Sermons by Matt Smith (Page 28)
Reaching in Love
Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 12.13-21 and invites reflection on how God might be leading us to reach in love.
Generous Giving
Each week during this series we are inviting reflection on how we might be called to more deeply support the vision and ministry of our church. We will make our Deep Commitments for the coming year in worship on November 3. Matt reflects on his own journey with financial giving and tithing in hopes of inviting our community to reflect on our own unique journeys.
Rooted in Grace
Matt’s message tells the story of The Table at Central UMC and invites reflection on how we might be called to more deeply root our lives in Grace over the coming year. The message is rooted in 2 Timothy 1.1-14.
The Hope of Heaven
Matt’s message reflects on the hope of heaven and is rooted in Romans 15.13. This worship series is based on Christopher Morse’s The Difference Heaven Makes.
Theologies of Heaven
We experienced technical difficulties with our recording of worship. This podcast is a recording of the message a few days later. Matt’s message explores ways in which heaven has been talked about by theologians and invites reflection on how we might talk about heaven today. This worship series is based on Christopher Morse’s The Difference Heaven Makes.
Hearing of Heaven Today
Matt’s message explores ways in which heaven was imagined in biblical times and in our contemporary world. Matt holds these images in tension and invites reflection on how we might imagine heaven in our lives today. Isaiah 60.1-9 frames the message. This worship series is based on Christopher Morse’s The Difference Heaven Makes.
Vacation & Sabbath
Matt’s message is rooted in Psalm 71 and invites reflection on the relationship between vacationing and Sabbath-keeping. What might the tradition of Sabbath-keeping have to teach followers of Jesus about our addiction to busyness and our experience of vacationing?
Swimming Lessons & Faith
Matt’s message is rooted in Psalm 82. What might the metaphor of swimming lessons have to teach us about growing in faith and reaching in love? What is our plan for learning to swim? Who around us might be drowning?
Crossfit & Faith
Matt’s message is rooted in Psalm 52 and invites reflection on what people of faith might learn from Crossfit as we seek to practice our faith.
Baseball as a Road to God
Matt’s message is rooted in Psalm 25 and John Sexton’s Baseball as a Road to God. What might we learn from baseball as we consider our own relationship to faith? NOTE: We had technical difficulties in worship with our recording device. We were unable to record our opening prayer which focused on the emotions swirling among us in the wake of the verdict of not guilty for George Zimmerman’s murder of Trayvon Martin. Similarly, the witness of Scott Stiewig was…
Reason
Our worship series on the Quadrilateral continues with emphasis on Reason. Matt’s message is rooted in Romans 12.1-3. “John Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason” (UM Book of Discipline). How is our faith formed and informed by Reason?
Scripture
Our worship series on the Quadrilateral begins with Scripture. Matt’s message is rooted in 2 Timothy 3.10-17. “John Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason” (UM Book of Discipline). How do you relate to Scripture? How does the Bible shape your faith?