Salem United Methodist Church, Pastor Justin Collett

This is one of the most challenging doctrines to understand, yet one of the most crucial to grasp. Many stumble in trying to do so. It's understandable, as such a confrontation teaching often demands a painfully deep surrender. Through it, however, the scripture story reveals a truth both confrontational and transforming, disorienting and foundational. And on the other side, you will discover a God so perfectly holy and graciously loving that He has given you a gift in Christ so precious that you can hardly believe it's yours. Yup. It's that good. It's the Gospel of grace...amazing grace.

This is Part 1 of Passion Sunday. We start with an overview of the story from the Passover meal to the crucifixion of Jesus, before focusing on the most notable symbol of our faith—the cross. And the cross isn't empty. Jesus is hanging on it. Why did this happen? Why would Jesus intentionally submit to this? And can do we possibly understand this violent and seemingly-senseless execution? It's vital to do so. After all, it's not just any man upon a tree. It's the King upon your cross.

We celebrated Palm Sunday a Sunday earlier in order to include Passion Sunday before Easter. Today we remember Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He comes as King, which demands a decision from us all.

This is the first sermon in the Easter series called "King of Kings"

This is the sermon from our New Member Celebration Sunday. We baptized a new sister and welcomed 8 other new members into our congregation. Amazing day!

We delve into a familiar story from Mark 4––Jesus calming the wind and sea. Thankfully, the point of the story isn't simply to, "Have faith in Jesus because he can calm the storms." The "point" is way more profound than that. And truthfully, the story is not so much making a "point" but rather posing a question...a question about a "Person." And in the storms of life, your answer to this question makes all the difference in the world.

For both the individual Christian and also the church congregation, worship is arguably the most important practice to grasp correctly and to do faithfully. Proper worship empowers our most critical battle against the foundation of every and all sin—idolatry. Therefore, an accurate understanding of Christian worship is vital, not only to this present life but also to the life yet to come. We begin this sermon series on worship by consider Revelation 4-5, which offers us an amazing portrait of heavenly worship. What can a church learn from these chapters in God's revelation to John? What is worship really? How does a congregation worship truly? Most importantly, who do we worship faithfully, and is our worship a fitting response to the One at the center of our praise?

OK, Jesus. We hear you. We'll strive to forgive and reconcile with others. But practically speaking, Jesus, HOW DO WE ACTUALLY GO ABOUT DOING IT?!! This is the last teaching in the 5-Part series from "77," all about Jesus's commands to forgive and reconcile with one another. In this last sermon, we threw down the gauntlet with a no-frills, nothing-fancy exposition of how to actually seek reconciliation with a second party and the resulting challenge to try reconciling with something this coming week. However, how do you prepare beforehand? How do you actually begin the conversation? What are basic things to do and also some things NOT to do? This is a link to a DropBox folder containing a series overview and practical guidelines to forgiveness and reconciliation, including typos and all. Use this resource in any way that is helpful to you or others. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bp8k7de8qphzrjj/vLEecIkqmU

FORGIVENESS: The Gift of Reconciliation Does Jesus expect us to ask for forgiveness FROM others? Yes. He doesn't mince words either. In this short section from his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus outlines unbelievable standards regarding anger, gives a daunting command to seek reconciliation, and alludes to the day we'll be judgment against his mind-boggling standards (just in case we needed extra motivation). So...if this is part of the Gospel, how in the world is it "good news"? Can such a seemingly-damning passage transform our hearts? And how do Jesus's words move us to reconcile with those who are angry at us?

This week we explore the challenge of "heavy-duty" forgiveness in light of Jesus's teaching on prayer in Luke 11:1-10. Jesus doesn't just teach what to pray for, he also teaches how and why we should pray with a particular attitude, if you will. In prayer, we're to "ask with audacity," which an important note. Why? Because forgiveness is as essential as food and water. Ask for it like you're starving, like you're thirsty, like you're desperate. Ask with audacity.

This is Part 2 of our sermon series on forgiveness called "77." In this sermon, we dig into Jesus's commandment to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Easy enough, right? Wrong. It's unbelievably difficult. But what if Jesus is serious? How in the world do we do that? And how does it all tie into the practice of forgiveness?

This is Part 1 of 5 in the new sermon series called "77," based on Jesus's command in Mt 18:22 to not merely forgive only seven times but actually to forgive seventy-seven times (NRSV and NIV translation). As readers, we shouldn't miss the weight of this commandment: Forgive seventy-seven times! That's crazy! That's too hard! Let's be honest: That seems impossible. How in the world do we find the resources, the courage, the compassion, the kindness, the perseverance to forgive others like that?!! Fair question. Is there a good answer?

What is God up to in the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ? Is something brand-new taking place? Absolutely...and it's grace upon grace (Jn 1:16) Sounds good, but what does that mean?

Our brother in Christ, Glenn Abernathy, passed away on Monday, October 28, 2013. His influence and leadership within our congregation cannot be overestimated. The Sunday following his death, we remember and gave thanks for Mr Glenn and, moreover, considered the significance of this moment in the life of our congregation. The mantle of spiritual leadership and authority is being passed to the next generation. May we be aware of and prepared for this awesome responsibility.

You've probably heard it read before...the passage describing the "full armor of God." You might also be able to recite the list: The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, etc. But how does the armor actually protect us in spiritual warfare? How do we practically wield these spiritual weapons? Moreover, how does this armor protect not just our relationship with God but, furthermore, our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ? Properly equipped, we will stand firm when—not if—the evil days arise.

C.S. Lewis wrote that we can make 2 opposite mistakes when it comes to devils: 1) Disbelieve in them altogether or 2) Be overly fascinated by them. Both are mistakes all the same, and both equally please the devils. Fortunately, the Bible provides a more sophisticated perspective than the modern default position of disbelief (mistake #1) and a more nuanced perspective than the superstitious position of others (mistake #2). We look at Ephesians 6:10-12 to understand who the devil really is and what his schemes really are. This, brothers and sisters, is our struggle. May we not be uninformed or, worse, ill-prepared.

As a husband, this passage from Ephesians is humbling. It's staggering. It's awe-inspiring. And it's also terrifying. Find out why in this sermon—the last in the 3-part series from Eph 5:21-33.

How is one of the most beautifully profound and inspiring passages in all of Scripture so terribly misunderstood, so vehemently rejected and, worst of all, so often abused? You know: The "wives submit to husbands..." passage. Of course, that's just one little piece of the passage. It time to re-read Ephesians 5. This is Part 2 of 3 in our mini-series from a portion of Paul's controversial "Household Codes" passage found in Ephesians 5:21-33. Last week we unpacked "hypotasso," the Greek word for "submission" or "to be subject." It has nothing to do with oppression or power-over or forcing anyone to do anything. It has everything to do with Christian salvation and sanctification.

The infamous "S-Word"... This is Part 1 of 3 in our mini-series from Ephesians 5:21-33...you know...the passage which contains the ever-contentious "wives submit to husbands" verse. Everybody has opinions on the passage. Preaching it is like walking through a minefield. Moreover, the assumptions in interpreting it and the implications after interpreting it are just as loaded as the passage itself! Nonetheless, it's an unbelievably beautiful passage. An awe-inspiring vision of marriage. And over the next 3 weeks, we'll learn just how beautiful, just how inspiring, and just how we can possibly be a bit more like Christ in precisely the place where it's so difficult to do—in our home with those closest to us. But first, let's tackle the "S-Word"--submission!

Personally, I love this section of Ephesians. Okay...I love the whole letter, but this section is so jammed full with amazing insights. We see that the source of our problems is our mind and heart (4:17-24) and, therefore, real change occurs from the inside-out as God renews our minds and creates us anew. Next, we see the evidence of our renewed minds in our renewed external actions (4:25-5:2). Throughout the whole process, we're realize that we're learning to do what we do because we're learning to be who we are—beloved children of God. And this is the most incredible way to live...ever.

How do we change? As in, how do we actually change—deep down in the ways in which we're really broken? Can people truly change in their heart? Yes. Thankfully, it's one of God's most favorite things to do.

There should be no surprise regarding mainline church decline. Why not? Because most mainline churches no longer preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Preaching "half" of the gospel (grace, love and forgiveness) is no gospel at all. It's well-intended, of course, but the consequences are devastating, as we end up worshipping a god in our own image. In sum, the source of mainline decline is not the style of worship or approach to ministry or a need to "rethink church." It's idolatry. And as we know, God abhors idolatry. (See Commandment #1) Hear Pastor Justin argue the point above and more in this sermon, the last in a series called, "The Crucible of Conversion." We've been hammering home the entire scope of the Gospel—including not just the good news of the Gospel but also the bad news, which is part and parcel of the Good News, as well. For example, the Good News reveals the problem of humanity as sin and the solution to this problem as salvation. And it reveals the extraordinary character of God, who is holy, righteous and, yes, even wrathful, yet also merciful, gracious and loving. And that's not a contradiction. It's the Living God. And it's very good news indeed.

In Ephesians 2:4-10, Paul paints an incredible picture of God's grace and power and our new life in Christ. However, right before that, in verses 1-3, Paul paints a very different picture—our life before Christ. And the picture is bleak. Paul describes it in such stark terms as "dead in trespasses and sins." He basically says we followed everyone and everything except Christ—namely the world, the flesh, and the Devil. And worst and most offensive of all, Paul declares that we were children of wrath. Really? God has wrath? Wrath against us?!! What are we to make of this bleak picture—this bad news? How can we understand it fruitfully? And what could possibly be GOOD about this very BAD news?

This is Part 1 in a 3-part series called "The Crucible of Conversion" on Ephesians 2:1-10. Why was John Wesley's foundational sermon, "Salvation by Faith," on Ephesians 2:8? Because properly understanding it lays the foundation for everything...but it sure looks like a horrible idea going into it.

Paul prays that the Ephesians—battle-hardened, faith-tested, veteran Christians, if you will—would be given a spirit of wisdom and revelation as they came to know God. Strange, they probably assumed that's what they'd been doing—getting to know God—for almost a decade at that point. It's as if Paul tells the Ephesians that, when it comes to God, there's always more to see and understand. And we find that that's exactly what he's claiming. There's always more to God that we haven't yet understood. If so, what should we do? We should pray for a spirit of wisdom and revelation. That gets to the heart of the matter.

In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul packs a staggering list of promises into the opening lines. He claims that in Christ, we are adopted as children of God the Father, redeemed by the blood of the Son, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. He writes that this is the "word of truth," and then qualifies this "word of truth" even further by saying that it's also the "gospel of your salvation." This brings up an interesting question: Can you believe that Paul's claims are indeed a "word of truth" but never actually experience the "gospel as your salvation"? In other words, can you believe that the claims of Christianity are "true" but never actually experience this truth in your life? Know about salvation but never know what it's like to be saved? Yes. And it happens all the time. And the difference between the two is astounding—like reading a poem about deep and abiding love versus actually experiencing the reality of love. The Christian faith is the "word of truth," which is great news. But the better news is that it's also the gospel of YOUR salvation. So how do we experience the difference?