Gentle Spirit Christian Church

Palm Sunday | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 5:10-12 You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. (Verse 10)

Second Sunday in Lent | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner | Reading: John 3:1-18 You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. (Matthew 5:4)

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Sermon: Vicar Alyce Keener Reading: Matthew 7:1-14 Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get. (Verse 12)

Third Sunday of Advent Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Matthew 1:18-25 “Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus — ‘God saves' — … Continue reading God Always Answers →

Second Sunday of Advent Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Matthew 3:1-12 While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called “the Baptizer,” was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: “Change your life. God's kingdom is here.” (Verses 1-2)

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 20:27-38 Jesus said, “Marriage is a major preoccupation here, but not there. Those who are included in the resurrection of the dead will no longer be concerned with marriage nor, of course, with death.” (Verse 34)

Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor — and if I'm caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.” (Verse 8)

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 18:9-14 But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself. (Verse 14)

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 18:1-8 So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't God stick up for them? I assure you, God will. (Verse 7)

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 17:11-19 He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough — and he was a Samaritan. (Verse 16)

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Matthew 6:25-29 Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to God than birds. (Verse 26)

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Alyce Keener, Vicar Reading: Luke 16:19-31 Abraham replied, “If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.” (Verse 31)

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 15:11-32 But the parent wasn't listening. (Verse 22)

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 15:1-10 They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” (Verse 3)

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Alyce Keener, Vicar Reading: Luke 14:25-33 Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple. (Verse 33)

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Alyce Keener, Vicar Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14 But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself. (Verse 11)

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 13:10-17 But Jesus shot back, “You frauds! Each Sabbath every one of you regularly unties your cow or donkey from its stall, leads it out for water, and thinks nothing of it.” (Verse 15)

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 12:49-56 Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I've come to disrupt and confront! (Verse 50)

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 12:13-21 Speaking to the people, he went on, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.” (Verse 15)

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Alyce Keener, Vicar Reading: Luke 11:1-13 Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. (Verse 10)

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 10:38-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing.” (Verse 41)

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 10:25-37 A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. (Verse 33)

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Reading: Luke 10:1-12 When you enter a town and are not received, go out in the street and say, "The only thing we got from you is the dirt on our feet, and we're giving it back." (Verse 10)

Sermon for Sunday, June 26, 2022 Third Sunday in Pentecost Reading: Matthew 10:24-39 So don't hesitate to go public now. (Verse 27)

Sermon for Sunday, June 19, 2022 Second Sunday in Pentecost Reading: Luke 8:26-39 Later, a great many people from the Gerasene countryside got together and asked Jesus to leave — too much change, too fast, and they were scared. (Verse 37)

Sermon for Sunday, June 12, 2022 First Sunday in Pentecost Reading: John 16:12-15 But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth... will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. (Verse 12)

Sermon for March 29, 2020 (Fifth Sunday in Lent) Gentle Spirit Christian Church Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Via Facebook Live Today’s Message: “More Than Words” (Matthew 7:13-29)

Sermon for March 22, 2020 (Fourth Sunday in Lent) Gentle Spirit Christian Church Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Today’s Message: “Priorities in the Time of Crisis” (Matthew 7:1-12)

Sermon for March 15, 2020 (Third Sunday in Lent) Gentle Spirit Christian Church Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Today’s Message: “Our Pre-Occupation” (Matthew 6:19-26) From the Gospel of Matthew: VS. 25 “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 … Continue reading Our Pre-Occupation (Podcast) →

Sermon for March 8, 2020 (Second Sunday in Lent) Gentle Spirit Christian Church Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Today’s Message: “Pray Like This” (Matthew 6:5-18) From the Gospel of Matthew: VS. 14-15 “In prayer, there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, … Continue reading Pray Like This (Podcast) →

Sermon for March 1, 2020 (First Sunday in Lent) Gentle Spirit Christian Church Alyce Keener, Vicar Today’s Message: “Step Aside” (Matthew 6:1-4) From the Gospel of Matthew: VS. 4 “That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.”

Sermon for February 23, 2020 (Seventh Sunday after Epiphany) Gentle Spirit Christian Church Alyce Keener, Vicar Today’s Message: “My God-Created Identity” (Matthew 5:38-48) From the Gospel of Matthew: VS.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 … Continue reading My God-Created Identity (Podcast) →

Sermon for February 16, 2020 (Sixth Sunday after Epiphany) Gentle Spirit Christian Church Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Today’s Message: “Of Law and Of Love” (Matthew 5:21-37) From the Gospel of Matthew: VS.31b “Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you … Continue reading Of Law and Of Love (Podcast) →

Sermon for February 9, 2020 (Fifth Sunday after Epiphany) Gentle Spirit Christian Church Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor   Today’s Message: “Thermostats and Thermometers” (Matthew 5:13-20)   From the Gospel of Matthew: vs.14b “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not … Continue reading Thermostats and Thermometers (Podcast) →

Sermon for February 2, 2020 (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany) Gentle Spirit Christian Church Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor Today’s Message: “Blessed are…” (Matthew 5:1-12) From the Gospel of Matthew: vs.11 “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 … Continue reading Blessed Are… (Podcast) →

Sermon for January 26, 2020 (Third Sunday after Epiphany) Gentle Spirit Christian Church Alyce Keener, Vicar Today’s Message: “Christ’s Theme” (Matthew 4:12-23) From the Gospel of Matthew: vs.23b “God’s kingdom was his theme—that beginning right now they were under God’s government, a good government!”