Concord United Sermons

Leaving A Legacy | Rev. Brooke Hartman

The dishonest manager realizes his time in his current position is limited and he acts in such a way to bless others (both his clients and his boss) and in so doing leaves a last impression  (legacy) with his life. We all own nothing. We only have a few things that for a few years we are entrusted to manage for God. We will manage them in such a way that leave a legacy. Will our lives leave a legacy of faith and love which will bless our families for generations to come? Will we use our gifts to build building, create endowments, or support ministries that will remain as a testament to God’s goodness long after we are gone?

Scripture - Luke 16:1-15

How to Change A Life | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Lives are changed for the better not by technology or wealth primarily, but by connection with God and others. This is what we were created for. The story of the prodigal son is the story of two sons who lose connection with their family for different reasons, and the path to restoration that each must learn to walk. This is why the most powerful ministries of the church are the ministries that create personal and spiritual connections. These may look rather ordinary like worship services, Sunday School classes, potluck meals, or service projects, but what they are doing is helping us connect to God and each other. In fact, studies have shown that our connection to each other and our spiritual connection to God plays a greater role in even our well-being than any other medical factor (Ex. Harvard longevity study). At Concord, we recognize one of the reason why we give of our treasure is to enable life changing ministry which connect people to God and each other.

Scripture - Luke 15:11-32

How to Change A Life | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Lives are changed for the better not by technology or wealth primarily, but by connection with God and others. This is what we were created for. The story of the prodigal son is the story of two sons who lose connection with their family for different reasons, and the path to restoration that each must learn to walk. This is why the most powerful ministries of the church are the ministries that create personal and spiritual connections. These may look rather ordinary like worship services, Sunday School classes, potluck meals, or service projects, but what they are doing is helping us connect to God and each other. In fact, studies have shown that our connection to each other and our spiritual connection to God plays a greater role in even our well-being than any other medical factor (Ex. Harvard longevity study). At Concord, we recognize one of the reason why we give of our treasure is to enable life changing ministry which connect people to God and each other.

Scripture - Luke 15:11-32

Overflowing Generosity | Rev. Wil Cantrell

The woman who finds her lost coin invites her friends to come celebrate with her. Like the woman, God celebrates whenever a person turns to God in repentance. When we experience God, we are called to imitate the woman by sharing with others the joy of God’s presence. When we allow God’s goodness of overflow in our lives by sharing it with others, we discover that in the act of giving to others we find ourselves replenished and restored. This is why we give our time talent, and treasure to allow God’s goodness to overflow through us.

Scripture - Luke 15:8-10

Overflowing Generosity | Rev. Brooke Hartman

The woman who finds her lost coin invites her friends to come celebrate with her. Like the woman, God celebrates whenever a person turns to God in repentance. When we experience God, we are called to imitate the woman by sharing with others the joy of God’s presence. When we allow God’s goodness of overflow in our lives by sharing it with others, we discover that in the act of giving to others we find ourselves replenished and restored. This is why we give our time talent, and treasure to allow God’s goodness to overflow through us.

Scripture - Luke 15:8-10

The Unstoppable Story | Rev. Sabine Collins

History is the story of God’s pursuit of loving relationship with humanity. From the beginning we are created in God’s image to love and be loved (Gen 1). God walks in the garden to fellowship with us (Gen 2). God banishes us to from Eden b/c we corrupted the relationship yet still pursues us. God provides Cain with a mark of protection and doesn’t abandon him. God speaks to the Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. God provides for the people in Egypt and delivers them from Egypt. God leads through the wilderness. God’s provides the promised land. God speaks through judges, prophets, kings. God ultimately sends his Son, Jesus, so that we might know God’s true nature. Jesus dies and rises again for the disciples who desert him and the crowds who crucify him. Christ pursues Paul who persecutes him, Gentiles who dismiss him, and Jews who condemn him. And God pursues each of us in a never ending quest to reach us and redeem us. When we read the Bible we come to see our place in the story of God’s unstoppable love. This is why every atheistic society must ban the Bible. Because the story of God’s love is unstoppable.  

Scripture - Luke 15:1-7

The Unstoppable Story | Rev. Wil Cantrell

: History is the story of God’s pursuit of loving relationship with humanity. From the beginning we are created in God’s image to love and be loved (Gen 1). God walks in the garden to fellowship with us (Gen 2). God banishes us to from Eden b/c we corrupted the relationship yet still pursues us. God provides Cain with a mark of protection and doesn’t abandon him. God speaks to the Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. God provides for the people in Egypt and delivers them from Egypt. God leads through the wilderness. God’s provides the promised land. God speaks through judges, prophets, kings. God ultimately sends his Son, Jesus, so that we might know God’s true nature. Jesus dies and rises again for the disciples who desert him and the crowds who crucify him. Christ pursues Paul who persecutes him, Gentiles who dismiss him, and Jews who condemn him. And God pursues each of us in a never ending quest to reach us and redeem us. When we read the Bible we come to see our place in the story of God’s unstoppable love. This is why every atheistic society must ban the Bible. Because the story of God’s love is unstoppable.  

Scripture - Luke 15:1-7

Transformed by Grace, Strengthened in Faith | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Scripture - Romans 12:1-8

Transformed by Grace, Strengthened in Faith | Rev. Becca Means

Scripture:  Romans 12:1-8

Lasting Freedom | Rev. Brooke Hartman

: Galatians 5:1 reminds us that even after having experience the freedom found only in the grace of Jesus Christ, it is easy for us to drift back into a religion based on our obedience, or lack thereof, to God rather than on God’s faithfulness to us. Galatians 6 gives instructions for what to do when others within the church have strayed from true Christianity. We are told to “restore them gently” and be careful not to fall prey to temptation ourselves. The temptation when helping restore others is to view them judgmentally as if we have not and will not ever be led astray unwittingly by an idol. We must maintain the utmost humility when helping others and recognize that because we are “all sinners who fall short of the glory of God” that a day will most likely come when we will need someone to restore us gently, so that we can live in the lasting freedom of God’s grace.

Scripture - Galatians 5:1, Galatians 6:1-10