Gentle Spirit Christian Church

Priorities in the Time of Crisis

Fourth Sunday in Lent Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Matthew 7:1-12

Our Pre-Occupation

Third Sunday in Lent Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Matthew 6:19-26
If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. (Verse 25)

Pray Like This

Second Sunday in Lent Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Matthew 6:5-18
In prayer, there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part. (Verses 14-15)

Step Aside

First Sunday in Lent Sermon: Alyce Keener, Vicar Reading: Matthew 6:1-4
That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out. (Verse 4)

My God-Created Identity

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Sermon: Alyce Keener, Vicar Reading: Matthew 5:38-48
In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. (Verse 48)

Of Law and Of Love

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Matthew 5:21-37
Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are ‘legal.’ Please, no more pretending. (Verse 31b)

Thermostats and Thermometers

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Matthew 5:13-20
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. (Verse 14b)

Blessed Are...

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
Not only that — count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. (Verse 11)

Christ’s Theme

Third Sunday after Epiphany Sermon: Alyce Keener, Vicar Reading: Matthew 4:12-23
God’s kingdom was his theme — that beginning right now they were under God’s government, a good government! (Verse 23b)

Moments

Second Sunday after Epiphany Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: John 1:29-42
The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out, "Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world! This is the man I’ve been talking about, ‘the One who comes after me but is really ahead of me.’ " (Verse 29)