Faith Speaks — Reverend Neil Taylor — Sermon Podcast

Read Matthew 24:29-35

First Sunday in Advent (Year A)

The most significant event in Bible prophecy is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It’s an event so significant that there are over 300 separate prophecies about it in the Word of God, making it one of the most crucial doctrines in the Bible: the key that unlocks the door to the future. No Christian can be considered to have a complete faith without understanding the fundamental truths about the Second Coming of Christ. All the roads of history and prophecy converge at this point.

Read Luke 21:5-19

Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost (Year C)

The big question from our gospel story is found in v. 16: Is it right to take risks for God's cause?

It may not be right to risk much for personal prosperity or public prestige. Not every risk for God's cause is necessarily right, either. Jesus refused to jump off the temple, and Paul snuck out of Damascus in a basket to escape the governor.

Read Luke 20:27-40

Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost (Year C)

Let me have a show of hands. Has anyone ever met a Sadducee? No? Me either And that’s not surprising considering that the last one died 2000 years ago. And even back then, there were never very many of them. It was always a very exclusive group akin to a club for the super wealthy.

If you lived in Jericho, you were much more likely to run into a Pharisee than a Sadducee. They were a very select group with some extraordinary views, and that’s part of what makes this story so interesting. It begins with a peculiar question and culminates in a startling answer. If we just skim the surface of this story, we might assume that it has nothing to say to us in the 21st century But we would be wrong about that. This story presents us with an issue of profound importance.

Read Luke 19:1-10

Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost (Year C)

Our text states that when Jesus visited Zacchaeus' house and Zacchaeus said,

"Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham."

In that moment, Zacchaeus shows great generosity with an entirely unsolicited offer. That moment was made possible at the sycamore tree, not at the house.

The moment that Jesus stood at the base of that sycamore tree and looked up, he said, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." Jesus was telling Zacchaeus, “I am including you today, and you're up a tree because you're excluded, and I am bringing you into my circle because nobody else has ever included you.”

It was at that moment that God began to work in Zacchaeus’ heart. By the time they sat down to dinner at his home, Zacchaeus had completely softened, as goodness leads people to change.

Read Luke 18:1-8

Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost (Year C)

Many of the prayers we pray should not be answered because they are so shallow. If God answered every prayer the first time we prayed, we would quickly become complacent in our faith. And so, because God conditions His answers on our persistence, we realize how helpless we are and how totally dependent we are on Him for everything.

Read Luke 17:7-10

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost (Year C)

Surrender to the Savior.

The first step is to ensure that you are saved and surrendered. After you surrender, you will want to serve Him, not because you have to, but because you get to. You will live as a servant because you love Jesus as your Savior.

Let’s make sure our time, talents, and treasures are at the disposal of the Master. Choose to be a servant, not a volunteer. There’s a difference between choosing to serve and choosing to be a servant.

Worship

Read Habukkuk 3:1-19

Join me for the third of a three-part sermon series on the Book of Habakkuk, a profound exploration of faith in the face of uncertainty.

In our modern world, we often grapple with the same questions that Habakkuk faced—questions about justice, suffering, and the apparent silence of God in times of trouble.

As we delve into this prophetic text, we will uncover how Habakkuk challenges us to confront our doubts and embrace the mystery of God’s ways.

In a society that often seeks clear answers and reasons for every hardship, Habakkuk reminds us of the foundational truth of our faith: “The righteous live by faith.”

Together, we will journey through Habakkuk’s anguish and ultimately discover how faith can transform our responses to the chaos around us, giving us hope and assurance that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it.

Waiting

Read Habukkuk 2:1-20

Join me for the second of a three-part sermon series on the Book of Habakkuk, a profound exploration of faith in the face of uncertainty.

In our modern world, we often grapple with the same questions that Habakkuk faced—questions about justice, suffering, and the apparent silence of God in times of trouble.

As we delve into this prophetic text, we will uncover how Habakkuk challenges us to confront our doubts and embrace the mystery of God’s ways.

In a society that often seeks clear answers and reasons for every hardship, Habakkuk reminds us of the foundational truth of our faith: “The righteous live by faith.”

Together, we will journey through Habakkuk’s anguish and ultimately discover how faith can transform our responses to the chaos around us, giving us hope and assurance that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it.

Wondering

Read Habukkuk 1:1-17

Join me for the first of a three-part sermon series on the Book of Habakkuk, a profound exploration of faith in the face of uncertainty.

In our modern world, we often grapple with the same questions that Habakkuk faced—questions about justice, suffering, and the apparent silence of God in times of trouble.

As we delve into this prophetic text, we will uncover how Habakkuk challenges us to confront our doubts and embrace the mystery of God’s ways.

In a society that often seeks clear answers and reasons for every hardship, Habakkuk reminds us of the foundational truth of our faith: “The righteous live by faith.”

Together, we will journey through Habakkuk’s anguish and ultimately discover how faith can transform our responses to the chaos around us, giving us hope and assurance that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it.

Read John 3:30

The Journey

Join me for the second part of a transformative two-part sermon series called "Forgetting You," based on the powerful truth of John 3:30: "He must become greater; I must become less” (NIV).

In a world that often pressures us to focus on our desires, ambitions, and identities, we will explore the freeing journey of surrendering ourselves to God’s greater purpose.

Together, we will examine what it truly means to let go of self-centeredness, allowing Christ to increase His presence in our lives so we can reflect His love and grace to those around us.