Concord United Sermons

It’s the Gospel | Rev. Becca Means

Paul is considered one of the greatest missionaries, taking the good news of Jesus Christ to the non-Jews in the first century.  Thirteen of the New Testament books are attributed to Paul.  These books are letters that Paul wrote to churches he founded or churches that we desired to guide.  One such letter is the letter to the church at Phillipi, the book of Philippians. Through this letter, we hear Paul’s words of encouragement and guidance as we seek to be like Jesus.  

 

Being like Jesus is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel is the point.  Faith is not having all the answers nor understanding everything about Jesus, yet seeking to be like Jesus in how we live each day.  We are to stand firm and strive together as one in the faith of the gospel. 

 

Being like Jesus is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Have to Meet Jesus to Be Like Jesus | Rev. Reed Shell

To be like Jesus, we have to first meet Jesus.  The apostle Paul did not begin as a great leader of Christianity.  In fact, he persecuted the followers of Jesus Christ.  That all changed when Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Paul’s conversion experience was critical to living and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  Paul didn’t just like Jesus, he chose to live like Jesus.  Do we just like Jesus or do we want to be like Jesus?  Have we met Jesus and been changed by Jesus? What is our story of meeting Jesus?

 

We have to meet Jesus before we can be like Jesus. 

Scripture - Acts 9:3-10, 17-18

Have to Meet Jesus to Be Like Jesus | Rev. Brooke Hartman

To be like Jesus, we have to first meet Jesus.  The apostle Paul did not begin as a great leader of Christianity.  In fact, he persecuted the followers of Jesus Christ.  That all changed when Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Paul’s conversion experience was critical to living and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  Paul didn’t just like Jesus, he chose to live like Jesus.  Do we just like Jesus or do we want to be like Jesus?  Have we met Jesus and been changed by Jesus? What is our story of meeting Jesus?

 

We have to meet Jesus before we can be like Jesus. 

Scripture - Acts 9:3-10, 17-18

The Return of the King | Rev. Wil Cantrell

The reign of a king ends at death. Through his resurrection Jesus establishes his eternal reign. Most kings begin their reign with a military campaign to expand their kingdom. Jesus begins his reign by giving his disciples the Great Commission to invite the world to join the Jesus’ Kingdom.

Scripture - Matthew 28 (selected verses)

The King’s Coronation | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Jesus’ enters Jerusalem on a donkey – which is the traditional entrance for a Jewish King – as opposed to Roman emperors or governors who would enter on a stallion or chariot. He also turns over the tables in the temple. In this way, Jesus establishes his reign showing himself to the public as the King of the Jews and showing his authority by ordering temple worship reforms to be made.  

Scripture - Matthew 21:1-27

The King’s Coronation | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Jesus’ enters Jerusalem on a donkey – which is the traditional entrance for a Jewish King – as opposed to Roman emperors or governors who would enter on a stallion or chariot. He also turns over the tables in the temple. In this way, Jesus establishes his reign showing himself to the public as the King of the Jews and showing his authority by ordering temple worship reforms to be made.  

Scripture - Matthew 21:1-27

The Kingdom’s Citizenship Test | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Jesus tells us that only those who come to the kingdom like a child can enter it. The humility of childlike faith functions of the citizenship test for the Kingdom of heaven. Without the humility to recognize our need for God we will become our own gods and never experience the abundant life of the Kingdom.

Scripture - Matthew 18:1-5, 19:13-15

The Kingdom’s Citizenship Test | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Jesus tells us that only those who come to the kingdom like a child can enter it. The humility of childlike faith functions of the citizenship test for the Kingdom of heaven. Without the humility to recognize our need for God we will become our own gods and never experience the abundant life of the Kingdom.

Scripture - Matthew 18:1-5, 19:13-15

The Kingdom’s Cost | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Jesus compares the kingdom to a treasure that it would be worth selling all your other possession to acquire. This is the cost of the Kingdom. Only those who are willing to give up everything else can enter.

Scripture - Matthew 13:44-50

The Kingdom’s Cost | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Jesus compares the kingdom to a treasure that it would be worth selling all your other possession to acquire. This is the cost of the Kingdom. Only those who are willing to give up everything else can enter.

Scripture - Matthew 13:44-50