Homily, the Feast of St. Stephen, 2023
St. Stephen, as the first Christian martyr, shows all the followers of God what godly dedication should be. First, he is not afraid to speak the truth boldly, and yet he does not do so out of malice or hate for those who are murdering him. St. Stephen, with his dying breathe, follows the example of Christ by praying for His persecutors even as they killed him. And yet one of these persecutors would become St. Paul by whom the gospel was spread throughout the Roman Empire. The Church, the Body of Christ, grows through our suffering. Let us therefore welcome the suffering that God brings to us. May we…
Homily, Christmas Day, 2023
This Homily was read from the Christmas homily by R. U. Smith found on Lectionary Central. In it we are encouraged to put aside the Christmas sentimentality that characterizes the secular celebrations of the season, and instead to truly celebrate Christmas as the spiritual holy day that it is. Propers Manuscript
Homily, Christmas Eve, 2023
To unbelievers, the Incarnation is foolishness. Unfortunately to believers, the Incarnation is often taken for granted. We are too comfortable with the story of Christmas. It would serve us well to spend a few moments considering just how impossible the Christmas story is, for then we might be all the more grateful for God’s love for us. God in Christ, did the impossible. He entered into our human sufferings. For with God, all things are possible. Propers Manuscript
Sermon, 4th Sunday in Advent, 2023
“Comfort, Comfort ye my people.” Thus says the prophet Isaiah in the 40th chapter of the biblical book that bears his name. We, the people of God, need the comfort of God for we still labor in this world under the curse. But Christ came to us and remains with us by His Spirit living in and among us. Where the bridegroom is, there is rejoicing. Let us rejoice that God is with us. The LORD is at hand! Propers Manuscript
Sermon, 3rd Sunday in Advent, 2023
In this life, we are necessarily most familiar with our own stories, and we are most familiar with our own struggles and pain. It is therefore very easy to believe that our pain and difficulties are worse than that of other people. In other words it is easy for us to be judgmental towards others. This is an ancient problem for the Apostle Paul was often judged by those to whom he ministered. And Jesus Himself, was seemingly judge by John the Baptist when John did not understand what was happening or what Jesus came to do. So how do we avoid judging others? Jesus is the only just judge. …
Sermon, 2nd Sunday in Advent, 2023
The Holy Bible, God’s Word to us, is a tremendous gift. It is given to us so that we can learn about God and meditate upon His direct message to us. In learning the Word, we are formed and we develop patience, knowing that every one of God’s promises will come to pass, just like every promise about Christ came to pass. Propers Manuscript
Sermon, 1st Sunday in Advent, 2023
In Advent, Christ comes to us historically for He was born two millennia ago in Bethlehem, and He comes to us in judgement as king for He will come to judge the earth. But He also comes to us in each moment, seeking to renew our hearts so that we will one day enjoy the fullness of union with Christ. This Advent season, let Christ into all of the locked away parts of your heart. He will clean out all that does not honor Him so that we can be free from shame so that nothing will prevent us from enjoying Him now and forever. Propers Manuscript
Sermon, Sunday Next Before Advent, 2023
God is always doing a new thing. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but His creative power in redemption is always fresh; it is always new. Will we join Him in the work of redemption? Will we allow ourselves to be broken so that we may be given to others? May we answer yes. May our wills be stirred-up to obedience for God’s glory. Propers Manuscript
Sermon, 24th Sunday After Trinity, 2023
What is absolution? Is this practice biblical? Why do we need it? Propers Manuscript
Sermon, 23rd Sunday after Trinity, 2023
“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. Render unto God, the things that are God’s.” As Christians, we are dual citizens for we live under the authority of the rulers of this world, but our ultimate allegiance is to Our Creator, the Triune God of the Bible. It is this relationship, between us human beings and God, that we must value above all other things for this is the beginnings of our eternal existence, the blessed life of the faithful in the world to come. Propers Sermon