Sermons by Matt Smith (Page 13)
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Matt’s message on this third Sunday in Advent is rooted in Matthew 11.2-11. Barbara Brown Taylor writes, “The Messiah has decided to come for now—not all at once but steadily, drop by drop, for millennia.” How are we experiencing the steady drip of God’s mercy in our lives this Advent season?
Already/Not Yet
Matt’s message on this first Sunday in Advent is rooted in Matthew 24.36-44. While dominant expressions of Christianity would have followers of Jesus believe what we do in this world means nothing because it will all be wiped away as the faithful are taken into eternity upon Jesus’ return. The Gospel of Matthew invites us to practice an eschatological existence as we join with God in bringing healing in places of hurt.
Rooted In Grace
Matt’s message is rooted in the parable of the Pharisee & the tax collector (Luke 18.9-14). Marjorie Procter-Smith asks, “If a tax collector can find mercy before God, who is excluded?” Luke’s Gospel tells us the tax collector goes down to his home justified by God, but we don’t know what his new life will look like. How might God call us beloved through the waters of baptism and long for us to deepen in our commitments to loving God and our neighbors? Matt invites…
Growing in Faith
Matt’s message is rooted in the story of Jacob wrestling with the divine (Genesis 32) and Jesus’ parable on praying always and not losing heart (Luke 18.1-8). How might we be called to wrestle with God in our Deep Commitments to God and our community of faith?
Reaching in Love
Matt’s message hold’s Amanda Lindsey Cook’s newly released The New Country in conversation with Jeremiah 29 and Luke 17. As we reflect on ways to deepen our commitments to God and one another, what “new country” might God be calling you toward as you reach in love?
Giving Generously
Matt’s message invites reflection on life together at The Table. How has God been moving among us at The Table this year? What might God’s vision be for The Table in the year ahead? What Deep Commitment might you be called to make to God and our community of faith for the coming year?
Sabbath
Matt’s message this Labor Day weekend invites reflection on how we might be called to renew our commitments to keeping a weekly day of Sabbath.
Rebels with a Cause
Matt’s message is rooted in story of Jesus healing the bent over woman in Luke 13.10-17. Who might God be calling you to notice? How might you be called to accompany them as they rise to freedom?
Know Justice, Know Peace
Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 12:49-56 in which Jesus stridently calls the crowd “hypocrites” and announces he’s come to bring division instead of peace. On the surface, this doesn’t seem to be the Prince of Peace we’ve been called to follow. How might Jesus be calling you to stand for justice and peace in our deeply divided world? What might God need to burn away in your life and in the world as you root yourself in the way…
Knock!
Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 11.1-13. What places help you to connect with God through prayer? This lesson from Jesus on prayer is often read as a call to persistence in prayer. Yet, the word in verse 8 translated as “persistence” actually means “shameless.” Who is shameless in this story? What if the lesson from Jesus is less about being persistent or shameless and actually an invitation to remember that God meets our feelings of shame with radical welcome…
Who?
Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 10.25-37
Coco
Matt’s message is rooted in the 2017 Pixar film Coco & the readings assigned to the global Christian church by the lectionary. Coco invites reflection on the power of memory. Jesus longs for us to break bread in remembrance of him and the unhidden truth is that remembering in the context of crucifixion was a radically anti-imperial act. Perhaps it can be, when rightly remembered, today as well?