The one thousand sermons of this archive are a record of the thoughtful steps in Richard Rhem's journey as it deepened in the 1980s and then continued to evolve from a conservative beginning until it led him to his ultimate understanding: an open mind and a warm heart must be grounded in the Way of Love, and must affirm the quest and insight of all faiths. On that foundation can be built a community that practices religion not as dogma but as dialogue, mutual enrichment and understanding.
"Dick Rhem is the best teacher-preacher I have ever heard in my life." Marcus Borg
Two Views of Life
New Years Eve
Isaiah 46:4, 10-11; Ephesians 1:10
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 31, 1987
So Don't Be Afraid
Christmastide I
Luke 2:10-11
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 27, 1987
The Divine Intervention
Advent IV
John 1:14; Revelation 21:3
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 20, 1987
The Encounter with God at our Death
Advent III
Psalm 16:8-11; I Corinthians 13:12
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 13, 1987
The Word in History: A Vision Beyond History
Advent I
Isaiah 40:8; Luke 3:2, 15
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 29, 1987
I Love the Lord Because....
Thanksgiving Day
Psalm 116:1; II Corinthians 9:15
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 26, 1987
Free to Care
Thanksgiving Sunday;
Pentecost XXV
Galatians 6:2, 9-10
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 22, 1987
Community of Faith, Radical Grace of God,
Freedom, Judgment, Unconditional Love to
Others
Free to Love
Pentecost XXIV
Leviticus 19:18; Galatians 5:1,6
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 15, 1987
Grace and the Healing of Personality
Pentecost XXII
Galatians 3:28b, 29; I Thessalonians 4:14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 01, 1987
The Lure of Legalism: Fallen from Grace
Pentecost XXI
Galatians 2:21
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 25, 1987
The Gospel of Radical Grace: No Human Invention
Pentecost XX
Galatians 1:11-12
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 18, 1987
Radical Grace of God, Worship, Presence of
God, Transforming Love, Community of Faith,
Tradition
Conversion From Religion to Grace
Pentecost XIX
Philippians 3:7
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 11, 1987
Universal Grace, Salvation of all, Nature of
Religion, Hebrew Scriptures,Covenant of
Grace, Prophets
One Covenant - One World In Christ
World Wide Communion;
Pentecost XVIII
Genesis 17:7; Ephesians 1:9-10; 4:4-6
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 04, 1987
Covenant, Hebrew Scriptures, Salvation of all,
God of Grace
The Freedom of the Sovereign God
Pentecost XVII
Jeremiah 18:6-9; Romans 8:28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
September 27, 1987
Worship: The Context of Encounter and Calling
Pentecost XVI
Isaiah 6:1, 8; Revelation 1:10
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
September 20, 1987
Let the Children Come
Pentecost XV
Genesis 17:7; 21:4; Mark 10:14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
September 13, 1987
Commitment and Prayer in the Purpose of God
Pentecost XIV
Nehemiah 1:11; 2:5
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
September 06, 1987
Mystery, God's Sovereign Grace, Hebrew
Scriptures, Salvation, Prayer, Vision
The Thread of God's Plan in the Tapestry of Our Lives
Pentecost XIII
Genesis 50: 19-20
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 30, 1987
Meaning, God's Sovereign Grace, Trust,
Joseph
Finding Our Destiny in God's Gracious Purpose
Pentecost XII
Esther 4:14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 23, 1987
Nature of God, Sovereign Grace, Hebrew
Scriptures, Divine Intention, Salvation,
Wisdom Literature, Providence of God
No Doubt About It; No Comfort In it (A Believing Agnostic's View)
Pentecost XI
Ecclesiastes 3: 11, 18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 16, 1987
Sovereign Grace, Mystery, Nature of God,
Doubt, Faith, Hebrew Scriptures
The Insight That Makes Praise Irrepressible
Pentecost X
Psalm 103:13-14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 09, 1987
Psalms, Divine Intention, Forgiveness, Human
Nature, Creator God, Praise
Surprised by Grace
Pentecost IX
Lamentations 3:22-26
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 02, 1987
Suffering, Trust, Psalms, Transforming Grace,
Hope
Hanging On In the Darkness
Pentecost VII
Psalm 88:14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 26, 1987
A Song of Serenity
Pentecost VI
Psalm 8:1
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 19, 1987
Psalms, Trust, Divine Intention, Tradition,
Stewardship
A Faith for All Seasons
Pentecost V
Psalm 30:11-12
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 12, 1987
The Re-Visioning of a Dream
Independence Day Sunday; Pentecost IV
Exodus 2:23-24
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 05, 1987
Independence Day, Freedom, History of the
Constitution, Vision, Re-vision
Leadership With a Difference - An Installation
Pentecost III
Joel 2:28; Mark 10:43-44
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 28, 1987
Church, Servanthood, Community of Faith
People on the Way - In Great Shape
Pentecost II
Galatians 4:19
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 21, 1987
Transfigured: Face to Face in Freedom
Trinity Sunday
II Corinthians 3:17-18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 14, 1987
Trinity, Spirit, Experience of God, God's
Inclusive Love, Transformation
Our Destiny: Conformed to Christ's Image
Pentecost
Romans 8:11, 29
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 07, 1987
Worship, Pentecost, Experience of God,
Presence of God, Mystery
Prodded to Love and Goodness
Ascension Sunday
Hebrews 10:11-25
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 31, 1987
The Promise of Rest in a Violent and
Hostile World
Eastertide VI
Matthew 11:28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 24, 1987
Zaccheaus, Come On Down and Celebrate
Eastertide V
Isaiah 58:13-14; Luke 19:1-10
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 17, 1987
Family: The Place of Faith, Freedom and Love
Mothers' Day;
Eastertide IV
Matthew 12:50
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 10, 1987
Jesus is Lord
Eastertide II
Philippians 2:9-11
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 26, 1987
He Lives, We Live, Alleluia!
Easter Sunday
John 14: 19
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 19, 1987
Easter, Followers of Jesus, Resurrection,
Transforming Love, Joy
Learn of Jesus Christ to Die
Maundy Thursday
Luke 23:46
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 16, 1987
Disarming Vulnerability
Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:5
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 12, 1987
Eternal Life: Reincarnation or Resurrection?
Midweek Lenten Service
Philippians 3:21
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 08, 1987
Jesus Christ, Superstar: A Contemporary View
Passion Sunday
Hebrews 2:14-17
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 05, 1987
The Communion of the Saints: Prayer and
Those Beyond the Death Experience
Midweek Lenten Service
I Peter 3:18-22
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 01, 1987
The Highest Freedom: Thy Will Be Done
Lent IV
Mark 14:36
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 29, 1987
What Happens Between Our Death and the
Resurrection?
Midweek Lenten Service
Luke 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 25, 1987
Following in His Steps
Lent III
I Peter 2:21
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 22, 1987
Lent, Followers of Jesus, Way of Jesus,
Bonhoeffer, Grace
Costly Obedience
Lent II
John 12:27-28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 15, 1987
Lent, Followers of Jesus, Suffering of Jesus,
Forgiveness, Andr_ Trocm_, Vision
At Our Death - No Fear of Judgment
Midweek Lenten Service
II Corinthians 5:19
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 11, 1987
Judgment, Universal Grace, Transforming
Love, Lent
The Mystery of Salvation: God Was in Christ
Lent I
II Corinthians 5:19
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 08, 1987
March 01, 1987
Ecumenical, Reformed Church, Diversity,
Liturgical Year, Community of Grace
The Cares of Life; the God Who Cares
Epiphany V
Numbers 13:33; I Peter 5:7, 10
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 08, 1987
Jesus: Our Life Support
Epiphany IV
John 6:54-55
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 01, 1987