Concord United Sermons

Passionately Faithful | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Peter was instrumental in leading the early church.  His words preached at Pentecost gave meaning to what was transpiring.  His faithfulness in engaging with Cornelius, a Gentile, was a pivotal moment in church history, no longer a church of us, but of us and them.  Peter’s maturity as a follower of Jesus Christ is evident through scripture and is an example for us.  Peter is obedient and prayerful. 

We are called beyond what seems possible to share Christ, serve others, and grow in faith.  We, too, have a role in the larger story of God’s grace and love to those we know and those we do not.  We are called to go beyond our boundaries to declare the truth of Jesus Christ. 

Scripture - Acts 2:37-41; Acts 10

Gratefully Remorseful | Rev. Brooke Hartman

After Jesus’ resurrection, he appears multiple times to the disciples.  One such time is on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  There, he and the disciples present fish again.  We see the connection in Jesus meeting the disciples on the shore at their jobs when he called them.  It is here that Jesus speaks with Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times.  A conversation about love and tending to Jesus’ sheep occurs.  Through this conversation, Jesus “reinstates”, thus calling Peter a second time to follow Jesus.  A call that Peter accepts gratefully. 

We too find ourselves again at the feet of Jesus, remorseful, disappointed, and Jesus meets us here too.  Jesus calls us again to follow.  We, too, have a choice to respond to the grace and love of Jesus Christ. 

Scripture - John 21:15-17

Gratefully Remorseful | Rev. Wil Cantrell

After Jesus’ resurrection, he appears multiple times to the disciples.  One such time is on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  There, he and the disciples present fish again.  We see the connection in Jesus meeting the disciples on the shore at their jobs when he called them.  It is here that Jesus speaks with Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times.  A conversation about love and tending to Jesus’ sheep occurs.  Through this conversation, Jesus “reinstates”, thus calling Peter a second time to follow Jesus.  A call that Peter accepts gratefully. 

We too find ourselves again at the feet of Jesus, remorseful, disappointed, and Jesus meets us here too.  Jesus calls us again to follow.  We, too, have a choice to respond to the grace and love of Jesus Christ. 

Scripture - John 21:15-17

Unrealistically Confident | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Peter is there at the Last Supper, as are the other eleven disciples.  Jesus breaks the bread and takes the cup.  Jesus shares how they will all fall away that evening, the night of betrayal.  Peter confidently declares that he will not “fall away”.  Then Jesus speaks those famous words predicting that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows.  Peter says he will be faithful unto death. 

Peter accompanies Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane and is present when Jesus is arrested.  He followed from a distance as they took Jesus.  When Peter was recognized as being associated with Jesus, he denied, not once, not twice, but three times, and then the rooster crows.  Peter remembers Jesus’ prediction, and he weeps bitterly.

We too stand confidently on the truth of who Jesus is, and we follow.  Following becomes costly, and we distance ourselves.  We find ourselves denying what we said we wouldn’t.  We come to the depths of our humanity, and we weep bitterly. 

 Scripture  - Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75

 

Unrealistically Confident | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Peter is there at the Last Supper, as are the other eleven disciples.  Jesus breaks the bread and takes the cup.  Jesus shares how they will all fall away that evening, the night of betrayal.  Peter confidently declares that he will not “fall away”.  Then Jesus speaks those famous words predicting that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows.  Peter says he will be faithful unto death. 

Peter accompanies Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane and is present when Jesus is arrested.  He followed from a distance as they took Jesus.  When Peter was recognized as being associated with Jesus, he denied, not once, not twice, but three times, and then the rooster crows.  Peter remembers Jesus’ prediction, and he weeps bitterly.

We too stand confidently on the truth of who Jesus is, and we follow.  Following becomes costly, and we distance ourselves.  We find ourselves denying what we said we wouldn’t.  We come to the depths of our humanity, and we weep bitterly. 

Scripture - Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75

 

Surprisingly Insightful | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Jesus often gathered with his disciples, instructing, particularly through asking questions.  One such question was when Jesus asked his disciples, “’ Who do people say that I am?”.  The disciples respond with examples of John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah.  Jesus takes the question to the next level, “’ Who do you say that I am?’”.  Peter answers, “’ You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.’”  A confession, an acknowledgement, a pivotal moment as Peter claims Jesus’ divinity.  Jesus is not another teacher; Jesus is the Messiah. 

Within Peter’s declaration, we are summoned to declare who Jesus is as well.  Jesus is more than a weekly scheduled event; he is the Messiah, our Savior, our God.  How do we declare this with our words and our actions?  We have a God, a Savior. 

Scripture - Matthew 16:13-19

Surprisingly Insightful | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Jesus often gathered with his disciples, instructing, particularly through asking questions.  One such question was when Jesus asked his disciples, “’ Who do people say that I am?”.  The disciples respond with examples of John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah.  Jesus takes the question to the next level, “’ Who do you say that I am?’”.  Peter answers, “’ You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.’”  A confession, an acknowledgement, a pivotal moment as Peter claims Jesus’ divinity.  Jesus is not another teacher; Jesus is the Messiah. 

Within Peter’s declaration, we are summoned to declare who Jesus is as well.  Jesus is more than a weekly scheduled event; he is the Messiah, our Savior, our God.  How do we declare this with our words and our actions?  We have a God, a Savior. 

Scripture - Matthew 16:13-19

Courageously Scared | Rev. Wil Cantrell

After feeding 5,000, Jesus sends his disciples across the sea without him, retreating to a place of prayer.  The disciples incur a storm on the sea.  Jesus comes to them walking on water.  Their response is one of fear, yet Jesus instructs them to take courage and not be afraid.  Peter inserts himself by stating that if this is Jesus, he commands him to walk on water as well.  Jesus simply states, “Come”, for which Peter does.  Initially, Peter walks on water, walking towards Jesus, but the he sees the wind, fear results in Peter sinking into the water.  Jesus describes Peter’s doubt, even asking why Peter doubts. 

We too enthusiastically seek to follow Jesus, and then the fears and doubts come as life batters us.  In Peter, we see the example of faithfulness and fear.  We hear Jesus’ words, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”.  We respond through worship and declaration of who God is.  Our fear does not disqualify us from following.  Our response matters. 

Scripture - Matthew 14:25-34

Courageously Scared | Rev. Brooke Hartman

After feeding 5,000, Jesus sends his disciples across the sea without him, retreating to a place of prayer.  The disciples incur a storm on the sea.  Jesus comes to them walking on water.  Their response is one of fear, yet Jesus instructs them to take courage and not be afraid.  Peter inserts himself by stating that if this is Jesus, he commands him to walk on water as well.  Jesus simply states, “Come”, for which Peter does.  Initially, Peter walks on water, walking towards Jesus, but the he sees the wind, fear results in Peter sinking into the water.  Jesus describes Peter’s doubt, even asking why Peter doubts. 

We too enthusiastically seek to follow Jesus, and then the fears and doubts come as life batters us.  In Peter, we see the example of faithfulness and fear.  We hear Jesus’ words, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”.  We respond through worship and declaration of who God is.  Our fear does not disqualify us from following.  Our response matters. 

 

Scripture - Matthew 14:25-34

Reluctantly Willing | Rev. Sabine Collins

In Luke’s account of Jesus calling Peter to follow him, Jesus meets Peter where he is, on his job fishing.  Actually, Peter has not had a good day on the job, having spent a long night with a fruitless catch.  There, Jesus comes to Peter and his friends.  There, Jesus guides Peter to try again.  Peter responds with reluctance, yet does as instructed, casting the nets again.  The result is a bountiful catch.  When Peter sees, he falls down at Jesus’ feet, confessing his sinful nature.  Jesus responds to not fear, but that now they will catch men.  Peter responds by leaving everything and following Jesus. 

Peter demonstrates reluctance yet willingness.  He also shows a response to Jesus’ invitation to follow.  This is for us as well, reluctant yet willing followers of Jesus Christ, responding to the obvious, God’s truth and grace.

Scripture - Luke 5:1-11