Sermons at Smoky Row Brethren Church

We can learn a ton from missionary heroes in the church...but there's also a ton we can learn from bad examples. The prophet Jonah shows us perhaps the worst example of a missionary that we see in the bible - bearing a message from God to a foreign people, yet lacking to embody God's heart in even the smallest sense. Join pastor Cory for a reflection on Jonah's example of ministry and what it can...

We say that the Gospel (the good news of Jesus) is the centerpiece of the Christian life, and disciples of Jesus are meant to share that good news with others. But what exactly IS the good news? Join pastor Brenda for a reflection on the content of our Gospel in Jesus and what it means for to be a people who embody the Gospel to the world around us.

Talking about the Trinity tends to result in 1 of 2 bad options: Either we try to use metaphors and analogies that fall short and flirt with heresy OR get so heady and obtuse that you wonder why we’re even talking about it. Why do Christians even believe that God is "three-in-one"? What difference does that affirmation make? Join pastor Cory for a reflection on who God is and what that means for h...

Why does the Church exist? Join Scott Soden, Brethren Global Partners Coordinator, for an update on how Jesus continues to offer hope through the Church around the world.

"What does it mean that he ascended?" The Ascension of Jesus isn’t just a doctrinal curiosity. It actually matters. Join pastor Cory for a reflection on the meaning of Jesus ascended and exalted and what that means for our role as we await his return.

The oldest manuscripts of Mark's gospel don't contain verse 9-20... but without them, what do we do with Mark's abrupt ending? Join pastor Cory for a reflection on the stunned silence of the women at Jesus' tomb, and what it means for us to confront the grave.

What does Jesus' death teach us about God's character and our relationship to him?

None of us were there to show kindness to Jesus before the cross. If you could have been there at that significant moment, what gift might you want to offer? Join pastor Cory for a reflection on Mark 14:1-11, the extravagant gift of Mary and the profound betrayal of Judas.

What does Jesus want us to know about the end of the world? The answer might surprise you. Join pastor Cory for a reflection on Jesus' teaching the disciples about things to come and how we should live in the meantime.

Most Christians take it for granted that we ought to give to our churches... but why exactly do we give? Does God want or need our gifts, talents, or resources? Join pastor Cory for a reflection on Mark 12:38-44 and Jesus' example of the humble generosity of a poor widow.

What does it mean to live faithfully in the hope of resurrection life when our current reality is often full of pain and trial? Join pastor Cory for a reflection on the hope of resurrection from 1 Peter 1.

What happens when Jesus shows up as king in our lives whether we're ready or not? Join Pastor Cory for a reflection on Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday in Mark 11:1-11.

Did Jesus mean it when one needed to sell all their possessions in order to follow him and inherit eternal life? Join pastor Cory for a reflection on Mark 10:17-34, following Jesus, and a life of simple trust.

Join pastor Rudy Bocanegra for a reflection on Mark 9:14-32 and the role of prayer and belief in the kingdom of God.

The meaning of Jesus' teaching on self-denial and taking up crosses is fairly straight forward: following Jesus means inviting trial and persecution. This is an example of a simple command that is just very difficult to obey. Join pastor Cory in a reflection on what it means to deny ourselves, why it is so difficult, and why it remains good news to follow Jesus.

What do you do when your boss asks you to do something unethical, and speaking out could risk your job? What do you do when a friend or loved one is harming themselves or others with their words or actions, but confronting them could risk severing the relationship? What do you do when doing the right thing may mean losing everything.

In one of the more confounding events of Jesus' ministry, we see Jesus initially deny a woman's request for her daughter's healing simply because she is a Gentile. What's worse, he calls her a dog while doing it! What are we supposed to make of this? Join pastor Cory for a reflection on this difficult passage, exploring some possible options for interpretation. Which option do you think is the mos...

What would it have been like to encounter Jesus walking out to your boat upon the waves? Join Bob Trube for a reflection on Mark 6:45-42.

What situations have you waiting for hope these days? What does it look like for you to bring your longing and disappointment to Jesus? Join pastor Cory for a reflection on Mark 5:21-43 and the hope of Christ that meets us in our anxious days.

What is the kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it to? It's like a weedy plant... Join Pastor Cory in a reflection on Jesus' parable of the mustard seed - and the surprising strength and hospitality of God's Kingdom.

Do you ever wonder why Jesus chose the 12 men that he did to be set aside for special mission? Join Pastor Cory for a reflection on Jesus' call of the apostles and what it means for our own discipleship relationships.

The calling of Levi in Mark 2:13-17 shows us a curious truth - sometimes the people who are the least religious are the best suited to share Jesus with others.

When the world feels chaotic, it is common for people to think more about the end times and even see "prophets" come out of the woodwork warning people to be prepared for what is coming. But what does the Bible say it means to "be prepared"? Join pastor Cory as we begin a series in the Gospel of Mark and reflect on John the Baptist's ministry preparing the way for Jesus.