Sermons from Church of the Incarnation, Dallas

Rev. Turner teaches that God does not operate on an action–reward system, but solely on His faithfulness to His promises. Like Abraham, true faith means building our lives in light of what God has said—even when we can’t yet see it—resting in the assurance that nothing can separate us from His love in Christ.

Rev. Griesbeck reminds us that faith is more than belief—it’s active trust in God’s promises, even when they remain unseen. Drawing from Abraham’s story, he challenges us to resist replacing God’s plan with our own out of anxiety, and to trust that God is faithful, writing our names among the great people of faith when our story is complete.

In this powerful sermon, Bishop Greg Brewer returns to the line from the Lord’s Prayer—“Give us this day our daily bread”—to explore the human longing for love, purpose, provision, and mercy. Drawing on Scripture, personal reflection, and pastoral wisdom, he calls us to resist the hollow promises of materialism and self-importance. Instead, we are invited to embrace a life of prayer, generosity, and service—where daily bread becomes a doorway to eternal purpose.

Preaching from Ecclesiastes and the life of St. Thomas Aquinas, Fr. Clay Pruitt invites us to wrestle with the question: Does what we do matter? In a world that prizes legacy, productivity, and self-made purpose, this sermon reminds us that true meaning isn’t found in what we achieve but in who we are in Christ. Because we have already died and risen with Him, our work matters—not by our striving, but through our union with the One who is life itself.

Rev. Griesbeck explores Jesus' teaching on prayer in Luke 11, reminding us that prayer is both bold and childlike. We're invited to persist, even when it feels risky or unanswered. God doesn’t promise quick fixes—but He does promise Himself. Through stories, humor, and honesty, this sermon encourages us to bring our need, our hope, and our doubts to the God who gives us more than we ask: the Holy Spirit.

Bishop Brewer explores Jesus’ response to “Lord, teach us to pray,” showing that prayer is more than a ritual—it’s an invitation into deep relationship with God and others. Through stories of intercessors and everyday believers, he reminds us that prayer is powerful, world-shaping, and meant to be shared. Even our smallest prayers can make an eternal impact.

Bishop Brewer speaks to those moments when words fail and we don’t know how to pray. Drawing from the week’s collect and Colossians, he reminds us that God doesn’t require performance—He desires our honest, unfiltered hearts. Even when we feel distant or inadequate, Christ dwells in us. Our inability to pray can be the starting point for deeper intimacy with God. We are invited not to impress, but to be real—and to trust that God meets us in that raw, honest space with mercy, nearness, and love.

Rev. Dr. Victor Lee Austin reflects on the parable of the sower, emphasizing that the mystery of spiritual growth lies not in the sower or even the seed—but in the soil. He explores how the human heart must be prepared to receive God’s Word and how grace alone allows that Word to take root and bear fruit. Growth in the Christian life often happens quietly and invisibly, shaped by God’s action rather than human effort. We are called to cultivate openness and humility, trusting that God brings the increase.

Luke Miller explored the parable of the Good Samaritan, reminding us that Jesus redefines “neighbor” as everyone we encounter, including those we might call enemies. We often look for limits—who we must love and who we can exclude—but Jesus refuses those boundaries. The Samaritan’s compassion foreshadows the mercy Christ showed us: when we were spiritually dead, He drew near, healed us, and paid our debts. Now, we are called to do the same, loving without exception.

Rev. Jon Jordan reflected on the deep human question of identity through Deuteronomy, Colossians, and the parable of the Good Samaritan. He emphasized that before we ask “What must I do?” we must first ask “Who am I called to be?” We are God’s children, set apart as saints, and called to live out that identity in our daily lives. True purpose and faithful action flow from knowing and resting in who we already are in Christ.