Leaving home is hard, whether we are leaving our physical or metaphorical home. But there comes a time when we all need to do it; and, when we do, we can find the courage to walk out the door into a new world through love. The story of Ruth shows us what that looks like.
Text: Ruth 1:11-19a; John 15:9-17
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on November 8, 2020.
New wineskins, new cloth, new birth–they’re all different ways of seeing and describing what’s needed both externally and internally for spiritual transformation to happen. Want a different take on what it means to be “born again?” This is it.
Texts: Mathew. 9:14-17; John 3:1-10
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church by Rev. Anne Robertson on October 25, 2020.
The story of Paul’s conversion in Acts 9 is well-known. Paul is blinded and knocked to the ground by a vision of Jesus as he is traveling to Damascus to persecute Jesus’ followers. But while the focus of the story is on Paul, the hero of the story is just a regular follower of Jesus in Damascus named Ananias. Ananias already knows what it will take Paul another couple of decades to grasp: The mature fruit of spiritual growth is the ability to love even our enemies.
Text: Acts 1-19
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church by Rev. Anne Robertson on October 11, 2020.
Psalm 1 tells us that the righteous “prosper” in all that they do. That isn’t always, or even usually true. Or is it? Suppose the word “prosper” isn’t talking about fame or material success? Nerd alert–the Hebrew words in this Psalm give us some direction. It’s not a promise of worldly success; it’s a promise that the righteous will grow. What does spiritual growth look like? How do you help that along? Watch to find out.
Text: Psalm 1
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church by Rev. Anne Robertson on September 27, 2020.
Jesus changing water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee is Jesus’ first miracle. He only does it because his mother pushes him, and John’s gospel is the only place that tells about it. But have you noticed that John’s gospel doesn’t call anything a “miracle?” John calls them “signs,” and this is the first of seven. So what does Jesus’ very first miracle signify? What is John trying to tell us about the nature of Jesus’ life and ministry? It’s about transformation.
Text: John 2:1-11
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on September 20, 2020.
Lots of things in the Bible are confusing or open to many interpretations. But one thing that is crystal clear is the thing that should be crystal clear: What must I do to inherit eternal life?
Jesus himself is asked that question and his answer is simple: Love. Love God and your neighbor as yourself. The man asking tries to make it more complicated: “But who is my neighbor?” Jesus is having none of it and tells an uncomfortable parable about a Samaritan to drive the point home.
Texts: Luke 10:25-37, 1 Corinthians 13
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on September 13, 2020.