Concord United Sermons

As Jesus departs his disciples, he gives the command that is at the heart of being a disciple: we are commanded to go and make disciples.  Being a disciple is simply to grow in faith ourselves, but to share Christ and serve others as well.    Jesus did not make disciples just for the time when he was here on earth.  We are part of a 2,000 year discipleship tree, of disciples making disciples for t...

As Jesus departs his disciples, he gives the command that is at the heart of being a disciple: we are commanded to go and make disciples.  Being a disciple is simply to grow in faith ourselves, but to share Christ and serve others as well.    Jesus did not make disciples just for the time when he was here on earth.  We are part of a 2,000 year discipleship tree, of disciples making disciples for t...

We live in a culture that encourages us to take the easier, softer way, but that is counter to the costliness of being a follower of Jesus Christ.  Jesus tells us that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.  He goes on to say that to save our lives, we must lose them.  He also asks the question that convicts, haunts, and repels, “What is the profit if we gain the world but lo...

We live in a culture that encourages us to take the easier, softer way, but that is counter to the costliness of being a follower of Jesus Christ.  Jesus tells us that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.  He goes on to say that to save our lives, we must lose them.  He also asks the question that convicts, haunts, and repels, “What is the profit if we gain the world but lo...

No matter our age or stage in life, we are being formed by that which we spend time doing, reading, listening, and becoming.  Why not be formed by Jesus and use Jesus as the model?  Luke 6:40 tells us to be like our teacher, our rabbi, the one for whom we follow.    Our first question is, “What forms us?”.  Our second question is, “What do we want to be?”. These are foundational questions we consi...

No matter our age or stage in life, we are being formed by that which we spend time doing, reading, listening, and becoming.  Why not be formed by Jesus and use Jesus as the model?  Luke 6:40 tells us to be like our teacher, our rabbi, the one for whom we follow.    Our first question is, “What forms us?”.  Our second question is, “What do we want to be?”. These are foundational questions we consi...

Just as Jesus called the disciples to come and follow him, Jesus calls us.  Following Jesus is a choice, more than simply believing in God.  We can spend our whole lives believing in God and never answer the call to follow Jesus.  One of the elements of Jesus’ call to follow him, to be his disciples, is that he meets us where we are.  Just as Jesus called his disciples from their jobs, their every...

Just as Jesus called the disciples to come and follow him, Jesus calls us.  Following Jesus is a choice, more than simply believing in God.  We can spend our whole lives believing in God and never answer the call to follow Jesus.  One of the elements of Jesus’ call to follow him, to be his disciples, is that he meets us where we are.  Just as Jesus called his disciples from their jobs, their every...

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is core to who we are and what we are called to be.  A disciple is someone who follows Jesus Christ.  The historical context of a disciple is found within the Jewish tradition of a rabbi and a rabbi’s disciples.  An ancient phrase found in Jewish tradition is being “covered by the dust of our rabbi”.  That is our hope and calling, to be covered in the dust of our t...

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is core to who we are and what we are called to be.  A disciple is someone who follows Jesus Christ.  The historical context of a disciple is found within the Jewish tradition of a rabbi and a rabbi’s disciples.  An ancient phrase found in Jewish tradition is being “covered by the dust of our rabbi”.  That is our hope and calling, to be covered in the dust of our t...

Following Jesus requires saying “yes” to him—which necessarily means saying “no” to some things. In the Gospels, Jesus’ call to discipleship is radical and demanding. He reminds followers that not all commitments can coexist; priorities must be chosen. In family life, learning to set healthy spiritual, practical, and moral boundaries is vital for flourishing. This lesson is especially important in...

Following Jesus requires saying “yes” to him—which necessarily means saying “no” to some things. In the Gospels, Jesus’ call to discipleship is radical and demanding. He reminds followers that not all commitments can coexist; priorities must be chosen. In family life, learning to set healthy spiritual, practical, and moral boundaries is vital for flourishing. This lesson is especially important in...

Jesus summarized God’s commands by reminding his followers to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength—and to love their neighbor as themselves. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenged first-century expectations about who deserves our compassion, showing that true faith always leads to practical acts of mercy. Christian families are shaped not only by beliefs, but by values liv...

Jesus summarized God’s commands by reminding his followers to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength—and to love their neighbor as themselves. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenged first-century expectations about who deserves our compassion, showing that true faith always leads to practical acts of mercy. Christian families are shaped not only by beliefs, but by values liv...

From Abraham’s family onward, the Scriptures portray the family as the foundation of both faith and society. God’s covenant with Abraham includes the call to instruct children and descendants “to keep the way of the Lord.” In the ancient world, faith was passed down person-to-person within families, with parents, grandparents, as well as single persons called unique forms of spiritual leadership....

From Abraham’s family onward, the Scriptures portray the family as the foundation of both faith and society. God’s covenant with Abraham includes the call to instruct children and descendants “to keep the way of the Lord.” In the ancient world, faith was passed down person-to-person within families, with parents, grandparents, as well as single persons called unique forms of spiritual leadership....

Family stories communicate who we are and where we come from—building emotional resilience and belonging. The Bible is filled with stories of God’s faithfulness, calling us to see ourselves as part of God’s great family. In 1 Peter, the scattered early Christians are reminded that despite suffering, they have an inheritance in Christ and belong to the family of God. Knowing our biblical story is f...

Family stories communicate who we are and where we come from—building emotional resilience and belonging. The Bible is filled with stories of God’s faithfulness, calling us to see ourselves as part of God’s great family. In 1 Peter, the scattered early Christians are reminded that despite suffering, they have an inheritance in Christ and belong to the family of God. Knowing our biblical story is f...

Social media has made jealousy into an epidemic, thought honestly jealousy was doing just fine long before Zuckerberg monetized it. The command not to be cover the possessions of our neighbor is the negative version of the positive command to be content and grateful with what God has given us. This doesn’t mean we have to be content with everything about our lives. We may find ourselves rightfully...

Social media has made jealousy into an epidemic, thought honestly jealousy was doing just fine long before Zuckerberg monetized it. The command not to be cover the possessions of our neighbor is the negative version of the positive command to be content and grateful with what God has given us. This doesn’t mean we have to be content with everything about our lives. We may find ourselves rightfully...

Many of us wouldn’t call ourselves creative people. But if you are placed in a situation where you can get out of trouble by bending the truth a little bit, you’ll be amazed how quickly you’ll become as creative as any Hollywood playwright. We discover this creative impulse early. Every parent has choked back laughter and tried to keep a straight face while hearing their child tell almost unbeliev...

Many of us wouldn’t call ourselves creative people. But if you are placed in a situation where you can get out of trouble by bending the truth a little bit, you’ll be amazed how quickly you’ll become as creative as any Hollywood playwright. We discover this creative impulse early. Every parent has choked back laughter and tried to keep a straight face while hearing their child tell almost unbeliev...

The commandment not to steal is found in almost all ancient societies with written laws. Why is it so prevalent? Well, there was no way then or now to protect all your stuff all the time. If you couldn’t count on your stuff being protect, there was no real way or motivation to do business with others. And society would spiral out of control. Seems like motivation enough. Yet, in God’s commandment,...

The commandment not to steal is found in almost all ancient societies with written laws. Why is it so prevalent? Well, there was no way then or now to protect all your stuff all the time. If you couldn’t count on your stuff being protect, there was no real way or motivation to do business with others. And society would spiral out of control. Seems like motivation enough. Yet, in God’s commandment,...

God created the family as the primary building block for society. To have a flourishing human society, parents must make great sacrifices to raise their children and instill in them a strong Christian character and children must make great sacrifices to respect their parents even when they disagree and to care for their parents in their old age. Scripture - Exodus 20:12