This sermon is a dive into what Jesus means when he says we are the Salt of the Earth. He warns us about losing our saltness. We look at the Greek to see what Jesus really meant. We are called to be a blend that brings Jesus to the world. More of Jesus and less of the things that brings the world despair. Despair is a tool of the devil but Jesus is always the answer.

Everything in life only works when Jesus is first. Paul teaches us this, where a church can't be divided if Jesus is first. Whether it is work, politics, or any other part of life we are divided we must place Jesus first so the church can be the healing it is supposed to be. Humans fall short but Jesus the one and only Messiah will never disappoint but bring life.

Today Father John sermon focus on John the Baptized claim that Jesus is the lamb of God. The Jewish people would have seen lambs as both a sacrifice and a feast. Jesus taking the sins of the world as the perfect sacrifice and then Jesus as the strength that he gives just as the lamb gave Moses and the others in the first Passover as commanded by God

This sermon focuses on why Jesus was baptized and how it was the start of his ministry. It is not a baptism as we think of today but rather an old Jewish cleansing where one could have a fresh start. A new chapter in life where God open the heavens to announcing Jesus new chapter in his life

This sermon is a deep dive on the Magi and why they are such important part of the Christmas story. They teach us that Jesus came for everyone even at his birth. He is a savior for the whole world.

Be able to discern the truth by looking to the word made flesh. Jesus creates the image of God so we need to go to him in order to be able to work against the devil, and avoid his lies. God sent Jesus on Christmas for that reason so this year lets all study the word so we can see the truth of God in our broken world.

Through the things we can't control God gave us his son in a manger as a reminder to step closer to him. Not to change the things in the world but to CHANGE US. The manger is a reminder of this and God greatest gift to the world.

Today we focused on Joseph in the Christmas story and we see his mercy shown by how he is going to handle not understanding what is happening to Mary. He chooses not to shame Mary, and this is why God has chosen him to raise Jesus just as much as he chose Mary. God mercy is shown through Joseph and is an example for Jesus through out his life.

Thinking about how we can relate to John the Baptist in our own times of doubt just how John did in our reading from the gospel of Matthew.

First Sunday of Advent Sermon at St. Alban's Episcopal Church Harlingen, Texas