Sermon Transcripts- when available

Going with God’s Flow – The Parable of the Sower  Based on Matthew 13:3-9 & Matthew 28:16-20         Offered by Toby Jones to the People of Charlevoix UCC on April 11, 2021            Today we begin a new 8-week sermon series on the parables of Jesus. On each of the next 8 Sundays through April and May, we’ll examine one… Read More »

“Faith vs. Belief and Choosing Solidarity Over Supremacy”                            Based on Mark 2:1-12, Mark 5: 24b-34      A Message Offered by Toby Jones to the People of ChxUCC on 3/21/21 Most of us have grown up using the words “belief” and “faith” interchangeably. When we hear someone talking about their “Christian faith,” we assume that person has particular “beliefs.” Many… Read More »

      “I Will Show You The Most Excellent Way” – Stage 4: The Way of Love               (Based on Job 42:1-6, I Corinthians 13:1-13, Galatians 5:6b) A Message Offered by Toby Jones to the People of ChxUCC on March 14,2021             So far we have traveled with Brian McLaren through three of his four stages of faith. In stage one,… Read More »

                 “Questions Without Answers – Stage 3 – Perplexity”         (Based on Job 21:1-34, Ecclesiastes 1:1-18, Matthew 23:23-36) A Message Offered by Toby Jones to the People of ChxUCC on March 7, 2021             Today we’re going to explore the 3rd stage in Brian McLaren’s 4-stages of faith. In Stage 1, we bow down to God, we accept everything… Read More »

When Doubt & Questioning Deliver Us to Stage Two – Complexity                   (Based on Deuteronomy 20:10-18 & Luke 6:27-36) A Message Offered by Toby Jones to the People of Chx UCC on 2/28/21             Last week I introduced you to the first phase or stage of faith in Brian McLaren’s 4-part typology. It is a phase that every one of… Read More »

           “When All Was Simple and Clear” – Stage One Faith  (Based on I John 3:1-10 and James 1:5-8)        A Message Offered by Toby Jones to the People of ChxUCC on 2/21/21            On Wednesday nights during Lent, a small group of us are studying Brian McLaren’s latest book Faith After Doubt. In this compelling… Read More »

                        Liminal Space: Where Unseen Things are Seen                           Based on Mark 9:2-9 and II Corinthians 4:3-7       A Message Offered by Toby Jones to the People of ChxUCC – 2/14/21             I had a couple of amazing grandmothers, women of deep faith, profound intelligence, and abundant love for their grandchildren. My mother’s mom – Doris Bailey Baker –… Read More »

         Human Humility in the Face of God’s Grandeur          Based on Psalm 147:1-11, Isaiah 40:21-31, and Mark 1:29-39 A Message Offered by Toby Jones to the People of ChxUCC on Feb 7, 2021             A week ago Friday, at about 7 pm, my girlfriend Kelley was heading north from Traverse City to Petoskey on 31, when… Read More »

     “Here Comes the Sun – A Time for Hope”         Based on Genesis 9:8-16, Romans 8:18-25, & Hebrews 10:23-25 A Message Offered by Toby Jones to the People of CHXUCC, Jan 31, 2021             In my almost 40 years as a gigging musician, I’ve played a lot of Beatles’ songs. And I’m quite certain that the one I’ve… Read More »

“With a Little Help from My Friends”       Based on Deuteronomy 15:7-11, I Corinthians 12:12-27, & Luke 3:10-11     A Message Offered by Toby Jones to the People of ChxUCC – Jan 24, 2021               In October of 2010, I was in a very sad and dark state in my life. I had a handful of part-time jobs with… Read More »