Sermons on Hooker:

Bitter Complaints: Born To Trouble Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 10, 2021

Job speaks his prayers out loud in our text for this week. He shares his brokenness and mostly his feeling that God is not listening any longer.

MAIN TEXT: In a way, a lot has transpired between last week’s reading and this one. In another way, nothing much has changed. Job is still on the ash heap. Job is still iN A place of bitter complaints. The companions who sat in silence with Job for seven days (2:13) now try and blame Job for his ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:1-9, Job 23:16-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Out Of The Whirlwind: Born To Trouble Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 16, 2021

What job encounters in our text this week is a god who overwhelms and transforms him, even in the depth of his pain.

There’s nothing wrong with once in a while leaving the place of worship awestruck. It would become tiring on a weekly basis, but now and then, it is good to tremble at the threshold of the throne of God. I wonder this morning Wesley Does anyone come to worship expecting to encounter the living ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-11, Job 38:31-41

Denomination: United Methodist

How Shall We Live With The Blues

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Apr 15, 2024

Psalm 4 confronts the reality of existential weariness and challenges within the church and leadership, urging a return to the Blues sensibility that acknowledges suffering and seeks faith, peace, and hope in God's promises amid life's storms.

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B How Shall We Live With The Blues Easter is such a joyous, colorful, and vibrant celebration! Now in Eastertide, this second Sunday after Easter this third Sunday of Eastertide, Christ is still risen! The Creation is still waking up! This Sunday provides us with ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

How Shall We Live

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Apr 15, 2024

how do we deal with Doubting Thomas, a disciple and a man whose insistence on tangible proof serves as a beacon of realism amidst the fervent belief of his peers.

How Shall We Live SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B ”When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: United Methodist

I Give You This Land, Even More I Give This Land To Your Children. Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Mar 11, 2022

When God adds a promise of land to Abram’s “seed” promise (Genesis 12:7), we think that Abram is goanna be great. The story doesn’t end there. God turns from the promise of descendants to the possession of land.

Sermon, I Give You This Land, Even More, I give this land to Your Children. The story of God and Abram starts when God commands Abram to migrate to Canaan. God offers Abram magnanimous promises: he will be a great nation; he will have a great name; God will bless people who bless him and curse the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:10-18

Denomination: United Methodist

"Come To The Waters” Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Mar 31, 2022

Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway—buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money—everything’s free! No Such thing as Free Lunch!

““Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway—buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money—everything’s free! Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9

Denomination: United Methodist

"When The Manna Ceased” Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Mar 31, 2022

Now they have crossed the threshold of the Jordan River into the promised land. They are entering into a new season a new time with God and new experiences. Covid-19 is ending, or at least transitioning and they are moving into a season of blessing. But, the manna has stoped.

When the manna ceased Joshua 5:9-12 Forty years of wandering behind them. A generation has come and gone. They are now inside — just inside — the promised land. Encamped at Gilgal. With the liberative threshold that was the Red Sea crossing, God brought their parents out of Egypt, out of slavery. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:9-12

Denomination: United Methodist

"I Am About To Do A New Thing;” Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Mar 31, 2022

Understand the same God who brought this people out of the land of Egypt is not yet done with them. Babylon is not an end but rather, an opportunity for God to display his power and his grace to his people once again.

The book of Isaiah is divided into three sections: (1) events leading up to the captivity and exile in Babylon, (2) redemption and restoration (Comfort), and (3) the Messianic Reign. Today’s message comes from the Messianic Reign and describes the suffering servant. Today’s reading is the first ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Hosea’s Risky Love, Part 2

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Aug 1, 2022

In the days the past, the clarion call and mission of the black church was two-fold: it served as a beacon of hope for the lost-soul seeking grace and mercy, but it also functioned as an oasis for all issues affecting the community. BMCR is That for the United Methodist Church

Hosea 11:1-5, 9-11 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 11:2 The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. 11:3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-5, Hosea 11:9-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Yielding Wild Grapes: Prophet Margins Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Aug 12, 2022

How is God calling us to address grapes gone wild in our contexts? Be mindful, however. Jesus did this in his opening homily in Nazareth after reading from this very book, Isaiah.

When I was in seminary, I was introduced to Chateau Elan Winery & Resort. This place well above my pay grade Spanning 3,500 acres of rolling hills and wooded forests, Chateau Elan reigns as North Georgia’s premier destination resort. A favorite for weekend getaways, corporate retreats, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

Counting The Cost Of Discipleship Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 10, 2022

This first week of this “Having Words” series is a great time to remind ourselves of the commitment that we made to make and to be made into disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Counting the Cost Having Words with Jesus THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR C Luke 14:25-33 The Message Figure the Cost 25-27 One day, when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: United Methodist

Finding The Lost Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 10, 2022

We are happy to look for the lost. We are happy that Jesus, at least, is willing to venture out to find those who have strayed and to bring them home for a celebration. The problem is, at some point, many of us give up on the lost. We give up, but Jesus Goes to get you, to find the lost.

Finding the Lost Having Words with Jesus FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR C Luke 15:1-10 The Story of the Lost Sheep 15 1-3 By this time a lot of men and women of questionable reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Longing For The Food In Egypt

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 30, 2023

When things get rough and disorienting, the predictability of the past starts looking pretty good. The story of the Exodus, with its powerful imagery of liberation from Egyptian slavery, holds a significant place in African American culture and history.

When things get rough and disorienting, the predictability of the past starts looking pretty good. The story of the Exodus, with its powerful imagery of liberation from Egyptian slavery, holds a significant place in African American culture and history. It has been a symbol of hope and resilience, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15

Denomination: United Methodist

Quarreled & Tested: For The Long Haul

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 30, 2023

Exodus 17:1-7 is a story of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, which mirrors our struggles and tests. This passage reveals how the Israelites quarreled with God and faced a profound test of faith, a test that we, too, may encounter on our spiritual journey

1 October 2023 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR A Quarreled & Tested: For the Long Haul The Message 17 1-2 Directed by God, the whole company of Israel moved on by stages from the Wilderness of Sin. They set camp at Rephidim. And there wasn’t a drop of water for the people to drink. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

"the Distinguished Gentleman: Embracing God's Commandments For Manhood"

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 7, 2023

Today, we gather in the house of the Lord to explore God's Word and reflect upon His wisdom concerning manhood and being a distinguished gentleman. While we hope for some Joy and levity, Manhood in Congress and God's eyes is No Joke.

"The Distinguished Gentleman: Embracing God's Commandments for Manhood" Introduction: Today, we gather in the house of the Lord to explore God's Word and reflect upon His wisdom concerning manhood and being a distinguished gentleman. While we hope for some Joy and levity, Manhood ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-20

Denomination: United Methodist