Emmanuel Episcopal Church Sermons Video Podcast

How can we know we can trust the empty tomb, the resurrection, even God? It is so hard for us to trust at all, faced as we are with all the disappointments and tensions of daily life. We have an example of how to trust in the person of Jesus, who had to trust God the most. Through it all, His life and Passion, he never stopped trusting; even His last words were "into Your hands I commit my spirit." Faith allows us to trust in the things we cannot know; it allows us to experience joy when it seems fear and suspicion will win the day. Jesus trusted God in His life and with His life. Mary trusted God and stayed by the tomb, and her faith made her the first to see the risen Christ. Let us trust God like they did, and our trust will not be in vain.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 25:6-9, Psalm 118:14-24, and Acts 10:34-43. The Gospel reference is John 20:1-18.

"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" It's easy to see ourselves in Nathaniel's example, quick to dismiss things that don't fit our preconceptions and prejudices. There is no shame in that, as our judgements are often rooted in our own insecurities and we judge ourselves even more harshly for the same reasons. By following Philip's call to "come and see" we can look for ourselves, and learn for ourselves. Jesus calls us to follow Him and find that serenity and sense of self in God, fully appreciating ourselves and those around us. We come to know we have God's grace, and hearts big enough to share it.

The Scripture references are 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Psalm 139:1-6,13-14, and 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. The Gospel reference is John 1:43-51.

At this time of year when we make our New Year's resolutions, we can follow the example of the Magi and listen for the voice of God in all we do. God's voice can direct us to a better place, a better way of life, and to help improve the lives of those around us. God wants to walk with us. Let's resolve to listen for His voice each day.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:10-14, and Ephesians 3:1-12. The Gospel reference is Matthew 2:1-12

When the stresses of the holiday season seem too much, remember Mary. Pregnant, traveling to a strange town, with no place to stay, surrounded by strangers and their animals; who could blame her if she was less than enthusiastic? But there is Mary, taking a moment amid the chaos to love her child and ponder these gifts in her heart. We experience Christmas best when we follow her example and find a moment to appreciate life in the midst of "real life".

The Scripture references are Isaiah 9:2-7 and Titus 2:11-14. The Gospel reference is Luke 2:1-20.

We've heard a call to repent for most of our lives, the call from society that shames us not for the things we've done but for who we are. We never seem to measure up to the "mob of public opinion." But God calls us to live and love ourselves, and to love our neighbor with the same love. While the world calls us to repent for what we are, God calls us to repent for what we are not; turning from the demands of the material world we are called to embrace the divine nature we possess, the spark of God in each of us. True repentance is not about feeling bad, it's about feeling whole.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2,8-13, and 2 Peter 3:8-15a. The Gospel reference is Mark 1:1-8.

Whenever company comes, we make room for them, rearranging our things and our lives to make them welcome. As we anticipate the birth of Our Lord, are we making room for Him? Is there room in our hearts, in our thinking, and in our day-to-day life? In our attention is there a readiness to see the face of God and to ask Christ for help, and is there room to listen? In this holy time of year, let's all make the effort to put aside the demands of our habits, to find quiet time, and not hasten to fill the free moments; let's make room for Christ to come into our hearts.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 64:1-4, Psalm 80:3-6,16-17, and 1 Corinthians 1:3-9. The Gospel reference is Mark 13:24-37.

As harsh as the parable of the slaves and talents found in the Gospel of Matthew may seem at first, there is a better way to hear it. It isn't about God being harsh; our salvation isn't based on merit. God loves us, completely. This is a parable about opportunities, and how we react to those that present themselves to us. Do we value the opportunities that come to us, both the "once in a lifetime" and everyday varieties, or do we miss them by being only reactive and passive? Are we joyful, or negative? When we look at ordinary moments in our lives we should take the time to ask where the opportunity lies, to live fully in that moment, and to live it gratefully.

Influential Source: Brother David Steindl-Rast, "Want to be happy? Be grateful." Ted Talk, 2013. https://www.ted.com/talks/david_steindl_rast_want_to_be_happy_be_grateful?utm_campaign=tedspread--b&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

The Scripture references are Deuteronomy 8:7-10, Psalm 65:1,6,7,10-12, and 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. The Gospel reference is Matthew 25:14-30.

When the world seems so far from being God's Kingdom on earth, remember that coming together in faith we still can effect the change that brings healing and grace to our lives and the lives of those around us. God's promises to us have not changed, and while the gifts we each have may seem insignificant in the face of the problems of the world, when all the gifts of all of us are brought to bear together there is nothing we cannot accomplish. This call to faith and action is what binds us, defines us, and makes us able to bring light to the darkness.

The Scripture references are Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 70, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The Gospel reference is Matthew 25:1-13.

Jesus has called us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and in the Greek the word used for love is agape, the pure unselfish love that is shown for its own sake. This is the love that God has shown for us, and we can love God by loving the things that God loves and seeing others as fellow children of God. Too often we do love God and our neighbor but fail to show the same love for ourself. We forgive others but not ourselves, care for others' needs but not our own. But our ability to love others is predicated on our ability to love ourselves, and to remember that we, too, are loved. Real love is to love each person as they are, even ourselves.

The Scripture references are Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18, Psalm 90:1-6,13,17, and 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8. The Gospel reference is Matthew 22:34-40.

Avoiding the Pharisees' attempt to entrap Him, Jesus simply replies "Give to the emperor those things that are his, and give to God those things that are God's." Of course, all of creation is God's, so how can we give Him that which is already His? We can do it by giving Him that which was created in His image, our hearts, our souls, and our very being. Inviting God into every part of our lives, bringing our joys and our problems to God, recognizing that God's claim to us is above all others, in doing this we give God the one thing that is truly ours to give, our selves.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 45:1-7, Psalm 96:1-4,6-7, and Thessalonians1:1-10. The Gospel reference is Matthew 22:15-22.