Tag Archives: Gospel of Matthew

Melissa preaching at RMC Feb. 24, 2019

The Questions of Holy Week – April 14, 2019

Matthew 21:1-17

It’s Palm Sunday. The day we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as the King of Peace. But Jerusalem is a powder keg at Passover, and Jesus tosses in a match. It’s not unlike the unrest during the Civil Rights movement, when activists carried out a series of non-violent direct actions, pushing against the norms and upsetting those in power. The gospel of Jesus Christ will not make you nice or orderly; it will make you a very poor citizen to the way things have always been. Especially during this Holy Week, what are you willing to be left undone, to make space for resurrection?

The Questions of Holy Week – April 14, 2019

 
 
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Melissa preaching at RMC, April 7, 2019

Come home – April 7, 2019

Matthew 25:31-46

Johnny Cash plays heavily in Melissa’s sermon today. In fact, the service included listening to one of his songs that talks about today’s parable of God’s judgment, separating the sheep from the goats.

When I hear Johnny saying God’s going to cut you down, or Jesus preaching the story that might make our eyes a little bit wider, I hear a warning, a red flashing siren from people who know how bad life can be when you are drowning in self-deception, in your ignorance of your neighbor’s suffering, or our desire to look out for ourselves even if it means that you run other people down.

And to be forgiven for hurting people we love? That’s where eternal life starts. To let that forgiveness send you out to discover people who are lost and alone. That is the very center of God’s reign.

Come home – April 7, 2019

 
 
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Melissa speaking at the Dec. 24, 2018 Christmas Eve service.

Stay Awake! – March 31, 2019

Matthew 25 & 26

Melissa places the parable of the bridesmaids waiting for the groom at the wedding in the larger context of parables around it. All of you who call yourselves followers of Jesus, now is the time! Stop getting distracted. Focus on what we are called to do. We need to find Jesus in the dispossessed, the most vulnerable among us because the reign of God is not in the future. It’s here and now.

Stay Awake! – March 31, 2019

 
 
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Melissa speaking at the Dec. 24, 2018 Christmas Eve service.

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard – March 17, 2019

Matthew 20:1-16

A farmer hires workers throughout the day. Some work all day others just short time but the farmer pays all of them the same wages. This may not be fair but it is right. God does not bless people according to title, power, salary or any measure, God’s grace is freely given to everyone. This is good news or as Melissa put it “the full employment at a living wage parable”.

Melissa also address the erroneous use of this parable to raise Christians above others. Dividing people and causing harm.

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard – March 17, 2019

 
 
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Nathan Hershberger preaching at RMC Feb. 17, 2019

God, the Good Campesino – Feb. 17, 2019

Guest speaker Nathan Hershberger provided the sermon based on Matthew 13:24-43. God demands justice but will bring it about without our violence. In the meantime, we water and keep the mixed fields of our souls, and join together to water and keep the mixed fields of our churches and our world.

God, the Good Campesino – Feb. 17, 2019

 
 
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Melissa preaching Nov. 25, 2018

Temptations of Jesus – January 20, 2019

Melissa recounts the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. It might be viewed as a test to see if Jesus is really who he claims to be. Jesus believes he is God’s beloved. We might not be able to pass the tests Jesus was faced with, but we also are God’s beloved. Matthew 4:1-17

Temptations of Jesus – January 20, 2019
Raleigh Mennonite Church Sermons

 
 

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Melissa speaking at the Dec. 24, 2018 Christmas Eve service.

Baptism of Jesus – January 13, 2019

In the second message in the series on Jesus’ life as told in Matthew, we come to Jesus’ baptism. Melissa provides a fresh perspective on this age-old story and invites those of us who have been baptized to reflect back on what it means. Matthew 3:1-17

Baptism of Jesus – January 13, 2019
Raleigh Mennonite Church Sermons

 
 

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Melissa preaching at RMC June 10, 2018

Lineage – Aug. 26, 2018

Melissa finishes up her series on the book of, and the person, Ruth. But Ruth shows up another time, at the beginning of the New Testament. The genealogy listed in Matthew 1 mentions three very unique women, including Ruth. Remnants of Ruth show up in Jesus generations later.

Ruth 4, Matthew 1, Matthew 9:20-38

Lineage – Aug. 26, 2018

 
 

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