Saint Paul’s Sermons

The Gospel today from Chapter 4 of Matthew tells us how immediately after his baptism, after he is declared to be God's son by the audible voice of God himself, the Holy Spirit compels Jesus into the wilderness for a time of deprivation and testing. This crucial scripture shows how the New Adam meets the test the old Adam failed, and thus embarks on the path of a perfectly righteous life that qualifies him to be the atoning lamb without blemish for our salvation.

As we celebrate the baptism of a new believing member of the church, Father Andrew speaks to the history and significance of Christian baptism.

The latest survey by the Barna organization shows that only 46% of persons responding believe in one supreme being who created and reigns over everything (see Genesis 1:1), reflecting a sad downward trend heavily influenced by scientism and cultish rejection of supernatural influence. More disturbing, only 72% of those surveyed who profess to be "born again" Christians affirmed belief in such a God - what are they being taught? On the other hand, the Gospels record scores of miracles performed by Jesus and witnessed by many, to say nothing of the Incarnation and Resurrection themselves. These attested miracles make sense as they represent divine authority over natural phenomena, something brilliantly explained by C. S. Lewis.

All of us are sinners. We share a fallen human nature. We sin BECAUSE we are sinners. It comes naturally. But Christianity contains the remedy.

Making New Year's Resolutions is a tradition that many of us enjoy, though those resolutions often don't last. But what about focusing this year on resolutions based in the Bible and our Christian prayer life!

Matthew's Gospel gives us the account of the return of the Holy Family from Egypt after the death of King Herod, resulting in their resettling in Nazareth. As Matthew shows, this is fulfilled prophecy, the continued progress of God's plan and purpose for his people, and further evidence Jesus is the Messiah

Relfections on the Gospel for today, and on Joseph's faithfulness in the face of an inexplicable miracle.

The Christian message we receive in this time of Advent is unique among all the other world views and religious expressions.

Only Christianity provides a remedy for our personal sins

Other world religions do not lay claim to a divine

Christians have a unique god-man savior, unlike the god of any other religion before or since the coming of Christ. All

And why is this so important? Why is Advent such a crucial

"So how can salvation be reconciled with divine holiness and justice? This is posing the question in the right way. The Christian answer is that God decided to pay the price himself

            The exclusive truth claims of Christianity are, in short, irreconcilable with any other religious tradition. Christianity alone gives us the answer. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28

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This is the first Sunday in (not of) Advent, the season in which we prepare for the birth of the Messiah through anticipation and penitential reflection on our own spiritual state.

Chapter 13 of Matthew's Gospel is full of parables of Jesus teaching about the Kingdom of God, usually beginning with the words, "The Kingdom of God is like." The parable of the wheat and the weeds at vv. 24-30 talks about how in the church and in this life the wicked and the righteous are growing up together until the final judgment of God. Tares, or darnel, looks like wheat, but it is poisonous.

The great Anglican Bishop J.C. Ryle, in his "Expository Thoughts on the Gospels," described the Kingdom of God as the spiritual reign of Christ over the hearts of believers. This kingdom, though currently small and often despised, will ultimately be great and glorious at Christ's second coming.

Ryle explained the Kingdom of God is not just a future hope but a present reality. All true believers are subjects of this kingdom, living under Christ's rule and striving to reflect His teachings in their lives.