Sermons by Matt Smith (Page 16)
Sit Down
Matt’s message holds the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (John 6.1-21) in conversation with Mama Cat and the Pot Bangerz in St. Louis. Jesus and Mama Cat see the needs of those in their midst and call them to sit down in preparation for breaking bread.
Philemon
While Paul’s letter to Philemon is often overlooked, this short book has been laid in the foundation of our Christian tradition. Matt’s message reflects on the impact of this short letter as an invitation to see through the eyes of God.
Habakkuk
Matt’s message invites reflection on the often overlooked book from the Hebrew bible called Habakkuk. Habakkuk 2.4 says, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Wendell Berry’s “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” echoes these ancient words: “Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.” How might we be called to “be joyful though we’ve considered all the facts today?
Peace! Be Still!
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 4.35-41. How might this story of Jesus journeying “just as he is” to the other side as a storm rages call us to engage the storms of our world today? Into the chaos and fear…Jesus calls out: “Peace! Be still!” How might our voices join with his today?
Resist.
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 2.23-3.6 and the revival of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign. How might we be inspired and challenged by Jesus’s reclaiming of sabbath-keeping as resistance to the religious & political establishment’s desire for stability at the expense of those who are hungry & suffering?
Trinity as Divine Dance…Work it!
Matt’s message for Trinity Sunday is rooted in John 3.1-17. What are our conscious and unconscious images of God? How might Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus in John 3 guide us toward more evocative and faithful images of God? Matt’s reflection weaves writings from Richard Rohr’s The Divine Dance with the work on intersectionality by Kimberlé Crenshaw. Here is a link to Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED Talk in 2016. Here is a link to the band Matt encountered while visiting the National…
Even Them?
Matt’s message holds his conversion experience along the US/Mexico boarder in conversation with Peter’s conversion story from Acts 10. How might we be called to follow the Risen One in crossing boundaries, repairing breaches, and joining with God in taking the crucified down from the cross?
Embracing Diversity in Gender & Sexuality
Matt’s message holds the story of the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8. 26-40 in conversation with Lady Bird’s representation of gender & sexuality. What might scripture have to teach us about embracing diversity in gender and sexuality today?
Wrong Side of the Tracks
Matt’s message is rooted in Acts 4.32-35 & the 2017 Academy nominated film “Lady Bird.” Making real the promises of God’s resurrection power will require us to honestly confront who we are. No myths. No fables. Evil sent the Prince of Peace to his tomb on Friday, but the Risen One got up and kept fighting. May the church, as God’s community that is set apart, be called to do the same.
Easter Sunrise
We celebrated the Baptism of 2 adults & 3 children as we gathered for Easter worship at sunrise in the Rose Garden at McKinley Park. Matt’s Easter Sunrise message is rooted in the resurrection story from John’s Gospel in which the Risen One calls Mary by name and she recognizes him. What difference might God’s calling us by name make in our lives this Easter?
Promise
Matt’s message is rooted in Jeremiah 31.31-34 & this week’s national student walkout (#enough). The people of God were in the midst of devastating conquest and exile when God spoke a word of promise to Jeremiah. Into their wilderness experience, God promised to make a new covenant by writing the law/teaching on the hearts of the people. What promise might God be writing on our hearts today? What is God saying #enough to in our world today? The day is…
Intervention
No one likes intervention. Intervention is uncomfortable and fraught with fear. Like getting rapped on the knuckles, intervention stings. Matt’s message holds an ancient story of Jesus’ intervening love (Mark 8.31-38) in conversation with Amy Winehouse’s song Rehab and Brené Brown important work on guilt & shame. How might we open to God’s intervening love as we journey through the wilderness of Lent toward rehabilitating our spiritual lives?