In Sermons: showing 31-45 of 312

Don't Worry, Be Happy Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Feb 11, 2016

We all have reason to worry and lots to worry about. Christ tells us not to worry, but the key is not to allow ourselves to be consumed by worry and instead to "seek first God's kingdom and God's righteousness."

As we launch our journey this morning to “[Find] Peace in an Anxious World,” we begin with this passage of Scripture that is really in no way obscure. We are probably all at least somewhat familiar with some parts of it, even if we hadn’t realized that it comes from the Bible. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: United Methodist

The Overwhelming Greatness Of God

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Feb 7, 2016

The Transfiguration of Christ is about both the revelation of Christ as God's Son on the mountaintop, and Christ as Savior of the world in the healing of the demon-possessed boy the next day at the foot of the mountain.

“I’ll believe it when I see it!” How many times have you said that in your life? Or heard it? So much of how we believe and operate is based on our ability to see tangible evidence. The whole field of science and medicine is all about our desire to have proof that explains the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-43

Denomination: United Methodist

Why Do Christians Disagree About So Many Things? Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jan 28, 2016

There can be no doubt that Christians have many disagreements. However, Christ calls us to be one, and we need to acknowledge our differences, but love one another, celebrate the beliefs that we share, and learn to work more fully as one.

I don’t know if there’s a better time than a Presidential election year in the U.S. to see just how deeply and how much we human beings can disagree. There are the obvious disagreements on polity and practice between the Democrats and Republicans, but even within the parties there is ...read more

Scripture: John 17:18-23

Denomination: United Methodist

Can I Trust The Old Testament? Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jan 28, 2016

There are many parts of the Old Testament that are confusing and difficult to understand. This sermon looks at how to understand the Old Testament based on what we know about Christ.

I believe it’s fair to say that the biggest story in the news over the last six months to a year is “ISIS.” Whether it’s the growing influence of ISIS in the Middle East as they establish and maintain a greater geographical foothold, or the threat of ISIS in the western ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: United Methodist

How Do I Believe In Science And Creation (And A God I Can't Prove)? Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jan 17, 2016

Science tells us a lot about the world in which we live, but ultimately there are some questions for which the only answer is God, and faith is our proof.

For two years after college, I taught high school band in Hilton Head. I loved my students and I loved teaching, but what became clear to me in those two years was something I had known since I was fifteen; that my truly calling was to serve in the church. So, about midway through my second year, I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Denomination: United Methodist

Why Is There Suffering And Evil? Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jan 12, 2016

Everyday people face hardship. But we believe in a good God who has made a good creation, so why is there so much suffering and evil?

We live in a world where the answer to nearly every question is right at our fingertips. All we have to do is log on to Google, type a question, and in a matter of milliseconds, we have hundreds and sometimes even hundreds of millions of answers to our query. Or, if it’s a little too ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

An Attitude Of Gratitude

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Nov 19, 2015

Worry can keep us from seeing and celebrating God's great blessings in our lives, but the cure for worry is a life lived in thanksgiving!

We worry a lot. Probably because we feel like there are a lot of things to worry about. Like I suspect that right now many of us are worried about Thanksgiving this week. What will the traffic be like for our travels or for those who are traveling to see us? Will the turkey thaw in time? Will the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: United Methodist

Seeing The Invisible

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Nov 5, 2015

The world teaches us to seek after power and prestige, as the Scribes do, but Christ teaches us a different way to live.

Year after year, Ken and I have marveled at the wonderful, glorious fact that we can take Mary Ellen clothes shopping and she is not concerned about brand names. We’ll take her to pick out some jeans and long-sleeve shirts in the Fall, or shorts and t-shirts in the Spring. We usually need to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: United Methodist

All In

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Oct 1, 2015

We can hold back and miss out on God's blessings, or we can devote our lives wholly to Christ and experience the blessings of abundant life.

What makes Christianity special? What makes Christians unique? Those questions are both simple and challenging at the same time, aren’t they? Christianity is special because of salvation through Jesus Christ, and Christians are unique because (at least in theory) we follow in the example of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: United Methodist

Thrive Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Sep 23, 2015

To thrive is “to grow vigorously.” The opposite of thrive is “failure to thrive,” which is often the predecessor to death. It’s only when we fully embrace change that we can thrive.

What comes to mind when you hear the word thrive? It’s a really positive word, isn’t it? (That is, unless is has to do with weeds…). If someone or something is thriving, that means it is doing well, right? Full of life! To thrive is to grow vigorously. Plants can thrive, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: United Methodist

Outside The Box Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Sep 17, 2015

We love to come to church, to sit in this wonderful place, to bask in God’s special presence here. But Christ calls us beyond these walls. This place is not the destination of our spiritual life, but the launching point for our work in God’s Kingdom.

These days, if I have a few minutes to enjoy a TV show, my go-to is either some sort of home improvement show the likes of which you find on HGTV, or a cooking show, like “Chopped,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” or “MasterChef.” Though, I must admit, my favorite is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: United Methodist

Reset: Gear Up Your Attitude For Change Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Sep 11, 2015

Our lives are fundamentally changed simply by being in relationship w/ God the Father through Jesus Christ. But if the church is to continue to offer that life-transforming relationship, we have to run to the people who need relationship, love, and life.

I don’t know if there’s another story in the Bible that tells of such radical change as this story of the Prodigal Son. We will unpack the story more as we go along today, but here is this young man who, in the height of selfishness and stupidity, essentially steals his inheritance, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: United Methodist

Let It Go Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Sep 4, 2015

The Israelites were so fearful of change as they approached the Promised Land, they felt it would be better to return to slavery. In the midst of change, we must learn to let go of our fear and lean upon God to find the new life that comes through change.

I spent this past week in Nashville. I was at the United Methodist Church’s Discipleship Ministries Office along with about thirty others to be trained as a Discipleship Coach. We are piloting a new program called Building HOPE. HOPE is an acronym for Hospitality, Offer Christ, Purpose, and ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Why Membership Matters (2) Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Sep 4, 2015

Our membership in the Body of Christ unites us in covenant with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a covenant by which we are more fully empowered to do Christ's work in the world even as we serve and support one another.

One weekend in August of 2001, I was preparing to head to South Carolina for my senior year of college. With my car loaded, my plan was to get up Sunday morning and immediately head off for South Carolina. That would give me plenty of time to get there, unload, and settle into my apartment before ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-47

Denomination: United Methodist

Why Missions Matter (2) Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Sep 4, 2015

Part of fully understanding the abundant life made possible through Christ's sacrificial death on the cross is to sacrifice ourselves and our lives in service to God through mission.

Today we are going to talk about missions and why missions matter. But before I get into the importance of missions, I feel like I need to make a bit of a distinction between the kind of missions which I will be describing today, and a very specific kind of missions that might also be called ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40

Denomination: United Methodist