Things Christians Do
Winter Sermon Series: Things Christians Do
Sundays, January 1 – February 26
January 1, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Starting Over"
Psalm 51:1-17, Romans 12:1-2
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect."
—Romans 12:1-2
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
January 8, 2017
Shelley Woodruff
Guest Preacher
ThD student at Duke University studying Homiletics and Old Testament. An FBCD member, Shelley has served in ministry positions in and around Atlanta since moving here to attend McAfee School of Theology in 2003.
Sermon
"Protesting Injustice"
Exodus 1:9-21; Acts 5:27-39
“So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”"
—Acts 5:38-39
January 15, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Making Peace"
Zechariah 8:15-17, Matthew 5:21-26
“So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister[e] has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,[f] and then come and offer your gift."
—Matthew 5:23-24
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
January 22, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Loving Our Enemies"
Psalm 7, Matthew 5:38-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous."
—Matthew 5:43-45
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
January 29, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Disciplining Our Hungers"
Romans 7:15-20, Matthew 5:27-30
“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me."
—Romans 7:15-20
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
February 5, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Keeping Our Covenants"
Isaiah 56:1-8; Matthew 5:31-37
“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one."
—Matthew 33-37
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
February 12, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Praying as Jesus Prayed"
Philippians 1:9-11, Matthew 6:7-13
“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
—Matthew 6:7-8
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
February 19, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Learning to Forgive"
Genesis 18:16-33, Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
—Matthew 6:14-15
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
An audio version of the sermon will be available here when ready. Please check back.
February 26, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Letting God Be the Judge"
I Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 7:1-5
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?"
—Matthew 7:1-3
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.