Sermon Transcripts

Series: “Jesus’ Message: You Are a Participant in the Dream”

“The Journey of One Race and One Blood Isn’t Easy”

2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

Mark 5:21-43

Next week we celebrate our 248th anniversary of independence as a country. 1776 was an important year. And then eleven years later, in 1787, our government’s system of democracy was established. As a country, we value the idealism of the Declaration of Independence and the pragmatism of the Constitution.

Democracy is a modern idea that is transformative. A democratic ...

Series: “Jesus’ Message: You Are a Participant in the Dream”

“This Is The Time for Measured Patience”

2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19

Mark 6:14-29

We belong to each other and that is God’s intention. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Ephesians 1:3-14, a lectionary text not read this morning, describes how God has brought each one of us into a new definition of community. God saves, rescues, liberates, and prepares us to bear witness to the good news of redemption and transformation ...

Series: “Jesus’ Message: You Are a Participant in the Dream”

“You Cannot Produce What You’re Not”

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10

Psalm 48

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Mark 6:1-13

Jesus is the real deal when it comes to freedom. On Thursday of last week, we celebrated our 248th anniversary of independence as a country. 1776 was an important year. And then eleven years later, in 1787, our government’s system of democracy was established. A democratic form of government is freeing and challenging…distributive and collective.^[1]

Our country is ...

Series: “Jesus’ Message: You Are a Participant in the Dream”

“Just Say Yes to Multiethnic Faith Communities”

1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus consistently challenged the disciples to put their beliefs into practice. In Mark 4:40, Jesus responds to the disciples’ plea for help in the storm. Jesus replied, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Martin Luther King, Jr, in his April 16, 1963, Letter from a Brimingham Jail, writes,

Injustice anywhere is a threat. We are caught in an inescapable network ...

Series: “Jesus’ Message: You Are A Participant In the Dream”

“Just Say No To Economic Injustice”

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13

Mark 4:26-34

The good news of Jesus is that no one should be oppressed by economic injustice.

What does economic injustice look like? According to author Anshu Siripurapu writing for the Council on Foreign Relations,

Income and wealth inequality is higher in the United States than in almost any other developed country, and it is rising. There are large wealth and income gaps across racial groups, which ...