I am deeply grateful for the invitation to preach and celebrate the Holy Eucharist today at St. James Episcopal Church, in Ormond Beach, Florida. Fr. Roy Allison, their wonderful Rector gave me this gift and opportunity to take his Sunday Service for him. 

It was a true joy to share my heart within the beautiful sanctuary of St. James. It is a real treasure in the Diocese of Central Florida. Even with a smaller congregation during this Covid 19 time of life, the people were gracious, welcoming, and grateful to have me with them. 

My sermon focused on the invitations of Philippians  2: 1-13. The Apostle Paul calls us to:  “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”   The most important thing about us is our minds and what they are focused on. We are called to what I call, “The Christ Focus.”

I have come to see that the central issue of the gospel of Jesus involves the gracious opportunity to become a new kind of person and to enter into a new way of life. Available to anyone who responds wholeheartedly to the invitations of Jesus, his gospel embraces both the forgiveness of our sins and the recovery of abundant life, another kind of life.

The Christ Focus is the invitation to focus on the way of humility and serving the good of others. It is also the invitation to participate  and live into our salvation which is more than the forgiveness of our sins. Salvation is entering into another kind of life, life in the Kingdom of God. 

I hope this brings you joy. 

With you on the Journey,

Rob+