Concord United Sermons

Jesus is Our Model | Rev. Wil Cantrell

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

Jesus is the Truth | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Just as Jesus called the disciples to come and follow him, Jesus calls us.  Following Jesus is a choice, more than simply believing in God.  We can spend our whole lives believing in God and never answer the call to follow Jesus.  One of the elements of Jesus’ call to follow him, to be his disciples, is that he meets us where we are.  Just as Jesus called his disciples from their jobs, their everyday lives, he calls us where we are.  We do not have to get all cleaned up, know all the books of the Bible, or take any other action that qualifies us to be Jesus’ disciples.  We simply need to hear the call and take our next step.  God loves us first.

 Jesus does not call the equipped, but equips the called.  Jesus’ first twelve disciples were not the most revered rabbis in the land, nor do we have evidence that their understanding and faithfulness to God were exceptional.  We also see within scripture that Jesus calls us more than once and anew, such as Peter hearing Jesus’ words to follow him from the shores of his fishing business and the shores following Jesus’ resurrection and Peter’s denial. 

Scripture - Matthew 4:18-20

Jesus is the Truth | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Just as Jesus called the disciples to come and follow him, Jesus calls us.  Following Jesus is a choice, more than simply believing in God.  We can spend our whole lives believing in God and never answer the call to follow Jesus.  One of the elements of Jesus’ call to follow him, to be his disciples, is that he meets us where we are.  Just as Jesus called his disciples from their jobs, their everyday lives, he calls us where we are.  We do not have to get all cleaned up, know all the books of the Bible, or take any other action that qualifies us to be Jesus’ disciples.  We simply need to hear the call and take our next step.  God loves us first.

Jesus does not call the equipped, but equips the called.  Jesus’ first twelve disciples were not the most revered rabbis in the land, nor do we have evidence that their understanding and faithfulness to God were exceptional.  We also see within scripture that Jesus calls us more than once and anew, such as Peter hearing Jesus’ words to follow him from the shores of his fishing business and the shores following Jesus’ resurrection and Peter’s denial. 

Scripture - Matthew 4:18-20

Discipleship is God’s Initiative | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is core to who we are and what we are called to be.  A disciple is someone who follows Jesus Christ.  The historical context of a disciple is found within the Jewish tradition of a rabbi and a rabbi’s disciples.  An ancient phrase found in Jewish tradition is being “covered by the dust of our rabbi”.  That is our hope and calling, to be covered in the dust of our teacher, master, Savior, Jesus Christ. 

As disciples, we begin with belief being the foundation of faith.  What do we believe about God?  There are three main components to our belief about God:  God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We believe in God the Father is the creator and maker of heaven and earth.  God created us in His image.  We believe in God the Son is our Savior and Messiah who came to be with us through Jesus Christ.  Jesus is God incarnate, who lived, taught, healed, was betrayed, arrested, crucified, died, was buried, and rose on the third day.  We believe in God the Holy Spirit, the Advocate who dwells in us and amongst us.  We also believe that God loves us first.

Our journey in following Jesus begins with spiritual curiosity and transitions to believing the truths about God.  Our first discipleship foundational truth is that we believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that God loves us first. 

Scripture - John 20:31; 1 John 4:9-12 

Discipleship is God’s Initiative | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is core to who we are and what we are called to be.  A disciple is someone who follows Jesus Christ.  The historical context of a disciple is found within the Jewish tradition of a rabbi and a rabbi’s disciples.  An ancient phrase found in Jewish tradition is being “covered by the dust of our rabbi”.  That is our hope and calling, to be covered in the dust of our teacher, master, Savior, Jesus Christ. 

As disciples, we begin with belief being the foundation of faith.  What do we believe about God?  There are three main components to our belief about God:  God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We believe in God the Father is the creator and maker of heaven and earth.  God created us in His image.  We believe in God the Son is our Savior and Messiah who came to be with us through Jesus Christ.  Jesus is God incarnate, who lived, taught, healed, was betrayed, arrested, crucified, died, was buried, and rose on the third day.  We believe in God the Holy Spirit, the Advocate who dwells in us and amongst us.  We also believe that God loves us first.

Our journey in following Jesus begins with spiritual curiosity and transitions to believing the truths about God.  Our first discipleship foundational truth is that we believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that God loves us first. 

Scripture - John 20:31; 1 John 4:9-12 

Know Your Limits | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Following Jesus requires saying “yes” to him—which necessarily means saying “no” to some things. In the Gospels, Jesus’ call to discipleship is radical and demanding. He reminds followers that not all commitments can coexist; priorities must be chosen. In family life, learning to set healthy spiritual, practical, and moral boundaries is vital for flourishing. This lesson is especially important in a culture of busyness, distraction, and competing loyalties.

Scripture - Matthew 8:18-22

Know Your Limits | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Following Jesus requires saying “yes” to him—which necessarily means saying “no” to some things. In the Gospels, Jesus’ call to discipleship is radical and demanding. He reminds followers that not all commitments can coexist; priorities must be chosen. In family life, learning to set healthy spiritual, practical, and moral boundaries is vital for flourishing. This lesson is especially important in a culture of busyness, distraction, and competing loyalties.

 Scripture - Matthew 8:18-22

Know Your Values | Rev. Mike Stallings

Jesus summarized God’s commands by reminding his followers to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength—and to love their neighbor as themselves. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenged first-century expectations about who deserves our compassion, showing that true faith always leads to practical acts of mercy. Christian families are shaped not only by beliefs, but by values lived out in daily choices—reflecting God’s vision for justice, equality, and grace.

Scripture - Luke 10:25-37

Know Your Values | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Jesus summarized God’s commands by reminding his followers to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength—and to love their neighbor as themselves. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenged first-century expectations about who deserves our compassion, showing that true faith always leads to practical acts of mercy. Christian families are shaped not only by beliefs, but by values lived out in daily choices—reflecting God’s vision for justice, equality, and grace.

Scripture - Luke 10:25-37

Know Your Role | Rev. Wil Cantrell

From Abraham’s family onward, the Scriptures portray the family as the foundation of both faith and society. God’s covenant with Abraham includes the call to instruct children and descendants “to keep the way of the Lord.” In the ancient world, faith was passed down person-to-person within families, with parents, grandparents, as well as single persons called unique forms of spiritual leadership.

Scripture - Genesis 18:17-19