Sermons on Hooker:

To And Fro On The Earth: Born To Trouble Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 2, 2021

NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B Well, you’ll have to look elsewhere for a complete answer to that question. But it is our contention that the book of Job deals with some profoundly difficult questions in the life of faith, and it does so without easy answers or simplistic cliches

MAIN TEXT: One day the heavenly beings[i] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan[j] also came among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 The LORD said to Satan,[k] “Where have you come from?” Satan[l] answered the LORD, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-3

Denomination: United Methodist

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

Born Of The Spirit (Trinity Sunday) Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on May 29, 2021

This is the first Sunday after the Pentecost. Trinity Sunday is the beginning of the Year. So this sermon is a journey. It is also the church’s birth story and as some have said the mini Bible sermon.

Main text: Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost to honor the Holy Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Although the word “trinity” does not appear in Scripture, it is taught in Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 (and many other biblical passages). The concept of the trinity ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Being Renewed (Graduation Sunday) Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jun 5, 2021

We think home is a place of renewal. We think we can go home and rest. And we can, but only if our focus is right. Home won’t renew us, won’t build us up, unless the focus of our home is on the One who raises us into a new kingdom, a new reality.

Main: If you’re looking for snapshots of well-adjusted and happy parent-child relationships from the ancient world, the Bible probably shouldn’t be on your short list of sources. Consider even Jesus’ family, for example. The New Testament preserves evidence suggesting that Jesus’ relationship with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:21

Denomination: United Methodist

Everything She Had: A Life That Matters Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Nov 6, 2021

The first attribute of a life that matters that we will examine in this series of sermons this month is generosity. Generosity, as reflected in our gospel text this week, is about how we hold the stuff of this life lightly, even as we hold people and Christ tightly.

A well-known hymn that captures this idea of generosity is “Take My Life, and Let It Be,” 399 in The United Methodist Hymnal. The middle verse often catches us singing with our fingers crossed: “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.” In this text of the widow’s mite, we need to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: United Methodist

"and Yet" Fathers Day Sermon

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jun 20, 2021

This year for Father’s Day we need to acknowledge the messy world in which we live. And Yet Jesus is capable of stilling the Storms in our relationships. Jesus says Peace Be still!

This year for Father’s Day we need to acknowledge the messy world in which we live. People are struggling; people are hurting; our brothers and sisters of color are dealing with systemic racism and the economic effects of white privilege. The pandemic still has our economy reeling and many ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

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

Cannot Be Shaken

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Aug 24, 2025

America stands at a spiritual crossroads—choosing between shallow, empire-tied morality or an authentic faith rooted in justice, compassion, and God’s unshakable kingdom.

Cannot Be Shaken Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost, Year C Hebrews 12:18–29 Introduction Good morning Church family: Week by week, we gather to sing, to pray, and to proclaim. Worship is not just what we do—it is who we are becoming. Beloved, we are living in a season of shaking. The so-called ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

"When The Beloved Steps Into The Water”

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jan 11, 2026

Beloved, on Baptism of the Lord Sunday, the church turns its eyes toward a river in the wilderness, where Jesus — Son of God, Word made flesh

SERMON TITLE: “WHEN THE BELOVED STEPS INTO THE WATER” Matthew 3:13–17 • Baptism of the Lord Sunday “Wade in the Water” as Our Hermeneutic of Liberation INTRODUCTION Beloved, on Baptism of the Lord Sunday, the church turns its eyes toward a river in the wilderness, where Jesus — Son of God, Word ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: United Methodist

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Feb 21, 2026

A Black History sermon that looks at Lent’s wilderness, Jesus refuses spectacle and shortcuts; real revolution is obedience.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Sunday, February 22, 2026 — First Sunday in Lent Scripture of the Day • Reference: Romans 5:12–19; Matthew 4:1–11 • Read Here: Romans 5:12–19 (NRSVue) • Matthew 4:1–11 (NRSVue) The Text Below come form a translation from Hooker, Amiri B. Sanctified Bars & ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Not "To Be Served” Walking With Jesus

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 20, 2024

Our scripture today from Mark 10:35-45 helps guide us as we consider the qualities of leadership rooted in service.

Sermon Title: "Not to Be Served" Scripture: Mark 10:35-45 Date: October 20, 2024 The Highest Places of Honor 35 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.” 36 “What is it? I’ll see what I can do.” 37 “Arrange it,” they said, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: United Methodist

Remembering You Baptism Basics Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jan 7, 2024

Today, as we turn our hearts to Mark 1:4-11, we witness Jesus, our Savior, embracing baptism to fulfill righteousness.

Sermon title: Remembering You Baptism Basics Mark 1: 1:10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 1:11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Following Jesus Discipleship Basics (Mlk Day Sermon) Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jan 13, 2024

John 1:43-51, let us embrace the call to follow Jesus, seeking a profound knowing that transcends our doubts. United Methodist discipleship invites us into a journey of following.

THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY Year B: “Following” Sermon Series Back 2 the Basics January 14, 2024 John 1:43-51. Following Jesus Discipleship Basics 1:43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." ”The next day Jesus decided to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: United Methodist