Concord United Sermons

Surprised by God’s Goodness | Rev. Larry Trotter

1 Corinthians 2:9

Surprised by God’s Love | Rev. Larry Trotter

John’s first letter tells us that we love because God first loved us. God’s love is the cause of creation and the foundation of reality. We are incapable of fully loving others or God until we learn to receive the love God has for us because all love stems from God’s love.

Surprised by God’s Love | Rev. Wil Cantrell

John’s first letter tells us that we love because God first loved us. God’s love is the cause of creation and the foundation of reality. We are incapable of fully loving others or God until we learn to receive the love God has for us because all love stems from God’s love.

Beyond Us | Rev. Brooke Hartman

We conclude our series on “Turning the World Upside Down” by returning to the beginning, celebrating the birth of the early church on Pentecost.  Turning the world upside down is not something that we self-create.  Turning the world upside down for Jesus Christ comes through presence of the Holy Spirit.  As individuals and a church, we must acknowledge and follow the Holy Spirit. 

Scripture - Acts 2:1-21

 

 

 

Beyond Us | Rev. Larry Trotter

We conclude our series on “Turning the World Upside Down” by returning to the beginning, celebrating the birth of the early church on Pentecost.  Turning the world upside down is not something that we self-create.  Turning the world upside down for Jesus Christ comes through presence of the Holy Spirit.  As individuals and a church, we must acknowledge and follow the Holy Spirit. 

Scripture - Acts 2:1-21

Getting our Story Straight | Rev. Wil Cantrell

When asked, what is the story we tell about how Jesus has transformed us?  Paul defended himself when arrested by sharing his story of his conversion and the truths about Jesus woven into his conversion story.  Paul shares about the hope he has in God (Acts 26:6), the significance of turning from our sins and the truth of forgiveness (Acts 26:18).  Paul is accused of being insane because of what he proclaims.  His response is that he hopes that those listening can become like him.  Sharing our story of encountering Jesus is invaluable to turning the world upside down. 

Scripture - Acts 22:3-16; 26:12-23

Getting our Story Straight | Rev. Larry Trotter

When asked, what is the story we tell about how Jesus has transformed us?  Paul defended himself when arrested by sharing his story of his conversion and the truths about Jesus woven into his conversion story.  Paul shares about the hope he has in God (Acts 26:6), the significance of turning from our sins and the truth of forgiveness (Acts 26:18).  Paul is accused of being insane because of what he proclaims.  His response is that he hopes that those listening can become like him.  Sharing our story of encountering Jesus is invaluable to turning the world upside down. 

Scripture - Acts 22:3-16; 26:12-23

What’s our Reputation? | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Reputations are earned.  For the those in the early church, they became known as those who were turning the world upside down, who were “saying there is another king named Jesus”, (Acts 17:6-7).  What are we known for?  What is our reputation as individuals and as a community of faith?  Are we known for turning the world upside down in ways that confuse and defy cultural norms?  How do we demonstrate that our king is not of this world, rather beyond anything this world can provide?  Turning the world upside requires living beyond cultural expectations. 

Acts 17:1-9

What’s our Reputation? | Rev. Larry Trotter

Reputations are earned.  For the those in the early church, they became known as those who were turning the world upside down, who were “saying there is another king named Jesus”, (Acts 17:6-7).  What are we known for?  What is our reputation as individuals and as a community of faith?  Are we known for turning the world upside down in ways that confuse and defy cultural norms?  How do we demonstrate that our king is not of this world, rather beyond anything this world can provide?  Turning the world upside requires living beyond cultural expectations. 

Scripture - Acts 17:1-9

 

 

Even Them | Rev. Larry Trotter

We tend to stay near those who act like us, look like us, and talk like us.  The interaction between Peter and Cornelius shows us how to share Christ with those beyond who we are used to sharing with.  Sharing the Gospel with Gentiles was without a doubt outside the norm for Jews.  Peter experiences a dream, then is called to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile.  Peter takes action that models for us sharing Christ with those beyond those that we are used to spending time with.  Peter takes actions by going to Cornelius home, talking with him, and entering into his home (Acts 10:23-32).  Peter acknowledges that with God there is no partiality, rather faith is the common factor not nationality (Acts 10:34-35).  Peter proclaims the central truth of Jesus being “lord of all”, (Acts 10:36-43).  Peter also acknowledges the role of the Holy Spirit in conversions, (Acts 10:44-48).  We use the example of Peter with the Gentiles to guide our next steps in sharing the good news of Jesus:  taking action, acknowledging God’s lack of partiality, the central truth about Jesus, and the role of the Holy Spirit.  Turning the world upside down requires us seeing beyond ourselves.