Sermon Series #3 on Kingdom of God Intelligence: Trust Versus Control

Sermon | December 12, 2021

Two Sundays ago, Kelli Martin, in her sermon, talked about the necessity of facing our life. That theme was picked up at our men’s retreat last weekend by our leader, Dr. Ron David. He formed the retreat around four questions: facing God, facing ourselves, facing our neighbor, and facing the existential threats that seem to

Sermon Series #2 on Kingdom of God Intelligence: Curiosity Versus Dogmatism

Sermon | December 5, 2021

Thanksgiving dinner recently gave me cause to wonder at the unnecessary cravings that plague me, particularly around food, particularly on Thanksgiving, particularly around cheesecake, and that weird desire to eat the entire thing after having one piece. It is not a long term, high reward survival activity… But here’s the thing about cravings, they come

Sermon Series #1 on Kingdom of God Intelligence – Christ the King

Sermon | November 21, 2021

Good morning. This is the first sermon in a three-part series on uncertainty and ambiguity, and how we manage it with peaceful equanimity. Someone told me recently that they didn’t know what equanimity meant, so, if it is helpful, you can trade out equanimity for ataraxy,or maybe just calm self-assurance. Last time I preached I

We Cannot Always Live in Comfort

Sermon | November 14, 2021

I should begin by noting that today is the first time I have been invited to deliver the homily at a main service. There appears to be a paucity of preachers, so your Chancellor’s name finally came up. If any of you are newcomers, please come back next week, and things will get better. When

Ambiguity Capacity as a Kingdom of God Experience

Sermon | November 7, 2021

I’m reading a book right now called Nonsense by Jamie Holmes, and in it he makes a claim that grabbed my attention. He wrote: “As uncertainties add up in the world around us, they accelerate our desire for certainty.” When I read this, I was reminded of a sermon I preached on Easter day 2014:

What is Ruth All About?

Sermon | October 31, 2021

We heard, in today’s Old Testament lesson, the beginning of the Book of Ruth. The scene was set, the characters were introduced; the three women in the story lost their husbands; Naomi pleaded with her two daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and find themselves new husbands in their own country while she returned to the

Priscilla and “What Can I Do for You?”

Sermon | October 24, 2021

I was on a Zoom call the other day with our Sunday school teachers and as I listened to their vision and energy and passion for our children and the message of Jesus Christ, I couldn’t help but think of my very early days here at Epiphany. When I came, we had no Sunday school

The Good News

Sermon | October 17, 2021

Good morning Christians, seekers, and friends! I have been thinking this week about that old question, “What do you want to hear first… the GOOD news or the BAD news?” We’ve probably all heard this question in one context or another. Do you have a personal preference? Good news first; then bad news? Or is

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

Sermon | September 12, 2021

I’ve been hearing lately about conversations people have had with family members and good friends who refused to get vaccinated. (disqualify people who are immune-compromised) These conversations are exasperating! Nothing they say inspires their loved one to change their mind. Nothing works. It is crazy making. This is life and death, and there are not

Category: Kingdom of God