Immanuel Bay City Sermons

Pastor Garcia reflects on the Gospel appointed for Christian Education Sunday in light of the third week of Baptisms at Immanuel. Jesus wants children to know Him and be blessed. His grace establishes us in His love.

In the Gospel of Matthew appointed for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus teaches His disciples about the "little ones" who are greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Pastor Garcia reflects on this passage in light of a baptism that day and Immanuel's upcoming prayer walk challenge.

In the Gospel appointed for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus rebukes Peter for not setting his mind on the things of God and Jesus teaches His disciples that following Him means you must take up your cross. Pastor Garcia reflects on how this calling is both an exciting adventure and a difficult dying to ourselves.

Jesus asks His disciples the question "who do people say that I am?" His disciples know what others are saying. Which raises a question for us. Do we know what the people in our neighborhood say who Jesus is? How do we know? Pastor Garcia encourages Immanuel members to join in a congregation wide challenge to practice prayer walking in their community for five weeks so that they might know how to answer Jesus' question today.

The second sermon for this week considers the difficult Gospel reading appointed for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost. Jesus' actions and words are hard to discern, but His mercy is powerful... even just a crumb of it.

This week we will publish two sermons, one today and another on Wednesday. Today's message is reflecting on the Gospel reading for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost. Pastor Garcia leads listeners through the details of the familiar account of Jesus walking on water to noticed the details that often get overlooked.

In the Parable of the Weeds, Jesus reveals God's patience and mercy as good and evil grow side by side in the world. Pastor Garcia explores how we can trust Christ, resist the temptation to judge, and live in hope, knowing that God will bring His perfect justice in His perfect time.

8th Sunday after Pentecost | Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

Immanuel's sermon podcast returns after an extended break. Pastor Garcia reflects on Jesus' Parable of the Sower from Matthew's Gospel, inviting us to view God's Word and His kingdom through the perspective of heaven.

On this Rally Day weekend, Pastor Garcia considers the Hebrews 12:1-2, the theme verse for this school year, in light of the Old Testament lesson appointed for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost.

In the Epistle and Gospel lessons for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost God reminds us that we are outflanked by sin, it is all round us and even in us. The Good News is that Jesus outflanked first and won salvation for us through His blood.