FBC Wilmington Sermons

The only time in scripture that Jesus calls someone Satan is right here, and he says it to Peter. Peter’s shame is what we need to see because it closely resembles ours. He didn’t want Jesus to die but rather conquer the world as it was on earth. He could not accept another way, and this was his shame. It's not much different today. -Rev. Barrett Owen

The act of baptism is one of renewal. We die to our old self and rise again in new life. It is past time our shame is baptized. But beware, just because we name it and let go of it, that does not stop it from trying to come back to tempt us. The arch of Jesus’ baptism to his testing in the wilderness is similar to our arch too. Shame creeps in to test us all the time. But if we can remember the co...

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up to a mountain and they see Jesus transform before God, Elijah, and Moses. Immediately, Peter wants to start talking and build an alter. God steps in and changes the energy of the discussion. Peter is being sweet, but he’s misguided. He’s strong-willed but doesn’t have all the facts. Even these people need to be loved. Jesus shows us how. -Rev. Becca Jones

In the gospels, Jesus heals the sick constantly. So much so that it becomes a priority of ministry for Jesus and the disciples. Nothing has changed today. Sickness is a part of life. Being neighborly means creating the space necessary to see who is ill and showing up and offering healing. This happens in Mark 1 and can/should still happen today. -Rev. Barrett Owen

Most everyone we meet is walking wounded. We carry deep-pitted scars that affects the way we walk and engage others in the world. Followers of Christ must be able to see those who are wounded both emotionally and physically. And we need to do what the characters in Mark 2 do, carry those people to Jesus. -Rev. J. Barrett Owen

In the gospels, Jesus calls individuals to follow him. These disciples become intricate to the spread of Jesus’ movement of love. These disciples were strangers at first but quickly became partners in a shared mission. They bring different skillsets and different perspectives to the table. Christianity should continue to work this way moving forward. -Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Loving the cantankerous souls of the world is challenging. It may need to be said that loving others doesn’t mean we have to be in constant relationship with them. Instead, loving our neighbors means we genuinely wish them well. In John 1, Jesus calls disciples and not all of them have the most open spirit. Philip takes convincing. He’s hard-hearted. But through love, relationships change. -Rev. J...

Jesus is born! Magi come from the East bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. To dismiss these travelers would be to dismiss the moment the world-stage declares Jesus as the rightful king. The only way this moment could have happened is for Mary and Joseph to not be afraid of strangers. They opened their soul to their global neighbors. We can too. Rev. Barrett Owen

Loving our neighbors is a command from Jesus and is part of who he is described to be in the opening words of John's Gospel. Hear this message from our Minister to Students, Josh Godwin on sharing the love of Christ. -Rev. Josh Godwin

The true light that shines at Christmas is for everyone. And the most amazing part of it is darkness cannot snuff it out. Christ is the light that shines love to all corners of the world. It flows fro the heavens, from the manger, and lands in the souls of all people and creatures. Seeing this light, and shining this light, is the call of Christmas on our lives. -Rev. J. Barrett Owen

As Matthew tells it, Joseph wants nothing to do with Mary’s pregnancy until an angel of the Lord stepped in and spoke. This voice was game-changing for Joseph, and what unfolds still has ramifications for us today. This voice gave Joseph the deep joy needed to move forward from his fear. -Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Matthew’s gospel opens with a very intentional genealogy. On the surface, it is quite boring, but as you dig into it, you discover it is anything but. Matthew knows what he’s doing. He’s opening his gospel by setting the stage that this newborn baby matters. He comes with a grand tradition. And he’s its fulfillment and the promised peace for the future of God’s chosen people. -Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Jeremiah prophecies about how God will fulfill the promise made to the house of Israel. He says a shoot or branch will spring up for David and through the lineage of David. As matter of fact, Jeremiah 33:16 says: “In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” So much hope is bound up in this p...

Why do we hate the season of waiting so much? We spend most of our time there - waiting for that new opportunity, new job, new thing to excite us. We are waiting to find joy in our new circumstances but that joy never lasts. This sermon will explore the fallacy with expectational thinking and how we can find true, lasting joy and peace in our relationship with God. -Dr. Jim Everette

To finish out this chapter, Jesus offers yet one more story. This time he draws on apocalyptic imagery that divides the people of the earth into sheep and goats. Hearing the words of this parable read out loud may be the most important spiritual exercise of the year. To be a sheep, we must help, love, and notice the ‘least of these.’ To be a goat, we simply have to overlook the ‘least of these.’ F...

As the gospel continues to move towards the cross, Jesus retreats with his disciples on the Mount of Olives and teaches them privately. Here, he offers a warning to the disciples to keep their lamps trimmed and burning by telling a parable full of sadness and uncertainty for five bridesmaids. -Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Still on the Mount of Olives with the disciples, Jesus follows up last week’s parable with another. It’s equally as concerning. A servant gets thrown into outer darkness because he didn’t make much of the talents (gold) given to him. This story, along with last week’s, is a warning from Jesus to his disciples that they must make something of the time and opportunities given to them. -Rev. J. Barre...

The tumultuous relationship between the religious authorities and Jesus is getting worse. To open this chapter, Jesus denounces their leadership by calling them hypocrites. He ends his admonishment by reminding us all in v11-12: “The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Now confronted by the Pharisees (not just the Temple elders and Sadducees), this religious group tries to trap Jesus by asking him what the greatest commandment is. Jesus’ answer has reverberated across centuries and should shape our entire moral lens. All decisions must fit under the framework of Loving God and Loving Others as we Love Ourselves. Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Still talking to the chief priests and elders in the Temple, Jesus offers another parable, and it is equally as dark as the first. Much needs to be made about the type of story Jesus tells to the religious leaders. His parables are dark, full of death and corrupt leadership. Why do you think he speaks in this way? The parable is nuanced and full of imagery. Working our way through it together will...

Verse 43 pretty much says all we need to know about the divisive nature of Jesus’ teachings in Jerusalem. He says to the chief priest and elders in the Temple: “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.” Think about this. Jesus tells the religious authorities that the kingdom of God will not be their reward b...

When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the f...

At the end of it all, Jesus will return to reign. This is the Christian belief, and it is the ultimate end and the ultimate establishment of a new order. Revelation calls it a New Heaven and a New Earth. We can easily see it as a complete re-ordering of what was into what was always meant to be. Rev. J. Barrett Owen

The church is meant to be the continuation of Jesus following his ascension. The church is the new presence of Christ in the world . . . the figurative Body of Christ. The church, therefore, is the established new order for how faith will follow and spread. The church, when healthy, is the greatest sign of the kingdom of God coming to earth and it’s worth our time reflecting on how we further it t...

Jesus is the ultimate sign of a re-ordering. He brings new life, teachings, and opportunities for the poor to experience the Kingdom of God. He revolutionizes what can be and offers transformation and healing to all who follow him. He is the ultimate sign that something good can resurrect from evil. Rev. J. Barrett Owen