Brian's Sermons

John 21:15-19 Last week we looked at Nehemiah 1, and admitted that we are largely a people with broken walls and ruined gates. That Satan has attacked and attacked, and at times it feels overwhelming. In Nehemiah 2, Nehemiah has gone to Jerusalem to inspect the walls and comes to a conclusion: Then I said to them [the officials of Jerusalem], “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” Nehemiah 2:17 We just need to exchange “Jerusalem” for “Millersport UMC” and remember that the walls we are rebuilding are spiritual. Come, let us rebuild the wall. Would you take a moment and pray Psalm 139:23-24 with me? Let’s pray this prayer aloud together: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Now take a moment and if God has re...

Nehemiah 1 Just before Easter, we were celebrating the Seder meal, and it was such a fantastic reminder of how important the Exodus from Egyptian slavery still is to the Jewish people. God stepped down into the world and showed his power through mighty plagues and empowered Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. When they needed Him most, God showed up in power and might. And this happens again and again throughout the history of God’s people. But unfortunately, soon after God shows His power and love, His people stray. They begin to follow their own ways and stray from God’s will. As this happens over and over, God gives His people words of warning. He raises up judges to minister to and lead His people. He sends prophets to preach truth, to point His people in the right direction. If they refuse to listen, God’s enemies overrun His people. How many of us have had to hit rock bottom before we stop and return to God? To get to Nehemiah, you’ve got to go back a bit. Over one h...

Death has a good way of putting life into perspective. We generally accept the myth that we’re immortal until we have a brush with death. When you come face-to-face with death, things come clearly into focus, and priorities are re-evaluated. Followers – unlike fans – are  dying  to live.  Fans who refuse to die to sin and self are stuck trying  to live, but end up frustrated and defeated.   There are those among us who are very committed sports fans. Some of you have Buckeye Rooms in your houses. You watch every game, and attend as many games as you can – of course all the home games; you wouldn’t want those season tickets to go to waste. You paint your face. You bleed scarlet and gray. Your heart was broken last week when the Buckeyes lost to Kansas. But the problem is, there comes a point when you realize that a fan is just a fan. You see, the fan is just a committed enthusiast. The fan isn’t in the game. And often, when the going gets tough, the fa...