A sermon from Fr. Nathan

Isaiah 56:1–8

Psalm 67

Romans 11:13–24

Matthew 15:21–28

We tend to form in-groups and out-groups, and our needs and desires often come at the expense of outsiders. But every single person is someone God desires to have mercy on. The Canaanite woman sees what the disciples have not yet seen: God’s blessing is for the whole world. Jesus always has mercy on those who come in humility and faith. No one sincerely asking for God’s presence, grace, and mercy will be sent away.

a sermon on Matthew 14:22–33 from Fr. Nathan

• Jonah 2
• Psalm 29
• Romans 9:1–5
• Matthew 14:22–33

We face all kinds of storms, as individuals and as a family of disciples. Even when we’ve seen Jesus at work before, we can wonder if he is with us in this one. Peter shows us that salvation is not about having enough faith, but about who our faith is in. He sinks, cries, “Lord, save me,” and Jesus immediately reaches out. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Jesus sends us into the storm together, not to survive, but to be faithful witnesses. Take heart: Christ walked on the water, and he will bring us safely home.

A sermon from Fr. Nathan

• Nehemiah 9:16–21
• Psalm 78:14–26
• Romans 8:35–39
• Matthew 14:13–21

Jesus withdraws in grief, but the crowds follow. Out of compassion, he heals them, and when evening comes, he does not send them away. We often cling to Christ in crisis, then look elsewhere for ordinary provision. Israel did the same, returning to idols even after deliverance. Yet God did not abandon them, and nothing can separate us from his love in Christ. We need not despair over our rebellion. God’s attention is already on us. In Scripture, prayer, fellowship, the Spirit, and Eucharist, Christ feeds us with his presence—and gives us enough to carry into the world and share.

A sermon on Matthew 13:31–33, 44–50 from Fr. Nathan

Jesus teaches us about the Kingdom so we can recognize it and live in it. His Kingdom isn't built like the kingdoms of this world, but is about life, transformation, seeking, and gathering. Every image points us to Christ: the Seed that becomes the Tree of Life, the eternal Word leavening creation, the Treasure worth everything, and the One who gathers all people in the net of his love. In him, God justifies us. Therefore we are free to plant seeds of mercy, trust God's hidden work, stop sorting others, and live even now in his Kingdom of life.

a sermon on Matthew 13:24–30, 34–43 from Fr. Nathan

We've all asked it: Lord, what are you waiting for? Jesus answers that question with the parable of the wheat and the weeds. The Kingdom has come, but the harvest is not yet complete. We are tempted to sort the world before God does, but Christ calls us instead to trust his patience. There is no delay, only mercy for the sake of the harvest. Every bit of wheat will be gathered safely to God. Until then, the risen Christ continues sowing through his Spirit and his Church. Our calling is simple: leave the sorting to the angels, and keep sowing the Gospel.

a sermon from Fr. Nathan

Good news for those who cannot pay: there is no shame in being needy. We are needy creatures, and God delights to give us the good stuff for free. We often try to DIY the good life, justify ourselves, and fix the plumbing of our hearts. But salvation comes by truly hearing—receiving and trusting God’s promises. Those promises remain sure even in political ruin. God is here, and now is the time to return. In Christ there is forgiveness, adoption, joy, peace, and eternal life. There is a cost to discipleship, but no generosity tax. Come, receive, believe, and live.

a sermon from Fr. Nathan

a sermon from Fr. Nathan

Jeremiah was persecuted for telling the truth about Israel’s rebellion, idolatry, violence, destruction, and God’s judgment. He wonders if he got it right, yet the word burns in his bones and he cannot hold it in. He is angry, but he leaves vengeance to the Lord and returns to praise. Jeremiah points us to Jesus, who was rejected by his own people, yet at the cross not only leaves vengeance to God but extends forgiveness. This is the scandal of grace: even traitors and persecutors are in scope. So we speak truth in faithful love, secure in Christ.

a sermon on

• Exodus 19:1–8
• Psalm 100
• Romans 5:1–11
• Matthew 9:35–10:15

from Fr. Nathan

There is good news for those of us who cannot do it all. We are finite, contingent beings, and self-justification is futile. Israel said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do,” but they could not. Neither can we. So we either try to do more for God than he asked, or we try to do without God. But everything is grounded in grace. God has brought us to himself. Christ has done it all for us. Now we go in simple trust, proclaiming the kingdom, doing good as we go, sustained by his faithfulness. Amen.

a sermon from Fr. Nathan