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

Sermon 29 Jul 2018

The giants vs the promise by Fr. Terry Gensemer, CECforLife

Simple Summary:  A people who seek the purpose and will of God … are a people who will see the power and the strength of God.  You must have a vision.  Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.  There are no giants bigger than God.  You must continue to have faith in God.

Lectionary: 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:1-21; Ephesians 3:20-4:6; John 6:1-12 (sermon not from lectionary)

Referenced Scriptures:  Numbers 13:1-33

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnG8KbpDgUuVxWoLW

Sermon 22 Jul 2018

Will you come? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  God warns shepherds who abuse their  flocks that they will be punished, but promises to establish new shepherds under our Saviour.  The Good Shepherd interrupts His plans to minister to His sheep.  Are we willing to interrupt our plans when He calls us?  He is calling; He has laid out His banquet; we are invited.  Will we come?

Lectionary: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2:13-22; Mark 6:30-34

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 22:1-10

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnG5aT6PPCEYDBJo_

Sermon 15 Jul 2018

To be something you have never been by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  In Amos’ day, God was looking for men and women whose lives matched the plumb line He had set.  Jesus showed what happens when He finds them.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, “suddenly we are no longer what we were; suddenly we are something we never used to be” – St. Gregory the Great, Forty Gospel Homilies, 30.

Lectionary: Amos 7:7-15; Psalm 85:1-13; Ephesians 1:7-14; Mark 6:7-13

Referenced Scriptures:

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnG0Fw-K84Jwaqf2V

Sermon 01 Jul 2018

Once upon a time by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Are you so busy living the life you have received as a gift from God, that you have no time or energy to spend with the One who gave you that gift? To receive wisdom and counsel from the Holy Spirit, revelation as to what your life is for, and guidance in how to most effectively use what you have been given?  Where your time is spent, there your heart will be also.

Lectionary: Lamentations 3:22-33; Psalm 30; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Mark 5:25-34

Referenced Scriptures:  Matthew 6:19-21

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRnGUp8LKjB_B2W5VN