Brian's Sermons

Did Jesus offer credible credentials to back up his divine claims? Yes! Miracles: John 10:37 told John to look for his miracles. Isaiah said Miracles would be one way the Messiah would authenticate himself. Power over nature: walking on water Power over sickness: healing leprosy & blindness Power over death: raising Lazarus Jesus’ opponents never denied his miracles. Even the Talmud admits miracles, and Mohammed, the founder of Islam, admits Jesus’ miracles and his virgin birth. Character – often the closer we get to others, the more we see their flaws, but the opposite happened with Jesus! John & Peter saw him up close and personal: their assessment: 1 John 3:5 – in Him is no sin 1 Peter 2:22 – committed no sin, no deceit was in him. Who can have the same said about them? The way he fit the fingerprint of divine prophecy. Only the Messiah could fit this fingerprint: He was: Born of a virgin Of the seed of Abraham Of the tribe of Judah Of the house of David Born in Bethlehem ...

If an atheist told you that Jesus’ bones had been found, would you still be a Christian? How about if, instead of an atheist, it was someone at Main Street who told you; would you repudiate your Christianity? What if I, as your pastor came and told you, and Pastor Dave, Mitch Arnold, and Dave Hunt came in to back me up; would you still be a Christian? How about if you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that someone had found the bones of Jesus Christ, proving that He hadn’t resurrected, would that do anything to your faith? If it doesn’t change anything for you, then I would encourage you to figure out what the basis for your belief is, because it might be based more on wishful thinking than in fact. The truth is that nobody is going to find Jesus’ bones, because He rose from the grave. But this underscores the importance of the evidence we have that helps to prove what we believe is true. Nazareth, Bethlehem, December 25th, Quirinius, a Roman census, no room in the inn, a baby born in a ...

Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught. Luke 1:1-4 It all sounds a bit fanciful, if you ask me. A virgin and her husband-to-be, travelling by donkey through the wintry night to Bethlehem, where they find no room in the inn. So they end up in a stable where, on December 25, in the year 1 BC, they have a baby. They wrap the baby in cloths and lay him in a manger. Then an angel appears to shepherds and they run to see the baby. They hurry to put up a Christmas tree, because there’s no tree in the stable. Martin Luther then comes to help them hang candles in the tree to mimic the sight of the light hitting the snow on the trees in the forest they c...

This week was Mission Sunday, so, instead of a sermon, there were presentations made for the following ministries: Compassion International Epiphany Ministry Prisoner Alert Bibles Unbound Pastor Support Program You can click on any of the above links to find out more information about these life-changing programs to share the love of Jesus Christ with the most needy.

Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. - Proverbs 22:9 Merchants have already quickly forgotten Thanksgiving in the rush for Christmas money. I think most of them, except for the grocers, completely forgot Thanksgiving altogether this year. In fact, I was hearing Christmas songs in the stores before I’d even lost the sugar buzz from eating my kids’ Halloween candy. Thanksgiving just doesn’t make the stores a whole lot of money. On Thanksgiving, we give God thanks for all He has given us through the year. That sort of celebration doesn’t lend itself to retail exploitation. But on the day after Thanksgiving, the retailers breathe a sigh of relief as Americans rush out to get whatever it is that will be the huge Christmas gift this year – at all-time low prices, if you’re early enough. For some, Thanksgiving is simply an annoyance, a detour in the endeavor to make more and more money. For others, Thanksgiving kicks off the whole season of accumulation. In Matthew...

Philippians 4:4-9 (New Living Translation) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. I remember the way Thanksgiving used to be. From early in the morning, the family would happily start gathering together. As soon as we got in the door, everyone would quick...

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 When I was young, my parents taught me to write thank you notes. One of the rules of our household was that if we received a gift, that we would promptly write a thank-you note. My mom was always offended by my cousins who never wrote a thank you note. When we got older our families stopped our regular gift exchange, but that Aunt continued to send me birthday money. I’m convinced that it was at least partially because I faithfully demonstrated my thankfulness. When I served in Columbus, we would often have panhandlers come by the church asking for a handout. We didn’t keep money on the premises, but there was a food donation box that I’d let people look through. One particular guy came in and was overjoyed to be given that food. Others were mad that I wouldn’t give them cash. One guy wouldn’t even let me pray with him… even thoug...

John 17:13-21 NLT Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. John 17-19 NRSV Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent t...

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his ...

1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, sh...

When I was a young teenager, Jehovah’s Witnesses frequently targeted our neighborhood. They would go out in pairs, knocking on doors, handing out their Watchtower magazines, trying to get new converts. One day they rang the doorbell and my sister, who was in middle school, answered the door. They talked for a while, and soon it became apparent to them that they weren’t going to convert her. As they were leaving, one of them turned to her and said something along the lines of, "Even though we don’t agree with each other, it’s nice to talk to someone who actually knows what they believe." So I ask the question today, "Do you know what you believe?" Could you have an intelligent discussion with Jehovah’s Witnesses or other pseudo-Christian cults? This week, we kick off a series where we will be looking at the question of what do United Methodists believe. To get to that, we need to start with the very beginning… in the Garden of Eden. One thing I often hear is that hum...

I am starting a series on the distinctives of United Methodism, and this is the introductory sermon. You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,chosen for great honor,and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced. Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, The stone that the builders rejectedhas now become the cornerstone. And, He is the stone that makes people stumble,the rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal pries...

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often have I wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, "Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" Matthew 23:37-39 You’ve probably seen the bumper sticker as many times as I have – maybe you even have one on your car. Across the sticker, in the background is the familiar red, white, and blue of our flag, blowing in a breeze. In the foreground is the slogan, "God bless America." There’s something that kind of bothers me about that slogan. I wonder about the particular use of the word "bless" that is used there. Hasn’t God already blessed us? We are one of the wealthiest nations, both financially and materially. God has blessed us over and over. But why? Some would...

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" "Who are you, lord?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Acts 9:1-6 What are the six hardest words to say in the English language? I pose that they are "I am sorry. I was wrong." Nobody likes to be wrong. It is part of our nature that we always want to be right – and even when we know that ...

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me." But the Lord said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." -Luke 10:38-42 Last week, we studied how God called Moses’ name twice from the burning bush. Moses was mired in a life of inactivity, not living up to his potential or even to his training. God had prepared something for him to do, and He needed to call Moses twice. Today we look at a completely different situation; Martha is anyth...

note: this is the manuscript I prepared for Sunday's sermon. I delivered a bit different sermon, as I felt that God was really calling me to do so. Here's the outline of what I preached. God called Moses twice because of Moses' inactivity. He was brought up in the house of Pharaoh to be a leader, and here he was, tending sheep. God gets Moses in a place where he will hear Him. For us, times of prayer and fasting are such places where we can hear God. God calls Moses to a postition He had prepared for him. He has something prepared for you, too. God doesn't just call the equipped; He equips the called. One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. "This is amazing,...