Concord United Sermons

The Secret to Entering the Kingdom | Rev. Brooke Hartman

During the sermon on the mount, Jesus tells us not to worry by instead focusing first on the Kingdom of God and trusting God to give us everything else we need. We can only enter the Kingdom of God by putting the Kingdom first. Until we learn to put the Kingdom first, we will always be worried because we will always be seeking things that cannot fulfill the deepest desire of our souls.

Scripture - Matthew 6:25-34

Turn Around Before It’s Too Late | Rev. Brooke Hartman

In Matthew Gospel, the first messages we hear from Jesus and from John the Baptist are identical, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” According to these teachings, the kingdom can be entered during our earthly lives (not just after death) and repentance is the key to entering the kingdom. Repent means to turn around. Jesus’ first call on our lives is to turn from living by the values of earthly kingdom, or the selfish values of our own egocentric kingdom, and instead to live by the ways and means of the Kingdom of Heaven. During Lent, we focus on repentance, not so that we can improve our willpower, but so that we can experience life inside the Kingdom of Heaven.  

Scripture - Matthew 4:12-17

Turn Around Before It’s Too Late | Rev. Wil Cantrell

In Matthew Gospel, the first messages we hear from Jesus and from John the Baptist are identical, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” According to these teachings, the kingdom can be entered during our earthly lives (not just after death) and repentance is the key to entering the kingdom. Repent means to turn around. Jesus’ first call on our lives is to turn from living by the values of earthly kingdom, or the selfish values of our own egocentric kingdom, and instead to live by the ways and means of the Kingdom of Heaven. During Lent, we focus on repentance, not so that we can improve our willpower, but so that we can experience life inside the Kingdom of Heaven.  

Scripture - Matthew 4:12-17

Fellowship of The Holy Spirit and The Joyful Christian | Rev. Becca Means and Olivia Schlomer

The Holy Spirit is God's presence of love here on earth. Adventure awaits when we accept the invitation to discover God's love and become aware that the same Spirit who guided Jesus's life also guides ours. We need a community of faith on this adventure, just as Christ did. We can't do it alone.

True joy is not just an emotion that happens to us and is tied to our circumstances but a deep and fulfilling fruit that comes from abiding in Christ.  When we abide in His love, our lives overflow with the joy that only He can give, sustaining us through all seasons and leading us into the fullness of life He intended.

Scripture -

1. Romans 8:14-15) (Supporting Scripture, John 16:13, Galatians 5:25)
2. The Joyful Christian ( John 15:9-11) (Supporting Scripture, Psalm 16:11)

The Final Exodus | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Luke 9:28-36 NRSV

Hebrews 3:1-6 NRSV

They are a Good Christian | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Being a Christian is far more than good moral values.  Christianity is believing in and following Jesus Christ.  We follow Jesus not merely as an act of moral rightness, but as someone who believes, has faith, and takes actions to imitate the actions of Jesus.

Scripture - John 14:5-7

They are a Good Christian | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Being a Christian is far more than good moral values.  Christianity is believing in and following Jesus Christ.  We follow Jesus not merely as an act of moral rightness, but as someone who believes, has faith, and takes actions to imitate the actions of Jesus. 

Scripture - John 14:5-7

They Are Better Off | Rev. Brooke Hartman

We often find ourselves trying to find the words to support a loved one who is experiencing grief.  We try to find the words, such as, “At least they are in a better place,” or “You should be happy they lived a long life.”  We want to fill the void and explain the unexplainable.  Grief is woven throughout the story of the Bible.  There is loss throughout and grieving is part of living.  We find a pattern of how to respond to grief in the Psalms of Lament.  As the psalmists acknowledge God, lament what is lost, petition for help, commit to trust God, and give praise to God. 

Scripture - Psalm 42

They Are Better Off | Rev. Wil Cantrell

We often find ourselves trying to find the words to support a loved one who is experiencing grief.  We try to find the words, such as, “At least they are in a better place,” or “You should be happy they lived a long life.”  We want to fill the void and explain the unexplainable.  Grief is woven throughout the story of the Bible.  There is loss throughout and grieving is part of living.  We find a pattern of how to respond to grief in the Psalms of Lament.  As the psalmists acknowledge God, lament what is lost, petition for help, commit to trust God, and give praise to God.

Scripture - Psalm 42

Everything Happens for a Reason | Rev. Wil Cantrell

We often hear the saying, “Everything happens for a reason”.  These words we hear often when someone is suffering.  We try to explain or give reason to the suffering.  The all-encompassing “everything happens for a reason” is the answer. There are issues with this statement:  it takes personal responsibility out of the equation and makes God responsible for everyone’s actions.  At the heart of this statement is our belief about God’s sovereignty and the role we play in our decisions. 

 Scripture - Deuteronomy 30:19-20a