Sermons by Matt Smith (Page 17)
The Rumbling Continued…
Matt’s message is rooted in John 14. 15-21. Jesus promises the disciples that God will not leave them orphaned. God is sending the Holy Spirit as another paraclete, or helper, to accompany them. How might this promise guide us in rumbling with the stories of our lives as we Rise Strong in and through God’s love?
The Reckoning
Matt’s message is rooted in John 10.1-10 and Brené Brown’s Rising Strong. Brené Brown writes, “One of the truisms of wholehearted living is you either walk into your story and own your truth, or you live outside of your story, hustling for your worthiness” (Rising Strong). “[Jesus] came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10.10). What emotional reckoning might be the gate in your life that leads to abundant life?
Owning Our Stories
Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 24.13-35 and Brené Brown’s invitation to “own our own stories” in the process of Rising Strong. How might we Rise Strong with God in the wake of this week’s rulings by the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church?
easter
Matt’s message is rooted in the story of resurrection from Matthew 28.1-10. Christ has risen and goes before us!
Palm Sunday: Silence is Not an Option
Palm Sunday at The Table focuses on the parody & street theater of Jesus processing into Jerusalem atop a donkey and her colt. Matt’s message is rooted in Matthew 21.1-11 and invites us to join the march for love, justice, & hope by raising our voices in support of Bishop Karen Oliveto. #allmeansall #tobishopkowithlove #nosuchlaw
Raising of Lazarus
Matt’s message is rooted in the story of Jesus raising Lazarus (John 11.1-45); which foreshadows what lies ahead for Jesus, and for all of us, if we desire to follow him as messiah. Jesus weeps at the tomb of Lazarus with Mary and Martha. What might it mean for Jesus to meet us at the tomb today? After raising Lazarus, Jesus calls those gathered to unbind him. How might Jesus be calling us to unbind one another from the suffocating reality of death?
Finding Life-Giving Water through Conversation with a Thirsty Messiah & a Courageous Woman
Matt’s message is rooted in the encounter of an unnamed Samaritan woman with Jesus at Jacob’s well in John 4. An unnamed foreign woman from a different religious tradition & cultural identity is the first one to whom Jesus reveals his true identity in the Gospel of John. How might this story challenge and invite us to claim Jesus as Messiah in our everyday lives? Our scripture reading of John 4 is woven with Conversations by Sara Groves.
Saying No, Saying Yes
Matt’s message is rooted in the story of Jesus encountering temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4.1-11). As we reflect on what it means to claim Jesus as the Christ and to be claimed by God through the love of Christ, the message invites us to consider what we might need to say “no” to in order to say “yes” to experiencing Jesus as Christ.
Ash Wednesday
Our morning Ash Wednesday gathering at The Table weaves readings from Isaiah 58, 2 Corinthians, & Matthew with Dust We Are and Shall Return by The Brilliance. Matt’s message starts around 11:00 minutes into the recording and invites reflection on the the ashes of Ash Wednesday. Elias Lucero is on guitar & Omari Tau on vocals. Readings by Donald Smith, Megan Pritchett, & Brenda Dabney.
Compassion
Matt’s message is rooted in Isaiah 49.8-16. Isaiah writes, “Can a woman forget her nursing child?” God loves us even more deeply than any mother could love her nursing child. This means God needs us. God needs you. Not just abstractly, but intimately.
Life
Matt’s message is rooted in Deuteronomy 30: 15-20. Moses believes that living life means to walk in the ways of God. To follow the Law, love our God and love our neighbors, and it will lead you to Life. We must find our way, wherever we are, and choose life.
Controversy
Matt’s message is rooted in Micah 6: 1-8. In this chapter, God brings from the shadows into the light a great controversy with the people. What does the Lord require? We look back at the prophet Micah to discern how God might call us today to doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.