Concord United Sermons

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

Reluctantly Willing | Rev. Brooke Hartman

:  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

Disciples Make Disciples | Rev. Mike Stallings

As Jesus departs his disciples, he gives the command that is at the heart of being a disciple: we are commanded to go and make disciples.  Being a disciple is simply to grow in faith ourselves, but to share Christ and serve others as well. 

 

Jesus did not make disciples just for the time when he was here on earth.  We are part of a 2,000 year discipleship tree, of disciples making disciples for the transformation of the world and our lives.  Our discipleship tree begins with considering who has guided us and is guiding us on following Jesus.  As disciples, we are to guide others in following Jesus Christ.  We are part of something much bigger than ourselves as a disciple.

Scripture - Matthew 28:19-20

Disciples Make Disciples | Rev. Brooke Hartman

As Jesus departs his disciples, he gives the command that is at the heart of being a disciple: we are commanded to go and make disciples.  Being a disciple is simply to grow in faith ourselves, but to share Christ and serve others as well. 

 

Jesus did not make disciples just for the time when he was here on earth.  We are part of a 2,000 year discipleship tree, of disciples making disciples for the transformation of the world and our lives.  Our discipleship tree begins with considering who has guided us and is guiding us on following Jesus.  As disciples, we are to guide others in following Jesus Christ.  We are part of something much bigger than ourselves as a disciple. 

Scripture - Matthew 28:19-20

Discipleship Has a Cost | Rev. Wil Cantrell

We live in a culture that encourages us to take the easier, softer way, but that is counter to the costliness of being a follower of Jesus Christ.  Jesus tells us that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.  He goes on to say that to save our lives, we must lose them.  He also asks the question that convicts, haunts, and repels, “What is the profit if we gain the world but lose our life?”, and what does that really mean.  Following Jesus is costly.  Yet, not following Jesus is costly as well. 

Scripture - Matthew 16:24-26

Discipleship Has a Cost | Rev. Brooke Hartman

We live in a culture that encourages us to take the easier, softer way, but that is counter to the costliness of being a follower of Jesus Christ.  Jesus tells us that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.  He goes on to say that to save our lives, we must lose them.  He also asks the question that convicts, haunts, and repels, “What is the profit if we gain the world but lose our life?”, and what does that really mean.  Following Jesus is costly.  Yet, not following Jesus is costly as well. 

Scripture - Matthew 16:24-26

Jesus is Our Model | Rev. Brooke Hartman

No matter our age or stage in life, we are being formed by that which we spend time doing, reading, listening, and becoming.  Why not be formed by Jesus and use Jesus as the model?  Luke 6:40 tells us to be like our teacher, our rabbi, the one for whom we follow. 

 

Our first question is, “What forms us?”.  Our second question is, “What do we want to be?”. These are foundational questions we consider as we seek to be like Jesus.  It is more than knowing about Jesus or doing as Jesus; it is becoming like Jesus. 

 

Being formed by Jesus is a process, not an event.  We are to be with God, as John’s words teach us.  We are to love God and love others, as Jesus articulated the greatest commandment.  We are to share Christ, serve others, and grow in faith. 

Scripture - John 15:1-8; Luke 6:40