Sermon 04 September 2022 (Proper 18)

What in the world is going on? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Yesterday was the March for Life UK. It was all about choice – but not the choice blared out by the pro-abortion protestors. God has always given man a choice, and man has most often chosen poorly.

The Bible is God’s story. The early Church understood Jesus as the primary subject of the story, and the Church as the object that Jesus works in and through. Somewhere over the centuries this story was lost, and now the individual believer is the subject of the story: Jesus is on the outside awaiting an invitation to come into the heart. This has led to many errors in the Church, but God is doing a mighty work behind the scenes to bring correction. He is offering a new choice to His people, doing a work in our day that you won’t believe!

(I am indebted to the book “Jesus cropped from the picture” by Don Allsman, published by The Urban Ministry Institute, 2009, for many of the themes in this sermon.)

Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 139:1-16; Philemon 1:4-16; Luke 14:26-33

Referenced Scriptures: Genesis 2:15-17; Acts 13:41; Habakkuk 1:5; John 17:21; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 12:28; Philippians 2:10-11; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:4; Mark 3:24; Luke 11:17; Joshua 24:15

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsEE9ZtYwBJKU2mbE?e=vetTec

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsEJv0bAjx0PN00YK?e=3dNBT6

Sermon 28 August 2022 (Proper 17)

Are you weary? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Are you tired? What is wearing you out? Perhaps you’re spending your energy on the wrong things. The Christian life is not about getting what you want, or getting what you think you deserve. So what is it about?

Lectionary: Proverbs 25:6-12; Psalm 112; Hebrews 13:1-8; Luke 14:1,7-14

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 17:28; John 1:5; Job 7:1; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Luke 6:38; Matthew 11:29

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsD5Uz0_yyEXdgFP-?e=vAMQo0

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsD2HnElaDiVGnLix?e=9NJJ7b

Sermon 21 August 2022 (Proper 16)

Whoever confesses Christ before men by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” But this does not mean simply admitting you go to church, or saying that you are a Christian. It means so much more, and especially in these evil and divisive times.

Lectionary: Jeremiah 23:23-29; Psalm 82; Hebrews 12:1-6; Luke 12:49-56

Referenced Scriptures: Luke 12:49-56; Matthew 10:16-39; Acts 7:51-53

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsDlQ5-SOs43Bkn46?e=Sy0hRU

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsDor9n6m7cGZTBaq?e=xzwTXw

Sermon 14 August 2022 (Proper 15)

Wheat or chaff? His fire is burning by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  ‘Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has My word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?’ declares the Lord. That’s a somewhat different take on the concept of the wheat and the tares. Then He says, ‘Is not My word like fire‘. And then Jesus declares, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” This is worth taking a deeper look!

Lectionary: Jeremiah 23:23-29; Psalm 82; Hebrews 12:1-6; Luke 12:49-56

Referenced Scriptures: Jeremiah 23:16-22; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Titus 3:10-11; Matthew 3:11-12; Zechariah 13:7-9; Luke 24:32; 2 Peter 1:16

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsDDyA4VrTRAvCwfL?e=hf2hFw

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsC82_bmQFBKOcmCb?e=qg9Oqq

Sermon 07 August 2022 (Feast of Transfiguration)

How’s your tent? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Peter responded to the Transfiguration of Jesus with, “Let us put up three tents….” It was a very human response to a very beyond-human experience. We can discern some deeper meaning if we look at Jesus’ remarks which were the precursors to this moment. And what’s with the tents?

Lectionary: Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99:1-9; 2 Peter 1:13-21; Luke 9:28-36

Referenced Scriptures: Luke 9:23-27; Matthew 22:32; Hebrews 12:1-2; Matthew 17:9; Mark 9:9; Acts 1:8; Luke 2:19; 1 Corinthians 6:19; John 14:2

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsC1rgRaV1cpRO2BV?e=yLiZFu

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsC7fWtvqblBGi95U?e=xUfMv2

Sermon 31 July 2022 (Proper 13)

Is your faith in vain? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  All is vanity, all is meaningless. Solomon, the Psalmist, Paul, and Jesus all have something to say about vanity: pursuing things … building, creating, and accumulating abundance … achieving goals … which in the end are worthless, because they do not fulfil the purpose you desire. Are you living a “good” life in vain?

Lectionary: Ecclesiastes 2:18-23; Psalm 49:1-20; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 15:9; Romans 3:23; Matthew 6:21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Matthew 25:41-43; Matthew 16:25

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsCrHajkrTdPacELX?e=B9XTzO

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsCknuALJEOeQVZTF?e=VE7JH5

Sermon 24 July 2022 (Proper 12)

The road to success in Jesus is sacrifice by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  “God is on high. You exalt yourself, and He flees from you; you humble yourself, and He descends to you. … He recognizes what is lowly from close at hand in order that He may raise it up; what is high, that is, what is proud, He knows from afar in order that He may bring it down.” – Caesarius of Arles (470-543), Sermon 210.2. Our Colossians reading says we put off our old self “ruled by the flesh” … but have we really? Do we seek what is awesome – worship, signs, wonders – to feed our egos and excite our senses? Or do we give ourselves in worship and service so that He can make it awesome, so that He (not us) is lifted up … and He will draw all men and women to Himself?

Lectionary: Genesis 18:20-33; Psalm 138:1-8; Colossians 2:8-14; Luke 11:5-13

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 6:33; Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Mark 16:17-20; Acts 4:23-31; Acts 14:3; John 12:32

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsCjBt-2Z-vaz3bJp?e=rk4pTP

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsCcWlFtCOObdcLeJ?e=naWmKA

Sermon 17 July 2022 (Proper 11)

Claiming the ground God gives by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Too many self-proclaimed “Bible teachers” use Joshua 1:3 as a promise that Christians can claim whatever they wish and God will give it. If you look at the context, however, it’s abundantly clear this is not the case. God described in detail the boundaries of the land He was giving them, and everywhere within those boundaries He would fulfil His promise. Anyone stepping beyond those boundaries had no basis for expecting God to give it to them. This has particular meaning for St. Stephen’s CEC at this time, because it seems clear God is speaking to us. We must prayerfully discern what He is saying: is He giving us land? if so, where? are we ready to go in and possess it – are we willing to make the sacrifices necessary to obey? Let us pray!

Lectionary: Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 15:1-5; Colossians 1:15-23; Luke 10:38-42

Referenced Scriptures: Joshua 1:1-9; Isaiah 59-60; Joshua 6:1-27

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsBjavMYeSKtcXaFp?e=SEJokB

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsBnEpY6Ul02fkXxX?e=j86y3N

Sermon 10 July 2022 (Proper 10)

The path to God’s prosperity is obedience by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Our Scriptures describe to us God’s plan for prosperity. It involves trust and obedience, with Christ as the head over all, everything driven by love.

Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Psalm 25:1-22; Colossians 1:13-20; Luke 10:25-37

Referenced Scriptures: Deuteronomy 30:1-8; Romans 10:5-10; John 14:6; Psalm 141:9; Romans 12:2

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsBc7CuknaZxTVesD?e=EGlU4a

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsBY4T2mrP7Ta3Law?e=YKYku7

Sermon 03 July 2022 (Proper 9)

Live God’s best life for you! by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Today’s readings deal with destination – where God is leading us, both as individuals and as His people. They’re not concerned only with where we will end up, but how we get there: the route, the journey. Along the way we are faced with the question: who defines what your “best life” is?

Lectionary: Isaiah 66:10-16; Psalm 66:1-20; Galatians 6:12-18; Luke 10:1-3, 17-20

Referenced Scriptures: Revelation 21:2-4; Romans 11:16-24; Psalm 46:4-5; Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Matthew 23:15; Isaiah 53:7; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 16:18; Luke 4:18; Matthew 16:22; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Peter 2:4-8

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsBOs9Y6RM3BUw75g?e=p6Azwi

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRsBI5dr4w9fsxQklx?e=0auFDE