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Sermon – June 7, 2015

June 7, 2015 By Leave a Comment

BPUMC_Podcast_Logo“Beyond“, by Rev. Peter von Herrmann

In today’s reading, Paul encourages the Corinthians to remain faithful to God in spite of their physical struggles. Paul reminds them that who they are as Christians is far more than how they feel. Too often as Christians, we believe the lie that a life of faith is meant to decrease our discomfort. I would count Jesus as a pretty faithful fellow, and discomfort was definitely part of his human experience!

Being Christian does not exempt us from the challenges of life. If anything, we are faced with greater challenges if we remain faithful to the difficult task of loving our neighbor as ourselves. What we do have, however, is a greater purpose in the midst of the pain- a knowledge that the grace of God continues to reach out to us and to the world through us, for this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure.

~Peter von Herrmann

The Word

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—“I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

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Sermon – May 17, 2015

May 17, 2015 By Leave a Comment

BPUMC_Podcast_Logo“Between Children and Adults“, by Rev. Peter von Herrmann

In worship today, we talk about the “cloud of witnesses” of Hebrews 11 and the subsequent admonitions in Hebrews 12. Hebrews 11 is a list of people throughout the ages who were faithful to God. The support of other Christians is emphasized. Chapter 12, however, emphasizes that we are still, at times, treated as “children,” with all the discipline and needed growth that implies.

As Christians, we love each other as fellow children of God, each called by God to specific tasks as “grown up” Christians. In the “cloud of witnesses”, we are cheered on by Christians of all ages, and we take our part in cheering for others. Yet, we also remain children, in need of parenting by God who calls us to grow more and more like Christ. In many ways, we are all “little Christians,” growing up into the full stature of Christ.

~Peter von Herrmann

The Word

Hebrews 12:1-11

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—

“My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
or lose heart when you are punished by him;
for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,
and chastises every child whom he accepts.”

Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

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Sermon – December 28, 2014

January 4, 2015 By Leave a Comment

BPUMC_Podcast_Logo“A Light, a Sword, and a Crazy Old Woman“, by Rev. Peter von Herrmann

How would you feel if you came to worship today and somebody stood up in the middle of the service and started proclaiming that one of our church’s children would transform the world? How would you react? What about if someone said to some parents that their child would be the salvation of the world?

I for one would be shocked, confused, and concerned about the people saying these things. I’d be completely uncomfortable and try to move on as soon as possible. And honestly, I’d be annoyed at the interruption.

Yet it is in those very interruptions that Jesus is honored and proclaimed. We have traditions in worship and in life because in those actions, words, and songs, we have found God, and we hope to do so again. But sometimes, God surprises us in turning annoying interruptions (both big and small) into opportunities to see Jesus. That’s what happened that day in worship.

Maybe in worship and in life I need to take a breath and, instead, of moving on as quickly as possible, realize that God is giving me an opportunity to encounter Jesus. Maybe you do, too. Let’s keep our eyes open, because we never know when Jesus might come in the front door. We might even need one of those annoying interruptions to see him.

~Peter von Herrmann

The Word

Luke 2:22-40

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

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Sermon – August 31, 2014

August 31, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Community - Letters to the Church in Corinth“A Community Shares its Resources,” by Rev. Peter von Herrmann

Sermon Series: Community – Letters to the Church in Corinth

Catching up.

For many people, Labor Day marks the end of the summer and the beginning of fall. As summer ends, many church members begin calculating how much they need to give to “catch up” on their pledge. We all intend to give weekly, but during the course of the summer we miss worship on Sundays and then don’t remember to “catch up” until fall begins.

As he writes to the church in Corinth, Paul reminds the church in Corinth to “catch up” on their giving to the offering for the poor in Jerusalem. This offering, which Paul collected from Gentile churches around the Roman Empire, was an important part of creating unity within the Christian church as a whole. The Corinthians had expressed enthusiasm at supporting this offering. Now, Paul was encouraging them to live up to their pledge.

We often make pledges and then, for whatever reason, “fall behind.” Maybe we have pledged to write an encouraging note, maybe to complete a project, maybe to support an important charity. Each moment, though, offers an opportunity to catch up with those pledges. Let’s think about how we can help others, and then not just talk about it, but be faithful to complete the tasks that God has set before us.

—Peter von Herrmann

The Word

2 Corinthians 8:1-14

We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints— and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking among you. Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.

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Sermon – June 8, 2014

June 8, 2014 By 1 Comment

BPUMC Weekly Sermon Podcast“In Their Own Language,” by Rev. Peter von Herrmann

Of the three persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), the Holy Spirit has always been the one that’s the most confusing to me. I can take some comfort in that it is naturally difficult to nail down something also defined as “wind.”
Although it is inherently hard to define, what we can do is see the results of the wind, as well as the results of the Spirit. The result of the Spirit in this case is speaking in languages that are completely understandable. EACH person understood the gospel message in their OWN language.

What does it mean that the church is founded on talking about Jesus in other people’s language? This morning we’ll think about that and its implications.

Perhaps this morning you will hear that good news of God’s love in your language. Maybe you’ll be led to speak in somebody else’s language. Whichever the case, remember that nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

The Word

Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

 

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Sermon – May 25, 2014

May 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment

BPUMC Weekly Sermon Podcast“Already There“, by Rev. Peter von Herrmann

When discussing what Methodists believe, we quickly come to our greatest emphasis – grace. We believe that God is with us. We believe that God cares for us before we even know it, that God through Jesus Christ forgives our sin in grace, and that through grace we can grow throughout our lives to become more like Jesus. We call these prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace, respectively.

As Paul demonstrates in today’s scripture, yearning for God is a universal part of being human. We have the joy of knowing the one who bridges the gap between our sinful lives and the God who made us and loves us, so that we might be in relationship and fulfill that yearning within us.

In knowing Jesus we become aware of the chasm between who we are and who we should be. Yet we can rejoice because, despite that chasm, the grace and love of God persist. Because of that grace, we can grow to be like Jesus in all that we say and do.

May we be mindful that we are imperfect. May we faithfully grow to be more like Jesus, to conform ourselves into his image. And may we have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Acts 17:22-31

Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,

‘For we too are his offspring.’

Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

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