Sermons on Spiritual Growth
“To Put the Protest Back in Protestantism”
“To Put the Protest Back in Protestantism” is inspired from church historian Diana Butler Bass’s provocative essay on the radical origins of the Reformation where she reminds us that Martin Luther and the early reformers were not necessarily polite; they were protesters who stood up against religious conventions in thrall to power, challenging systems of oppression and economic cruelty to embody God’s tangible bounty for all. Grounded in Matthew 22:34–46, our worship wrestles with the Great Commandment: to love God…
Not the Way Things Have to Be
Many of us grew up with the sentiment, “Well, that’s just the way things are.” Without realizing it, that phrase trained our unconscious minds to numb out, accept cruelty and injustice as normal, and stay silent. It forced us into hiding and fractured our sense of self. In the end, it resigned our society to the fatalistic lie that nothing can ever truly change. Through the parable in Matthew 22:1-14, Rev. Dries Coetzee invites us to pause, breathe together, and…
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.
The Slow Work of God
Reverend Khristi Lauren Adams preaches from Habakkuk 2:2-23 on “The Slow Work of God.” This sermon explores the spiritual and emotional journey of embracing patience and trust in the slow, often difficult, unfolding of God’s plans, drawing on a 1915 Jesuit prayer and the biblical book of Habakkuk. It reveals the tension between human impatience and divine timing, encouraging perseverance and faith amidst trials and injustice.
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.
What Matters and Why?
What really matters and why? In this sermon, Rev. Khristi Adams reflects on Jesus’ command to “love one another” through the lens of John 13. As Jesus washes his disciples’ feet on the night before his crucifixion, we’re reminded that the heart of the Christian faith isn’t perfection, it’s choosing to love one another through all of life’s messiness. This message invites us to see the communities God has given us as the places where love is lived out every…
You Have Heard it Said
What happens when we come back to familiar Bible stories with fresh eyes? In this message, Chaplain Annie Owens reminds us that even the “old, old story” can surprise us with new meaning. From biblical unicorns and Balaam’s talking donkey to the woman at the well, she explores how our own assumptions and experiences shape the way we read Scripture. This sermon is an invitation to stay curious, keep asking questions, and discover how God’s Word continues to speak in…
Lessons in Failure
Rev. Khristi Adams explores the profound life lessons that come from failure, using a blend of cultural references and biblical narratives to deepen understanding. Rev. Adams reflects on how failure, often feared, can become a powerful teacher and catalyst for growth and humility. Centered on the stories of public figures like Jay-Z, sports moments, and the biblical example of Peter’s denial of Jesus, the speaker emphasizes embracing failure as a universal human experience that does not define one’s identity.
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.
What Must I Do to Be Saved?
Drawing on Acts 2 and Pentecost, the Rev. Dr. Roslyn Sellman describes God’s spirit as confronting empire and resisting erasure by meeting people in their own language and culture. The message emphasizes that transformation begins not through assimilation, but through honoring identity and authenticity.
Let It Go
Rev. Khristi Lauren Adams delivers a reflective and spiritually grounded sermon on the challenge of letting go, using the metaphor of hoarding disorder and the biblical story of Lot’s wife to explore the psychological and emotional difficulties involved in releasing attachments—both physical and emotional.
Recognition
Rev. David Harris invites us into the Emmaus story as a journey we still walk today—one marked by honest questions, shared conversation, and unexpected encounters with Christ. In the midst of doubt and uncertainty, we discover that God often meets us not in dramatic displays, but in quiet, relational moments along the way. This sermon reminds us that scripture becomes a living dialogue, renewing our faith and calling us forward with courage and hope.