If No Sound

Witnesses for Christ©

 Sermon Summary

Mark 6:14-29

Rev. Amy DeWitte

Highlands United Methodist Church

Huntsville, AL

July 12, 2009

            The Gospel lesson for today is Mark's account of the death of John the Baptist, who died because he talked about the kingdom of God, because he threatened the power of the establishment, and because he called out the wrong that he witnessed in his midst.  John the Baptist is not the only one who has died speaking out for what he believes.   Stephen, who is considered the first Christian martyr, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Edith Stein, and Archbishop Oscar Romero are just a few Christian witnesses who have been persecuted and even killed because of what they stood for.  In fact, we follow a Savior who crucified because of who he was and what he did in the name of the Kingdom of God.

            Thanks be to God, not all Christians are called to persecution and martyrdom.  But, standing up for what is Godly and what is right is not always easy or popular. If we’re going to follow Jesus, we’re going to have to follow him to the cross. That may mean risking uncomfortable stares when you say something in a meeting that’s true but unpopular. It may mean standing outside in frigid weather publicly praying for someone who is about to be executed.  It may mean spending hours writing letters on the behalf of someone who cannot speak for himself or herself to the very powerful.  It may mean losing someone’s company because you refuse to shop at a place whose products are made by people who work under oppressive conditions and aren’t paid enough.  It may mean that you simple have to say what is uncomfortable, and wait to see what the consequences are.

            Even what we are called to do difficult things in the name of God, may God give us the courage and the strength to do his will!

Copyright © 2009 Amy DeWitte. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this writing may be reproduced in any form without specific, written permission of the author.

What is a Webcast?

A Webcast is an MP3 file that is playable in an MP3 player or on your computer.  It is also called Podcast due to the Apple iPod portable MP3 player.  A Webcast (MP3 file) can be played on ANY brand of MP3 player.

Return to Top

If No Sound

The player on this page Requires FREE Adobe Flash Player

If you would rather listen with another player, other free player options are available at Windows Media Player and Real Player

Hear Witnesses for Christ (Windows Media Player)

Hear Witnesses for Christ (Real Player)

Hear Witnesses for Christ (MP3)