Sermons by Matt Smith (Page 17)
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?
Mortality
For the first time in 73 years, Valentine’s Day falls on the same day as Ash Wednesday. What might the story of Valentine teach us about Ash Wednesday as we begin our Lenten journey? Matt’s message on this Ash Wednesday is rooted in the story of Valentine as shared by Godly Play.
From Farm-to-Fork to a Revolution of Love
Matt’s message is rooted in 1 Corinthians 8.1-13. Paul was writing to the church in Corinth about how their relationship with food was standing in opposition to an ethic of love. What might we learn from this ancient letter for our day? What might Paul’s wisdom to the church in Corinth have to teach us about the farm-to-fork movement today?
Toxic Masculinity
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 1.21-28 & invites reflection on disrupting toxic masculinity.
Falling and Rising
Worship on this first Sunday in the season of Christmas is rooted in Luke 2.22-40. Matt & Linda invite reflection on the blessing of the infant Jesus by Simeon & Anna. How might God be calling us into a life of falling and rising?