Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas

One of the most moving passages in the New Testament is Saint Paul's writing in Philippians 2, where he exhorts the Church to, "Let the same mind be in you as in Christ".  What does it mean to be of the same mind?  What would it look like?  Join Deacon Blackburn and the Saint Christopher's Church as we ask what being of the same mind of Christ means.

The Parable of the Laborers from the Gospel of Matthew begs us to consider what is fair.  Why did people who came to work in a field receive the same wages as those who have been working all day?  What was the Master of the Vineyard doing?  Deacon John works through two definitions of what fairness is in the Kingdom of God.  The text for this sermon is Matthew 20:1-16.

Matthew 18 has a few verses that have been used by the Church to form factions and divide the unity of the Church.  But, is this what Jesus is really saying?  Perhaps, not.  Deacon John discusses how Matthew 18 might be a tool for growing and unifying the church, rather than dividing it.

Jesus calls us to take up our crosses, to die to self and to this world.  Deacon John explores themes involving works of art, 20th Century Martyrs, and our call to life into a crucified life today.  The Scripture reference is Matthew 16:21-28.  For links to some of the artwork that was shown during the sermon, here are some links.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agony_in_the_Garden:  Painting on display by Heinrich Hofmann, 1886.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agony_in_the_Garden_(Blake):  Painting by William Blake, 1799-1800.

For more information regarding Oscar Romero and the troubles of El Salvador, please read, "Voice of the Voiceless", which contains a biography of Archbishop Romero, as well as some of his letters.  You can purchase it from Amazon at this link:  

https://www.amazon.com/Voice-Voiceless-Pastoral-Letters-Statements/dp/0883445255/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3G2T3EUH16XC2&dchild=1&keywords=voice+of+the+voiceless&qid=1598796158&sprefix=voice+of+the+vo%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1

Jesus asks a question of his disciples, and it is a question that all of us need to ask from time to time.  Who do people say that we are?  This sermon is based on the passage from the Gospel of Matthew.  Deacon Blackburn explores the meaning of identity and call.

Jesus comes to us in the midst of the storms of life.  He will walk on water if he needs to.  But, as Christ-followers, we too must be ready to walk on water, and to recognize the needs in our communities.  This sermon is based on Matthew 14:23-36.

How do we react when we think we don't have enough?  Or what we have isn't good enough for God.  In this Sermon, Deacon John examines what happens when we bring what we consider to be meager resource, and how they become more than abundant.  The passage this lesson is taken from is Matthew 14:13-21.

We experienced a number of technical difficulties with our Facebook Live Streaming of the Burial Service of Albert Richard (Dick) Moser yesterday.  For those who were attempting to view the service via that media, we have recorded the Homily so you can hear and participate in that way.  Mr. Moser had chosen John 14:1-6 and various portions of Romans 8, which Deacon Blackburn used as the scripture references.  The cover art for this episode is a photograph of the window referenced in the Homily.

Rest in peace, our friend.

This episode is recorded during Hurricane Hanna's landfall near Saint Christopher's Church.  Services have been cancelled, but the Gospel Reading and the Sermon have been recorded.  Please forgive any background noise, as this was recorded away from the Church.  The Scripture References for this Sermon are Matthew 13:31-33, and then moving to verses 44-52.