Concord Church, Statesville NC

Using the Scriptures of Luke 24:1-12, we discover how God invites us to open the doors to the rooms we find ourselves locked in.

We are living in the midst of an identity crisis. We explore what the church is called to do and why it requires us to go out and look in all the unusual places.

Why working harder doesn’t get us closer to God and periods of rest and pruning are really important, actually

In many translations, Jesus says that “Mary has chosen the better part,” which has been used to create a divide between Mary and Martha. However, in the Greek, Mary has chosen the “good portion,” and Martha’s tasks are called “ministry.” Therefore, perhaps Mary represents our faith, our desire to know God intimately, and Martha represents our good works, our desire to transform the world. Both are needed, and both are good.

This parable begins and ends with the question, “Who is my neighbor?” and the answer is surprisingly, “the stranger.” The Samaritan, whose place of worship and customs are different from the lawyer who questions Jesus, is both a stranger and a neighbor to the man who was beaten and left in a ditch. In our world, many of our physical neighbors are strangers to us, and many of our neighbors—those closest to us—feel like strangers in divisive political climates. If we align our intentions and actions, then maybe we need to reconsider who we label as “stranger,” and ask ourselves if we have acted as good neighbors.

Sermon Text: Luke 9:38-45

With tend to think of forgiveness as being about the other person, but the truth is forgiveness is an act which is more about us and our ability to let go of the power others hold over our lives.

A mediation on Luke 2:22-40 and how we can respond to what life throws at us in a way that remains faithful.

Everyone seems so angry. Yet Mary and Elizabeth - who had more reason to be angry than most - show us the possibility of joy. God calls us to start a joy revolution.

Jeremiah 33:14–16 calls the people to look at themselves honestly and take responsibility for how they ended up in such a dangerous place.

Loving our neighbor is a challenge to love all of them, even the ones we don't like. How do we live faithfully with people who are our "enemy"?

The purpose of the church is unity of service to God. What does that look like in a divided world?

Isaiah's vision of a world where creation lives at peace seems so unrealistic. What if, instead of dismissing it because it's out of reach, we embrace how impossible it seems?

Our world, and sometimes the church, asks us to project a mask of "everything is fine." But what if everything isn't fine? What do you then?

It's Ok To Be Mad At God - A Sunday Sermon by Concord Church, Statesville NC

This week, we listen to the story of the Prodigal Son, but this time, we focus on the actions of the Father. How does that help us return home?

Life can be incredibly frustrated, especially when it feels like so much is out of our control. What can we do to help bring our own stress level down? What would it look like to trust ourselves and to trust God's path for us for more often?

The temptations for Jesus is a familiar story. But what if this isn't a story about physical needs and carnal tests? What if the temptation is more about taking the easiest path? Scripture; Luke 4:1-13

Choosing The Harder Path by Concord Church, Statesville NC

Tips for Running A Group Race by Concord Church, Statesville NC

We often believe the lie we are alone. But, not only are we surrounded by folks who are wrestling with the same issues we are, we are also part of a long historical family which provides strength.

God calls into community with one another but, let's face it, other people can be the worst. How do we become a more authentic group of believers who can find a healthier better way of being together?

The writer of Hebrews remind us faith isn't belief, but our ability to see and live into hope.

A Sermon on Hebrews 10 - a discussion about how Jesus's once and for all act of salvation gives us the freedom and confidence to go out into the world and to risk faith..

Living Through History by Concord Church, Statesville NC

Hebrews 1 and 2 are an extended explanation about why Jesus is higher and more important than the angels. Hebrews 3 is about to move into what exactly that means for the Christianity community, and what our responsibilities and "holy people" of God means for how we live our lives.

The Questions we ask - and how we respond to them - are as important and the answers we receive

The apostle Paul begins his letter to Thessolonika by being thankful for them. While churches and families can be problematic, how does Paul's example help us restore those roots and maybe make them healthier and stronger?

Want a quick refresher or a first time overview of the book of Hebrews? We've got you covered! Music I Use: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: JAVWQYIZKZF79RCP

The Church on Pentecost found itself in-between the faith as they knew it and what was to come. They turned back to discovering their gifts as a way to stay rooted.

Seriously Doesn't mean Strictly by Concord Church, Statesville NC

The practices and identity of the church are our starting point for meaningful action in the world. Our corporate and personal practices should be forming us into the kind of people who can engage with the world in faithful and God-glorifying ways.

Our spiritual and political lives are not separate but are different aspects of our whole life offered as worship to God. Our communal worship and personal practices should lead us to seek justice and live righteous lives.

Forgive But Not Forget by Concord Church, Statesville NC

Peter is often all or nothing—either resisting Jesus or drawing closer to him in earnest. In this scripture, we see a version of Peter who is hungry to learn. His posture is humble and open—he wants to absorb Jesus’ teachings like a wet sponge. He asks a question and might expect a straightforward answer: “How many times should I forgive?” Instead, Jesus’ math is not predictable—it’s infinite. Forgiveness is abundant; grace is not earned. In your own faith, do you find comfort in theological formulas? Do you wish for straightforward answers? Can you let go of black-and-white thinking and instead embrace the infinite colors of grace?

When your world unravels and your beliefs are tested, you may cling to what you know. As Jesus foretells his death and resurrection, Peter protests. Peter is fixed upon the way he thinks things should go; he resists the pain of what will come. But Jesus is fixed upon his calling and calls Peter out. For everyone, there comes a time when your faith is tested and you will have to face difficult and inconvenient truths. We may want to take the easier path, the path with less pain. We may want to cling to easy or simplistic answers. Instead, what does it look like to welcome complexity? Can you stay fixed upon your convictions while also expanding your perspective?

Solid Foundation by Concord Church, Statesville NC

It takes bold courage to take a leap of faith—or to willingly step into a storm. Many of us know what it feels like to be thrown off balance, to feel as if we’re sinking. Doubt is a normal response to feeling like we are sinking.

Fear And Insecurity by Concord Church, Statesville NC

Peter is so human and is a model of faith which reflects all the different ways we experience it over our lives. It's ok that it takes us time to say yes or sometimes we aren't able to - and we see in Peter a model for both. Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11; led by Rev. Liz Troyer concordpreschurch.com

What does the Tracy Chapman, Luke Combs collaboration show us our own faith?

Moses is dying and that's a problem for Israel because the only thing holding the together was their leader. Why are next steps so hard and what do we do about them?

Jonah did not want to listen to God - maybe because he was afraid the Ninevites would actually listen to him and then he'd have to change his opinion of them.

People of Faith are afraid of the word "doubt", but questions and seeking are part of a healthy faith journey. People throughout the Bible wrestled with the tension between their understanding of the world and their faith tradition. To ask questions: concordpreschurch.com Some reading: Faith after Doubt: https://www.amazon.com/Faith-After-Doubt-Beliefs-Stopped/dp/1250262771 Richard Rohr on Doubt: https://cac.org/daily-meditations/doubt-a-necessary-tool-for-growth-2021-02-01/ Rachel Held Evans: https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Sunday-Loving-Leaving-Finding/dp/0718022122 Frank Schaeffer: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Atheist-Believes-GodNew-Title-ebook/dp/B00KDOMMUO/

What if what really matters is not what we accomplish, but who we are in the process?

Turns out the idea Jesus was human is the most important message of the gospel, because it means God knows us, deep in the heart. A sermon on Luke 3. concordpreschurch.com

Advent is not always a time of joy. Today, we take a moment to recognize grief and our need for comfort.

The Courage to Do What's right by Concord Church, Statesville NC

A sermon on why affirming #Godlovesyou doesn't mean life will be problem free. God loves us, but also allows us to experience the consequences of our choices. Bible reference is Hosea 11:1-9. concordpreschurch.com

Understanding the role of Consequences in God's love by Concord Church, Statesville NC