Concord United Sermons

Encouraging One Another | Rev. Wil Cantrell

There seems to be plenty to cause discouragement.  Often times the loudest voices in public and private are those of judgement, criticism and discouragement.  The writer of Hebrews guides the reader of the past and the present about the significance of encouraging one another.  We are directed to draw near to God, hold fast to the hope we have in Jesus Christ, spur one another along to love and good deeds, continue to meet together, and encourage one another.  Encouraging one another is part of loving one another.  In a world where we provoke each other to emotions of anger and frustration, let us provoke each other to God, hope, love, serve, meet and encourage. 

Scripture - Hebrews 10:19-25

Loving One Another When We Disagree | Rev. Wil Cantrell

In our divided culture, we are taught to only love those in our tribe who think like us, look like us, and vote like us. When asked about what it meant to love your neighbor, Jesus responded with the story of the Good Samaritan. Samaritans were an enemies of the Jews and disagreed with them about significant religious beliefs. Yet, when a Jewish man is robbed and beaten, it is a Samaritan who helps him while other “religious” Jews neglect him. Jesus tells us to do likewise. “Doing likewise” in today’s world means intentionally seeking to befriend, understand, and bless those with whom we disagree. This is how Christians are to be a healing presence in a world where people are too busy demonizing one another to love one another. 

Scripture - Luke 10:25-37

Loving One Another When We Disagree | Rev. Brooke Hartman

In our divided culture, we are taught to only love those in our tribe who think like us, look like us, and vote like us. When asked about what it meant to love your neighbor, Jesus responded with the story of the Good Samaritan. Samaritans were an enemies of the Jews and disagreed with them about significant religious beliefs. Yet, when a Jewish man is robbed and beaten, it is a Samaritan who helps him while other “religious” Jews neglect him. Jesus tells us to do likewise. “Doing likewise” in today’s world means intentionally seeking to befriend, understand, and bless those with whom we disagree. This is how Christians are to be a healing presence in a world where people are too busy demonizing one another to love one another. 

Scripture - Luke 10:25-37

Love One Another | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Jesus commands us to love one another as He loves us. The key to following this commandment is recognizing the difference between the way Jesus loves us and the way the world teaches us to love. Jesus loves us unconditionally. Usually, the world loves us so long as we have something to offer. Jesus loves us when we fail. The world loves us when we succeed. Jesus loves us when it means defying social expectations. The world loves us when we follow social expectations. We see the depth of Jesus’ love in his Resurrection interaction (in John 21) with Peter following Peter’s denial. Jesus asks Peter if Peter loves (agape) him. Peter responds by saying loves (philio) Jesus. Agape is sacrificial love. Philio is the love of a friend. Peter knowing his recent denial is too ashamed to claim that he sacrificially loves Jesus because he knows his actions have not lived up to that standard. Yet, Jesus still restores and prophecies over Peter that Peter will indeed love him sacrificially – even to the point of Peter giving up his life. This is how Jesus loves us. By forgiving, redeeming, restoring, and guiding us through the power of the Holy Spirit to a life of courageous love which we could have never lived purely on our own power.

Scripture - John 13:34, John 21:15-19

Love One Another | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Jesus commands us to love one another as He loves us. The key to following this commandment is recognizing the difference between the way Jesus loves us and the way the world teaches us to love. Jesus loves us unconditionally. Usually, the world loves us so long as we have something to offer. Jesus loves us when we fail. The world loves us when we succeed. Jesus loves us when it means defying social expectations. The world loves us when we follow social expectations. We see the depth of Jesus’ love in his Resurrection interaction (in John 21) with Peter following Peter’s denial. Jesus asks Peter if Peter loves (agape) him. Peter responds by saying loves (philio) Jesus. Agape is sacrificial love. Philio is the love of a friend. Peter knowing his recent denial is too ashamed to claim that he sacrificially loves Jesus because he knows his actions have not lived up to that standard. Yet, Jesus still restores and prophecies over Peter that Peter will indeed love him sacrificially – even to the point of Peter giving up his life. This is how Jesus loves us. By forgiving, redeeming, restoring, and guiding us through the power of the Holy Spirit to a life of courageous love which we could have never lived purely on our own power.

Scripture - John 13:34, John 21:15-19

Leaving A Legacy | Rev. Wil Cantrell

The dishonest manager realizes his time in his current position is limited and he acts in such a way to bless others (both his clients and his boss) and in so doing leaves a last impression  (legacy) with his life. We all own nothing. We only have a few things that for a few years we are entrusted to manage for God. We will manage them in such a way that leave a legacy. Will our lives leave a legacy of faith and love which will bless our families for generations to come? Will we use our gifts to build building, create endowments, or support ministries that will remain as a testament to God’s goodness long after we are gone?

Scripture - Luke 16:1-15

Leaving A Legacy | Rev. Brooke Hartman

The dishonest manager realizes his time in his current position is limited and he acts in such a way to bless others (both his clients and his boss) and in so doing leaves a last impression  (legacy) with his life. We all own nothing. We only have a few things that for a few years we are entrusted to manage for God. We will manage them in such a way that leave a legacy. Will our lives leave a legacy of faith and love which will bless our families for generations to come? Will we use our gifts to build building, create endowments, or support ministries that will remain as a testament to God’s goodness long after we are gone?

Scripture - Luke 16:1-15

How to Change A Life | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Lives are changed for the better not by technology or wealth primarily, but by connection with God and others. This is what we were created for. The story of the prodigal son is the story of two sons who lose connection with their family for different reasons, and the path to restoration that each must learn to walk. This is why the most powerful ministries of the church are the ministries that create personal and spiritual connections. These may look rather ordinary like worship services, Sunday School classes, potluck meals, or service projects, but what they are doing is helping us connect to God and each other. In fact, studies have shown that our connection to each other and our spiritual connection to God plays a greater role in even our well-being than any other medical factor (Ex. Harvard longevity study). At Concord, we recognize one of the reason why we give of our treasure is to enable life changing ministry which connect people to God and each other.

Scripture - Luke 15:11-32

How to Change A Life | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Lives are changed for the better not by technology or wealth primarily, but by connection with God and others. This is what we were created for. The story of the prodigal son is the story of two sons who lose connection with their family for different reasons, and the path to restoration that each must learn to walk. This is why the most powerful ministries of the church are the ministries that create personal and spiritual connections. These may look rather ordinary like worship services, Sunday School classes, potluck meals, or service projects, but what they are doing is helping us connect to God and each other. In fact, studies have shown that our connection to each other and our spiritual connection to God plays a greater role in even our well-being than any other medical factor (Ex. Harvard longevity study). At Concord, we recognize one of the reason why we give of our treasure is to enable life changing ministry which connect people to God and each other.

Scripture - Luke 15:11-32

Overflowing Generosity | Rev. Wil Cantrell

The woman who finds her lost coin invites her friends to come celebrate with her. Like the woman, God celebrates whenever a person turns to God in repentance. When we experience God, we are called to imitate the woman by sharing with others the joy of God’s presence. When we allow God’s goodness of overflow in our lives by sharing it with others, we discover that in the act of giving to others we find ourselves replenished and restored. This is why we give our time talent, and treasure to allow God’s goodness to overflow through us.

Scripture - Luke 15:8-10