Rev. Brent L. White

I preached the following sermon at Toccoa First United Methodist Church as the final part of my "Bible School Heroes" series. The scripture is Luke 10:38-42.

I preached the following sermon at Toccoa First United Methodist Church as part of my "Bible School Heroes" series. The scripture is Esther 4:10-17.

I preached the following sermon at Toccoa First United Methodist Church as part of my "Bible School Heroes" series. The scripture is Luke 5:1-11.

For September and October, I'll be preaching a sermon series entitled, "Q&A: Questions Jesus Asks." This is the first sermon in the series. Today's scripture is Luke 2:41-52.

In this episode I will explain why the classic Reformation doctrine of imputation, so often underemphasized in contemporary Methodism, has been life-giving for me. It makes my heart sing (as the Troggs once sang). Maybe it will do the same for you, too!This podcast features the Keith Green song, "When I Hear the Praises Start," from the album For Him Who Has Ears to Hear. Here he is performing it live in 1982. Listen to his introduction: He speaks to some of the same concerns I raise in this episode!Speaking of Green, I mention in the podcast that the 12-year-old appeared in 1965 on the game show I've Got a Secret. Thanks to YouTube, you can watch it here.

In today's scripture, Luke 11:1-13, Jesus encourages us to pray bigger and bolder prayers than many of us are comfortable praying. What prevents us from praying the way we should? That's what this sermon is about. I preached it on May 26, 20019, at Lavonia United Methodist Church in Lavonia, Georgia.

Today's sermon, "The Most Important Healing," is the first in a new series of sermons from the Gospel of Luke. In this sermon, I challenge our congregation to answer this question: "Is Jesus enough for me, or do I need something else?" The scripture is Luke 5:17-26.I will be preaching this series of sermons for the next seven weeks at the Lavonia United Methodist Church in Lavonia, Georgia.

It's become a truism within Christian circles to speak of God's "unconditional love" for humanity. But is this the most accurate way to describe God's love? In this episode, following the lead of the late United Methodist theologian Thomas Oden (who first popularized the phrase "unconditional love" within theology), I argue that God's love is best described as "one-conditional," not unconditional. As I warn in this episode, the difference between the two couldn't be more consequential.I refer listeners to this recent debate between Dr. Michael Brown and Brian Zahnd. Featured music is the song "Unconditional Love" by the Altar Boys, from their 1986 LP, Gut Level Music and "Crossfire" by Kansas, from their 1982 album, Vinyl Confessions.

We hear many authorities in our culture—even within today's Church—telling us, in so many words, "The Bible can't be trusted." As I argue in this episode, you may as well say, "God can't be trusted," because it's clear from Jesus' own teaching that the Bible is God's Word. I want us instead to "listen to what the man said" and regard scripture the same way Jesus himself did. I want this episode, along with the next one, to serve as an antidote to the skepticism about the Bible that is rampant in our culture and is harming our fellow believers—especially Christian young people. Today's scripture comes from 2 Timothy 3:16-17.Today's musical theme is the #1 hit song by Wings, "Listen to What the Man Said," from their 1975 album, Venus and Mars.

In this episode I challenge us Christians to ask ourselves which gospel we believe: the gospel according the Beatles or the gospel according to Jesus. Don't answer too quickly! We all know what the "correct" answer is... but what does our heart say? Our primary scripture is Matthew 6:19-21.Today's episode features two songs: the Beatles' "Girl," which I recorded directly from their 1965 album Rubber Soul, and the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows," which I recorded from their 1966 album, Pet Sounds.

Today's episode tackles a difficult but important truth: There is no way to obey Christ and bear witness to him and his gospel without being perceived as foolish by many people—that is, if we're doing it right. This was true for the apostle Paul; it's true for us. So let's "lean into" this truth for a change and see what happens.Today's soundtrack is provided by Buddy Holly and his 1957 song "Words of Love," which I recorded from the 1978 LP Buddy Holly Lives.Today's scripture is 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.

What is the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It can't be something that we do, as so many preachers—especially Methodist preachers—believe. In this episode I explain why, and why it matters. Scripture comes from Mark 1:1-5 and Matthew 3:7-10.The theme song for this podcast is "Closer to the Heart" by Rush. I recorded this song from their 1981 live album, Exit... Stage Left.

After a long absence, my podcast is back! In this episode I talk about Jairus, the synagogue ruler from Mark 5:21-43. Why does Jesus test his faith? Why does he test ours?This episode features the song "The Waiting" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.You can read or watch earlier reflections on this scripture passage, including a recent sermon, at revbrentwhite.com. Enjoy!

There's a little word at the beginning of the first sentence of the Book of Jonah—"and" or "now"—that most modern Bible translations ignore: "And the word of the Lord came to Jonah." That little word not only has great significance for Jonah, but for us as well. I'll tell you why in this episode.The featured music is a new song from Christian heavy metal band Stryper: "The Devil Doesn't Live Here."

In today's highly autobiographical scripture, from Galatians 1:11-24, Paul describes his life before Christ and after Christ. As I say in today's sermon, if we're Christians, our lives should be characterized by a B.C. (before Christ) and and A.D. (after Christ) as well. Can other people see the difference?

Like a former addict who suffers a dangerous relapse, the Galatians in today's scripture are facing a kind of relapse—only one that is far more dangerous than even a relapse to illicit drugs. Because this “relapse” risks destroying not merely their bodies but their very souls as well… for eternity! And it’s a dangerous threat for us present-day Christians, too! What am I referring to? Listen to the sermon and find out!Today's scripture comes from Galatians 1:1-10. This is Part 1 of my new sermon series in Galatians.

What's the difference between simply believing in Christ for salvation, as John 3:16 implies, and "cheap grace"? That's what this podcast episode attempts to answer. Our scripture is Mark 9:14-26.Our song is, unsurprisingly, Journey's "Don't Stop Believin,'" from their 1981 album, Escape.

The theme of many Easter sermons is, in so many words, “Easter means heaven when you die.” While this is a great and important truth for those who are in Christ, “heaven when you die” is hardly the main message. The main message is this: Christ accomplished everything he set out to accomplish on Good Friday—and the resurrection proves it.Our scripture comes from John 20:1-18.Technical note: For the last five minutes of this sermon, I stepped away from the mic through which the recording was made, so the audio quality isn't up to my usual standards. Still very audible, though!

In this Good Friday episode, I discuss the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement in light of John 3:16. I promise it's more interesting than it sounds! In fact, this doctrine melts my heart when I think about what it says about God's love for me!Today's music is provided by the Altar Boys and their song "You Are Loved," which I recorded from their 1986 debut album, Gut Level Music.

The “chief end of man”—which is to say the reason we human beings exist—is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. So says the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and that’s exactly right. It takes a certain kind of God-centeredness, as I say in this sermon on the raising of Lazarus, to appreciate the fact that Jesus was willing to disappoint Martha and Mary in such a profound way. What can we learn about our own “disappointments” with God? That’s what the first part of this sermon is about. But the second part of the sermon is more important: what does the raising of Lazarus have to do with the cross, the Atonement, and God’s love?Today's scripture is John 11:17-44.