Sermons by Bob Rhodes (Page 4)

Wonder

As we begin our Call & Response series, we begin with wonder. What if you were known fully and intimately, even before you could put words to who you are? Psalm 139 invites us into that kind of mystery. In a world that often makes us feel anonymous or unseen, this ancient song offers a powerful reminder: we come from love, we live within reach of the Divine, and we are never overlooked. Scripture: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (NRSVue)

Dearly Beloved: Love

As we close the Dearly Beloved series, Hebrews invites us to live faith in tangible ways. Through love, hospitality, praise, and shared care, we learn what it means to belong to a community shaped by God’s presence. Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 (CEB)

Dearly Beloved: Faith

This week we continue our “Dearly Beloved” series with a look at faith—not as belief alone, but as movement. Hebrews gives us a powerful image of faithful people running their race with endurance, even when the path is uncertain. Their stories surround us like a great cloud of witnesses, reminding us that we don’t run alone—and that there is joy set before us. Scripture: Hebrews 11:29-12:2 (CEB)

Dearly Beloved: Longing

This week we begin a new series called “Dearly Beloved”—an invitation to live as people deeply loved by God. This first week starts with longing: the restlessness that keeps us searching for meaning, connection, and hope. Hebrews 11 tells the story of those who moved forward by faith, even when the way ahead wasstill unseen. Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 (CEB)

Set Your Mind

What does it mean to set your mind on things above when life feels chaotic, exhausting, or just plain noisy? This Sunday, we explore Colossians 3:1–11 and discover how a shift in focus—rooted in grace and guided by Christ—can reshape how we move through the world. Whether you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or seeking a new way forward, there’s a word of hope here for you. Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11 (NRSVue)

Unconditionally

Unconditional love is more than a feeling—it’s a signpost of divine presence. This final message in God Is in the Radio pairs Romans 8 with Katy Perry’s “Unconditionally” to explore how nothing can separate us from the love of God—and how that love still shows up in surprising places. Scripture: Romans 8:31-39 (NSRVue)

Mine All Mine

This week’s message explores what happens when our desire for control collides with God’s larger vision. Through scripture and Van Halen’s “Mine All Mine,” we wrestle with questions of ownership, identity, and trust. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:18-23; Luke 12:13-21 (NSRVue)

Let the Mystery Be

This week we explore how faith and mystery belong together. Through scripture and Iris DeMent’s “Let the Mystery Be,” we’re invited to slow down, ask questions, and remember that grace is often found in the unknown. Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12, Micah 3:5-12 (NRSVue)

Love Rescue Me

This week’s message turns to Psalm 23 and U2’s “Love Rescue Me”—a song that holds sorrow and hope together in both tension and grace. We may walk through valleys, but we do not walk alone. Grace follows. Love finds us. Rescue is real. Scripture: Psalm 23 (NRSVue)

I’m So Lonely I Could Cry

This week’s message enters the quiet space of sacred sorrow, drawing on Psalm 22 and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” When God feels distant and words fail, even the act of crying out becomes a form of faith. Not every song resolves. Not every prayer gets the answer we might prefer. But still—we speak, we sing, and we wait patiently for grace. Scripture: Psalm 22:1-11 (NRSVue)

Thunder Road

This week’s message draws on the road to Emmaus and Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” to explore how grace can sometimes arrive unannounced. In the middle of our grief, our questions, and our routines, Jesus meets us. Not with easy answers, but with presence. With companionship. With the invitation to take the next step. Scripture: Luke 24:13-35 (NRSVue)

Mysterious Ways

On Pentecost Sunday, we turn to the Spirit who speaks in many languages—and moves in mysterious ways. This message draws from Acts 2, Romans 8, and two unexpected songs: “Mysterious Ways” by U2 and “She’s a River” by Simple Minds. Together, they invite us into the Spirit’s rhythm—creative, cosmic, and closer than we think. Scripture: Acts 2:1-21; Romans 8:22-27 (NRSVue)