Metropolitan AME Church Sermons

Phillip Dieke
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Sermons from the historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC where speakers such as Frederick Douglass, Paul  Laurence Dunbar, Mary McLeod Bethune, Eleanor Roosevelt, Joel Elias Spingarn, E.E. Just, Alain Locke, Mordecai W. Johnson, Hubert H. Humphrey, Charles H. Wesley, James E. Clyburn, Jesse Jackson and Bishop Desmond Tutu spoke.  Hear the weekly sermon from the current ministerial staff, led by Rev. William H. Lamar IV. Find more information about Metropolitan AME here.

  1. 4d ago

    Sunday Morning Worship October 25, 2026 - Rev. Dr. William Marcus Small

    In a homecoming sermon marking Metropolitan AME Church’s 188-year legacy, Rev. Dr. William Marcus Small draws on Deuteronomy 6:4-12 to urge the congregation to remember God, their ancestors, and the people whose sacrifices made the present possible. Through stories from The Butler, family life, and civil rights history, the message challenges listeners to honor different journeys, recognize unexpected provision, and trust God enough to step into what has been prepared. This week's text: Deuteronomy 6:4-12 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.10 “When the Lord your God has brought you into the land that he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—a land with fine, large cities that you did not build, 11 houses filled with all sorts of goods that you did not fill, hewn cisterns that you did not hew, vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you have eaten your fill, 12 take care that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Takeaways Don't forget how you got here.You don't have to judge where somebody else is coming from.Moses isn't trying to have the people relive a trauma. He's trying to reinforce a testimony.You just need to know who you came with.There's promises that you living on right now that your ancestors worked out a long time ago.God knows how to shift spaces.Sometimes God opens doors for you that you did not expect.All you have to do is step in.The faithful will appreciate the person but always honor God.You never know who you're helping.Chapters 00:00 Opening prayer and worship 01:57 Welcoming Pastor William Lamar and the ministry leaders 04:04 Deuteronomy 6 and the homecoming message 07:03 The Butler and the cost behind opportunity 10:08 Celebrating 188 years and remembering the story behind the story 13:35 Moses’ call to remember across generations 15:15 Different struggles, one promised destination 19:23 Keep God at the center and pass the testimony down 22:30 A child’s school shirt as a reminder of where you belong 24:25 Sacred memory and provision prepared by ancestors 29:47 How God shifts spaces into new opportunities 33:03 An airport story about unexpected provision 35:59 Trust what God prepared and step in 37:22 Appreciate people, but give God the honor 40:10 A final story about unseen help and future blessings

  2. Oct 19

    Children's Sabbath Sunday 2026 - Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson

    In this week's sermon, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President and CEO of Children's Defence Fund, explores the biblical and social implications of intergenerational justice, focusing on Ezekiel 18 and the myth of inherited guilt. It challenges listeners to reconsider how community, policy, and personal agency shape the lives of children and future generations. This week's text: Ezekiel 18:1-4 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? 3 As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins who shall die. Takeaways God has a problem with the proverb 'parents eat sour grapes, children teeth are set on edge' because it is unjust.Ezekiel 18 emphasizes that all lives belong to God and that individuals are responsible for their own actions.God's sovereignty means that parents and children are equal in God's eyes, challenging generational retribution.The proverb perpetuates systemic injustice, especially in public policy and community systems.God's justice allows for a fresh start, emphasizing personal agency and community responsibility.Biblical justice calls for reconsidering policies that unfairly burden children based on their parents' actions.Theologically, God's justice is rooted in equity, not inherited guilt or privilege.Community and policy must align with divine justice to truly serve children and future generations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Call for Justice for Children 01:53 Celebrating Leadership and Community in Faith 04:00 Biblical Foundations: Ezekiel 18 and Revelation 06:09 The Proverb of Sour Grapes and Its Social Impact 09:01 Personal Stories: Family, Legacy, and Identity 13:03 God's Justice and the Myth of Inherited Guilt 18:01 The Biblical and Social Reality of Systemic Injustice 21:59 God's Sovereignty and the Call for Reconsideration 26:57 Prophetic Interruption: Challenging Community Complacency 29:54 The Power of Personal Agency and Community Action 34:48 God's Last Word: Freedom, Justice, and a New Beginning

  3. Oct 13

    Sunday Morning Worship October 11, 2026 - Rev. William H. Lamar IV

    In this week's sermon, Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the profound lessons from Mark chapter 4, emphasizing the importance of rest, faith, and speaking to our storms amidst life's chaos. He challenges listeners to understand God's power and their own capacity to navigate storms with confidence and resilience. This week's text: Mark 4:35-41 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And waking up, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Be silent! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Takeaways Jesus models the importance of leaving the crowd to rest and expand.Storms can occur even when Jesus is in the boat, challenging false beliefs.Rest is a vital act of faith, especially in turbulent times.Jesus sleeping in the stern shows the importance of getting sleep during storms.Believers are empowered to speak to their storms and ride them out.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mark 4 and the significance of leaving the crowd 02:12 Jesus' busy ministry and the need for rest 05:04 Crossing boundaries and expanding ministry beyond borders 07:14 Leaving at evening and trusting God in uncharted territory 10:28 The storm arises and the waves beat into the boat 11:52 Jesus in the stern asleep during the storm 17:17 The importance of getting sleep in the midst of storms 21:03 Jesus' response to the disciples' fear and the call to speak to storms 23:40 Speaking to storms and riding them out with faith

  4. Oct 5

    Communion Sunday, October 5 2026 - Rev. William H. Lamar IV

    In this week's sermon, Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the provocative idea of 'cursing' as a spiritual act of calling out injustice, hypocrisy, and unfruitfulness within the church and society. He challenges listeners to embrace boldness and authenticity in confronting systemic evil and spiritual emptiness. This week's text: Mark 11:12-14, 20-22 12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. 12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Takeaways Jesus' cursing of the fig tree symbolizes calling out unfruitfulness in religious and societal systems.Boldness in faith includes confronting injustice loudly and clearly.The church must always bear fruit, regardless of the season or tradition.Cursing can be a form of conjuring a new world where justice and abundance prevail.Systemic evil must be called out with the full voice of faith, not silence.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Gospel of Mark and the theme of cursing 01:10 Jesus' cursing as a call for boldness and authenticity 02:08 Dealing with difficult biblical texts and the verbs of Jesus 04:08 The significance of Jesus cursing and its implications 06:27 The symbolism of the fig tree and the church 10:01 The prophetic act of cursing systemic evil 12:32 The call to curse injustice in society 14:40 The symbolic meaning of the season and bearing fruit 16:45 Jesus cursing the church and the preachers 20:29 Conjuring a new world through prophetic speech 21:41 The call to boldly curse unfruitfulness and injustice 23:05 The church's role in calling out systemic evil and hypocrisy

  5. Sep 30

    Sams Annual Day 2026 - Rev. Dr. Vanetta L. Brice

    In this week's sermon, Rev. Dr. Vanetta L. Brice explores the profound connection between faith, service, and social justice through a deep dive into Isaiah 58. Rev. Dr. Brice emphasizes the importance of genuine devotion, compassionate action, and the conditional promises of God that call believers to deeper commitment. This week's scripture - Isaiah 58:10 if you offer your food to the hungry     and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness     and your gloom be like the noonday. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and opening remarks 04:18 Scripture reading from Isaiah 58 06:20 The challenge of serving with love in a broken world 09:03 Rebuilding after exile and social dysfunction 10:01 The importance of the if-then covenant in faith 12:00 The cost of discipleship and authentic service 13:29 The deeper commitment required for true service 15:08 Silencing the madness and focusing on God's call 17:27 Pouring out love and acts of justice 19:23 Relational acts of love versus transactional acts 22:23 The purpose and purposefulness of our service 25:10 God's promises of restoration and healing 26:38 The significance of a rendered heart in devotion 27:12 Jesus as the bridge between the if and the then 28:22 The power of Jesus and the call to love 29:17 Closing remarks and call to action

  6. Sep 29

    Christian Education Sunday 2026 - Rev. Thomas A. Brackeen, Jr.

    In this week's sermon, Rev. Thomas Brakeen Jr. explores the vital role of Christian education in shaping future generations, emphasizing the importance of teaching history, faith, and identity beyond traditional settings. He highlights how the black church has historically been a space for life-long learning and cultural preservation. This weeks scripture, Deuteronomy 6:4-9 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Christian Education and Its Significance 02:10 Learning Through Time: Lessons from Childhood and Church 05:10 The Role of the Black Church in Teaching Faith and History 07:54 The Urgency of Teaching the Whole Story of Our Heritage 10:51 Generational Transition and the Responsibility to Teach 13:07 The Power of Personal and Collective Memory in Faith 15:56 Beyond Nostalgia: Teaching the Next Generation 18:58 The Importance of Discerning Truth in the Digital Age 21:54 Everyday Life as a Space for Christian Formation 24:50 Preparing Young People for Their Future with Faith and Wisdom 27:52 The Legacy of Teaching and Passing Down the Faith

  7. Sep 15

    Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Rev. Cozette Thomas

    In this week's sermon, Rev. Cozette Thomas preaches “Released to Release,” arguing that Jesus is not asking disciples to keep score but to stop counting and let mercy reshape relationships. She distinguishes forgiveness from pretending harm did not happen, stressing that forgiveness does not erase accountability, does not require unsafe access, and does not cancel the need for boundaries or justice. A major theme of the sermon is that release is not only personal but communal and systemic, connecting the biblical debt language to Jubilee, reparative justice, and the possibility of a different economy of mercy. The preacher warns against receiving grace and then denying it to others, describing the danger of becoming free for oneself while reproducing the same oppressive patterns against someone else. This weeks scriptuer: Matthew 18: 21-35: Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, 25 and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Chapters: 00:30 Sermon title and text: Released to Release 01:32 Forgiveness is not spreadsheet math 05:22 Accountability, truth telling, and boundaries 08:19 The impossible debt and the scale of grace 12:26 The servant who refuses to release 15:24 Why worship and holding people by the throat cannot coexist 17:42 Forgiveness, debt, and what Matthew will not separate 21:22 Mercy gets the last word 24:31 Invitation to discipleship and receiving Christ’s release

  8. Sep 8

    Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Rev. William H. Lamar IV

    In this week's sermon, Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the themes of suffering, community, and the importance of recognizing the marginalized. He draws parallels between the crucified among us and the presence of God, emphasizing the need for solidarity with those who suffer. He also delves into the significance of Apostle Paul's message to the early church, the politics of maps and perception, and the role of Phoebe in the early church. Rev. Lamar passionately argues against the diminishment of humanity and identity, urging listeners to embrace their grandeur and reject narratives that seek to belittle them. This week's scripture: Romans 16:1-2 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a] of the church at Cenchreae, 2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord, as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well. Chapters: 00:52 Scriptural Reflections and Teachings 12:28 The Presence of God Among the Crucified 13:39 Apostle Paul's Message to the Imperial Church 15:15 The Politics of Maps and Perception 22:11 The Significance of Phoebe in the Early Church 27:35 The Diminishment of Humanity and Identity

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Sermons from the historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC where speakers such as Frederick Douglass, Paul  Laurence Dunbar, Mary McLeod Bethune, Eleanor Roosevelt, Joel Elias Spingarn, E.E. Just, Alain Locke, Mordecai W. Johnson, Hubert H. Humphrey, Charles H. Wesley, James E. Clyburn, Jesse Jackson and Bishop Desmond Tutu spoke.  Hear the weekly sermon from the current ministerial staff, led by Rev. William H. Lamar IV. Find more information about Metropolitan AME here.

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