Concord United Sermons

We Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins | Rev. Brooke Hartman

The belief in sin sets Christians apart. Rather than seeing humanity’s main problem as ignorance, hate, or immaturity, Christians recognize the main problem of humanity as turning away from the one true God. The belief in sin also recognizes that humanity cannot save itself because humanity cannot bestow upon itself forgiveness only God can do that. In Christ, we see the depth of God’s love and the lengths to which God will go to offer forgiveness to us.

Scripture - Romans 3:23 & Matthew 1:21

We Believe in the Church | Rev. Brooke Hartman

The Church was Jesus’ idea not our idea. The church was Jesus’ plan for the community of His followers that would share His Gospel with world. In the Great Commission, Jesus calls the church to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. And at Pentecost the Spirit empowered the birth of the church. Though the Church on earth is imperfect due being filled with imperfect people, it is impossible to love the perfect Lord without loving the Church and seeking its good.

Scripture - Matthew 16:13-20

We Believe in the Church | Rev. Wil Cantrell

The Church was Jesus’ idea not our idea. The church was Jesus’ plan for the community of His followers that would share His Gospel with world. In the Great Commission, Jesus calls the church to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. And at Pentecost the Spirit empowered the birth of the church. Though the Church on earth is imperfect due being filled with imperfect people, it is impossible to love the perfect Lord without loving the Church and seeking its good.

Scripture - Matthew 16:13-20

We Believe in the Holy Spirit | Rev. Wil Cantrell

The Holy Spirit was God’s instrument in creation and continues to be God’s instrument in bringing new life in the hearts of believers. The Holy Spirit, goes before us, behind us, and all around us. The Holy Spirit inspires, encourages, convicts, teaches, and empowers.

Scripture - John 14:16-17

We Believe in the Holy Spirit | Rev. Brooke Hartman

The Holy Spirit was God’s instrument in creation and continues to be God’s instrument in bringing new life in the hearts of believers. The Holy Spirit, goes before us, behind us, and all around us. The Holy Spirit inspires, encourages, convicts, teaches, and empowers.

Scripture - John 14:16-17

We Believe in Jesus Christ Our Lord | Rev. Mike Stallings

Christ is not Jesus’ last name. Christ is a statement of Jesus’ identity signifying Jesus as Messiah or Savior. Acknowledging Jesus as our Savior requires acknowledging that he saves us from our sins, saves us for eternal life, and saves us form the calamities of this life by promising to never leave us or forsake us. To say Jesus is Lord means to say that Jesus is our authority. Jesus’ example and teachings are how authority for faithful living. Jesus demonstrates is Messiahship and Lordship through the virgin birth and his death and resurrection. Jesus did not become Lord and Savior during his life. He has always been Lord and Savior as the Father’s only begotten Son.

Scripture - Matthew 1:18-25 & 1 Corinthians 8:6

We Believe in Jesus Christ Our Lord | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Christ is not Jesus’ last name. Christ is a statement of Jesus’ identity signifying Jesus as Messiah or Savior. Acknowledging Jesus as our Savior requires acknowledging that he saves us from our sins, saves us for eternal life, and saves us form the calamities of this life by promising to never leave us or forsake us. To say Jesus is Lord means to say that Jesus is our authority. Jesus’ example and teachings are how authority for faithful living. Jesus demonstrates is Messiahship and Lordship through the virgin birth and his death and resurrection. Jesus did not become Lord and Savior during his life. He has always been Lord and Savior as the Father’s only begotten Son.

Scripture - Matthew 1:18-25 & 1 Corinthians 8:6

We Believe in God the Father Almighty | Rev. Brooke Hartman

We Believe in One God who created all things for the purpose of inviting His creatures to join His Kingdom of Love. To say God is Father is not to say God is male. We call God Father because Jesus called God Father and taught us that the Father created all things and gives us every good gift. Whoever creates something create for a purposes. Therefore, in acknowledging God as creator we recognize that we both receive our life from God and our purpose from God.

Scripture - James 1:16-18

We Believe in God the Father Almighty | Rev. Wil Cantrell

We Believe in One God who created all things for the purpose of inviting His creatures to join His Kingdom of Love. To say God is Father is not to say God is male. We call God Father because Jesus called God Father and taught us that the Father created all things and gives us every good gift. Whoever creates something create for a purposes. Therefore, in acknowledging God as creator we recognize that we both receive our life from God and our purpose from God.

Scripture - James 1:16-18

The Best of All, God is with Us | Rev. Wil Cantrell

As Wesley laid on his deathbed, these were the words he sang and spoke, “The best of all, God is with us!”.  In the 1700s, Methodist were known to “die well”.  When asked about this, Wesley responded that it is because Methodist “live well”.  From Wesley’s fear of death being exposed on the ship across the Atlantic years before to a place of peace as he approached his death, God’s grace, love, and living a life rooted in the truths of God’s love and living a way of loving others is at the heart of following Jesus.  Dying well is much more about living well. 

Scripture - 2 Timothy 4:6-8