Sermon, 14th after Trinity, 2024
Will we live in the flesh or in the Spirit? This question is posed to us by St. Paul in the epistle lesson this morning. The sins of the flesh may seem attractive to us, but then the gospel lesson illustrates for us that such a life is like having leprosy. How then, are we to live in the Spirit? The virtue we need is Temperance. As followers of Jesus, this isn’t simply a strength of will to avoid sin, but it is a longing for something greater to be found in our relationship with Christ. Propers Manuscript
Sermon, 13th after Trinity, 2024
Too often, we use the Law, those biblical principles of what things are right and wrong, to attempt to justify ourselves. Such is the case of the student of the Mosaic Law that we read about in Luke 10:23-37. Then having incorrectly justified ourselves, we become angry with those who disagree with us or thwart our purposes. Yet St. Paul makes the case in Galatians 3, that our relationship with God, established first in the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis, is entirely on the basis of God’s promise. Our obedience is built upon God’s gift, not upon our keeping of the Law. We do not justify ourselves. God, in Christ Jesus,…
Sermon, 12th Sunday after Trinity, 2024
Accidie or Dejection is the sin that steals our agency. At some point, we look at the problems in the world and the problems in our own lives, and we give up. We don’t think that anything we do can change the course that is set in motion. The virtue that opposes our dejection is Hope for hope is a confidence that is based on the agency of God who makes us able ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What we do, any act of service no matter how grand or how unseen, makes a difference. This isn’t because we see the difference that our actions make. We may…
Sermon, 8th Sunday after Trinity, 2024
In what do we really put our trust? In God? Or in our own abilities to get what we desire? We are tempted to neglect worship because we want to get ahead. We are tempted to manipulate others to get them to behave as we desire them to. It is hard to rest in God and to accept what He has for us, but that is exactly what we are called to do as followers of Jesus Christ. Propers Manuscript
Sermon, 7th Sunday after Trinity, 2024
Are the Seven Deadly Sins really all that deadly? They do not immediately cause our physical death, but the certainly do lead to death of the soul. Why then do we not repent and amend our lives? Because to do so means that we must put off our sloth, dying to ourselves, and embracing the work that God has for us to do. Let us not be intimidated by this, but rather, being strengthened by Christ, let us embrace the work set before us to the building of The Kingdom of God and to the Glory of The Almighty King. Propers Manuscript
Sermon, 6th Sunday after Trinity, 2024
In this sermon, we continue with our series on the purgation cycle of the seven deadly sins. This sermon focuses upon the sin of wrath or unjustified anger. Wrath seeks to destroy whatever may be causing one frustration, the ultimate end of which is murder. Christ Himself connects anger with murder in the Sermon on the Mount which is one of the texts referenced. Is there the possibility of a justified anger? Yes, for there truly are injustices in this world that we are called to correct. As recovering sinners, however, we should always be wary because our natural tendency is to rationalize our sin away. Propers Manuscript
Summer 2024 is Underway at CTK!
Time to post some photos of parish life at Christ the King! When Mr. Miller, our resident social director, is around, we will often gather down at the beach for a Friday night bonfire. Here are a few photos from our get together on June 21. This is followed by a couple photos or our potluck after church on Sunday, June 23. For the Feast of St. Peter (June 29), we had Holy Communion at 2:00 pm and then headed down to the beach for a bonfire. It was overcast that day, so no one braved the ocean, but we had lots of great food and BBQ! June 21 Beach…
Sermon, 1st Sunday after Trinity, 2024
The color of the Trinity season is green to represent the spiritual growth of the season. But what is spiritual growth? Is there a process for it? How do the Trinity season Bible readings of the Book of Common Prayer fit into this theme? David G. Phillips has proposed that these lessons are structured around the medieval three fold way of growth in holiness applied to each of the seven deadly sins. This sermon introduces this topic which we will more thoroughly explore this Trinity season. His original paper can be found here and is highly recommended reading. Propers Manuscript
Sermon, 2nd Sunday after Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, 2024
Christ Jesus is both our Good Shepherd, leading us through the Valley of the Shadow of Death in this life, and The Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world. He is set before us as an example of godliness and righteousness in conduct, but also of a love that sacrifices for others. We therefore are called as His followers to be obedient and sacrificial in our lives. We too are to be sheep, obediently following our shepherd, and Shepherd, laying our lives down for others. Propers Manuscript
Sermon, Palm Sunday, 2024
In the Epistle lesson for Palm Sunday from Philippians 2, we are instructed to have the mind of Christ, and more specifically that we would follow the example of humility set by Christ through His Passion and service to God and to us humans. Yet our American culture fights against the formation of godly humility in us, and unfortunately, too many churches do not provide the tools to form us in such godliness. We must be discerning. We must be students of the scripture. We must seeks the old paths found in the Church that are healthful for us. And then we must endeavor to follow Christ in humble ministry.…