Sermons by Minister Lea Gilmore
Don’t Give Up
Life can leave us weary—tired of waiting, tired of struggling, and tired of trying to do what is right in a world that can feel resistant to hope. Yet God does not grow weary, and God gives strength to those who NEED IT. Isaiah assures us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, while Acts shows a courageous church that refused to stop bearing witness despite opposition. Minister Lea Gilmore invites us to rest in God’s…
Some Things You’ve Got to Pray Through
In Matthew 17:14–21, Jesus reminds His disciples that some struggles cannot be solved by strength, strategy, or effort alone—they must be prayed through. In this powerful message, “Some Things You’ve Got to Pray Through,” Minister Lea Gilmore invites us to trust God more deeply in seasons of weakness, waiting, and uncertainty. When life feels overwhelming and answers seem delayed, prayer becomes the place where God strengthens us, sustains us, and meets us with grace.
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
Inspired by the Blind Willie Johnson gospel blues classic Nobody’s Fault but Mine, this sermon by Minister Lea Gilmore reflects on God’s grace, personal discipleship, and the call to respond faithfully to Christ. Rooted in the African American gospel tradition and Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, the message reminds us that while God’s grace is freely given, we are invited to choose lives of justice, compassion, and hope.
Blessed are the Peacemakers, Not the Peacekeepers
Minister Lea Gilmore explore the Beatitudes reflecting on Matthew 5:9. We’ll explore how Jesus calls us beyond simply keeping things calm to the deeper, riskier work of peacemaking—telling the truth, pursuing justice, and seeking real repair in our relationships, community, and creation. Together we’ll consider how Christian peacemaking can include protest and civil disobedience, especially where racial and environmental injustice wound our neighbors and God’s world.
The Voice You Didn’t Expect
Speaking from the book of Numbers 22:21-35, Minister Lea Gilmore shares the story of Balaam and his donkey, reminding us that God is not limited in how They speak. God can use unexpected voices to correct us, protect us, and redirect us. The question is whether we are humble enough to listen.
Hope in the Soil, Justice in Our Hands
Minister Lea Gilmore invites us to see that the healing of the earth and the healing of human communities are inseparably bound together. As we tend the earth with care and stand in solidarity with marginalized communities, we participate in God’s ongoing work of renewal, trusting that both creation and humanity are being drawn toward liberation, wholeness, and abundant life.
Extravagant Grace Before the Cross
Minister Lea Gilmore delivers the message, “Extravagant Grace Before the Cross.” In the life of faith, we are more than our sins and confessions, because God’s mercy runs deeper than our brokenness. Even in our wounds—shame, guilt, and loneliness—the church becomes a place where extravagant grace is poured out, and our brokenness is transformed into a witness to the One who heals.
You’re a Big Deal
Minister Lea Gilmore wants you to know you are a big deal! You are a big deal, because you are known, chosen, named, and treasured by God. Your worth is anchored not in your performance or the approval of others, but in the intimate, personal love of your Creator.
Who Do We Listen To? – Choosing the Way of Grace
In times of difficulty and tension, voices clamor for our attention: voices of fear, anger, suspicion, pride. Yet there stands another voice—the gentle angel on our shoulder—whispering truths of grace, mercy, and love. Whose voice will guide our steps when the road is hard? Our task is to listen to the better angels—the Spirit’s fruit that ripens in dark seasons. May we learn to choose grace, to choose mercy, to choose Jesus in a world divided by strife.
God of Our Past, Present and Future
We step into the new year with gratitude and hope, believing God continues to call us toward love, justice, compassion, and community.
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
Let us remember that the fight for justice, peace, and love is not someone else’s responsibility; it is ours. We cannot afford to sit idly by while injustice prevails or hatred spreads. It is nobody’s fault but ours if we fail to act. Let us commit ourselves to pursuing justice, embracing peace, and cultivating love in every aspect of our lives.
This Season of Hope
Summertime is often referred to as a “season of hope.” It is a time when the earth awakens, flowers bloom, and life returns in full force. However, as we reflect on the world around us, we find ourselves surrounded by darkness and despair. Minister Lea Gilmore explores how we can believe in hope despite the challenges we face, drawing from the powerful words of scripture.