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
Freedom from the Past; Freedom for the Future
New Years Eve
Philippians 3:12-14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 31, 1988
The Rustling of Angels' Wings
Christmas Day
Luke 2: 9-11
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 25, 1988
God's Light in Our Darkness
Advent IV
Isaiah 9:2; John 1:4-5, 9
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 18, 1988
The ?Now' of the End
Advent III
II Corinthians 6:2
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 11, 1988
Advent, Eschatology, Salvation, Forgiveness,
Unconditional Grace, Apostle Paul
In the End, God
Advent II
I Corinthians 15:28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
December 04, 1988
Advent, Community of Grace, Universal Grace, Eschatology
Someday, With Unveiled Face, We Shall Behold Him
Advent I
Revelation 22:4
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 27, 1988
Thanks for the Gift, But I Didn't Really Need It
Thanksgiving Day
Philippians 4:11-12
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 24, 1988
I Believe the Holy Catholic Church
Pentecost XXV
Ephesians 2:20-21
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 13, 1988
The Communion of the Saints: The Story Goes On
All Saints Day
Hebrews 10:35-39; 11: 1-10, 32-40; Hebrews 12: 1, 2, 12-13
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
November 06, 1988
Three Perspectives on the Reformation of the
Church
Reformation Sunday
Pentecost XXIII
I Corinthians 3:21-23
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 30, 1988
Only God Could Do Anything With the Church
Pentecost XXII
II Corinthians 4:7
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 23, 1988
Baptism: Your Ordination to Ministry
Shared Ministry Sunday
Pentecost XXI
Ephesians 4:11-12; I Peter 2:9
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
October 16, 1988
Let the Children Come
Pentecost XVII
Genesis 17:7; Deuteronomy 6:20-21; Mark 10:14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
September 18, 1988
Remembering: The Foundation of Hope
Pentecost XVI
Psalm 78:2-6
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
September 11, 1988
The Sabbath: Life's Rhythm of Labor and Leisure
Pentecost XV
Isaiah 58:13-14; Mark 2:27-28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
September 04, 1988
Broken Covenant - New Covenant: Judgment
and Grace
Pentecost XIII
Hosea 11:8-9; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Colossians 1:19-20; Mark 14:24
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 21, 1988
The Creation of a People: Covenant and Law
Pentecost XII
Exodus 6:2-4; 19:4-5; Romans 13:10
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 14, 1988
God's Providence: Human Testing
Pentecost XI
Genesis 22:12, 14; Hebrews 11:17-19
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
August 07, 1988
The Election of Grace: A Particular People for a Universal Purpose
Pentecost X
Genesis 11:30; 12:1-3; Romans 11:32-36
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 31, 1988
Faith, Election, Inclusive Grace, Hebrew
Scriptures, History of Israel
Creations' Goal: Sabbath Rest
Pentecost IX
Genesis 2:2-3; Isaiah 65:23, 25; Revelation 21:3; 22:2-4
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 24, 1988
Creator, Nature of God, Divine Intention,
Hebrew Scriptures, History of Israel, Sabbath,
Shalom, Grace
Humanity: Creative Purpose and Response
Pentecost VIII
Genesis 2:15; 3:9
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 17, 1988
In the Beginning - God
Pentecost VII
Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:3; Ephesians 1:9-10
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 10, 1988
In God We Trust: Really?
Pentecost VI
Habakkuk 1:5; 3:17-18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
July 03, 1988
Worship as Response: The Unique Action of the Church
Pentecost V
I Chronicles 29:13; II Corinthians 4:15
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 26, 1988
The Worship of God: The Healing of Persons
Pentecost IV
Psalm 73:17
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 19, 1988
Worship, Presence of God, Trust, Peace, Love, Suffering
The Worship of God: A Foretaste of Heaven
Pentecost III
Psalm 150:6; Revelation 19:6-7
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 12, 1988
Living Before the Face of God
Baccalaureate Sunday
Pentecost II
I Timothy 6:12-14
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
June 05, 1988
Baccalaureate Sunday, Consciousness of God, Awe, Mystery of God, Transcendence, Values
The God Who Satisfies Our Deepest Need
Trinity Sunday
Isaiah 45:22; 46:4; John 14:9, 16-17
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 29, 1988
The Human Hunger for God
Pentecost
Psalms 16:8; Acts 2:25; Romans 8:34
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 22, 1988
Jesus is Lord
Eastertide VI
Isaiah 46:10-13; Phil. 1:6; 2:9; Revelation 4:6; 5:12, 13
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 08, 1988
Beyond Our Fondest Dreams
Eastertide V
Isaiah 55:11; Ephesians 3:20-21
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
May 01, 1988
Our Power
Eastertide IV
Isaiah 43:19; Ephesians 1:18-20
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 24, 1988
Our Heritage
Eastertide III
Isaiah 55:3; Ephesians 1:18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 17, 1988
Our Hope
Eastertide II
Isaiah 54:10; Ephesians 1:18
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 10, 1988
Authentication
Easter Sunday
I Corinthians 15:22-28
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
April 03, 1988
Easter, Servant of the Lord, Trust, Salvation,
Suffering, Resurrection
Crisis
Palm Sunday
Luke 19:42,44
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 27, 1988
Palm Sunday, Way of Jesus, Peace,
Servant of the Lord
Compassion
Lent V
Isaiah 42:3; John 13:15
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 20, 1988
Universal Salvation
Lent III
Isaiah 49:6; John 12:32
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
March 06, 1988
Lent, Inclusive Grace, Universal Grace,
Judgment, Forgiveness
Identity and Intentionality
Lent II
Isaiah 50:7; Luke 9:51
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 28, 1988
Lent, Way of Jesus, Servant Songs, Servant of the Lord, Ecumenical, Unconditional Grace
The Lamb of God
Lent I
Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
February 21, 1988
A Community of Ecstasy
Epiphany III
Psalm 84:2; John 15:11
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 24, 1988
Living Out of a Quiet Center
Epiphany II
Mark 1:35
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 17, 1988
The Soul's Quest: The Search for God
Epiphany I
Jeremiah 29:13-14; Matthew 2: 1-12
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI
January 10, 1988