Sermons from Church of the Incarnation, Dallas

On Christ the King Sunday, Rev. Dorothy Budd explores what it truly means to proclaim Jesus as King — not only over nations and politics, but over our hearts and our hope. Through Jeremiah, Colossians, and the thief on the cross, we learn that even when the world is in chaos, Christ’s kingdom cannot be shaken.

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1–6, Colossians 1:11–20, Luke 23:33–43
 Preacher: Rev. Dorothy Budd • Church of the Incarnation, Dallas

In this sermon, Rev. Cody Turner guides us through the apocalyptic imagery of Luke 21 and Malachi 4—earthquakes, wars, cosmic signs—and shows that these passages are not meant to terrify us about distant events, but to unveil what is true right now.

With striking clarity and pastoral insight, Rev. Turner reveals three profound truths:
 Nothing lasts. Then comes judgment. And for those who are in Christ—judgment becomes healing.

Through a cinematic illustration from The Life of Chuck and a powerful moment from C.S. Lewis’s Voyage of the Dawn Treader, we see that God’s justice is not merely punitive, but restorative. It is His determination to make things right, peel away what is destroying us, and make us whole.

This message invites us to honesty, repentance, and deep hope as we prepare for Advent and look toward the Day when Christ will rise with healing in His wings.

In this sermon, Rev. Jon Jordan explores one of the most misunderstood themes in Scripture: God’s judgment and the promise that He will set all things right. Drawing from Malachi’s vision of a day that brings both fire and healing, and from Jesus’ words in Luke 21, Rev. Jordan invites us to see judgment not as something meant to terrify believers, but as part of God’s work to restore and renew the world.

This message challenges the misconception that the Old Testament reveals a harsher God than the New Testament. Instead, we discover that mercy threads through the entire biblical story—and that the cross is where God destroys evil without destroying us.

As we approach Advent, this sermon calls us to honesty, repentance, and hope.

 Now is the time to bring our hearts before Jesus, so the Day of the Lord becomes for us a day of healing.

In this powerful message, Rev. Oliver Lee calls us to look honestly at all we’ve been given—and to recognize that every good gift comes from God’s hand.

Drawing from 1 Kings 17 and the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, he reminds us that tithing isn’t about money—it’s about faith. Like the widow who trusted God with her last meal, we are invited to “get in the wheelbarrow,” placing our full trust in the One who provides and sustains us.

Rev. Lee challenges us to live as faithful stewards, to give generously, and to remember that you cannot out-give God. Every act of generosity declares, “Lord, I trust You. All that I have is Yours.”

📖 Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8–16 | The Widow of Zarephath
🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Oliver Lee
🗓️ Date: November 9, 2025 | Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX

This week, Rev. Jordan Griesbeck preaches on Luke 20:27–38, where Jesus meets the Sadducees—those who say there is no resurrection. Their question reveals a deeper anxiety many of us still share: the fear of being forgotten, of needing to build a future for ourselves.

But Jesus offers a better way. We are not self-made people trying to secure a legacy—we are children of the resurrection, heirs of eternal life through Christ. Our future is already set.

In this message, Rev. Griesbeck shows how that truth changes everything: our work, our relationships, our giving, and our peace.

📖 Scripture: Luke 20:27–38 | The Sadducees Question Jesus
🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Jordan Griesbeck
🗓️ Date: November 9, 2025 | Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX

In a world that defines success by wealth, image, and achievement, Bishop Brewer reminds us that God defines success very differently.

On All Saints’ Day, he challenges us to consider what we are modeling for our children and for one another — not ambition or status, but a life of service, humility, and generosity. The Christian life, he says, “is not about self-improvement, but about being empowered by the Spirit to serve others.”

From baptismal vows to daily acts of compassion, we are invited to live lives that reflect the sacrificial love of Jesus — a love that gives, serves, and restores the dignity of every human being.

📖 Scripture: Matthew 5:1–12 | The Beatitudes

“There is only one thing that makes a saint—and it has nothing to do with our own actions, but everything to do with God’s initiative.”

On All Saints’ Day, Rev. Cody Turner reminds us that sainthood is not earned through deeds, discipline, or spiritual strength. It begins and ends in the mercy of God. Through baptism, we are united with Christ, hidden in Him, and made new creations.

The saints—both famous and familiar—show us that holiness is not about perfection, but participation in the grace of God. As we are drenched in that grace, we become who we already are: beloved saints.

“The love of God does not find, but creates that which is pleasing to it.” — Martin Luther

📖 Scripture: Ephesians 1:11–23

When the kingdom of God breaks in, it turns everything upside down. In Luke 18, Jesus tells a story about a Pharisee and a tax collector — and once again, the Gospel reveals a great reversal: those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

In this message, Rev. Cody Turner reflects on a second kind of reversal found in the Psalms:

“Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs.”

Through personal stories, reflections from his recent pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, and a moving poem by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, Rev. Turner reminds us that it’s often in the valleys — the hard, hidden, and painful parts of life — where we discover the mercy and strength of Christ. At the lowest points, we find the outstretched hand of the Savior, ready to carry our burdens and lead us into grace.

When Jesus told the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector, He revealed something far deeper than outward righteousness — He exposed the posture of the heart. In this sermon, Bishop Gregory Brewer reminds us that God is not impressed by our record of service, but by our humility and our willingness to receive His mercy.

We are owed nothing, yet given everything by God. Out of that mercy, we are invited to become channels of His blessing — moving from duty to worship. Giving is not about earning God’s favor, but about participating in His generosity and transforming our hearts in the process.

What does it take for God to break through our striving hearts?

In this sermon, Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reflects on Genesis 32:22–31, where Jacob wrestles with God and emerges wounded, blessed, and changed forever. Through Jacob’s grasp, his wound, and his blessing, we discover that God often meets us in struggle — not to defeat us, but to transform us.

Whether you’ve been striving for success, approval, or love, this passage reminds us that what we’re truly reaching for is God Himself.

📖 Scripture: Genesis 32:22–31