Sermon based on Ephesians 1:15-23 preached at New Dover United Methodist Church in Edison, NJ on May 7, 2017, by Rev Chuck Coblentz. "Clothed in Immense Power"

It's one of the mystery questions of the Bible- why didn't Mary Magdalene recognize Jesus when he was standing right in front of her on the first Easter morning? A better question might be, "Why don't we recognize Jesus when he's standing right in front of us on any give day?"

"You shall not murder." The sixth commandment is about a lot more than ending the life of another person. As Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, there is far more to this command than the physical taking of a human life.

With the horrible school shooting in Parkland, Florida we once again enter the familiar patterns of debate and argument, leading nowhere. But how does scripture address the related issues? When asked what commandment was broken at Stoneman- Douglas most would say "You shall not kill," but perhaps the commandment forbidding idol worship actually comes closest to the truth.

With Advent we begin the journey to Bethlehem in hopes of coming face to face with the Incarnate God. But are we too quick to assume our encounter will be joyful? Isaiah tells us that while we're hitting the malls God in the meantime is rolling up his sleeves.

Many of the largest churches in the US preach what has become known as "The Prosperity Gospel." How does their theology stack up against Jesus' teaching on wealth as found in the Sermon on the Mount? Spoiler Alert-Not very well at all!

Most of us desire a faith that brings comfort. But what happens when our faith leaves us wounded? As Jacob discovered, sometimes it takes tough love to get us to turn toward home.

Many Christians judge themselves based on how they compare to their neighbors- "Hey, at least I'm better than that dude!" But Jesus insists on a standard that seems impossible. We are to be perfect as God is perfect! How can we even begin to accept such a teaching?

There have been some terrible trades in history! Boston trading Babe Ruth to the Yankees, The Mets trading Nolan Ryan to the Angels. But what would be the worst trade in history? Jesus tells us it would be anyone who trades his or her life for the whole world.

What does it take to confront the void, come to terms with the mortal feeling of being "alone in the universe?" Too often we do everything we can to avoid facing up to the isolation; as comedian Louis CK tells us, we are so quick to reach for our cell phones!

Why were the Jews of Zechariah's time so resistant to change? Why are we? Scientists,, by observing MRI imaging, say it's the way our brain reacts to threats. If that's a biological fact how is ever possible to change?

Sermon based on Isaiah 40:25-31. What will your life look like five years from now? How about ten? Twenty? What about the life of your church? Through Isaiah God asks us to keep our eyes set upon the high places and then make toward them with all we have.

Sermon based on I Corinthians 12:12-26. If the Church is truly "the Body of Christ" on earth why are we so easily broken? What forces opposed to unconditional love keep us from working together to build the Kingdom of God to completion?

Jonah had a choice to make. Obey God and go against his own desires, or high-tail it to the far ends of the earth. How does Jonah's story relate to the decisions we are confronted with in ur own? That's "the Jonah Option."

Each one of us is called to embark on a hero's journey of challenge and self-discovery. This sermon utilizes Joseph Campbell, Gordon Lightfoot, and Ernest Shackleton to help us come to grips with the stakes involved when Jesus calls us into a life of discipleship.

When a woman, bleeding from her womb for 12 years, touched Jesus' garment she was not only healed, she broke Levitical law and rendered Jesus unclean. But Jesus often broke Torah law if that particular law kept us alienated from one another.

A sermon based on Hebrews 2:14-15. We are children of God, both mortal and eternal. As one generation moves on another one comes forth. That's been the way of the church for centuries. We celebrate our Vacation Bible School as we remember those Saints who blazed the trail before us.

Sermon that addresses the ongoing debate of gay ordination and marriage in the United Methodist Church. New Dover UMC, Edison New Jersey. Why do we choose to focus on a few legal passages in scripture, while ignoring others? How did Jesus view the Torah laws? Rev. Chuck Coblentz preaching.

Sermon based on Matthew 5:14-15. Preached at New Dover United Methodist Church, Rev. Chuck Coblentz. What happens when we compartmentalize our faith (keep it in a box)?

Reflections on 4th of July weekend. When we recite the Pledge of Allegiance we profess "One nation under God," but what does that mean? For the follower of Jesus doesn't "under God" mean that we prioritize Jesus' words at Nazareth- good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed?

Sermon based on Philippians 2:1-9, preached on Father's day, June 18, 2017 by Rev Chuck Coblentz at New Dover United Methodist Church in Edison, New Jersey.

Sermon preached by Rev Chuck Coblentz at New Dover UMC in Edison, NJ, based on I Thessalonians 5:1-24. What role does Jesus "Second Coming" have on our Christian ethics? How is the afterlife thought of by individuals at different stages and states of their life?

Sermon based on John 12:20-32 preached Memorial Day weekend by Rev Chuck Coblentz

Sermon based on Isaiah 49:13-23. Rev Chuck Coblentz.

Sermon from Luke 7:11-17 when Jesus raised the widow's son outside the gates of Nain. Preached May 21, 2017 at New Dover United Methodist Church in Edison New Jersey by Rev Chuck Coblentz

Sermon based on Ephesians 1:15-23 preached at New Dover United Methodist Church in Edison, NJ on May 7, 2017, by Rev Chuck Coblentz. "Clothed in Immense Power"