Myers Park Baptist Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Myers Park Baptist Church
In this collection you’ll find audio recordings and transcripts of sermons delivered at Myers Park Baptist, as well as lectures given by guest speakers.
Preaching | Rev. Nancy SehestedSermon | "The Sage-ing Journey with Naomi"Scripture | Ruth 4:13-17Celebrating | Sage-ing SundayGuest Musicians | Gay Men's Chorus of CharlotteWorship GuideGrief is never the end of the...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | "Living What We Believe"Scripture | Matthew 16:21-28Worship GuideWhat does it mean to live what we believe?Jesus' answer is challenging. It means taking up our cross and following him. Not...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | "Ministry for This Life"Scripture | Matthew 14:13-21Worship GuideWhat good is faith if it never leaves the sanctuary?When the disciples wanted to send the crowd away, Jesus had a different idea...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | "Listening Creates Inclusivity"Scripture | Matthew 15:21-28Listening sounds simple. It rarely is.In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus encounters a woman from another culture whose persistence challenges...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | "Bold Declarations"Scripture | Matthew 16:13-20Worship GuideWhat happens when faith encounters new understanding?Peter's declaration about Jesus was bold, but it was also incomplete. He saw...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Bill LeonardSermon | "Prophets, Little Ones, and 'A Cup of Cool'"Scripture | Matthew 10:40-42 Worship GuideWhat difference can a simple act of kindness make? In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that even...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | "The Cost and Opportunity of Painful Decisions"Scripture | Genesis 22:1-18 Worship GuideLife is full of painful decisions.Some are shaped by circumstance, competing priorities, uncertainty, or fear...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | "The Pain of Betrayal"Scripture | Genesis 21:8-21Worship GuideBetrayal changes people. It reshapes relationships, trust, and the stories we carry.Hagar’s story is one of pain, abandonment, and...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | "Audacious Promises"Scripture | Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7Worship GuideWhen God promises Abraham and Sarah a child, Sarah laughs.It sounds impossible. Absurd, even. Yet the story reminds us that God...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | "A Privilege or a Responsibility?"Scripture | Genesis 12:1-9Worship GuideWhat do we do with the blessings we’ve been given?In Genesis, God blesses Abraham not simply for his own sake, but so that...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | "A Sermon on Sermons"Scripture | Jeremiah 1:4-10Worship GuideWhy do we come to worship? And what are we really listening for?Drawing from Jeremiah’s call, Rev. Dr. Tim Moore reflects on the...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | "How Will Myers Park Measure Success?"Scripture | John 12:20-33Worship GuideHow do we measure success?Not by numbers or recognition, but by daily faithfulness. By the quiet choices to follow...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | "Settler Faith or Pioneer Faith?"Scripture | Matthew 9:9-13 and Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16Worship GuideAre you living a settled faith… or a moving one?Settler faith grows comfortable. It stays where...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | "Getting 'Home' From Here"Scripture | John 14:1-14Worship GuideLonging for home isn’t just about a place. It’s about belonging.In a world that can feel uncertain or disconnected, Jesus...
Preaching | Environmental Justice Group | Dori Bowman, Paula Fricke, Kathryn Long, Sofia BartholomewSermon | "Your Grandchildren's Lord's Prayer"Scripture | Ezekiel 34:18, Numbers 35:33, Job 12:7-10Celebrating | Creation Justice...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | Can You See and Hear?Scripture | 1 Samuel 3:1-13Worship GuideIn a world that rarely slows down, it takes intention to truly listen. Samuel shows us that hearing God isn’t about having all the answers. It...
Guest Preacher | Rev. Dr. Carter HeywardSermon | Hang on to Your Hat!Scripture | Joshua 1:5-9Worship GuideSometimes faith doesn’t keep things comfortable. It calls us into courage, trust, and movement we didn’t see coming. Guest proclaimer Carter...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | We've All Been to EmmausScripture | Luke 24:13-35We’ve all been there. A place of distance, distraction, and escape. A place we go to forget what matters most. This Sunday, Rev. Dr. Layne Smith reflects...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | Easter Comes to a Good Friday WorldScripture | John 20:1-18Celebrating | Easter/Resurrection SundayWorship GuideIn his sermon, Layne reflects on how if Easter is truly to happen, it must meet us where we...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | Who is That Man?Scripture | Matthew 21:1-11Celebrating | Palm/Passion SundayAs Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowd asks, “Who is that man?” It is not just their question. It is ours. This Sunday, Rev. Dr. Layne...
Preacher | Beth MaczkaSermon | The Women of Holy WeekScripture | Mark 14:9 and John 20:18Celebrating | The Fifth Sunday of LentWorship GuideBeth Maczka’s sermon offers what is, for most Christians, a different focus for Holy Week. Rather than...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | Knowing More, Know LessScripture | John 9:1-41Celebrating | The Fourth Sunday of Lent Worship GuideA man receives sight, yet the truly blind remain unchanged. In John 9, Jesus reveals that spiritual blindness...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Tim MooreSermon | When Jesus Changed His MessageScripture | John 4:5-42Celebrating | The Third Sunday of LentWorship GuideIn back-to-back encounters, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus by night and a Samaritan woman by day. One, a...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | Just a Symbol Scripture | I Corinthians 11:23-26 Celebrating | World Communion Sunday This Sunday, we gather for World Communion Sunday as Rev. Dr. Layne Smith preaches on I Corinthians 11:23-26 with a...
Selections from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons"String Quartet | Tatiana Karpova, violin | Jane Hart Brendle, violin | Shawn Snider, viola | Aksana McCarthy, celloEach musical piece is accompanied by a short meditation/statement by clergy and...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne Smith Sermon | Is God Fair?Scripture | Matthew 20:1-16Worship GuideThis Sunday, Rev. Dr. Layne Smith preaches from Matthew 20:1–16, the parable of the workers in the vineyard—a story that challenges our ideas of fairness...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | Hospitality: Meeting Jesus in the Stranger Scripture | Genesis 18:1-10 and Hebrews 13:1-2 Celebrating | Welcome SundayWorship GuideThis Sunday is Welcome Sunday, and we invite you to be part of a special...
Preacher | Rev. Telika McCoy, Ph.D. Sermon | They Stood There and WatchedScripture | Obadiah 1:10-11 (CEV)Worship GuideWe were honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Telika McCoy back to the Free Pulpit this Sunday. With a powerful message rooted in the...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne Smith Sermon | Holding On To and Pressing On Scripture | Philippians 3:12-4:1Worship GuideThis Sunday, Rev. Dr. Layne Smith preaches from Philippians 3:12-4:1 with a message titled “Holding On To and Pressing On.” Our...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne Smith Sermon | Names and the Act of Faith Scripture | 2 Timothy 1:1-7 Celebrating | Pride SundayWorship GuideThis Sunday is Pride Sunday, and we invite you to listen to this powerful message from Rev. Dr. Layne Smith...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. H. Stephen ShoemakerSermon | Thanks, and Yes!Scripture | Philippians 1:3-6 | Matthew 22: 34-40 | Isaiah 43:15-19Worship GuideThis Sunday was Sage-ing Sunday, a time to honor the wisdom of experience and the beauty of spiritual...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | Cultivating ContentmentScripture | John 12:13-21Worship GuideThis Sunday, Rev. Dr. Layne Smith preaches from John 12:13-21, the parable of the rich fool, with a message titled “Cultivating...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne Smith Sermon | What Kind of "Sign" Are You? Scripture | John 6:1-15Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | Finding the Right RhythmScripture | Luke 10:38-42Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne Smith Sermon | Wounded Travelers and Welcoming InnkeepersScripture | Luke 10:25-37Rev. Dr. Layne Smith preaches on Luke 10:25–37, the parable of the Good Samaritan—but with a fresh perspective. What if we’re not the...
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | Serve Till You Drop? Examining FaithfulnessScripture | Galatians 6:7-16 Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne Smith Sermon | We Will Follow You, But . . .Scripture | Luke 9:51-62Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne Smith Sermon | Fear and Those Who follow JesusScripture | Mark 4:35-41Worship GuideLife brings storms—some expected, some that catch us off guard. This Sunday, Rev. Dr. Layne Smith preaches on “Fear and Those Who Follow...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne SmithSermon | God Works the Night ShiftScripture | John 3:1-17Worship GuideRev. Dr. Layne Smith shares a comforting and powerful message: “Jesus Works the Night Shift.”Rooted in John 3:1–17, we’ll hear the Good News...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Layne Smith Sermon | Newness and Truthfulness or Sinful Security?Scripture | Genesis 11:1-9 and Acts 2:1-21Celebrating | PentecostWorship Guide Pentecost Sunday: A Spirit of Newness and ListeningWe celebrate Pentecost Sunday...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Josh Hunt of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South CarolinaSermon | The God of Jacob Scripture | Genesis 28:10-29:1Celebrating | The Seventh Sunday of EastertideThis week’s message, “The God of Jacob,” draws from Genesis...
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Josh Hunt Sermon | The God of Abraham and IsaacScripture | Genesis 22:1-14Celebrating | The Sixth Sunday of EastertideWorship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Tara GibbsSermon | We Just Talked About ThisCelebrating | Juneteenth Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | Breaking the BowsCelebrating | Gun Violence Awareness Sunday, Wear Orange Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | "Covered in Awe"Celebrating | Pentecost Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. J. Dana TrentSermon | Making All Things NewCelebrating | Creation Care, Educational Justice Month, Mother's Day Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | "Complete Joy"Celebrating | Creation Justice and Education Justice Month Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | Groaning for ChangeCelebrating | Earth Sunday, Creation Justice Month Worship Guide
Preacher | Raquel C.N. GillSermon | Easter Evening in EastertideCelebrating | Eastertide, Creation Justice Month, Alliance of Baptists Annual Gathering Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | Answers We Never ImaginedCelebrating | Easter Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | The Palestinian CrucifixionCelebrating | Palm Sunday | Lent | Women's History Month Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Carrie VealSermon | Preparing for the JourneyCelebrating | Lent 5 and Women's History Month Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Toddie PetersSermon | A New BeatitudeCelebrating | Lent 4 and Women's History Month Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | What Was I Made For?Celebrating | Lent 3 and Women's History Month Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Anthony SmithSermon | "The Un-Harmonious Spirit"Celebrating | Lent 2 and Black History Month Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Rodney SadlerSermon | “Jesus and the Third Way”Celebrating | Black History Month Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Tara GibbsSermon | "Worship in the Wild"Celebrating | Black History Month Worship Guide
Preaching | Dr. Drew G. I. HartSermon | Come Down From Your TreeCelebrating | Black History Month Worship Guide
Preacher | REv. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | Drawing the Circle WiderCelebrating | Founders' Day | 81st Anniversary Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | "Practicing or Pretending"Celebrating | MLK Sunday Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | Christmas is for DreamersCelebrating | Epiphany Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. John Blackshire, PhDSermon | Plan the ExitCelebrating | Christmastide Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellChristmas MeditationCelebrating | Christmas Eve Worship Guide
Preaching | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | What's Left to Ponder?Celebrating | Christmas Eve Worship Guide
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | "From Ally to Collaborator"Celebrating | Pride Sunday Worship Guide
Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell preaching"Moving from Anxiety to Trust"Stewardship Sermon Series Worship Guide
Stewardship Sermon Series | Journey to GenerosityRev. Dr. Ben Boswell"Moving from Hypocrisy to Integrity" Worship Guide
Rev. Danté StewartGuest Proclaimer, Author, and Keynote Speaker for the Confronting Whiteness ConferenceWorship Guide
Date | November 13, 2022Rev. Leigh Anne Duncan preaching Sermon | "All Things Will Be Made Old"Scripture | Isaiah 65:17-25WORSHIP GUIDE
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellSermon | The Story of SeparationScripture | Luke 16:19-31Worship Guide
Date | September 25, 2022Preacher | Rev. Dr. Carter HeywardScripture | Psalm 121 and Luke 4:17-19 When we ask what Jesus would do, we are also asking what would we do?
Date | September 18, 2022Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellScripture | Luke 16:1-13 WORSHIP GUIDE
Date | Sunday, September 11, 2022Season | Welcome SundayPreacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellScripture | Luke 15:1-2; 11-32
Date | September 4, 2022Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben BoswellScripture | Deuteronomy 24:14-15 & Luke 11:1-13 Worship Guide
"True freedom begins when we turn toward each other in revolutionary love and wonder." Read the Sermon
What do we do knowing that our story has no guarantee happy ending and definitely no easy path ahead? How do we move forward without giving up or checking out? The exemplar of Apollos can help us.
What might it look like to cultivate a more expansive and hopeful vision of what is possible with God?
We are called to both disrupt the status quo and we are called to invite all people to join us in beloved community and belonging. What could that do to our world?
What might it look like to move forward and not look back to a before that was not working?