Sermons from Church of the Incarnation, Dallas

Bishop Gregory Brewer reflects on the Incarnation, emphasizing God’s love revealed in Christ’s humble birth. Through the shepherds’ encounter, we see how Christ welcomes the excluded and calls us to humility. Like a stable, our lives may feel unworthy, but His presence transforms. In our need, we’re invited to kneel, say “yes,” and receive the healing love of Emmanuel. 

Rev. Matt Rossi reflects on Luke 1, emphasizing how God's plans often unsettle our own but lead to unexpected grace. Through Mary’s “yes” to God, the Magnificat reveals a God who upends the world’s priorities, bringing hope and redemption. Drawing parallels to life’s disruptions, such as unexpected pregnancies or challenges, we’re called to trust God’s intrusions. These moments, though difficult, open our lives to unimaginable beauty and grace.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reflects on Luke 1 and Micah, highlighting God’s unexpected grace in the Magnificat. Christmas shows God lifting the lowly, humbling the proud, and appearing in the unlikeliest places and people. Whether we feel ready or not, God’s grace meets us where we are, transforming our hearts and lives.

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on Philippians 4:4-7 and Luke 3:7-18, urging us to embrace the Holy Spirit’s refining fire. This lifelong transformation, though challenging, reflects God’s love as He confronts our sin to make us new in Christ. Advent calls us to yield to His work, finding true joy and peace through surrender.

Rev. Cody Turner draws from Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, and Luke 3:7-18 to remind us that Advent celebrates God’s nearness. He urges us to seek practices like prayer and repentance to sharpen our awareness of His presence. Just as Jacob, Paul, and John the Baptist experienced God in times of trial, we too can find Him in our struggles. Advent calls us to rejoice, not just in waiting for Christ’s return, but in His transformative presence with us now.

Rev. Jon Jordan draws from Luke 3:1-6, urging us to heed John the Baptist's call to prepare the way of the Lord by confronting sin and barriers in our hearts. Reflecting on Philippians 1:3-11, he reminds us that repentance is essential for transformation and aligns us with Christ’s ongoing work within us. True preparation for Advent involves prayer and honest self-reflection, as God promises to complete the good work He has begun.

Rev. Oliver Lee preaches from Luke 3:1-6, reminding us that the Gospel is rooted in history and calls ordinary people, like John the Baptist, to extraordinary missions of preparing the way for Christ. During Advent, we are invited to reflect and remove barriers in our lives, embodying God’s grace so that "all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Through acts of love and service, we participate in making straight the paths for others to encounter God’s boundless mercy.

This past Sunday, we began the season of Advent, and Rev. Joe Dewey preached on God’s judgment and our call to look honestly and hopefully at the world. Citing Jeremiah 33:16 and Psalm 121, he emphasized that Advent starts in darkness, inviting us to confront life’s dangers and our own shortcomings with honesty. Rev. Dewey reminded us that judgment, though sobering, leads to hope and flourishing. His message challenged us to remain alert and place our hope not in fleeting things but in God’s promises of a future safe city where true justice and peace will reign.

This past Sunday, we began the season of Advent, and Rev. Jordan Griesbeck preached on Christ’s promise of redemption and the posture of waiting. Citing Luke 21:28, he reminded us that despite life’s chaos and burdens, we are called to stand firm, lift our heads, and trust that God’s redemption is near. Rev. Griesbeck spoke about the fears and anxieties that weigh us down, as well as the temptation to numb ourselves instead of staying spiritually alert. His message encouraged us to embrace the posture of Advent: being alert and prayerful, living with hopeful expectation that God will show up and lift our burdens.

This past Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King, and Bishop Brewer preached on Christ's sovereignty as Lord over every aspect of life. Citing John 17:23 and Romans 8:39, he highlighted the deep unity believers share with Christ and the certainty of His unchanging love and reign. His message challenged us to live boldly as Christ's servants, trusting in His sovereignty to guide us through all circumstances.