The Transfiguration: Misplaced Trust, Fear, and the Love of Jesus (Matthew 17)

The speaker reflects on human self-obsession using a line from the movie "Beaches," connecting everyday narcissistic tendencies and social media to the biblical concept of sinful nature. He explains that fear grows from misplaced trust—when people rely on themselves for control and security and then face threats beyond their power, including mortality. Turning to Matthew 17, he walks through Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountain with Peter, James, and John, highlighting parallels with Moses on Sinai and the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing to affirm Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He notes Luke’s detail that Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus about his coming death and resurrection. The sermon focuses on Peter’s self-centered attempt to control the moment, God’s interruption from the cloud—"This is my beloved Son… listen to him"—and the disciples’ terror, which Jesus answers not with rebuke but with a loving touch and the command, "Rise, have no fear." The message applies this to modern life: people seek security in money, health, work, and relationships, but these fail and produce fear; Jesus meets people in that fear with grace, calling them to trust him alone. The episode closes by framing the start of Lent as a season to face sin and mortality and to receive anew Jesus’ love shown in the cross and his victory in the resurrection.

00:00 Beaches and Narcissism
02:35 Sinful Nature and Fear
04:32 Setting the Scene
05:17 Mountaintop Revelation
07:25 Jesus Transfigured
08:51 Moses Elijah and Mission
12:02 Peter Makes It About Him
14:03 God Speaks Listen
16:10 Jesus Calms Their Fear
18:11 Fear in Everyday Life
20:24 Lent and Final Hope

World Mission Sunday: The Heart of the Gospel in Matthew 9:35–38

On the Fifth Sunday of Epiphany and World Mission Sunday, the message highlights praying for global and local mission partners and encourages continued prayer, volunteering, and support. Centered on Matthew 9:35–38, it explains the gospel as the good news of Jesus’ victorious work to reconcile sinners to God through his death and resurrection, with healing as a sign of God’s restoring work. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus truly sees and discerns people’s deepest need and responds with compassion toward those who are harassed and helpless by sin, death, and the devil, coming as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. It calls the church to recover the heart and motivation for mission—love rooted in grace—rather than guilt or mere duty, and to obey Jesus’ instruction to pray earnestly for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers. It concludes with the example of Anglican reformers Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, urging renewed passion for gospel mission that will not be extinguished.

00:00 World Mission Sunday: Praying for Our Mission Partners
02:20 Why Mission Starts in the Heart (Matthew 9 Setup)
04:48 Matthew 9:35 — What Is “the Gospel of the Kingdom”?
08:20 Jesus Sees the Crowds: Known, Discerned, and Loved
11:56 Compassion & Our True Need: Harassed, Helpless, and in Need of a Shepherd
15:21 The Heart of Gospel Mission: Loved Beyond Measure
16:18 The Harvest Is Plentiful, But Laborers Are Few
19:55 The Answer to Apathy: Pray Earnestly for Laborers
21:10 Closing Charge: Light the Candle of Gospel Mission

Understanding the Beatitudes: Jesus' Teachings on True Joy and Righteousness

In this episode, we delve deep into the Beatitudes from Matthew 5, exploring Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The discussion highlights how Jesus interprets and surpasses Old Testament law by focusing on the heart's intentions rather than outward behavior alone. We reflect on various interpretations and the transformative power of understanding our spiritual neediness, mourning over sin, humility, and seeking righteousness. The Beatitudes illuminate our need for grace, driving us to the cross where true righteousness and hope are found. Join us as we uncover the joy and fulfillment in living according to Jesus' teachings.

00:00 Introduction to the Beatitudes
01:28 Jesus's Interpretation of the Old Testament Law
02:29 Different Views on the Sermon on the Mount
06:58 The Beatitudes: A Deeper Dive
09:57 American Culture vs. Jesus's Beatitudes
12:00 The Joy of the Kingdom
17:51 The Beatitudes and True Righteousness
22:43 Concluding Thoughts on the Beatitudes

Transformational Repentance: The True Path to Change in 2026

As we settle into January, it's important to take stock of our New Year's resolutions. This video dives into the history and significance of these annual commitments, tracing back to ancient Babylon and Roman times. Despite a high failure rate, these resolutions reflect our deep-seated desire for self-improvement. The speaker argues that true transformation isn't a matter of willpower, but rather a change of heart. Referencing biblical teachings and the words of Thomas Cranmer, this episode emphasizes that the heart's affections guide our actions. The video culminates in a discussion of repentance as the key to lasting change, making it clear that God's grace and proximity to us enable true transformation. By embracing this divine love, we can realign our priorities and achieve meaningful, lasting improvements in our lives.

00:00 Reflecting on New Year's Resolutions
00:35 Historical Origins of New Year's Resolutions
02:35 The Nature of Human Change
04:23 The Role of the Heart in Transformation
07:05 Jesus' Call to Repentance
11:01 The True Meaning of Repentance
16:02 A Lifelong Journey of Repentance

Living Things Grow: Insights from John the Baptist on Christian Growth
In this episode, we explore the concept of growth in both physical and spiritual realms, using gardening as a metaphor. The speaker shares personal experiences with plants to illustrate the importance of growth in the Christian life. The sermon draws on the teachings of John the Baptist from the Gospel, emphasizing that true growth in Christ is rooted in transformation, humility, and the recognition of Jesus as the Lamb of God. The episode underscores the purpose of Christian life: to reveal Jesus to the world and to live a life of growth and maturity in His grace.

00:00 Introduction: The Concept of Growth
00:21 Personal Gardening Experience
01:13 Christian Life and Growth
02:29 The Pattern of Christian Growth
02:43 John the Baptist's Testimony
04:01 Behold the Lamb of God
08:51 Jesus' Preeminence and Superiority
11:17 Humility in Christian Growth
13:56 Purpose in Revealing Jesus
15:28 Conclusion: Living Things Grow

Assistant priest Bruce Ford delivers a sermon on the transformative event of Jesus' baptism, its significance in His ministry, and parallels it with the power of baptism in our own lives. He shares personal anecdotes, including his unexpected path to ministry and experiences as a hospital chaplain, illustrating how God's guidance, Jesus' support, and the Holy Spirit's empowerment can lead us to profound and unexpected places. Witness a baptism and be inspired by the call to do marvelous things for God's kingdom.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks
00:13 The Baptism of Jesus
01:44 The Temptation in the Wilderness
02:48 Jesus' Ministry Begins
04:07 The Significance of Our Baptism
04:39 Personal Testimony and Ministry
06:35 Hospital Chaplaincy Experiences
07:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Epiphany: Discovering Transformation Through Worship

Join us as we delve into the significance of the Epiphany and the final day of Christmas. This episode explores the journey of the wise men, their quest to worship the newborn King, and how this story from Matthew 2:1-12 challenges us to examine our own hearts. Reflect on the implications of Jesus' kingship and the true transformation that the Gospel offers. Understand the importance of turning the scriptures inward and allowing God's word to penetrate and transform our lives. Discover the freedom and joy found in wholehearted worship and submission to Jesus.

00:00 Introduction: Post-Christmas Reflections
00:27 The Season of Epiphany: A Universal Message
00:57 The Wise Men: Seekers of the Newborn King
01:36 The Transformative Power of Scripture
02:18 Personal Application: The Gospel's Challenge
02:39 The Penetrating Word of God
03:19 The Struggle with Jesus' Kingship
06:13 The Wise Men's Journey and Worship
10:41 The Threat of Jesus' Rule
14:25 Personal Obstacles to Worship
20:44 The Call to Confession and Surrender
21:17 Conclusion: The Worthy King
22:47 Closing Prayer

Discovering the Profound Beauty of John's Prologue: The Word Made Flesh

Journey with a former Army officer as he reflects on his training in Soviet affairs and relates his experiences to the awe-inspiring prologue of John's Gospel. This episode delves into the profound nature of Jesus Christ, drawing connections to the Holy Trinity's presence before creation and the significance of 'The Word.' Learn how John’s message resonates with both Jewish and Greek cultures, and explore the five key insights from the prologue that underline Jesus' incarnation and divine mission. A powerful exploration of theology and personal transformation awaits.

00:00 Introduction: A Journey to Becoming a Foreign Area Officer
01:01 The Majestic Zugspitze and Taking Things for Granted
01:46 Reflecting on the Gospel of John
03:15 The Prologue of John's Gospel: A Deep Dive
04:59 The Eternal Nature of Jesus Christ
07:47 The Power of Words and the Incarnation
09:34 Jesus' Humanity and Sacrifice
12:16 Five Key Takeaways from John's Prologue
18:58 Conclusion and Prayer

In this sermon, we delve into the meaning of the Advent season in the Anglican Church, which marks a time of preparation for Christ's coming. The sermon covers the origin of the word Advent, derived from the Greek word 'parousia,' meaning presence. Through examining Luke Chapter 1, the narrative highlights the importance of Christ's first coming and how it informs our preparation for His presence in our lives and His eventual return. We explore three key points: Jesus comes to us, bringing joy and blessing, and how our faith and preparation during Advent help us receive Him. The story of Mary and Elizabeth further illuminates the essence of trusting faith and the joy of recognizing Christ’s presence. Join us as we reflect on how to prepare our hearts this Advent season for the coming of our King.

00:00 Introduction to Advent
00:58 The Meaning of Advent
03:27 Mary's Encounter with Gabriel
04:32 Mary Visits Elizabeth
07:22 The Joy of Jesus' Presence
11:25 Practical Applications of Advent
12:00 Jesus Comes to Us
17:09 Jesus Brings Joy
19:41 Jesus Brings Blessings
22:29 Conclusion and Reflection

The Surprising Joy of Advent: Embracing Jesus's Comebacks
Join us for an inspiring sermon by stepping into the Our Savior pulpit to kick off the Advent season. Discover the deeper meanings behind Advent, the significance of Jesus's three comings, and how they impact our lives today. Be uplifted by the surprises in the Christmas story as told through the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary. Learn about the differences between joy and happiness, and how Mary handled the surprise and favor from God. Through faith and patience, experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in this sacred season. Conclude with a powerful prayer wishing for God's grace and joy in our lives.

00:00 Introduction to Advent Season
00:54 The Three Comings of Jesus
02:25 Surprises in Life and Christmas
04:50 Mary's Surprises and Joy
09:28 Favored by God
11:56 Receiving Power from the Holy Spirit
13:30 Faith and Patience in God's Plan
17:35 Closing Reflections and Prayer