Concord United Sermons

Facing Suffering | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Crucifixion was a cruel act of physical abuse and psychological humiliation. It began with beatings and insults and ending with Jesus being stripped of clothes, nailed to a cross, and left to die. Even as Jesus faces this suffering, he does so for the greater purposes of saving others. From the cross, he tells a repentant criminal “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus shows us that even our suffering is a chance to glorifying God if we ask ourselves, “How can my faithfulness in the midst of suffering bless others?”

Scripture - Luke 22:63-65

Facing Grief | Rev. Larry Trotter

Jesus is so distraught about the suffering and humiliation he is about to suffer that when he prays on the Mount of Olives his sweat becomes like drops of blood. Jesus doesn’t hide or minimize his grief instead he shares it with God through prayer and with his closest friends by inviting the disciples to be with him as he prays. In so doing, he models our need to share our grief with God and trusted companions.

Scripture - Luke 22:39-46

Facing Grief | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Jesus is so distraught about the suffering and humiliation he is about to suffer that when he prays on the Mount of Olives his sweat becomes like drops of blood. Jesus doesn’t hide or minimize his grief instead he shares it with God through prayer and with his closest friends by inviting the disciples to be with him as he prays. In so doing, he models our need to share our grief with God and trusted companions.

Scripture - Luke 22:39-46

Facing Threats | Rev. Mike Stallings

Jesus’ ministry caught the attention and provoked the jealousy of King Herod. Some Pharisees encourage Jesus to lay low because word on the street was that Herod was looking for an excuse to kill him. Jesus responds by saying “Go tell that fox…” Jesus can’t be bothered to tone down his ministry because Herod is threatening him. Nothing will stop Jesus from carrying out his mission. How many times do we allow real or perceived threats to cause us to tone down our witness for Christ?

Facing Threats | Rev. Larry Trotter

Jesus’ ministry caught the attention and provoked the jealousy of King Herod. Some Pharisees encourage Jesus to lay low because word on the street was that Herod was looking for an excuse to kill him. Jesus responds by saying “Go tell that fox…” Jesus can’t be bothered to tone down his ministry because Herod is threatening him. Nothing will stop Jesus from carrying out his mission. How many times do we allow real or perceived threats to cause us to tone down our witness for Christ?

Facing God | Rev. Larry Trotter

Shortly after his visit with Mary and Martha, one of Jesus’ disciples asks Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus responds by teaching the Lord’s Prayer and instructing them to be persistent in prayer. In doing so, Jesus demonstrates that we will never have the wisdom or courage to “face our Jerusalems” without relying on the constant guidance and power we receive through prayer.

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Facing God | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Shortly after his visit with Mary and Martha, one of Jesus’ disciples asks Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus responds by teaching the Lord’s Prayer and instructing them to be persistent in prayer. In doing so, Jesus demonstrates that we will never have the wisdom or courage to “face our Jerusalems” without relying on the constant guidance and power we receive through prayer.

Scripture-Luke 11:1-13

Facing Unholy Expectations | Rev. Larry Trotter

As Jesus is journeying to Jerusalem, he stops to visit Mary and Martha. Martha assumes the traditional female role in the household by preparing the meal. However, Mary breaks cultural conventions by sitting at Jesus’ the feet - the posture of a disciple seeking to learn which was a role reserved for males. By praising Mary, Jesus teaches us that we must learn to place seeking God above the pressure to conform to unholy cultural expectations.

Scripture - Luke 10:38-42

Facing Unholy Expectations | Rev. Wil Cantrell

As Jesus is journeying to Jerusalem, he stops to visit Mary and Martha. Martha assumes the traditional female role in the household by preparing the meal. However, Mary breaks cultural conventions by sitting at Jesus’ the feet - the posture of a disciple seeking to learn which was a role reserved for males. By praising Mary, Jesus teaches us that we must learn to place seeking God above the pressure to conform to unholy cultural expectations.

Scripture - Luke 10:38-42

Facing Rejection | Rev.Larry Trotter

As Jesus was travelling, he wanted to stay a night in a Samaritan town, but the Samaritans rejected him. They broke the hospitality conventions of their day and refused to allow him to stay because he was a Jew. Rather than condemn them or allow himself to be filled with rage, Jesus simply moves on to the next town. On his journey to the cross, Jesus will face rejection on multiple occasions. In each instance, he doesn’t allow it to define, destroy, or deter him. From Jesus’ example, we learn to keep our eyes focused on God’s calling during seasons of rejection.

Scripture - Luke 9:51-56