Defeating Giants
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached June 23, 2024) The story of David and Goliath is often told as an underdog story where David is imagined as a young boy. But what if the story is not as we have been led to believe? (See 1 Samuel 17 for the story)
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The Chosen
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached June 16, 2024 - Dads and Grads Sunday) 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 tells the story of David, the eighth son of Jesse, being anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel. This sermon explores this unexpected choice and how God sees beyond the superficial and looks to the heart. How is your heart?
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So You Want a King?
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached June 9, 2024) The elders of Israel approach Samuel with the request for a king, so they can be like the other nations. After consulting with God, Samuel warns them about what a king will do, but they want one anyway, rejecting God as their king. And here we are, all these years later, and people still think an earthly ruler is going to solve all their problems. We'll see...
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Here Am I, Send Me
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached May 26, 2024) Isaiah 6:1-8 tells the story of Isaiah's mystical encounter with God. In the same year the great king Uzziah dies, Isaiah, in this vision, sees God on the throne. God wants to know, "Whom shall I send?" to be God's messenger.
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The Sounds of Spirit
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached May 19, 2024, Pentecost Sunday) Acts 2:1-21 tells the story of the coming of the spirit. To the church in Rome, Paul describes a different experience with spirit, a spirit that groans (Romans 8:22-27).
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The Kids Are Not Okay
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon for May 12, 2024 - Mother's Day) This sermon is what you get when you combine Ephesians 1:15-23 with Mother's Day, the current mental health crisis of our children and youth, the sermon title I picked three months ago, a quick trip to Iowa to celebrate the life of my stepdad, and the themes of prayer and encouragement. Blessings!
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The Wilderness Road
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached April 28, 2024) The story of the Ethiopian eunuch is told in Acts 8:26-40. Here we see God's expansive love at work as these two individuals meet each other on the road.
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Inconvenient Love
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached April 21, 2024) In 1 John 3:16-24, the call to lay down our lives for one another isn't just referring to grand heroic gestures. Daily, we have the opportunity to lay down our lives in the simple choices we make, like laying down a convenience for the sake of the neighbor impacted by our use of plastics. This sermon recognizes Earth Day 2024 and its theme, "Planet vs. Plastics."
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The Day Mary Roared
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(Sermon preached December 24, 2023) This sermon celebrates the courage and prophetic witness of Mary as she joins with Elizabeth and sings her revolutionary song known today as The Magnificat. (Luke 1:39-56) Please note this is my last sermon until I return from Sabbatical in April of 2024.
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A Bundle of Joy
FCCO Sermons: Take 2
(preached December 17, 2023) Isaiah 61: 1-4, 10-11 is the text Jesus opened to as he preached his first sermon in his hometown synagogue. He reads it like a mission statement, which it is, for Jesus and for us as his followers. It is a holy calling - a calling that cannot be fully exercised without the other gift this passage offers - JOY.
info_outline(Sermon preached June 4, 2023 at Norwalk Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Norwalk, Iowa) I served as the pastor of Norwalk Christian Church for 11+ years before moving to California. I had the honor of preaching on June 4, just as they are beginning the Open and Affirming process.