Sermons from Church of the Incarnation, Dallas

Rev. Cody Turner reflects on the in-between time between Ascension and Pentecost, urging us to live with the prayer Maranatha—“Come, Lord” and “The Lord has come.” This word captures the tension of the Christian life: trusting that Jesus is already present while longing for His full return. Even amid grief, fear, and waiting, we are never alone—Christ is near, sustaining us through His Word, sacraments, and promises.

In this sermon, Rev. Cn. Oliver Lee challenges the question, “Is God on my side?” by pointing to Jesus’ prayer in John 17, where Christ pleads for unity among believers. Rev. Lee emphasizes that God is not about choosing sides—we are called to be on His side. Through scripture, he reminds us that division is the work of the enemy, but when we align with God, we experience His power to turn burdens into blessings and despair into joy. True faith is not about claiming God for our cause, but surrendering to His.

In his sermon, Shawn Torres unpacks Acts 16 and the idea that closed doors are often God's way of redirecting us toward His divine purpose. Using Paul’s journey to Macedonia as a model, he reminds us that what seems like a "no" from God may actually lead to something greater—like the first church in Europe. Through faith and obedience, divine direction leads to divine appointments and lasting impact.

Canon Oliver Lee reflects on Memorial Day as both a tribute to fallen soldiers and a call for Christians to stand firm in spiritual warfare. Evil, he reminds us, is the root of all conflict—and we are called to resist it with the armor of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand for truth, freedom, and righteousness.

Bp. Greg Brewer reminds us that praising God is not just a suggestion—it’s a command that reorients our hearts toward availability, not just productivity. Through stories, Acts 10, and Revelation 21, he emphasizes that our presence here is no accident, but the result of divine appointments. We are not just busy people trying to survive—we are tabernacles of God’s presence, called to live with purpose, openness, and expectancy.

Rev. Cody Turner explores our deep longing for "home"—a place of peace, belonging, and love. Through personal stories and Revelation 21, he reminds us that this longing points to our true home with God, where sorrow ends and joy is made complete. Earthly homes fade, but in Christ, we are promised an eternal one.

On Mother’s Day and Good Shepherd Sunday, Rev. Jordan Griesbeck shared the story of Tabitha—an ordinary woman whose life revealed the power of Christ’s resurrection. Through her acts of love, service, and community with the vulnerable, we see a life transformed by Jesus. But more than that, we see that God invites us to participate in His ongoing work of renewal. Like Tabitha, our everyday faithfulness, even when unnoticed, matters deeply to God and plays a part in His kingdom.

On Good Shepherd Sunday and Mother’s Day, Bp. Brewer shared how Jesus, our Good Shepherd, offers us both tender care and fierce protection. In our messy, imperfect families, His mercy makes healing and forgiveness possible. No matter where we are, we belong—welcomed, led, and loved by Him.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on Peter’s restoration in John 21, where Jesus meets him in the very place of his failure—not with shame, but with grace. Rather than punishment, Peter receives healing and a renewed calling. Each week at church, we rehearse this story, encountering a God who meets us in our shame and clothes us with mercy.

Bishop George Sumner’s sermon highlights Peter’s restoration after his denial of Jesus, calling it the “Uh-oh Gospel.” Despite failure, Jesus forgives Peter and calls him to lead, showing that the Church is made of forgiven sinners. As we age, we come to see that even life’s hardships can glorify God. Through it all, Jesus welcomes us with grace.