United Methodist Church of Kent Sermon Podcast

Even when it seems that our troubles are insurmountable and that God is absent, we are called to persist in faith, for God is at work and will provide.

These have been “stormy times” in American politics! Many people are unhappy with both major party presidential candidates. What are people of faith to do when the nation’s leaders are flawed? We receive helpful and sound guidance in the Biblical prophets.

If we feel overwhelmed by the world’s troubles and our own shortcomings, the answer is not despair but faith. As we look to God, we can find new direction and vision.

In the book of Genesis, God granted Jacob a new name. God’s name is then part of Jacob’s new name, “Isra-el”. For the rest of his life, he will be carrying that name with him. When we allow God into our lives, we too are challenged to remember what a great responsibility it is to live up to God’s name.

Life can take us through some pretty rough times. One of the most harrowing voyages in the Bible took place as Paul was on a ship destined for Rome. It is a story of how God is at work—often in spite of present appearances!—to bring the faithful through the storm.

The writer of I John knew that Christians had many fears, chief among them death, persecution, and internal divisions. Must we live in fear? Is that what God wants for us?

The world will forever be a mixture of good and evil because God allows people freedom. Rather than losing heart over the bad in the world, we need to keep focused on God’s work, trusting in the harvest to come.

Like the disciples, caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, we are often anxious and afraid in the face of life’s troubles. Jesus can calm the storm, and give us the courage to continue on in faith.

In the midst of the darkest times in the history of Israel, Jeremiah found hope in God. His hope was well founded, for bright times were coming! Today, even in the toughest times, when it seems that all is lost, we can find genuine hope in God.

Why is there such evil in the world? The Bible leads us to understand not only the origin of evil, but the answer to it. We will never save ourselves; but the good news is that God is acting through Christ to deliver us from evil.

When storms hit in life, we often wonder where God is. The Scriptures affirm that while God may allow the storm, God yet reigns over the storm. When we put our trust in God, we can see beyond the clouds, and we can find the strength to journey through the storm, upheld by the grace of God.

We live in stormy times. How can we journey through a world full of such evil and trouble? The story of Noah is an archetypal image of how we can make it through the storm when we put our trust in God.

Who are the “meek”? The Biblical answer may surprise you. When Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” he is talking about what sort of people find fulfillment in their true destiny.

Jesus says, “Blessed are the persecuted.” Through all the beatitudes, Jesus teaches that people who are hitting hard times may become especially blessed. What is Jesus saying to us when we confront rough times?

“Blessed are the pure in heart,” says Jesus, “for they shall see God.” What does it mean to be pure in heart? Jesus points here to the center of the blessed life.

Jesus tells his hearers that if they ask anything “in his name” he will do it! We need to understand that Jesus is not writing a blank check here. We reflect upon what it means to pray “in his name.” Visit kentmethodist.org/sermons for the video and an archive of past sermons.

This week’ sermon was delivered by guest preacher Bil Lepp. Bil is a former Methodist pastor and an award-winning professional storyteller. He has received accolades not only at storytelling competitions, but also for his writing for adults and children (most recently the children’s book The King of Little Things) and for his audio recordings. You can find out more about his life and work at his w...

Forgiveness is hard. It can be hard to forgive ourselves. It can be hard to forgive others. Yet Jesus says “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” How do we experience God’s mercy in life?

Are you trying to be a peacemaker in your family, or among friends or colleagues? It can be difficult! Do you long for peace in the world? That seems impossible! Yet Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” How does Jesus lead us to create peace?

What does it mean as a nation to be blessed by God? Does our country have a calling to be “a nation whose God is the Lord”?

What are you seeking in life? What will satisfy your soul? We are invited to find our real fulfillment in Christ.

Jesus turns our typical notions about who is “blessed” on their head. We idolize the rich and famous, but Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor (in spirit),” and “Blessed are the meek and those who mourn.” How can people who feel a deep sense of lack and loss be blessed? Perhaps it has something to do with how those people become receptive to God.

What does it mean to be blessed by God? How do we enter into God’s blessing? The story of Abraham helps us to understand how God’s blessing works.

Paul writes that we are like fragile earthen vessels or tents, and yet we are entrusted with the living and sharing of God’s Word. It is only by God’s grace that we can take on this mission.

During our United Methodist Women celebration, Judith Nedel of the Rebecca Circle delivered this message about finding true happiness and the scriptural basis for living a life filled with blessings.