Concord United Sermons

Rubber Meets the Road | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Paul concludes his letter to the church at Philippi with verses that are often familiar to us, yet how do these words gain meaning when viewed from the perspective of being like Jesus?  Paul guides us in putting into practice being like Jesus through prayer and how we live our lives. 

Being like Jesus means putting into practice the mindset of Jesus. 

Scripture - Philippians 4:4-9

Worth the Cost | Rev. Wil Cantrell

What is it worth to know Christ Jesus?  Paul speaks about the cost and losses of following Jesus, of conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel.  Above all else, Paul sees the value of following Jesus and sharing that with others.  Knowing Christ, according to Paul, is not about knowing facts about Jesus but rather about knowing the power of Jesus.  Paul notes the power of Jesus’ resurrection.  John Mark Comer, in his book Practicing the Way, writes about how we are becoming someone, the question is, are we becoming like Jesus?  We are being formed by something or someone, is it Jesus? 

 

Being like Jesus is more than knowing facts about Jesus.  It is becoming like Jesus, and there is a cost.  

Scripture - Philippians 3:7-14

Worth the Cost | Rev. Brooke Hartman

What is it worth to know Christ Jesus?  Paul speaks about the cost and losses of following Jesus, of conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel.  Above all else, Paul sees the value of following Jesus and sharing that with others.  Knowing Christ, according to Paul, is not about knowing facts about Jesus but rather about knowing the power of Jesus.  Paul notes the power of Jesus’ resurrection.  John Mark Comer, in his book Practicing the Way, writes about how we are becoming someone, the question is, are we becoming like Jesus?  We are being formed by something or someone, is it Jesus? 

 

Being like Jesus is more than knowing facts about Jesus.  It is becoming like Jesus, and there is a cost.  

Scripture - Philippians 3:7-14

Mindset of Christ | Rev. Brooke Hartman

Having a mindset like Jesus is critical to being like Jesus.  As Paul encourages the church at Philippi, he specifically guides the readers to be like-minded, with the same love of Jesus, one in Spirit and one mind.  This way of thinking is often countercultural then and now. Connection with Christ and with one another is invaluable to being like Jesus.  Paul encourages imitating Christ through humility.  Paul specifically mentions not having selfish ambition or vain conceit, but rather valuing others above ourselves, and looking to the interests of others.  Then Paul uses the example of Christ (2:5-11) to illustrate what being like Christ looks like. 

Being like Jesus is having a mindset of Jesus. 

Scripture -

: Philippians 2:1-11

Mindset of Christ | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Having a mindset like Jesus is critical to being like Jesus.  As Paul encourages the church at Philippi, he specifically guides the readers to be like-minded, with the same love of Jesus, one in Spirit and one mind.  This way of thinking is often countercultural then and now. Connection with Christ and with one another is invaluable to being like Jesus.  Paul encourages imitating Christ through humility.  Paul specifically mentions not having selfish ambition or vain conceit, but rather valuing others above ourselves, and looking to the interests of others.  Then Paul uses the example of Christ (2:5-11) to illustrate what being like Christ looks like. 

Being like Jesus is having a mindset of Jesus. 

Scripture -

Philippians 2:1-11

It’s the Gospel | Rev. Becca Means

Paul is considered one of the greatest missionaries, taking the good news of Jesus Christ to the non-Jews in the first century.  Thirteen of the New Testament books are attributed to Paul.  These books are letters that Paul wrote to churches he founded or churches that we desired to guide.  One such letter is the letter to the church at Phillipi, the book of Philippians. Through this letter, we hear Paul’s words of encouragement and guidance as we seek to be like Jesus.  

 

Being like Jesus is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel is the point.  Faith is not having all the answers nor understanding everything about Jesus, yet seeking to be like Jesus in how we live each day.  We are to stand firm and strive together as one in the faith of the gospel. 

 

Being like Jesus is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Have to Meet Jesus to Be Like Jesus | Rev. Reed Shell

To be like Jesus, we have to first meet Jesus.  The apostle Paul did not begin as a great leader of Christianity.  In fact, he persecuted the followers of Jesus Christ.  That all changed when Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Paul’s conversion experience was critical to living and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  Paul didn’t just like Jesus, he chose to live like Jesus.  Do we just like Jesus or do we want to be like Jesus?  Have we met Jesus and been changed by Jesus? What is our story of meeting Jesus?

 

We have to meet Jesus before we can be like Jesus. 

Scripture - Acts 9:3-10, 17-18

Have to Meet Jesus to Be Like Jesus | Rev. Brooke Hartman

To be like Jesus, we have to first meet Jesus.  The apostle Paul did not begin as a great leader of Christianity.  In fact, he persecuted the followers of Jesus Christ.  That all changed when Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Paul’s conversion experience was critical to living and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  Paul didn’t just like Jesus, he chose to live like Jesus.  Do we just like Jesus or do we want to be like Jesus?  Have we met Jesus and been changed by Jesus? What is our story of meeting Jesus?

 

We have to meet Jesus before we can be like Jesus. 

Scripture - Acts 9:3-10, 17-18

The Return of the King | Rev. Wil Cantrell

The reign of a king ends at death. Through his resurrection Jesus establishes his eternal reign. Most kings begin their reign with a military campaign to expand their kingdom. Jesus begins his reign by giving his disciples the Great Commission to invite the world to join the Jesus’ Kingdom.

Scripture - Matthew 28 (selected verses)

The King’s Coronation | Rev. Wil Cantrell

Jesus’ enters Jerusalem on a donkey – which is the traditional entrance for a Jewish King – as opposed to Roman emperors or governors who would enter on a stallion or chariot. He also turns over the tables in the temple. In this way, Jesus establishes his reign showing himself to the public as the King of the Jews and showing his authority by ordering temple worship reforms to be made.  

Scripture - Matthew 21:1-27