Brighton UMC Sermons: Recent Episodes
Rev. Joel Kershaw
I am the senior pastor of Brighton UMC Northeast of Denver, CO. I live in Thornton with my beautiful wife, two boys and our fur baby Miley. These podcasts are taken from my sermons on Sunday mornings and other podcasting projects on faith, life, theology, church history, the UMC and of course my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This episode kicks off our new Advent series on Waiting. It is called "How Do We Wait and was inspired by Isaiah 64:1-9 (originally delivered November 29, 2020)
This message comes from June 28, 2020 and concludes our series revisiting those well-known stories we all learned in Sunday school with a look at the famous story of Zacchaeus climbing the tree to see Jesus found in Luke 19:1-10
This message comes from Father's Day June 21, 2020 and continues our series revisiting those well-known stories we all learned in Sunday school with a look at Jesus healing the Paralytic who is lowered through the roof of the house from Luke 5:17-26.
This message comes from June 14, 2020 and continues our series revisiting those well-known stories we all learned in Sunday school with a look at the famous story of Daniel and the Lions Den from Daniel 6:10-24
This is the third in our series called Sunday school Revisited looking at classic stories of the Bible and looking for fresh inspiration. This message looks at the classic story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17.
This is the first in our series "Sunday School Revisited" where we look at those well-know stories from the Bible that we learned as children for new and deeper insights. This message looks at the story of Samson from Judges 13-16 and focuses on Judges 16:15-31
This is the first in our series "Sunday School Revisited" where we look at those well-know stories from the Bible that we learned as children for new and deeper insights. This message looks at the story of Noah from Genesis 6-9 and focuses on Genesis 9:8-17
This is the final message in our series Now What. It is titled "Go" and is inspired by The Great Commissioning in Matthew 28:16-20.
Episode 21 looks at Peter's passionate testimony to the church in Jerusalem about what happened when God called him to share the Good News with a Gentile in Acts 11:1-18.
Episode 20 has us shifting back to Peter who is making quite a name fore himself and ends up called upon to raise the dead in Acts 9:32-43.
in Episode 19 we see how important it is for us to hear the testimony of others as Barnabas goes to bat for the newly converted Saul in Acts 9:19b-31.
Episode 18 is the second day looking at the conversion of Saul in Acts 9:1-19a, but this time from the perspective of the other major character, Ananias.
In Episode 17 we start the first of two episodes on the conversion of Saul on the road. Check out the story in Acts9:1-19a.
This is the fourth message in our series Now What looking at how the disciples go from sheltering at home to leading a movement. This message is called "Follow Jesus" and is inspired by John 21: 15-25
Episode 16 is inspired by the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch from Acts 8: 26-40. Check out how God can use our efforts to disciple others in faith to bring about deeper discernment in our own walk with Christ.
Episode 15 has us looking at the church flourishing in the midst of persecution from Saul in Acts 8:4-25. How can we begin to see things as God sees them and experience opposition as opportunity?
Episode 14 brings us to the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr in Acts 6:8-7:2 and 7:54-8:1. We learn how Stephen used his knowledge of the past to help others see the future with God. You also get a cameo from my fur-baby Miley during the prayer. Hazards of home recording in a pandemic.
Episode 13 is a second take on Acts 5: 12-42 and looks at how we are to respond to opposition we face as we discern God's will and way.
This is the this message in our series "Now What" looking at how discern God's will and way as we move from sheltering at home to revival in a new season. We draw our inspiration from John 21: 1-14.
In this episode we walk about giving our discernment time to breath as we wait on the Lord. If it is of God, nothing can stop it! It is inspired by Acts 5: 12-42.
This episode explores one of there disturbing stories of the New Testament and encourages us to give our all to God. It is inspired by Acts 5:1-11.
In this episode we explore how to seek God's boldness in the face of opposition. This is inspired by Acts 4:23-31.
In this episode we look at Acts 3:1-21 and are reminded that it is only by the grace of God that we can truly do anything.
This is the second in our series "Now What" looking at how the disciples move from sheltering at home to leading a movement. This message is called "All About the Journey" and is inspired by Luke 24: 13-35.
This is the first in our new series called "Now What" looking at how the disciples move from sheltering at home to leading a movement. This message is called "Peace be with You" and is inspired by John 20: 19-31
In this episode we look at the baby steps that help us turn to God and facilitate our discernment. Our inspiration comes from Acts 2: 37-47.
In Episode 7 we look at the second half of Peter's first sermon in Acts 2: 22-36 and see how God reveals our way forward by looking at how God has delivered in the past.
In Episode 6 we move on to Acts 2: 14-21 and see how all are called to discern the will and way of God.
In this episode we return to Acts 2: 1-13 but this time we look at how our timing is not always God's timing. How can we learn to wait on the Lord.
In this episode we look at Acts 2:1-13 and discuss how to prioritize God's perspective in the face of a world that does not always understand the Kingdom.
In Episode 3 we look at the same portion of Acts 1: 12-26 but today we look at the replacing of Judas.
In Episode 2 we look at Acts 1: 12-26 to learn from the only screen in the New Testament between Jesus' ascension into heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Dig deep in prayer!
In this Episode we look at Acts 1:1-11 and seek to understand some of those attitudes and behaviors that get in the way of our discernment.
This episode introduces a new podcast series looking at discerning God's will as we reemerge from "sheltering at home." God is preparing us to lead a revival born in the massive cultural reset of this experience. How is God calling you to be a part of this new revival? Check back each day for a new episode of this daily devotional.
This is the message from our Resurrection Sunday Service. The topic is the Empty Tomb and is inspired by John 20:1-18
This is the message from our Maundy Thursday Service and is entitled "Jesus Washed Their Feet." It was inspired by John 13: 1-17.
This is the final message in our series on the Armor of God. This week we look at the Sword of the Spirit and our inspiration comes from Matthew 21:1-11.
This is the fifth in our series on the Armor of God. This week we look at the Helmet of Salvation and our inspiration comes from Ephesians 2: 1-10.
In this episode we explore the compromising history of jurisdictional autonomy and how this structure in the the UMC is having lasting and difficult implications for or future.
I reference a good historical article called "The Central Jurisdiction" by Ian B. Straker and you can read his entire article at this link: http://archives.gcah.org/bitstream/handle/10516/9809/Methodist-History-2015-10-Straker.pdf?sequence=1
This message is the fourth in our Lenten series diving deep into the Armor of God. Each week we examine a different element of the armor and how the whole armor works together in our lives as disciples of Jesus. This week we look at the Shield of Faith and our inspiration comes from Luke 8: 22-25.
This is a brief discussion of the UMC constitution and how our structure as a church is shaping both our problems and our solutions. If you have questions or want to propose future topics, email me at revkershaw@gmail.com
Episode 3 tackles an obscure but important part of the UMC Discipline known as the trust clause. Where did it come from, why do we have it and what role does it play in our current situation as a denomination. check out this article for more history:http://archives.gcah.org/handle/10516/6260
This message is the third in our Lenten series diving deep into the Armor of God. Each week we examine a different element of the armor and how the whole armor works together in our lives as disciples of Jesus. This week we look at the shoes of peace and our inspiration comes from Luke 4: 16-30
In this episode, I dive into the difference between the legislative process and the political will. Why do I have hope for the Protocol to move us forward in the UMC? Tune in and find out. Feel free to e-mail questions or suggestions for future topics to revkershaw@gmail.com
This message is the second in our Lenten series diving deep into the Armor of God. Each week we examine a different element of the armor and how the whole armor works together in our lives as disciples of Jesus. This week we look at the Breastplate of Righteousness and our inspiration comes from Romans 5: 12-21.
This is episode 1 in a new podcast I'm producing to explore some of the political, legislative, judicial and structural issues at work in the United Methodist Church as we approach General Conference 2020. I share some of my story and how I came to produce this podcast and a preview of upcoming topics.
This message is the first in our Lenten series diving deep into the Armor of God. Each week we will examine a different element of armor and how the whole armor works together in our lives as disciples of Jesus. This week we look at the Belt of truth and our inspiration comes from Ephesians 6: 10-17.
This message comes from our Ash Wednesday Worship of February 26, 2020. The message is called "Accept God's Grace" and is inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10.
This message is the last of our series aimed at how to approach the great conflicts of our time as followers of Jesus Christ. I’m calling the series the Counter-Cultural Kingdom and this installment is about Engaging in Relationship. Our inspiration comes from Matthew 17:1-8.
This message is the second of a three part series aimed at how to approach the great conflicts of our time as followers of Jesus Christ. I’m calling the series the Counter-Cultural Kingdom and this installment is about Framing the Other. Our inspiration comes from Matthew 18: 15-20.
This message is the first of a three part series aimed at how to approach the great conflicts of our time as followers of Jesus Christ. I’m calling the series the Counter-Cultural Kingdom and this first installment addresses the Art of Self Examination. Our inspiration comes from James 1: 19-27
This is the second message in our series called "Try Line" where we are exploring Gospel truths that were illustrated to me as I learned to play rugby. This message is called Organized Chaos and is inspired by 2 Timothy 3: 1-17