"Telling the Truth About Jesus"

Rev. Kevin Murphy

May 22, 2011

What is the truth about Jesus? The emotional truth that most people just can't bear to hear? That he is alive. During Peter's Pentecost sermon, the people of Israel wanted to hear this good news. The response was overwhelming. Peter had things for which all preachers hope: a good message, audience readiness, and the presence of God's spirit. In contrast, when Stephen spoke to the leaders of Israel, the response was quite different than that received by Peter. Stephen was met with violent resistance, as was Jesus during his final days. In the United States, we are allowed to proclaim our faith without fear of persecution. In many other parts of the world this is not the true. Christians are met with anger and terror. Listen as Kevin takes us down an uncomfortable path while engaging us to think about our understanding of the truth about Jesus.

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library

"Abundant Living"

Rev. Kevin Murphy

May 15, 2011

To think about what makes for a good shepherd and what makes for a bad shepherd really brings to mind all the evil in the world. But, bad shepherds have always been around and are marked by their total devotion to self. Ezekiel shares God's condemnation of the bad shepherds of his day noting they are much more interested in getting fat than feeding their sheep. The good shepherd, on the other hand, is epitomized by Jesus, who not only comes to feed his sheep, but even goes so far as to lay down his life for them. This is so we might have life and have it abundantly. Listen as Kevin shares with us four of his marks of abundant living; purposeful vocation, participation in a faith community, creating and sustaining meaningful relationships and having a sense of security in Christ.

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library

“A Screeching Halt at the Crossroads”

Rev. Kevin Murphy

MAY 8, 2011

Preparation Scriptures: 

Psalm 116: 1-4, 12-19, Acts 2: 14a, 36-42, and Luke 24: 13-35

We all enjoy our freedom to make decisions large and small each day of our lives. The choices we make may bring joy and success or grief and despair. As we experience these life changing moments, we often find the world continuing to function with little regard for our concerns. But then we discover that whatever path we have chosen, Jesus is always there with us wherever we may happen to be. Listen as Kevin assures us that God will restore our spirit and prepare us for witnessing to and sharing his unconditional love.  

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library

“Jesus, More than a Name”

Rev. Kevin Murphy

Preparation Scriptures: Psalm 16, 1st Peter 1: 3-9, and Acts 2: 14-36

If you want to get someone’s attention, Kevin reminds us that you need to call them by name. Especially if you call them by their complete name. In Jesus’ day last names were not so important. Instead references were made to their family connections or the area they were from. This helped identify them from duplicate first names.

The more we know about an individual, the closer we feel. And so it was the mission of the disciples to identify Jesus of Nazareth as the one who rose on the third day after having died on the cross. And it then became an opportunity for those who heard (and ours as well) to identify our opinion of Jesus and his message to the world. 

“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” reminds us of that question.

In this sermon, Kevin points out that when we realize who Jesus was and choose to follow him he then becomes so much more than a Name. 

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library