St. Martin United Church of Christ - High Ridge, MO

In this sermon I'll explore the old style evangelism that used guilt as a means to bring people back into the church. Did it ever really work? Does Jesus ever use guilt and shame to motivate his disciples? Based on John 14:1-14.

Is it harder to believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, or to believe that you have been forgiven of your sins? Based on John 20:19-31.

Are there worse things than death? Yes, the staggering consequences of our sin. On Easter Sunday, we explore the large amount of myrrh used to prepare Christ’s body for burial by his secret disciples and the the difficulty we have seeing and following Jesus in the daylight. John 20:1-18.

In this message, we explore why John wrote his Gospel, who he was addressing, and the reason Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life” in John 11:1-45.

Does sin equal punishment and salvation equal prosperity? What is expected when I join the church? Do I even need to be a member? I was baptized already, so will I need to get re-baptized? We will explore these questions in today's sermon as we take a look at John 9:1-41, where Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath.

This sermon is based on John 3:1-17. In this message, we will examine the setting for this story involving Nicodemus and Jesus. I'll argue that people have to make commitments and with those commitments come consequences. Is there a warning here about serving two masters? Is there a danger in trying to serve both the flag and the cross?

On Ash Wednesday, we focused on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, which spells out certain spiritual disciplines Christians often observe during the season of Lent in preparation for Easter Sunday. In this message, I argue it's all about "avoiding the spotlight".

This message is based on Matthew 17:1-9 for Transfiguration Sunday (Year A). You are part of something much bigger than a nation state! You are a child of God. There is nothing God wouldn't do to save you! Let's explore this uplifting message together!

Following the Beatitudes, Jesus provides a lesson on being the church. Our mission, if you choose to accept it, is to demonstrate God's love. Jesus provides a couple of helpful word pictures to make his point. So, we will explore "salt" and "light" as we seek to follow in his footsteps (Matthew 5:13-20).

In this message, we'll explore Jesus' agenda as spelled out in the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-11.

John the Baptist gets our attention and points to Jesus’s identity as the Messiah in the act of Baptism. However, Jesus isn’t what we expected. In the aftermath of violence in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where a young woman lost her life in a dispute with ICE agents, perhaps all of us are having trouble seeing Jesus. Today, I’ll talk at length about Christ’s identity, so we might see him as something other than “blue-eyed, blonde, and part of the established power structures.” This sermon is based on Matthew 3:13-17.

Today we explore Matthew 2:1-12 the day after the USA conducted a military action against the nation of Venezuela. What does the Bible say about such power? How are Christians to respond? Perhaps the story of Herod’s violence against children in Bethlehem in pursuit of killing any threat from a new King could be instructive to us in our new situation as we enter 2026.

Why is the story of Jesus’ birth important to the Christian faith? In this message, we’ll explore the significance of Jesus’ birth and title, Savior of the World based on Luke 2:1-20.

If you have your doubts about Jesus, then don’t sweat it. John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin, yet in today’s scripture from Matthew 11:1-6 he asks about Jesus’ identity. So, Jesus’ own cousin is surprised by what Jesus is doing, namely, eating and holding fellowship with sinners and outcasts. “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” In this message, we will explore this text as we visit a live nativity at one of those megachurches. The problem is I’m okay with punishing people not so good about show mercy. Spoiler alert, Jesus is all about mercy!

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” …is there something about fire that can help us understand our need for forgiveness and reconciliation with God? In today’s sermon, we will explore the imagery of fire in Matthew 3:1-12 as we come to grips with John the Baptist’s message and baptism.

What are we supposed to be preparing for this Advent? The second coming of Jesus Christ? Our own deaths and eternal life? In this sermon, I'm going to debunk "the Rapture" while lifting up Noah as an example to follow in our Christian life. Maybe what we need to prepare for is the next tragedy? One minute, we are living our normal lives, then suddenly it hits us! The death of a loved one, a tragic accident, a pink slip. Wise Christians prepare themselves for these surprising changes, just like the first century Christians did for the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D. Okay, that's a lot, so why not listen to this message?

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let's explore what blessings we have received from God. Is it possible we have mistaken the religious packaging of the true gift from God? Let's explore John 6:25-35 together in this podcast sermon.

Luke gives us an opportunity to see ourselves in the two men who hang on crosses on either side of Jesus Christ. What choice will you make? Will you praise Christ? or, will you rebuke Christ? God doesn't want to save anyone against his or her will, so you are free to decide. Come along with me as we discuss eternal life and discipleship in Luke 23:33-43.

What will eternal life be like? What about my marriage? Are relationships different in heaven than they are here on earth? the Bible doesn't say much on this topic and Jesus says even less. But what Jesus does say about the subject should cause churches to think again about marketing strategies. Have churches gone too far is trying to welcome families with children? What about single adults? widows? and other family configurations? In this message, I'll explore some answers from Luke 20:27-38.

Once again, Jesus does the unthinkable and proves he really means it when he says he has come to save sinners. Along the way, there might be some implications on our current government shutdown, the SNAP program, and healthcare debate as we take a look at Luke 19:1-10.

Can you really tell who is righteous? Just look in the mirror? Or look at one's words and deeds and it will be crystal clear, right? Maybe it's time to tell the truth about ourselves. Maybe it's time to admit that we need a church to evaluate us. Some prayer chains are just that chains, which keep us bound to our old selves and imprisoned to sin. This week we explore Luke 18:9-14. Something tells me Luke might know a thing or two.

In Luke's Gospel (Luke 17:11-19), it's the foreigners who get all the credit. Story after story features a foreign born man or woman who does what Jesus wants his disciples to do! Jesus lifts up these foreigners as examples for all disciples to follow. So, shouldn't we be careful how enthusiastic we are about closing down our national borders to foreigners? I get it, no we don't want to let in criminals, but what about those seeking asylum who look to the USA as a light on a hill? Don't you remember that old Neil Diamond song, "They come into America!" In this message, we'll explore the need for Christians to be grateful to God for all things.

Do you hesitate when it comes to answering God's call? Are you worried you don't have enough faith to make things happen? Then, these sayings from Jesus in Luke 17:5-10 might help you see things differently.

Meet a Rich Man and a Poor Man, Lazarus, as they confront the chasm that separates them in this life and in the afterlife. Father Abraham and all the prophets can't help the Rich Man or his brothers. Where's the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ in this story? Well, it seems injustice can't co-exist with love and mercy for ever, so you better decide which side your own today, especially if you are praying the Lord's Prayer, which says, "On earth as it is in heaven!" Come and see what Jesus says in Luke 16:19-31.

What's the best way to get ahead in this world? Beating people over the head with more rules and regulations? Or, by making friends through acts of mercy and grace? Life is so much better when you have friends you can count on in a crisis. In today's Gospel, Luke 16:1-13, Jesus shares a parable that helps us think about our priorities in life.

What is one person's life worth to God? We like to group people into sinners, or co-conspirators and write some people off as hopeless. Yet, the power of God's love is so unmatched that you wouldn't believe who this God can save! So, come along for this sermon and you might just join the celebration of eternal life! Based on Luke 15:1-10.

Something is missing in today’s culture, the willingness to make commitments and sacrifices for others. Today’s passage from Luke 14:25-33 is a challenge meant to bring out the best in us.

When someone needs immediate medical attention, then we spring into action. So, why don't we react the same way when the emergency is a mental, ethical, or spiritual crisis? In this message, we'll explore Luke 13:10-17 as Jesus shows up to help a long standing member of the synagogue suffering from a "bent back" which seems to have no known cause. The President of the synagogue is upstaged by Jesus in more ways than one when the woman is cured on the Sabbath.

Are churches ready to welcome and invite strangers? Or, have churches installed home security systems that keep strangers out in favor of stability and comfort? The world is full of hurting people but they need courageous Christians willing to take risks in caring for their needs. In this message, I explore Luke 12:32-40 and the need for our churches to reclaim their role as life saving institutions of forgiveness and love.

How do you measure the good life? Is happiness fundamentally about the accumulation of assets? There are 23 million storage units in the United States. Each year over 155,000 units are auctioned off for an average price of $425.00. Thankfully, Jesus gives us good news in Luke 12:13-21. Jesus doesn’t use storage units to determine our value and neither should you. Come and explore your worth to God in this message.

Growing up in the church meant memorizing the Lord’s Prayer. Unfortunately, I also learned to say it as fast as possible so I could get it done and out of the way! But if we are honest, who wants to slow down and really listen to Jesus’ model prayer? It’s really a “Self Assessment” aimed at getting us to think about the blessings of God and our shortcomings. If we took our time with the Lord’s Prayer then we would really need to change. This message is based on Luke 11:1-13.

Martha and Mary exemplify two forms of spirituality, I’ve been told, Martha is active and Mary is passive (Luke 10:38-42). Listening to Jesus is the goal, right? Well, not exactly. In today’s message I’ll tell you about a Jesus who seems to be expanding boundaries again and yielding to no one. Mary wants to be welcomed as a student of God’s word and Jesus doesn’t kick her out, or confine her enthusiasm.

The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:26-37) is so well known that we might easily dismiss its revolutionary message. Be careful who you hate because when you end up in the ditch yourself you might need a Good Neighbor to take care of you and that person might just be an LBGT person, an Immigrant, or a person of color. That’s right, no pulling punches in this message! Your life might depend on the wideness of God’s mercy.

Have you ever been called “self-centered”? Naaman, the commander of a foreign army, had a hard time submitting to the prophet Elisha’s remedy for a debilitating disease. Naaman was expecting the 5-Star treatment but instead he was given a prescription over the phone. Naaman almost let his pride stand in the way of receiving God’s healing. How is God actively working in our world today, in ways that often humble us? Sometimes the cure we are looking for is found backstage! In this sermon, we will explore 2 Kings 5:1-14.

DEI programs are under attack in our culture today. In today's podcast sermon, we will explore this topic through the lens of Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, The Mission of the Seventy-Two. I'll make the argument that Christ affirms diversity, equality, and inclusion as core values of God's reign for all Christians regardless of their political leanings. In fact, these core values are the key ingredients to simple living.