Sermons by Matt Smith (Page 18)
Found, Take 3
Jesus asks his followers, “Who do you say I am?” Matt’s message weaves this question from Matthew 16.13-20 with an unexpected experience of being found by grace at a nation-wide vigil called Standing in Solidarity with Charlottesville. This is the third week of our worship series, Found, focused on noticing & celebrating grace in our everyday lives.
Detroit/Beatriz at Dinner
On the last Sunday of the worship series, Faith & Films, Matt relates Detroit and Beatriz at Dinner to the scripture Matthew 14.13-21. Both of these films convey very raw and powerful messages which can easily leave us feeling overwhelmed. Can you look to those around you and consider them your brothers and sisters? May we be the change to break down the walls and build up bridges and to create beloved community together.
Cars 3
Matt’s message is rooted in Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52. Matt connects the story of the disciples and Jesus in Matthew with the new Disney Pixar film, Cars 3. Lightning McQueen faces the struggles of trying to learn the new technology while he is still stuck in the old days. Just like in Cars 3, these parables in the reading are demonstrating the old and the new coming together and bringing out the treasures of what our tradition and Scripture teach us…
42
This new worship series, Faith & Films, will take us through different films each week and relate them to our Christian story. In preparation for the Fourth of July, Matt walks us through the story of Jackie Robinson in “42”, the first African American to play Major League Baseball. Rooted in Matthew 10.40-42, Matt uses this film to challenge us to reflect on faith and social change through the lens of baseball and the story of one player. Scene from…
All-Vulnerable God
Matt’s message is rooted in Matthew 9.35-10.8 and Richard Rohr’s The Divine Dance: Trinity and Your Transformation. On this Father’s Day, we’re invited to rethink the power of God as powerlessness & love. How might the vulnerability of God restore us to community and call us to invite others into the Divine Dance?
Pentecost
Matt’s message is rooted in the story of Pentecost from Acts 2 and the Risen One’s breathing the Holy Spirit on the disciples in John 20.19-22. How might the disruptive ways of the Holy Spirit be luring you to join the trinitarian flow in a Divine Dance? Our worship series in rooted in Fr. Richard Rohr’s The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation. This podcast includes brief clips from the following songs from worship at The Table this morning:…
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?