such as Docetism, Gnosticism, Apollinarianism, Monophysitism, and...

Jesus was truly God and truly human. If Jesus were not truly God, he could not save us and forgive us. (Heresies such as Arianism and Ebionitism were rejected by the early church because they did not recognize Jesus as fully God.) If Jesus were not fully human, he could not be the authoritative example for faithful living. (Heresies such as Docetism, Gnosticism, Apollinarianism, Monophysitism, and...

The earliest church was characterized by 3 main beliefs: 1) Belief in Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:22-24), 2) Belief God was uniquely made known in Jesus (Acts 2:36), and 3) Belief in salvation by grace offered to all (Acts 15:7-11 - Jerusalem Council). Throughout the coming centuries, early Christians, guided by the Holy Spirit and reflecting on the firsthand testimony of the apostles, further dev...

The earliest church was characterized by 3 main beliefs: 1) Belief in Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:22-24), 2) Belief God was uniquely made known in Jesus (Acts 2:36), and 3) Belief in salvation by grace offered to all (Acts 15:7-11 - Jerusalem Council). Throughout the coming centuries, early Christians, guided by the Holy Spirit and reflecting on the firsthand testimony of the apostles, further dev...

Prayer is the language that God gives us to communicate with God.  A vital practice of our faith is prayer.  James notes the significance of prayer. We are to praise God, pray for the sick, and those in trouble.  We are to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other.  Practice of prayer is transformational for all involved.   Scripture - James 4:8a; James 5:13-18

Prayer is the language that God gives us to communicate with God.  A vital practice of our faith is prayer.  James notes the significance of prayer. We are to praise God, pray for the sick, and those in trouble.  We are to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other.  Practice of prayer is transformational for all involved. Scripture - James 4:8a; James 5:13-18

Pentecost Sunday is the annual celebration of the birth of the church.  Pentecost is a time to remember the purpose of the church, including living in community and caring for each other. The author of James often notes “brothers and sisters” in his writing, as he is speaking to the collective group of Christians.  Faith is not limited to our actions as individuals, but also our actions as a commu...

Pentecost Sunday is the annual celebration of the birth of the church.  Pentecost is a time to remember the purpose of the church, including living in community and caring for each other. The author of James often notes “brothers and sisters” in his writing, as he is speaking to the collective group of Christians.  Faith is not limited to our actions as individuals, but also our actions as a commu...

There is the adage that “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  That is not true.  Our words cause damage in our close relationships and with those we do not know.  Practicing our faith includes taming our tongue, as James teaches.  The book of James notes more than once the significance of what comes out of our mouths, and how it is evidence of practicing our faith...

There is the adage that “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  That is not true.  Our words cause damage in our close relationships and with those we do not know.  Practicing our faith includes taming our tongue, as James teaches.  The book of James notes more than once the significance of what comes out of our mouths, and how it is evidence of practicing our faith...

Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying, “What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say.”  This applies to our faith as well.  Our faith, our trust, and dependence on God can be relegated to our beliefs, doctrines, and principles, yet never applied to our everyday life.  The author of James challenges that faith is not merely knowing but in acting through faith.  At times, the book of Ja...

Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying, “What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say.”  This applies to our faith as well.  Our faith, our trust, and dependence on God can be relegated to our beliefs, doctrines, and principles, yet never applied to our everyday life.  The author of James challenges that faith is not merely knowing but in acting through faith.  At times, the book of Ja...

: Jesus tells his disciples that he came to offer eternal life to those who believe in and follow him. Eternal life is described in the Bible in several ways. It is described as knowing Jesus, the heavenly city, and the eternal kingdom. These images point to an eternity within a community of restored relationships where every wound has been healed and where we are able love as God has loved us. Je...

Jesus tells his disciples that he came to offer eternal life to those who believe in and follow him. Eternal life is described in the Bible in several ways. It is described as knowing Jesus, the heavenly city, and the eternal kingdom. These images point to an eternity within a community of restored relationships where every wound has been healed and where we are able love as God has loved us. Jesu...

Though we are saved by grace, we are saved through faith. It is faith that allows us request and receive God’s grace and provision through our trust in God. Hebrews 11  describes faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen. It is faith through which the Holy Spirit gives us the internal witness to our souls which allows us to trust God to save us for eternity and...

Though we are saved by grace, we are saved through faith. It is faith that allows us request and receive God’s grace and provision through our trust in God. Hebrews 11  describes faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen. It is faith through which the Holy Spirit gives us the internal witness to our souls which allows us to trust God to save us for eternity and...

We can be saved only by grace, God’s unmerited forgiveness and blessing given to us in the midst of our sinfulness. This grace cannot be earned, but must be requested and received. To illustrate grace, Jesus used the example of the prodigal son, who wronged his Father, wasted his resources, and yet knew enough of his Father’s love to return and beg for forgiveness and provision – which the Father...

We can be saved only by grace, God’s unmerited forgiveness and blessing given to us in the midst of our sinfulness. This grace cannot be earned, but must be requested and received. To illustrate grace, Jesus used the example of the prodigal son, who wronged his Father, wasted his resources, and yet knew enough of his Father’s love to return and beg for forgiveness and provision – which the Father...

Before his birth, Jesus is prophesied to be the one who will save the people from their sins. Ephesians 2 & Romans 6 describe sin as causing death. All sin ultimately causes us to make ourselves god rather following the One True God. Under the power of sin, we follow our own desires and relegate God to a deity we seek only when doing so can help us achieve our goals and objectives. In this way...

Before his birth, Jesus is prophesied to be the one who will save the people from their sins. Ephesians 2 & Romans 6 describe sin as causing death. All sin ultimately causes us to make ourselves god rather following the One True God. Under the power of sin, we follow our own desires and relegate God to a deity we seek only when doing so can help us achieve our goals and objectives. In this way...

Thomas was a skeptical follower of Christ. He heard the stories of Jesus’ resurrection, but had trouble believing until he could see for himself. At the time Thomas expressed his doubt, he was the only disciple who had not yet seen the Risen Christ. In this manner, Thomas is an example for all of us. There will be times when we have not yet experienced what we are told and believe about God to be...