Sermon 07 Oct 2018

What will you choose? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary: You were not created for this.  You were created for a world without sin or hardship or grief or regret or pain or death.  Why aren’t you there?  Because Adam chose sin.  What will you choose?

Lectionary: Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 128; Hebrews 2:10-13; Mark 10:2-16

Referenced Scriptures: Genesis 3:8

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnRQW1vyE_0f3ymxN

Sermon 30 Sep 2018

For such a time as this by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary: What is God showing to us, His people, through the story of Esther?

• We have an enemy, satan, who seeks our destruction
• Satan hates us because we are obedient to God
• Satan uses people of authority against us
• God will deliver us, but He chooses people to bring it to pass: “if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place”
• Shall we respond with a three day fast?
• We must be courageous: “if I perish, I perish”

Who knows whether we have come to this moment in this place in the kingdom of God for such a time as this?

Lectionary: Esther 7:1-10; Psalm 124:1-8; James 4:11-12; Mark 9:38-50

Referenced Scriptures: Esther 4:1-16

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnRNgW9V5KOTP10Ft

Sermon 23 Sep 2018

Receive, believe, achieve by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary: Jesus Christ’s ministry on earth had two parts: preaching/teaching, and demonstrating.  The liturgy of the Mass is in two parts: the liturgy of the Word (spoken/heard), and the liturgy of the Table (the Word incarnate).  We are called to conform to His image, so we must declare the written Word and demonstrate the incarnate Word.  The Word only has power as it is received, believed, and acted upon – all three.

Lectionary: Proverbs 2:1-9; Psalm 54; James 3:13-18; Mark 9:30-37

Referenced Scriptures: Romans 8:28-29; Mark 6:45-52; Luke 24:13-32; Matthew 26:41; 1 Samuel 17:47

Recording – Exhortation after worship:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnREOHd7ed6alD10Y

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnRLZ2d1hUpDHC0FG

Illustration used at the end of the sermon:  https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-gird-up-your-loins-an-illustrated-guide/

Sermon 16 Sep 2018

Whose light are you carrying? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary: Jesus is the Light of the world.  We are called to bear the Light of Christ.  We can choose to light our own fire and walk in its light, or we can deny ourselves and take up our cross.  Being a disciple means taking up our cross daily and never laying it down as we walk through the day.

Lectionary: Isaiah 50:4-11; Psalm 116:1-19; James 1:19-22; Mark 8:27-35

Referenced Scriptures: John 1:1-12; John 12:35-37; Isaiah 6:6-7; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 9:23; Philippians 3:13-14

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnQy0m1b5OuWq59y5

Sermon 09 Sep 2018

How desperate are you? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary: The Syro-Phoenician woman was desperate.  She sacrificed her pride and dignity to fall at Jesus’ feet, pleading earnestly like a common beggar.  Jesus’ response seems harsh, but it accomplished three things:

• It tested the woman’s faith, which passed the test
• It challenged everyone else’s faith: is answered prayer worth the humiliation?
• It declared to all Jesus’ followers what He had spoken: when you ask, never give up

Lectionary: Isaiah 35:4-7; Psalm 146:1-10; James 2:8-13; Mark 7:24-37

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 6:21

Recording – Sermon, and ministry time with Lloyd Cornell:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnQsOEbOj8aIG9gFD

Sermon 02 Sep 2018

Pure and undefiled by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary: A person cannot be defiled by something that touches only their outside, or even by something that comes from outside and goes inside.  If someone tells an evil lie about you, it doesn’t defile you in the slightest … but if you retaliate, your words can defile you.

• The enemy tempts you in order to kill you
• God tests you in order to purify you and make you stronger

Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:1-9; Psalm 15; James 1:13-18; Mark 7:14-23

Referenced Scriptures: James 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:6-7; James 4:7-8,10

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnQmuHcZLsH2aRIuV

Sermon 26 Aug 2018  (Cursillo at The Friars in Aylesford)

Faithful are the wounds of a friend by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary: Choose this day whom you will serve.  It is a battle, the battle of God.  We are called to fight, not to sit.  We must continue to live in Him and He in us.  His instruction that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood were offensive, they hurt.  But they were the words of Life.

• Jesus may wound you, but His wounds are the wounds of a faithful surgeon who is healing you
• The enemy’s wounds have no other purpose than to kill you

Lectionary: Joshua 24:1-2, 13-15; Psalm 84:1-12; Ephesians 6:10-13; John 6:56-69

Referenced Scriptures: John 6:32-34; Galatians 4:16; Proverbs 27:6; John 12:26

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnQjGfP8xawbOh2Yn

Sermon 19 Aug 2018

Are you lying by the pool? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary: Wisdom has set her table and sent out servants with invitations: leave your own opinions and your own understanding and come.  Jesus made the same invitation.  He took the initiative, but now you must make the next move.

• If you lift a finger toward the Lord He will rush to your aid. Remember the parable of the prodigal son?
• If you sit and wait for the Lord to lift your finger, you may find yourself waiting for a long, long time. Remember the infirm man by the pool of Bethesda?
• “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works [i.e., action], is dead.”

Lectionary: Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58

Referenced Scriptures: Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 23:5; Luke 14:18-21; Matthew 11:28-30; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18; Luke 15:20; John 5:5-6; James 2:17

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnHhgTNY1SMbLIE1s

(please forgive the interference)

Recording – Youth HostCon2018 testimonies:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnHfhBFRN9fdwDd-M

Sermon 12 Aug 2018

Why did you say that, Jesus? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary: Jesus attracts a following with sweet and kind words, but then He says something hard that turns many away.  Labour for food that does not perish: for soul sustenance, not body sustenance.  Jesus is the true bread of heaven – and that is too much for some.  But Jesus is committed to the Father, not to having a huge following.

• Jesus feeds those who are hungry, not those who are satisfied
• Jesus is building His Church, not a social club
• Jesus requires committed people, not talented people
• Only committed people can carry the light of Christ in the face of the darkness that is coming

Lectionary: 1 Kings 19:1-8; Psalm 34; Ephesians 4:25-32; John 6:24-35

Referenced Scriptures: Luke 4:16-30; Acts 13:44-47

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnHZAkwRHyqD7anC5

Sermon 05 Aug 2018

Many are called, but few are chosen by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary: The Israelites partook of the manna in the desert, yet they failed to enter the promised land which God had chosen specifically for them.  We partake of the Body and Blood of Christ … will we enter into our promised inheritance?  You are called; you have come; you will eat and be satisfied.  But when the time comes to enter into all that your loving Father has prepared specifically for you … will you be chosen?

Lectionary: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Psalm 78:14-25; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6; John 6:24-35

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 22:14

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnHDdgkk_b3axpzYP