St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Kansas City - weekly talks

Fr. David works from the premise that the Transfiguration is partly about preparation to journey with Jesus toward the cross.

Fr. David works from the premise that the Transfiguration is partly about preparation to journey with Jesus toward the cross.

We explore the tragedy of sin, in both heaven and on earth. The Fall, angelic and human, missed the intended target of the Glory of God. Over Lent, we are explore the path back to the Glory of God. The seven deadly sins move us away from the glory. But Christianity isn't about mere subtraction. Humility trumps pride in God's Humble Kingdom.

Jesus demonstrates the way of humility in coming to serve. Jesus calls us, likewise, to be servants and display the cruciform path back to the Glory of God. Falling short of his glory is not his intended purpose for us. Thus, Jesus prays to the Father, "I have given them the glory I had with you before the world began."

We explore the tragedy of sin, in both heaven and on earth. The Fall, angelic and human, missed the intended target of the Glory of God. Over Lent, we are explore the path back to the Glory of God. The seven deadly sins move us away from the glory. But Christianity isn't about mere subtraction. Humility trumps pride in God's Humble Kingdom.

Jesus demonstrates the way of humility in coming to serve. Jesus calls us, likewise, to be servants and display the cruciform path back to the Glory of God. Falling short of his glory is not his intended purpose for us. Thus, Jesus prays to the Father, "I have given them the glory I had with you before the world began."

During the season of Lent, we are exploring the seven deadly sins and their corresponding virtues. This talk is an introduction, grounding one in the love of God for the journey ahead, ascending "the seven story mountain" towards freedom and transformation (Christlikeness).

During the season of Lent, we are exploring the seven deadly sins and their corresponding virtues. This talk is an introduction, grounding one in the love of God for the journey ahead, ascending "the seven story mountain" towards freedom and transformation (Christlikeness).

Mark 1:14-20 - Jesus came preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.

We examine the calling of the first disciple and the message of Jesus, a most misunderstood message. Jesus inverts the whole paradigm of empire, of worldly power, pomp and pride by turning it on its head. In the end, by voluntary suffering, he subverts the system, gives up his last breath, as the Lamb of God who is the final fulfillment of all Temple sacrifices, and by resting in the tomb on Holy Saturday, he fulfills the Sabbath for all time and is raised the first day of the week to introduce a new epoch, the renewal of all things. The transformation of creation is what the Gospel is all about.

Repentance is not another form of behavior modification but a new way of seeing the Kingdom. When anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. With unveiled face we encounter the glory of the Lord in the face of Jesus Christ, from glory to glory.

Great opposition to Jesus and his Gospel is nothing new. Paul tells us that the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they cannot see the glory of Christ. Thus, we are in a battle of faith. Repentance is the way in which we engage the enemy, turing towards the Lord rather than the lie and the Father of all lies. Transformation comes in conjunction with repentance. With eyes fixed on Jesus, the heavens are open and we hear the voice of the Father.

Now is the time, the kairos time. The Kingdom has broken into this world to begin the renewal of all things. Repent and believe the gospel!

Mark 1:14-20 - Jesus came preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.

We examine the calling of the first disciple and the message of Jesus, a most misunderstood message. Jesus inverts the whole paradigm of empire, of worldly power, pomp and pride by turning it on its head. In the end, by voluntary suffering, he subverts the system, gives up his last breath, as the Lamb of God who is the final fulfillment of all Temple sacrifices, and by resting in the tomb on Holy Saturday, he fulfills the Sabbath for all time and is raised the first day of the week to introduce a new epoch, the renewal of all things. The transformation of creation is what the Gospel is all about.

Repentance is not another form of behavior modification but a new way of seeing the Kingdom. When anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. With unveiled face we encounter the glory of the Lord in the face of Jesus Christ, from glory to glory.

Great opposition to Jesus and his Gospel is nothing new. Paul tells us that the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they cannot see the glory of Christ. Thus, we are in a battle of faith. Repentance is the way in which we engage the enemy, turing towards the Lord rather than the lie and the Father of all lies. Transformation comes in conjunction with repentance. With eyes fixed on Jesus, the heavens are open and we hear the voice of the Father.

Now is the time, the kairos time. The Kingdom has broken into this world to begin the renewal of all things. Repent and believe the gospel!

The first words of Jesus in John's Gospel is a question, "What do you want?" He asks this to the first two disciples of John who upon hearing the Baptist point and say, "Behold the Lamb of God" followed Jesus. Note that these first disciples never answered the question.

Perhaps these are the first words of Jesus to each one of us. He calls us to look into our hearts and connect with our core desire.

We are all given an invitation to "follow the Lamb wherever he goes." This involves a mutual indwelling wherein Jesus and the Father comes to make their home in us.

The first words of Jesus in John's Gospel is a question, "What do you want?" He asks this to the first two disciples of John who upon hearing the Baptist point and say, "Behold the Lamb of God" followed Jesus. Note that these first disciples never answered the question.

Perhaps these are the first words of Jesus to each one of us. He calls us to look into our hearts and connect with our core desire.

We are all given an invitation to "follow the Lamb wherever he goes." This involves a mutual indwelling wherein Jesus and the Father comes to make their home in us.