Sermons

EMMAUS CITY CHURCH IN WORCESTER, MA – LEARNING MORE ABOUT JESUS TOGETHER.

Our next Sabbath service of worship | mass (check out why we still call it a mass) is Saturday, February 23 at 4 p.m. at the Fusion Center at 30 Tyler Prentice Road. In the meantime, below are selections of sermons from series we have done in the past, including our current series at the top of the page.

2019 Ecclesiastes Winter + Lent Series: Living Life Backward
Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: Is It All So Vain?
Text: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: Better the Gifts or the Giver?
Text: Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26

Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: What Time Is It or What Is Time For?
Text: Ecclesiastes 3

2019 Epiphany: All Things New
Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: Gifts for the Journey Ahead
Text: Matthew 2:1-14

Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: King of Kings w/ Rev. Justin Ruddy 
Text: Psalm 72

Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: We Will Not Keep Silent
Texts: Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (Lectionary readings)

Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: Wait, Watch, and Behold Beauty
Texts: Acts 14:8-23; Psalm 130:5-7; Ecclesiastes 3:11a; Isaiah 33:17

2018 Christmastide
Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: Magnify Jesus, the Son of God, Who Increases Child-Like Faith in Us
Texts: Luke 1:35, 2:52; Colossians 3:12-17

2018 Advent Series
Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: Magnify Jesus, Our Immanuel, God with Us
Texts: Isaiah 7:14; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 21:1-6, 22-24, 27, 22:16-17

Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: Magnify Jesus, Our Messiah, Prince of Peace
Texts: Isaiah 9:6-7; John 20:24-31

Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: Magnify Jesus, Our Lord and Champion
Texts: Isaiah 40:1-5; Luke 3:2, 4; 7:18-23

Sermon Audio and Liturgy Notes: Magnify Jesus, Our Savior w/ Pastor Tra'Vorus Weaver
Texts: Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 2:4-11

2018 Saturate Series
Sermon Audio: Jesus Christ Is All
Texts: Acts 4:11-12; Colossians 1:15-23; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Sermon Audio: Discipleship with Faith in Life, Hope with Community, Love on Mission
Text: Luke 10:1-11, 17

Sermon Audio: Foster into Family
Text: Acts 2:42-47

Sermon Audio: Servants Who Give w/ Pastor Tra'Vorus Weaver

Text: Philippians 2:1-11

Sermon Audio: Ambassadors Who Go and Plead on Behalf of Christ and Neighbor
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Sermon Audio: Going w/ Jesus as We Eat, Celebrate, Recreate
Text: Luke 7:36-50

Sermon Audio: Going w/ Jesus as We Listen, Share Stories (incl. The Gospel), Bless
Text: Mark 1:35-42

Sermon Audio: The Great Commission and the The Great Commandment (Because of a Great Savior)
Text: Matthew 22:32-40

Emmaus City Values Series
Sermon Audio: Local Work in Worcester
Texts: Luke 2:39-40, 52; Mark 6:3; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Psalm 90:14-17

Sermon Audio: Big "C" Church (Unity)
Texts: John 17:15-21; Ephesians 4:4-6, 11-15; Acts 13:1-5 

Sermon Audio: The Mission of God's People w/ Deacon Candidate Katie Watts & Pastor Tra'Vorus Weaver
Texts: Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 24:44-48; Mark 16:15 

Sermon Audio: Justice & Joy 
Text: Isaiah 58:1-12

Special 2018 Sermons
Sermon Audio: Joining with Jesus as We Celebrate, Eat, and Recreate w/ The City Church, Springfield
Text: Luke 7:34-50

Sermon Audio: Honoring Temporary Reigns Under King Jesus' Eternal Reign (Is There Grace for Government?) w/ Restoration Community Church, South Bronx
Text: Romans 12:21-13:7

Sermon Audio: Deliver Us to Believe That Evil is Crushed w/ South End Neighborhood Church, Boston
Text: Matthew 6:13

Sermon Audio: God is Healer w/ Genesis Community Church, Woburn

Texts: Psalm 6:2-4; Jeremiah 3:21-22; Exodus 15:22-26; Matthew 4:23; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1

Sermon Audio: Dying to Anger w/ Pleasant Street CRC, Whitinsville
Text: James 1:19-22, 25

Sermon Audio: All You Ever Need is Given to You in Jesus w/ Pleasant Street CRC, Whitinsville
Text: Matthew 3:12-4:25

2018 4 Gs of God Series | God is Great, Glorious, Good, and Gracious
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God is Great
Texts: Psalm 145:1-3; Job 9:8-10; Jeremiah 33:2-3; Ephesians 3:8-10; John 21:25

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God is Glorious
Texts: Psalm 145:2, 4-5, 11-12; Exodus 33:14-18; Romans 1:22-23, 3:23, 15:7; Colossians 1:27; Matthew 5:16; Revelation 1:5-6

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God is Good w/ Pastor Tra'Vorus Weaver
Text: Psalm 145:2, 4, 7, 16-20

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God is Gracious w/ Deacon Candidate Josh Austin
Text: Psalm 145:2, 8, 13

2018 Gospel of Matthew Series | Sermon on the Mount

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: An Invitation to Flourish Even in Dark Times
Text: Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Change Agents w/ Pastor Tra'Vorus Weaver
Text: Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Writing His Rule of Love on Our Hearts 
Text: Matthew 5:17-37

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Bless, Love, and Flourish for Your Enemy
Text: Matthew 5:38-48

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Our Father Knows
Text: Matthew 6:1-8 

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Kingdom Prayer and Power
Text: Matthew 6:9-18

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: What Do You Treasure?
Text: Matthew 6:19-24

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: The Care of Our Father is the Cure for the Anxious Heart w/ Pastor Ryan Bowen
Text: Matthew 6:24-34

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: When We See the Plank as the Cross
Text: Matthew 7:1-6

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Keep Knocking, Emmaus City w/ Pastor Tra'Vorus Weaver
Text: Matthew 7:7-12

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Straightforward and Secure
Text: Matthew 7:13-23

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: The Sure Foundation w/ Pastor Tra'Vorus Weaver
Text: Matthew 7:24-29

Resurrection Weekend 2018

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: O, Death, Where is Your Sting? 

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, 57

Gospel Activities during Lent 2018
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Beholding Beauty and Offering Repentance
Texts: Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 15:11-32

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Practicing Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Texts: Matthew 5:23-24; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:18-32 

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Thanking God for the Mysterious Justice of Our Redemption
Texts: John 6:29-35, 41, 43, 47-61, 66-69; Luke 24:15-21, 28-35

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Seeking Jesus' Peace and Restoration Until He Returns
Texts: Jeremiah 29:7-13; Luke 14:15-23; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:14-20; Revelation 19:5-9

Gospel Identities during 2017 | 2018 Gospel of Matthew Series

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Baptized and Sent as Jesus' Beloved Disciples
Text: Matthew 3:12-4:25

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Baptized and Sent as the Beloved Family of God

Text: Matthew 3:12-4:25

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Baptized and Sent as Jesus' Beloved Kingdom Servants
Text: Matthew 3:12-4:25

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Baptized and Sent as the Spirit's Beloved Witnesses
Text: Matthew 3:12-4:25

2017 | 2018 Beginning of the Gospel of Matthew Series
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God Keeps His Promises to His Family
Texts: Matthew 1:1-17

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God Is Faithful to Us Through It All

Texts: Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Worship the King Who Comes for All in Cradle, on Cross, and with Crown 
Text: Matthew 2:1-11

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Remembering the Holy Innocents | Martyrs and Refugees
Text: Matthew 2:12-23

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Bear Fruit in Keeping with Repentance ... and Revolution
Text: Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Receive Your Identity from the Father and Resist the Accuser's Lies with the Word of the Father
Text: Matthew 3:13-4:11

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: In the Shadow of Death, the Light Has Dawned
Text: Matthew 4:12-22

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Jesus Brings Near to Us the Promise and Power of the Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven
Text: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Fall 2017 James Series
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Count It All Joy
Texts: James 1:1-4, 12-18

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Ask for Jesus' Wisdom
Texts: James 1:5-8; 3:13-18

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Pour Out Jesus' Generous Justice (IJM Freedom Weekend w/ Route One)
Texts: James 1:9-11; 2:1-13; 5:1-6

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Be Quick to Hear and Slow to Speak in Light of Jesus 
Texts: James 1:19-27; 4:13-17 

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Reveal Faith in Jesus's Grace Through Works of Faith that Require Jesus' Power

Texts: James 1:18-22; 2:14-26

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Rein in Your Enflamed Words and Release the Reign of Jesus' Fresh Words
Texts: James 3:1-12; Matthew 12:33-37

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Get Low, Jesus Will Lift You Up
Text: James 4:1-12

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Practice Patience, the Main Ingredient of Life with Jesus with Pastor Ernie Grant, Epiphany Camden
Text: James 5:7-12

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Pray, Sing, Confess, Heal, and Save in the Name of Our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ
Text: James 5:13-20

Special 2017 Sermons
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Broken, Bold, and in the Battle for Life with Genesis Community Church, Woburn, MA
Texts: Exodus 34:5-10; Ruth 1:1-6, 16-17; 2:2-4,14; 4:13-15

Sermon Audio: Blessed Are Those Who Find Refuge in the Son with Covenant Chapel, Manchester, CT
Text: Psalm 2 

Sermon Audio: Rich Faith in Jesus and His Generous Justice with Redemption Church, Charlotte, NC
Text: James 5:1-6

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: An Economy of Grace with Pastor Brice Williams, South End Neighborhood Church, Boston, MA
Text: Matthew 19:20-20:16

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Good News of Great Joy Will Resist Even Our Darkest Hours
Texts: Nehemiah 8:1-12; Luke 2:8-20; John 15:1-11

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Rest, God's Got This
Texts: Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, 1:28-2:3; Romans 8:22-29

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Jesus Loves His Church
Texts: Ephesians 5:25-32; Matthew 22:8-10; Revelation 19:6-9

Summer 2017 Haggai (Celebrate!) Series
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God Has a Name and He Is Who He Will Always Be for Us
Texts: Exodus 34:5-9; John 17:26 

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God Is Here and He Is Listening. Will You Listen?
Text: Haggai 1:1

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Consider How God Gives You More
Text: Haggai 1:2-7; 1 Kings 8:22-61; Ephesians 2:19-22, 3:14-21

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God Wants to Stir Us Up for More

Text: Haggai 1:7-15 

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God Will Shake Heaven and Earth to Bring Us Peace
Text: Haggai 2:1-9

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: God Put a Ring On It
Text: Haggai 2:10-23

Pentecost 2017 
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Following, Failing, and Following Again in the Spirit of Jesus
Texts: Acts 1:14-15, 2:1-4, 11-13

Ascension 2017 
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Rebel Joy is Received in Blessing, Ascending, and Rejoicing
Texts: Acts 1:4-5, 8; Luke 24:50-53

Eastertide 2017
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: The Road to Emmaus
Texts: Luke 19:10; Luke 24:13-35

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: The Road Back from Emmaus to Jerusalem
Texts: Luke 19:10; Luke 24:36-49

Holy Week 2017
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Your Humble King Has Come (Palm Sunday Weekend)
Texts: Luke 19:35-42; 23:20-23, 34; Zechariah9:9-10; Revelation19:11-16

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Your Victorious King Has Won (Easter Celebration Weekend)
Texts: Mark 15:32; Luke 23:33, 39-43; Colossians 1:13-14, 19-22

Winter 2017 Abide in Jesus Series
Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Jesus is Our Gift and Our Goal
Texts: John 15:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:30

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Turning from Our Disgraceful Pride to Our Gracious Savior
Texts: Matthew 5:3, 7:21-23; Proverbs 11:2, 29:23

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Turning from Our Slothful Indifference to Our Zealously Righteous Savior
Texts: Matthew 5:6, 25:14-46; Revelation 3:15-22; Matthew 6:33

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Turning from Our Exiling Envy to Our Welcoming Savior of Sorrows and Joy
Texts: Matthew 5:4, 11:29-30; Proverbs 14:30, 23:17; Ecclesiastes 4:4, Isaiah 57:18-19

Sermon Audio and Liturgy: Turning from Our Greedy Hoarding to Our Extravagantly Merciful and Generous Savior
Texts: Matthew 5:7, 6:19-33; Isaiah 58:3-14; Proverbs 28:5; Psalm 10:3; 1 Timothy 6:10; Luke 12:16-21; Acts 20:35; Matthew 10:8; Mark 8:34-36

1 Thessalonians: The Hope of a World Turned Upside-Down Series
Sermon 1 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: The History-Altering, World-Changing, Life-Transforming Good News of Jesus for You
Text: Acts 17:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 1

Sermon 2 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: Bold and Gentle
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Sermon 3 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: A Father's Love and Longing
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

Sermon 4 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: The Will of God: His Love and Holiness Abounding in You
Text: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-4:12

Sermon 5 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: The End is Near (And It's Truly Good!)
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

Sermon 6 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: Jesus' Church Grows Beautiful Together as His Grace Fuels Our Ceaseless Efforts
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-28

Select Sermons
Video and Audio: King Jesus Begins and Finishes with Us
Text: Philippians 1:1-11

Audio: Where Does Truth Meet Us? Where Does Truth Take Us?
Text: John 4:1-41

Audio: The Kingdom of God is Near
Text: Mark 1:14-15

Audio: Even in the Face of Trial and Denial, Jesus Still Resurrects and Restores
Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9; The Gospels; Acts 2:22-41; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18

Audio: Steadfast Love Shapes Every Way

Text: Psalm 136; Proverbs 3:3-12

Video and Audio: We Will Draw Near to God
Text: Hebrews 6:19-8:12

Facets of the Gospel Series: 

Sermon 1 of 5 Audio and Liturgy: Facet I: Redemption

Texts: Exodus 4:22-23; Exodus 6:2-8; Psalm 107:1-3

Sermon 2 of 5 Audio and Liturgy: Facet II: Justification 

Texts: Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 3:11

Sermon 3 of 5 Audio: Facet III: Union in Christ // Enriched and Equipped – August 10th 2014 with Redemption Hill

Liturgy: Union in Christ

Texts: 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Romans 6:5-11; Colossians 3:1-4; Galatians 2:20

Sermon 4 of 5 Audio and Liturgy: Facet IV: Adoption

Texts: Romans 8; Luke 10:21-22 

Sermon 5 of 5 Audio and Liturgy: Facet V: New Creation | Renewal in Holiness

Texts: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21-22

Book of Ruth: From Empty to Full Six-Part Sermon Series: 

Sermon 1 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: In the Days of Judges and Famine, Our God of Love is Still Here

Text: Ruth 1:1-5

Sermon 2 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: The Choice of Love in the Face of Lament and Death

Text: Ruth 1:6-18

Sermon 3 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: The Focus of Love in the Midst of No Recognition

Text: Ruth 1:14-22

Sermon 4 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: The God of Love's Gracious Suprises

Text: Ruth 1:20-2:23

Sermon 5 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: The God of Love is Our Redeemer and Shelter

Text: Ruth 3 

Sermon 6 of 6 Audio and Liturgy: The God of Love's Redemption Goes Beyond What We Ask for or Imagine
Text: Ruth 4

1 Peter Sermon Series: The Hope of Humble Holiness for the Sake of the World

Sermon 1 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: Prequel to 1 Peter 

Texts: Mark 10:23-31; Matthew 19:23-30; Mark 9:2-13; Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 14:26-42; Matthew 26:30-35, 75; Mark 8:27-38; Matthew 16:15-28; Matthew 18:15-35;  Matthew 15:15; John 21:15-19 

Sermon 2 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: The Comeback
Texts: Acts 2; 1 Peter 1:1-2

Sermon 3 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: Born Again for More
Text: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Sermon 4 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: Delighting in and Longing for Jesus
Text: 1 Peter 1:8-12

Sermon 5 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: Hope-full Gifts
Text: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Sermon 6 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: Solid and Smooth
Text: 1 Peter 1:22–2:3

Sermon 7 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: The Cornerstone
Text: 1 Peter 2:4-12

1 Peter 2:13-25 and 4:12-19 will be combined in one sermon – Resting in Jesus in Service and Suffering – in March 2015

Sermon 8 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: Marriage and Mission
Text: 1 Peter 2:21-3:9

Sermon 9 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: Grace in the Catholicity of Jesus' Church ... Say What?
Text: 1 Peter 3:8-22

Sermon 10 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: House Dynamics Part 1 of 3: Suffering Refines Us, Sin Consumes Us, Grace Flourishes Us and Others
Text: 1 Peter 3:21-4:11

Special: We Will Draw Near to God
Text: Hebrews 6:19-8:12

Sermon 11 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: House Dynamics Part 2 of 3: Resting in Jesus in Service and Suffering
Text: 1 Peter 4:10-19 (and 2:13-25)

Sermon 12 of 12 Audio and Liturgy: House Dynamics Part 3 of 3: How Can I Be Humble and Be Led?
Text: Psalm 23; 1 Peter 5

Advent 2016 Series: Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love Break Through
Sermon 1 of 4 Audio and Liturgy: Peace Breaks Through
Text: Isaiah 9:2-7

Sermon 2 of 4 Audio and Liturgy: Hope Breaks Through
Text: Luke 2:7; Matthew 2:1-2; Luke 2:17-18

Sermon 3 of 4 Audio and Liturgy: Joy Breaks Through
Text: Psalm 98; Matthew 2:1-16; Hebrews 12:2-3; Nehemiah 8:10

Sermon 4 of 4 Audio and Liturgy: Love Breaks Through

Text: Luke 2:8-18; Isaiah 9:6; John 3:16-17

2015 Advent Sermon Series: Jesus is Our Joy, Love, Reconciliation, and Restoration
Sermon 1 of 3 Audio and Liturgy: Jesus Is Our Joy: Why We Need Advent
Texts: Luke 2:8-20

Sermon 2 of 3 Audio and Liturgy: Jesus Shapes Our Love: His Choice, His Cost, His Cross
Texts: Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-11; 1 John 3:11-18

Sermon 3 of 3 Audio and Liturgy: Rejoice! Jesus Comes to Bring Us Reconciliation and Restoration 
Texts: Luke 1:46-55; Ephesians 2:13-22; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 2:27-35; Acts 1:6-8; Colossians 1:13-14, 18-23

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