Sermons by Matt Smith (Page 31)
Lot, Sodom, & Hospitality
We continue our series on Hospitality with reflection on Genesis 19. One of our seminarians, Susan Goodman, reflects on her own experience of hospitality. Matt’s message is rooted in the story of Lot and the men of Sodom. What might we learn about hospitality from this biblical story?
Abraham & Sarah
We begin a new year of Godly Play, our children’s ministry. Matt’s message weaves hospitality, Godly Play, and the story of Abram and Sarai from Genesis 18. We welocmed Rev. Lorenza Andrade Smith and Dr. Jerry Campbell for worship. This message concludes with words from Lorenza.
Olympic Medals
Matt’s message continues our series on Olympic Faith with reflection on Olympic medals, Chic-Fil-A, and John 6.24-35.
Crossfit & Faith
Matt’s message invites reflection on Crossfit & church. The message is rooted in Ephesians 6.10-20. What might the church learn from Crossfit’s high intensity, constantly varied, and funtional philosophy of fitness? How might we measure our growth as followers of Jesus?
The Church Today
This is the final worship in our series on The Evolution of Church. Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 6.30-34, 53-56. What does it mean for church to be evolving? How might the deep traditions of our past inform and form our unfolding into God’s future?
Second Great Awakening
We transition this week from the Reformation of sixteenth-century western Europe to the movement of religious fervor that spread across the United States in the nineteenth century. Matt’s message invites reflection on the dynamic experiences of personal religious conversion that defined the Second Great Awakening. The message is rooted in Romans 8.14-16 and calls our community to consider how we might take next steps in our own faith journeys.
Classical Christianity
We transition from the earliest followers of Jesus gathering secretly in homes to Christianity “coming out” as the imperial religion. Worship begins with reflection on music of this era (150 CE – 650 CE) and Matt’s message traces the development of doctrine and ecclesiology in the era of Classical Christianity.
Pentecost
Our celelbration of Pentecost is rooted in Acts 2.1-21 and the Afrobeat music of Fela Kuti and the hip hop of Agape (Dave Scherer). How are you conspiring with God and your neighbors to transform the world?
Reaching in Love
This worship series invites reflection on John 15 and the poetry of Wendell Berry. The scripture readings each week are a “mash-up” of John 15 and Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front. Matt’s message encourages our community to reach in love by making intentional choices related to food and farms.
Give Series
This worship series is rooted in Acts 4.32.-35. For the early church depicted in the book of Acts, the resurrection of Christ is less a creedal article of individual faith and hope than a creative force of community formation. How are we, as people of the resurrection, called to relate to our finances on this side of Easter? John Wesley writes, “Having, first, gained all you can, and, secondly saved all you can, then give all you can.” How will…
Gain
This worship series is rooted in Acts 4.32.-35. For the early church depicted in the book of Acts, the resurrection of Christ is less a creedal article of individual faith and hope than a creative force of community formation. How are we, as people of the resurrection, called to relate to our finances on this side of Easter? John Wesley writes, “Having, first, gained all you can, and, secondly saved all you can, then give all you can.” How will…
Easter
Matt’s Easter message is rooted in Mark 16.1-8. The recording includes selections from two of the songs from our 10:30 am worship gathering. The opening song is Christ Is Risen by Brian Wren (arranged by Anthony Coleman II). The closing song is Rise Up with lyrics by Agape (David Scherer)
