Gentle Spirit Christian Church: Recent Episodes
Rev. Paul M. Turner
An independent, affirming and progressive church serving metro Atlanta. We are open, positive and inclusive.
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Mark 7:24-37
She said, “Of course, Master. But don’t dogs under the table get scraps dropped by the children?” (Verse 28)
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 15:21-28
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: John 6:22-38
Jesus answered, "You’ve come looking for me not because you saw God in my actions but because I fed you, filled your stomachs — and for free." (Verse 26)
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Wherever he went, village or town or country crossroads, they brought their sick to the marketplace and begged him to let them touch the edge of his coat — that’s all. And whoever touched him became well. (Verse 56)
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Mark 6:1-13
Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. *You* are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. (Verses 8-9)
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Mark 5:21-43
Jesus said to her, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.” (Verse 34)
Second Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Mark 2:23-3:6
Then Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made to serve us; we weren’t made to serve the Sabbath. The Son of Man is no yes-man to the Sabbath. He’s in charge!” (Verse 28)
Seventh Sunday of Easter | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: John 17:6-19
Sixth Sunday of Easter | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: John 15:9-17
But remember the root command: Love one another. (Verse 17)
Fifth Sunday of Easter | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: John 15:1-8
Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. (Verse 4)
Second Sunday of Easter | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: John 20:19-31
Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?” (Verses 22-23)
Easter Sunday | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner | Reading: Mark 6:1-8
They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone. (Verse 8)
Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Vicar Alyce Keener | Reading: Matthew 25:31-46
Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me — you did it to me. (Verse 40)
Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 25:14-30
The master was furious. "That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest." (Verses 26-27)
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner | Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive. (Verse 13)
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. (Verse 12)
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 22:34-40
“Jesus said, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner | Reading: Matthew 22:1-14
Then he told his servants, "We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren’t up to it. Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet." (Verse 8)
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 6:25-33
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Creator feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Verse 26)
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 20:1-16
Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first. (Verse 16)
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 18:21-35
At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.”
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how … The Paradox Read More »
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 10:40-42 This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving … A Little Dab Will Do Ya Read More »
Third Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:8 Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. … Herding Cats Read More »
First Sunday after Pentecost | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Matthew 7:21-29 These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are … The Foundation Read More »
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’ — because he will save his people from their sins.” (Verse 22)
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)
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!”