Sermons by the Rev. David Wheeler

In the Time of Herod, We Long for God to Break In

In part 1 of this Advent series, Rev. Wheeler suggests that in every era, the world has had leaders, like Herod, who led unjustly, hoarded wealth and power for themselves, and let the real needs of their people go unaddressed. In times like these, we long for God to "break in" and set the wrongs to right. But what if God has already been breaking in? What if God works through us instead of through proverbial lightning bolts from the sky?

Reign of Love, Not Domination

This was Rev. Wheeler's Reign of Christ/Christ the King Sunday sermon on November 23, 2025. Based on Luke 23:33-43, he suggests that the world will never be transformed by the love of power; only the power of love can transform it! Christian Nationalism and other coercive forms of attempts at change do nothing but add to the noise and division. Can we love our way into a better world?

Rising for the Future

In this final sermon (part 4 of 4) in the Rooted and Rising series, Rev. Wheeler uses Isaiah 43:18-19 and John 15:1-5 to make the case that God is always doing a new thing. Can we trust that as we do our part today, new growth and fresh fruit will flourish for generations to come through our whole community's active participation?

Rising with Courage

In part 3 of the Rooted and Rising series, Rev. Wheeler draws from Isaiah 40:28-31 and John 16:33 to encourage the church to be a daring community that serves boldly, stands for justice, and embodies compassion in tangible ways. Courage is expressed when we use our resources, voices, creativity, and hands to build ministries that reflect God's love in the world.

Rooted in Community

In part 2 of the Rooted and Rising series, Rev. Wheeler draws on Acts 2:42-47 and Ephesians 3:16-19 as illustrations of how the early Christian communities lived out their faith together. Our own roots are deepened when we show up for one another, bring our diverse gifts to the table to be shared, and embody love in action.

Rooted in Grace

Rev. Wheeler presents Part 1 of the new "Rooted and Rising Series," based on Psalm 1:1-3 and Colossians 2:6-7, this sermon explores grace as the soil that nourishes us. Offering our gifts of time, talents, and treasures, we provide a countercultural witness that roots us deeply in grace, giving us strength to resist shallow religiosity and live out a deeper discipleship.

Wholeness After Religious Trauma

Rev. Wheeler offered this sermon on October 12, 2025, to offer some words of hope and healing to those who have been “othered” by the church in the name of religion. Based on the healing story of the 10 Lepers, he suggests that those who return to the church are our prophets and actually offer healing to the church. 

What Might Jesus Say to Republicans, Democrats, and Independents

This is part 4 of 4 in the "What Might Jesus Say," series. In this sermon, Rev. Wheeler draws from Amos and Matthew to offer praise and critique to each of these three groups of voters in an effort to encourage staying focused on the "weightier matters of faith," Jesus was talking about in Matthew 23:23.

What Might Jesus Say About the Abortion Debate

In part 3 of the "What Might Jesus Say," series, Rev. Wheeler offers this sermon about the abortion debate. Drawing from Genesis 2:7 and Mark 5:25-34, he suggests that Jesus' Jewish upbringing would have influenced Jesus' views on this topic. He also suggests that most pro-life and pro-choice folks are not as far apart in their convictions as the loudest voices in our culture war would have us believe.

What Jesus Might Say About Our Broken Immigration System

In this sermon, Rev. Wheeler addresses the moral crisis American Christians are facing in regard to our broken immigration system. Drawing on Leviticus 19:33-34 and Matthew 25:35, he suggests that how we welcome or neglect the stranger is how we welcome or neglect Christ. This is part 2 of 4 in the series, "What Might Jesus Say."