Shows
Saint Paul’s SermonsThe Workers in the Vinyard : You Can't Obligate God - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchJesus of Nazareth was the greatest teacher the world has ever known. To solve the problem of passing on deep truths to people of all types, Jesus used a common teaching tool known as aparable.The goal of a parable is to compare one thing to another—with one of the objects being an important spiritual lesson and the other being an event from everyday life. Parables have one point to make.Like Aesop’s “fables,” which really are parables. The point, “moral,” is clearly stated for us. Jesus is often a bit more subtle...
2026-02-0110 minSaint Paul’s SermonsJohn The Baptist's Doubts - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchThough he was the greatest among the prophets of the Old Testament, even John the Baptist had doubts about Jesus the Messiah, and so sent his followers to ask if Jesus really was "the one who was to come." Jesus answered his imprisoned cousin with the scriptures and how Jesus was fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah to show he most definitely was the one who was to come, the Messiah.
2025-12-1411 minSaint Paul’s SermonsWhat's the Big Deal About Advent? - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchWhat's the big deal? Only the most profound miracle by which God becomes man to dwell among us, to redeem us, and to teach us how to be right with God, through himself! In a mysterious and inscrutable way, "remaining what he was, he became what he was not." And this makes all the difference.
2025-11-3007 minSaint Paul’s SermonsForgiveness From Genesis Chapter 50 - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchThe story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 50:15-21 is a powerful lesson in forgiveness and the providence of God. If anyone had a right in human terms to be unforgiving, it was Joseph. And yet, under the shadow of God's providential plan and purpose, he forgives his brothers their treachery and betrayal.
2025-11-1609 minSaint Paul’s SermonsGod's Gift of Words - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchFrom the very beginning, God communicated with his creatures through the medium of language, words. He spoke to Adam and Eve. They rebelled. He spoke to them again. He spoke to Moses, to Abraham, to the prophets, and faithful believers made a written record of God's words for us in the inspired scriptures. When over the ages our rebelliousness continued, God next sent us "The Word," the incarnate logos, Jesus Christ. Jesus's words are also recorded for us, teaching us his is the way, the only way, to be right with God and to have eternal assurance through faith...
2025-11-0909 minSaint Paul’s SermonsJesus's Most Compelling Miracle? - Rev Bryan DenchIn Luke 7, we have the story of Jesus's dramatically intervening in the tragic grief of a widow whose only son has died. Paralleling in a way the healing of the widow of Zarephath's son by the prophet Elijah, this miracle of restoring the dead to life alleviates suffering and tragedy. The Gospels record another two such miracles by Jesus, raising Jairus's daughter and restoring Lazarus to life, and as Saint Augustine once preached we can confidently expect these were not the only miracles of raising from the dead. But this one is especially compelling because of Jesus's spontaneous, deep...
2025-10-0709 minSaint Paul’s SermonsAre We Grateful to God? - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchThe Gospel of Luke records a healing miracle of Jesus when he was on his way to Jerusalem to die. As he passed through Samaria ten lepers called to him from a distance begging for healing mercy. Though Jesus did send them to the priests to demonstrate they had been healed, nine of the ten went their way and one only, a Samaritan to boot, returned to express his gratitude. We tend to be like that, ungrateful to God for his mercies and blessings (Rom 1:21), and we need to work on that.
2025-09-2109 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Healing Miracles of Jesus - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchThe Gospels record some 26 (depending on how you count) miracles of healing done by Jesus. The miracles serve many purposes. They do good for the person healed of course. They manifest the deity of Jesus and who he is, the Messiah. They display the power of God and God's response to faith. They fulfill prophecy, as in the case of man who is deaf and mute, whose healing was foretold in Isaiah's prophecy.
2025-09-0704 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThere's Nothing Jesus Won't Forgive, Even Peter's Betrayal - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchWe mark Saint Bartholemew today, August 24. We also reflect on the forgiveness of Jesus to sinners who repent, even to his close friend and co-worker Peter, who denied Jesus three times in a dreadful and heartbreaking incident of betrayal. Luke 22 tells the story.
2025-08-2408 minSaint Paul’s SermonsDo You Want to Be Known By Jesus? - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchIn Matthew 7, Jesus teaches us not to rest on our laurels, not to forget about him or become complacent. He teaches us that there will be people who come to him at the last days thinking they are "with him," and that they're part of his team. "Lord, Lord," they will say, reciting for him all the wonderful things they enjoyed and did in his name. But Jesus will say, "I never knew you." Could there be anything more devastating to hear? Yes, we begin with our faith in him and by that alone we are saved. But it...
2025-08-1009 minSaint Paul’s SermonsDo You Believe in Miracles? - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchThe Gospels record many miracles of Jesus. Today's was about the incredible catch of fish Peter and his fellow fishermen caught in response to Jesus' telling them to go back out to fish after a long and unsuccessful night. Peter's response is to fall at Jesus' feet and leave everything behind to follow him. Miracles are events or effects brought about by direct action of God to intervene and change the normal operations of natural causes. God uses this to reveal himself and his character, to verify his word, and to verify the authority of his messengers and what...
2025-07-2014 minSaint Paul’s SermonsChristian Thought on Right Use of Force - Dcn Bryan DenchChristians have long wrestled with the proper balance between Christian compassion and the righteous use of force to oppose injustice and protect others. God himself has decreed the warlike destruction of immoral people, such as in the wars led by Joshua in the book under his name, cleansing the promised land of child sacrificing pagan teachings. In the early church great thinkers sought to reconcile justice and mercy, pacifism and just use of force. 1. Ambrose of Milan: Ambrose bridged the gap between pacifism and political responsibility, arguing that rulers must protect the innocent and uphold justice, even...
2025-06-2210 minSaint Paul’s SermonsPondering and enjoying the Trinity - Rev Bryan DenchThis is Trinity Sunday. The Trinity is plainly taught in scripture, as the existence and activities of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and The Holy Spirit are recounted throughout the Bible, even as we affirm the oneness of God. It's in the Nicene Creed we recite, and appears throughout the prayers of faithful Christians everywhere, particularly in our Book of Common Prayer. "[Almighty God], who with thine only-begotten son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and Unity of Substance. For that which we believe of thy glory, O Father, the same...
2025-06-1510 minSaint Paul’s SermonsWhy Does the World Hate Us? - Rev Deacon Bryan DenchJohn's Gospel records the teachings and admonitions of Jesus during the last supper with his disciples, and he says, among other things, the world will hate us, will hate Christians, just as it hated him. Why is that? Why do people outside the family of faith often react to Christians with hostility while turning away from God, running from him? Part of the answer of course is that as fallen human beings we don't want God in our natural state; we want to deny him and live our own way as Paul says in Romans chapter one.
2025-06-0108 minSaint Paul’s SermonsJesus the Good Shepherd - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchIn the Gospel for today from John chapter 10, the Lord declares himself the "good shepherd," who knows and cares for the sheep, and who is known by them. In saying, "I am the good shepherd," Christ also reaffirms his divinity by the use of the "I am" formulation. We the sheep can rest assured in the good stewardship of our Lord and Savior, the Good Shepherd.
2025-05-0404 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Resurrection of Jesus: A Proven Fact - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchThe Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the pivotal fact upon which the Apostles and other early church evangelists made their case for the person and work of Christ as the savior of sinners. It's a miraculous fact that has been repudiated and attacked, even by some in the church. But objectively, it is a fact proven by evidence, even the kind of evidence that would prove the case in a court of law. The best explanation for the irrefragable facts is that Jesus of Nazareth was executed, buried, and considered dead, but on the third day rose...
2025-04-2715 minSaint Paul’s SermonsMaundy Night: Jesus Gave Us a New Commandment - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchA New Commandment (Jn 13:31-35)When he [Judas] had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You willseek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you al...
2025-04-1805 minSaint Paul’s SermonsJesus Said "I am I am" - The Deity of Christ - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchWhen Jesus said, "before Abraham was, I am," his shocked hearers were ready to stone him for blasphemy. Why? Because that double emphasis formula was a clear proclamation of his deity, using the sacred name of God revealed to Moses on Mt Sinai.In translating the Old Testament, particularly Ex 3:14, the 70 Jewish scholars of the LXX used this same Greek formula "ego eimi," for God himself.And in Isaiah:Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I am the LORD, the first and with the last I am he...
2025-04-0608 minSaint Paul’s SermonsTesting of The New Adam, Matthew 4 - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchThe Gospel today from Chapter 4 of Matthew tells us how immediately after his baptism, after he is declared to be God's son by the audible voice of God himself, the Holy Spirit compels Jesus into the wilderness for a time of deprivation and testing. This crucial scripture shows how the New Adam meets the test the old Adam failed, and thus embarks on the path of a perfectly righteous life that qualifies him to be the atoning lamb without blemish for our salvation.
2025-03-0915 minSaint Paul’s SermonsMiracles, And Shaky Belief - Dcn Bryan DenchThe latest survey by the Barna organization shows that only 46% of persons responding believe in one supreme being who created and reigns over everything (see Genesis 1:1), reflecting a sad downward trend heavily influenced by scientism and cultish rejection of supernatural influence. More disturbing, only 72% of those surveyed who profess to be "born again" Christians affirmed belief in such a God - what are they being taught? On the other hand, the Gospels record scores of miracles performed by Jesus and witnessed by many, to say nothing of the Incarnation and Resurrection themselves. These attested miracles make sense as they...
2025-02-2312 minSaint Paul’s SermonsOut of Egypt: God's Plan Continues to Be Fulfilled - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchMatthew's Gospel gives us the account of the return of the Holy Family from Egypt after the death of King Herod, resulting in their resettling in Nazareth. As Matthew shows, this is fulfilled prophecy, the continued progress of God's plan and purpose for his people, and further evidence Jesus is the Messiah
2025-01-0607 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Uniqueness of the Incarnation - Rev Bryan DenchThe Christian message we receive in this time of Advent is unique among all the other world views and religious expressions.
Only Christianity provides a remedy for our personal sins
and guilt. Only Christianity provides a sure hope for our eternal future.
Other world religions do not lay claim to a divine
foundation at all like Christianity, with one almighty God who deigns to become one with his creation as in the Incarnation, for the plan and purpose of rectifying the separation of humanity from him.
Christians have a unique god-man savior, unlike...
2024-12-0811 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Kingdom of God Is Like... - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchChapter 13 of Matthew's Gospel is full of parables of Jesus teaching about the Kingdom of God, usually beginning with the words, "The Kingdom of God is like." The parable of the wheat and the weeds at vv. 24-30 talks about how in the church and in this life the wicked and the righteous are growing up together until the final judgment of God. Tares, or darnel, looks like wheat, but it is poisonous.
The great Anglican Bishop J.C. Ryle, in his "Expository Thoughts on the Gospels," described the Kingdom of God as the spiritual reign of...
2024-11-1709 minSaint Paul’s SermonsChrstianity 101 - The Good News and the Bad News. Rev Dcn Bryan DenchWhy is Christianity the Good News? Scripture and the 39 Articles of Religion show us that in our natural state we are enemies of God. We want to go our own way. We are "dead" in our trespasses and sinful choices unless God intervenes. That's the bad news, and the good news is God has indeed intervened in the person and work of Jesus Christ. By trusting faith in him, and in him alone, we can become children of God, right in position because of what Jesus has done for us.
2024-10-2012 minSaint Paul’s SermonsPride, "The Great Sin" - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchIn Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis had a chapter on Pride, what he calls "The Great Sin," the sin that underlies all other sins like a poison. Jesus repeatedly shamed the proud and in the Gospel of today from Saint Luke declares that those who exalt themselves will be brought low and it is the humble will be exalted before God
2024-09-2218 minSaint Paul’s SermonsJesus, the God Man of Emotion, Action, and Teaching - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchIn a few short verses in his Gospel, Luke describes Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem, cleansing the temple, and teaching in the temple daily (Luke 19:41-48). We learn much about the man Jesus from this passage, his human grief over the city of Jerusalem, his bold attack on the moneychangers and merchants defiling the temple, and his heart for the people as he teaches.
2024-08-0407 minSaint Paul’s SermonsMore Righteous Than The Scribes and Pharisees? - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchIn chapter 20 of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus teaches us that unless our righteousness is more righteous than that of the Pharisees and scribes, we can’t see the kingdom of heaven. What is Jesus talking about? Does he really want us to be more ostentatious, more public, more hypocritical in our righteousness, observing every little man made commandment of the law? No, Jesus is making a point to contrast the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, which is superficial and phony, with the kind of righteousness, God, desires, righteousness, faith, humility within our hearts.
2024-07-0707 minSaint Paul’s SermonsPride and Its Antidote, Humility, In the Book of Common Prayer - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchPride is the cardinal sin, putting ourselves in the place of God. We see it in the “pride” of people who celebrate sin and repudiate what God declares. The Book of Common Prayer includes prayers that turn is away from our pride.
2024-06-0210 minSaint Paul’s SermonsCranmer's Vision for the Book of Common Prayer: Unified, Understandable, and Reformed - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchArchbishop Thomas Cranmer was a visionary walking a difficult path to bring Reformed Christianity to England. Henry VIII if anything remained Roman Catholic while making himself head of the English church, but his appointed Archbishop of Canterbury was solidly and biblically reformed. In developing the prayer book, Cranmer skillfully achieved several goals:
1. Unify all worship and practice into one "common" prayer book for clergy and laity.
2. Put it in English (not Latin).
3. Incorporate solidly reformed doctrine in place of the theology of Rome.
4. Reinforce belief regularly.
The work of...
2024-05-0513 minSaint Paul’s SermonsJoy In Christ Jesus - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchDuring the upper room discourse Jesus tells his followers in a little while they won’t see him, then he says in a little while they will see him. He’s predicting his death followed by his rising again. Understandably they’re baffled. Jesus goes on to assure them of their future joy, the joy in him we who believe can share.
2024-04-2105 minSaint Paul’s SermonsJust the Facts - The Resurrection of Jesus: Rev Dcn Bryan DenchThe Resurrection of Jesus is the key, pivotal fact upon which our faith and assurance rest. As Paul said, if Jesus isn't raised, our faith is false and foolish, and we have no hope. How reasonable is it to believe in Jesus's resurrection from the dead? It's the only reasonable conclusion to draw from the eyewitness evidenced other undisputed facts. an
2024-04-0810 minSaint Paul’s SermonsDid Jesus make a deal with the devil? - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchDid Jesus make a deal with the devil? That’s what some of his critics said when they witnessed a miracle in which he drove a demon out of a man who was mute. Jesus didn’t let that stand. He pointed out to them. Their claim was nonsense, since Satan, as a limited created, being, had no power to perform miracles. And why would he help? Jesus destroy his own minions anyway? But in that same passage, Jesus made a very important statement: anyone who is not with him, is against him, this is the question for us. Are we w...
2024-03-0310 minSaint Paul’s SermonsWhat Kind of Dirt Am I ? - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchJesus was the great teacher, and he loved to teach with simple stories people could understand: the parables. The parable of the sower, which is in all three of the synoptic gospels, challenges us. Are we the good soil, the good dirt, the ones with open hearts to the gospel who will bear fruit?
2024-02-0410 minSaint Paul’s SermonsBaptism of Jesus: A Matter of Life and Death - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchThe baptism of Jesus is a crucial event in the inauguration of his earthly ministry, and a moment that reveals his deity, the participation of all three persons of the Trinity, and especially his purpose in coming to the Earth. In the account in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells John the Baptist to with the baptism of repentance, even though Jesus has no need to repent. He does it, so that all righteousness will be fulfilled. As the new Adam, he is careful to be fully obedient to all commands and ordinances of God. This makes him worthy in his hu...
2024-01-1411 minSaint Paul’s SermonsWhy God Became A Man, Advent Reflections - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchDuring Advent we read the first part of chapter 1 of John's Gospel at every service, reminding us that Jesus was the enteral word of God, divine, with God from the beginning, and that he came to earth in human flesh for us! It's a miracle and hard for us to grasp how it could have happened, but we rejoice that it did. But the big question is why, why did God do that? And the answer is that he did it to redeem us because there was no other way: only the life of a godly human whose obedience...
2023-12-1711 minSaint Paul’s Sermons“The Devil Made Me Do It” - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchAround Halloween it’s a good time to reflect on the person and the pernicious work of the devil, and how his sway over us is limited, and not to be feared in any ultimate sense.
2023-10-2208 min
Saint Paul’s SermonsChristianity is not about performance - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchIt is right and good for us to examine our conscience daily, and to be mindful of the moral teachings of the law of Moses, and the commands of God, especially of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave us the new commandment to love one another. Being realistic about evaluating your own performance, however, does not being dragged down and losing the insurance and confidence of our salvation in Jesus Christ.
2023-09-1709 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe “Comfort able” Words - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchFrom the beginning the Anglican prayer book has included four passages of scripture known as “The comfortable words.” Their place in the celebration of the Eucharist, following our acknowledgment of sinfulness, emphasizes that believing Christians have assurance of forgiveness and security in their place of acceptance before God, because of the perfect work of Christ Jesus.
2023-09-1010 minSaint Paul’s SermonsOur Survival Manual -Rev Dcn Bryan DenchWe live in times when people calling themselves Anglican can proclaim not the Kingdom of God but the Realm of God because God “has no gender.” We have all around us ideas embraced that are anti Biblical. Our survival manual in these times is the Bible.
2023-08-2009 minSaint Paul’s SermonsOnly Two Choices - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchGod makes it clear for us there are only two choices: belief in God or nothingness, blessing or cursing, hope or hopelessness. In Dt 30:15-20 God lays out the options and urges to choose life through faith in him. Genesis 1:1 proclaims God as the creator of all things. His creation includes us. He creates and sustains all things. We have only two choices, place our faith in those truths or live by our own desires and failed wisdom.
2023-07-1609 minSaint Paul’s SermonsPutting First Things First - The Parable of the Excuse Making Banquet Guests, Luke 14: Rev Bryan DenchJesus regularly used parables to teach his followers and hearers lessons about the Kingdom of God. Luke chapter 14 recounts Jesus's experiences at a dinner hosted by a ruler of the Pharisees. First everyone watches him and hope to trip him up, especially when he heals a sick man on the Sabbath. Then he tries in a parable to teach them humility. They don't get it and in fact rest in self assurance as children of Abraham that they will be in the banquet at the final coming of God's kingdom (Isaiah chapter 25). So Jesus tries another story of invited...
2023-06-1812 minSaint Paul’s SermonsWe've Got Spirit, How 'Bout You? - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchEverything we do in worship and church ceremony is trinitarian. We baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of the trinity, confirm in the name of the trinity, marry in the name of the trinity, bury in the name of the trinity. As Saint Augustine taught, all the actions of the Godhead involve all three persons of the trinity. Yet the trinity is unfathomable to our mortal understanding. The third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit, is active in our lives now, our Comforter, our advocate, the one who...
2023-05-2111 minSaint Paul’s SermonsIn A Little While - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchIn chapter 16 of John's Gospel we have an eyewitness account of Jesus's words to his close disciples on the night before he died. He told them "in a little while" they would not see him, but that "in a little while" they would see him again. "Your hearts will rejoice. No one will take your joy from you," he assures them. And later he assures them that, although "the world" will rejoice and gloat when he is executed, he has overcome the world!! Jn 16:33, 1 Jn 5:5.
2023-04-3009 min
Saint Paul’s SermonsWhat if God Was One of Us?... But wait, he WAS! Rev. Dcn Bryan DenchjThere was a popular song in the 1990s called, "One of Us," by Joan Osborne. It asks, "What if God was one of us?" It's a good question but misses the mark, because God was indeed one of us in the Incarnation (John 1:1-5, 11-15). The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have in Jesus a savior who knows firsthand what it is like to be one of us. Moreover, God himself took action in the Incarnation by becoming man and living a perfectly just and righteous life so that, by His atoning death, God became both...
2023-03-0608 minSaint Paul’s SermonsSlip Slidin’ Away, or Bound For Glory? - Rev Deacon Bryan DenchA popular song from 1978 reflects the notion that this life really has no meaning or purpose, that God has a plan but we don’t know it. The Bible shows nothing could be farther from the truth. We can know God’s plan, and it’s a faithful, good plan.
2023-02-0508 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Truly Awesome Baptism of Jesus - Rev Deacon Bryan DenchWe hear the word “awesome” often in casual conversation. But the Gospel of Mark records a truly awesome event: the baptism of Jesus, in which all three persons of the Trinity join to show his divinity and inaugurate his mission.
2023-01-1510 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Slaughter of the Innocents - Is There Good? Rev Deacon Bryan DenchThe dreadful murder perpetrated by wicked King Herod Matthew describes comes hard in contrast to the joy of Christmas. But there is overriding good in the narrative of how God preserves the Christ Child and accomplishes his will.
2023-01-0107 minSaint Paul’s SermonsNo One Greater Than John the Baptist - Dcn Bryan DenchIn the Gospel of Matthew for today we hear John the Baptist's question to Jesus as John suffers in prison: are you really the one we were to expect? We can feel the weight of John's distress, as perhaps Jesus was not exactly the Messiah John had expected. But Jesus reminds him of what the scriptures said about him. After perhaps a gentle rebuke, Jesus teaches the people that of all men and women ever born, none was greater that John, because of John's mission in fulfilling the promises of God.
2022-12-1111 minSaint Paul’s SermonsGod’s Providence In Action: Jesus Feeds 5,000 (John 6) - Dcn Bryan DenchGod is a God of providence, who ordains all things and provides for his people. In this miracle Jesus provides food for perhaps 15,000 people and teaches his disciples about faith in him.
2022-11-2008 minSaint Paul’s SermonsForgive Us As We Forgive - Rev Dcn Bryan Dench (given at the Anglican Church of the Transfiguration)Christianity is all about forgiveness. Because of Christ our sins are forgiven, taken away, remitted, so that in Christ we can be right before God. In today’s Gospel we are taught it is our duty, having been forgiven much, to forgive others.
2022-11-1310 minSaint Paul’s SermonsWhy Doesn’t Jesus Heal Everyone? - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchJohn 4 relates the account of the second miracle of Jesus, healing a man’s son. Jesus healed multitudes. We often pray for healing or other miraculous interventions. When Jesus does not heal, when it seems to us God is not answering our prayers, what are we to think? In this message we have an answer tied to the cross of Christ.
2022-11-0612 minSaint Paul’s SermonsHuman Life is Precious to Almighty God - Rev Deacon Bryan DenchScripture plainly declares the sacredness of all human life in God’s sight. He is the creator and sustainer of our lives. In him we live and move and have our being. He made us uniquely in his image and before he formed us in our mother’s womb he knew us completely.
2022-10-0210 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Good Samaritan, and The Promises of Christ - Very Rev Andrew FaustThe impact of following Christ in our lives and the life of the Church.
2022-09-1111 minSaint Paul’s SermonsJesus Did All Things Well- Rev Deacon Bryan DenchIn Mark’s narrative of the miracle Jesus did healing the man who was deaf (Mk 7:31) we have another sign and wonder showing Jesus’ divinity, his compassion, and his fulfillment of prophecy. He indeed did all things well as the crowd exclaimed.
2022-09-0413 minSaint Paul’s SermonsCreate In Me A Clean Heart - Very Rev Andrew FaustPsalm 51, David’s cry of repentance, gives us the pattern of true repentance for our sins,
2022-08-2814 minSaint Paul’s SermonsWas Jesus Human? Does It Matter? - Rev Deacon Bryan DenchJesus wept and lamented over the fate of the city of Jerusalem (Lk 19:41-48; 13:34). The Bible clearly teaches of Jesus’ humanity (Hebrews 4:14-15; John chapter 1). “For in Christ all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form” Col 2:9. Does it matter? Yes, it makes all the difference.
2022-08-2109 minSaint Paul’s SermonsA Forgiven Brother and A Brother Who Won’t Forgive - Very Rev Andrew Faust (Luke 15:11-32)In the well known parable of the Prodigal Son Jesus teaches of the Father’s love for repentant sinners, the power of forgiveness, and the toxicity of unforgiveness.
2022-08-1410 minSaint Paul’s SermonsDo You Believe In Demons? - Rev Deacon Bryan Dench. Matthew 8:28-34The Bible clearly communicates to us that wicked, evil spirits are active in our world, so it’s not surprising to see the evil and depravity all around us. Bit the good news is that God is sovereign over it all. We are also surrounded by a heavenly host in our side. We follow a savior who has overcome the world.
2022-07-3110 minSaint Paul’s SermonsWorship the Lord in the Splendor of His Holiness - Very Rev Father Andrew FaustWhat does it mean to worship the Lord in the beauty and splendor of his holiness? It means to celebrate our covenant relationship with God
2022-07-2517 minSaint Paul’s SermonsGod’s Holiness Made Manifest in a Catch of Fish - Rev Bryan DenchIn Luke’s account of the miraculous catch of fish, after which Saint peter in the early apostles were called to follow Jesus, shows us both the sovereignty of Jesus over nature and his holiness. Peter‘s response, falling to his knees, shows the recognition of who Jesus was and who Peter was. The good news is, as Jesus said to Peter, we do not need to be afraid but simply need to trust Jesus in the faith and he will never refuse us
2022-07-1712 minSaint Paul’s SermonsReverence for God, Love for Mankind - Very Rev Andrew FaustScripture teaches us to fear God, but it’s not a cringing cowering fear but reverence and the desire to please Almighty God.
2022-06-2716 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Great Gulf: The Eternal Significance of Our Decisions. Rev Dcn Bryan DenchThe parable of the rich man (unnamed) and the poor beggar recorded in Luke 16:19-31 gives us a very clear message. Our eternal destiny is fixed based on our choices in life, whether we trust Jesus and follow him or put our trust in something else. There is, Jesus teaches, a great gulf between the place of the blessed in heaven and those whose own hard hearts keep them from God. The prospect of hell is terrible, but the good news is thanks to Christ we can be sure it’s not our destination.
2022-06-1915 minSaint Paul’s SermonsTrinity Sunday: Loving and Serving Our Three Personed God - Very Rev Andrew FaustWe worship one God in three persons in the sacred mystery of the Trinity affirmed by all Christians. Father Faust explains how to love and serve this wonderful God and the importance of trusting Him for our salvation.
2022-06-1214 minSaint Paul’s SermonsBe of Good Cheer - Rev Dcn Bryan DenchAt the end of his farewell discourse in John’s Gospel, chapter 13 to 16, Jesus says to his disciples that they will have tribulations and adversity in the world but he says be of good cheer I have overcome the world. That means that because of Jesus we have nothing to fear, nothing to worry about.
2022-05-2213 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Blessing of the Eucharist - Very Rev Andrew FaustIn the encounter with the risen Christ in the Eucharist we are blessed.
2022-05-0816 minSaint Paul’s SermonsJesus the Good ShepherdJesus is the good shepherd of the sheep. Who’s the sheep? We are if we hear the voice of the shepherd and follow him!
2022-05-0108 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Breath of God: the work of the Holy Spirit- Rev Daniel EddyWhen Jesus appeared in his glorified body to his disciples after the Resurrection he passed through a locked door and breathed the spirit on them to constitute them as apostles.
2022-04-2415 minSaint Paul’s SermonsA Personal Relationship With the Risen Christ - Very Rev Andrew FaustAs we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead, it’s important to establish a personal, Saving relationship with Him.
2022-04-1713 minSaint Paul’s SermonsMaundy Thursday: The Darkest Night and A New Commandment - Dcn Bryan DenchMaundy Thursday, almost 2000 years ago, was the darkest most terrible night in all of human history, because it was on that night that Jesus was betrayed and suffered before his passion. But it was also a night when Jesus loved his disciples to the end, prayed for them, encouraged them, gave them promises, of a future hope, and instituted the Lords supper for their benefit. Among all those things, he also gave them, and us, the new commandment to love one another
2022-04-1507 minSaint Paul’s SermonsSigns, Symbols, and Preparing Our Hearts For Worship - Very Rev Andrew FaustSigns in the sacraments, symbols of faith, and other things we observe prepare us for worship and elevate our hearts, minds, and spirits toward God.
2022-03-2725 minSaint Paul’s SermonsWhy Are the “Comfortable Words” comfortable?Only the traditional Anglican service contains the “comfortable words,” four passages of scripture that follow the rite of confession and absolution. Why are they “comfortable”? Because they ease our conscience and assure us of pardon if we have fully trusted in Jesus and in him alone.
2022-03-2011 minSaint Paul’s SermonsOur Need for God - Very Rev Andrew FaustDuring the season of Lent the prayers of the church and the Scriptures the Anglican church presents to us remind us of our need for God and his desire for us to be sanctified through Christ.
2022-03-1312 minSaint Paul’s SermonsLent: An Opportunity to Turn to God - Very Rev Andrew FaustLent is a season for realistic reflection on our lives, and how we compare to God’s standards in what we do and fail to do. It is an opportunity to turn away from those things in our lives that are not pleasing to God, and things that are harmful to us.
2022-03-0621 minSaint Paul’s SermonsLessons From the Temptation of Jesus - Rev Bryan DenchThe gospel accounts of how Satan tested Jesus teach us valuable lessons about the times we are tested or tempted, about putting God first, and about finding our defenses in our survival manual, the Bible
2022-03-0610 minSaint Paul’s SermonsSpend Time With God - Very Rev Andrew FaustGod saves us for a purpose: to be relationship with him. We communicate with God through regularly reading of the Bible and prayer. As we approach the season of Lent, it’s a good time to begin or increase time spent in praying morning and evening prayers and/or in reading and reflecting on God’s word.
2022-02-2023 minSaint Paul’s SermonsOur Response to God’s Gift of Grace - Very Rev Andrew FaustGod has graciously and freely given us the gift of his grace. How do we respond? Are we angry at the things we don’t like, or grateful for the gifts of God? Learn from the parable of the workers told by Jesus, Matt 20:1-16
2022-02-1312 minSaint Paul’s SermonsThe Wheat and the Tares - Rev Bryan DenchChapter 13 of Matthews gospel contains several parables teaching us about the end of the age to come and how important it is to be with Christ when the final separation takes place. This parable is one of them, teaching us that the wheat and the weeds grow up together in the world, and in the church, and in the end Jesus will identify which is which. We want to be wheat
2022-02-0613 minSaint Paul’s SermonsAre You Submissive to God? - Very Rev Andrew FaustLiving to please God as our grateful response to God’s love and mercy toward us requires knowing and submitting to God’s perfect will for us.
2022-01-3120 minSaint Paul’s SermonsBelieve in Jesus: he’s everything - Very Rev. Andrew FaustBelief in Jesus is the whole thing; John wrote his Gospel that we might believe with certainty.
2022-01-2315 minSaint Paul’s SermonsLiving to please God: No Excuses. Very Rev Andrew FaustWe are full of excuses. Excuses for not coming to church, for example. Excuses for choosing not to please God. But our true happiness and peace come when we make the choice to live to please God.
2022-01-1615 minSaint Paul’s SermonsRead Your Bible to Grow in Spirit - Very Rev. Andrew FaustThe Epiphany brings us a message of new awareness and new understanding of familiar things. By reading the Bible regularly we can gain new insights into God’s word for us and how to apply biblical wisdom to our lives.
2022-01-0918 minSaint Paul’s SermonsJesus Came For All - the Epiphany. Rev Bryan DenchThe seasons of the church year give rhythm and unity the the body of Christ, and as the Christmas season comes to a close we observe the Epiphany, the Messiah’s birth manifest to the world. For all, not only for the chosen Jewish people. The seers from the East come to seek him and celebrate. Gentiles know him though his own receive him not.
2022-01-0212 minSaint Paul’s SermonsSaint Stephen: Bold in Faith. Rev Bryan DenchSaint Stephen is remembered on December 26. Though a young man he served the church well, taught, and spoke out for Christ with winsome confidence empowered by the Holy Spirit. We do well to learn from his example of knowing scripture, speaking boldly, and showing forth a living and forgiving spirit.
2021-12-2612 minSaint Paul’s SermonsChristmas Eve Message - Very Rev Andrew FaustChristmas is the time we celebrate God’s fulfilling his promises by coming to his people, God, with us! Christ comes for a close personal relationship with us, he in us, and we in him.
2021-12-2508 minSaint Paul’s SermonsChristmas begins what Easter celebratesThe Birth of the second person of the Trinity as a human being, the Incarnation, begins the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation and reconciliation for humanity. Resting in this gives us that peace surpassing all understanding.
2021-12-1910 minSaint Paul’s SermonsHow Will the Bible Change You? - Very Rev Andrew FaustOn this Sunday of rejoicing we look at how our study of God’s word changes us and directs in life as we internalize what God has to say.
2021-12-1218 minSaint Paul’s SermonsAn Attitude of Gratitude - Very Rev Andrew FaustWe do not control everything in life, but we do control our attitude toward life. We need to cultivate gratitude to God in our own attitude.
2021-11-2809 minSaint Paul’s SermonsStir Us Up, Lord! Very Rev Andrew FaustStir us up, Lord, to do your will, knowing all things are possible through you!
2021-11-2117 minSaint Paul’s SermonsYour Faith Has Healed YouGod permits his children to experience trials in this life. He knows them. He is in them with us. In chapter 5 of Mark Christ heals a suffering woman who come to him in faith.
2021-11-1413 minSaint Paul’s SermonsRender to God - Very Rev Andrew Faust, Rector.If we seek God faithfully, God will answer effectually. If we Render to God the things of God, the things due to God, then God honors that and blesses us.
2021-11-0715 minSaint Paul’s SermonsAll The Saints - an inspiration and example to us (Rev Bryan Dench)Why we celebrate the Saints and draw inspiration from their example.
2021-11-0250 minSaint Paul’s SermonsTransformed by Christ - Very Rev Andrew S FaustChrist calls us to transformation through his saving work on our behalf. Have you experienced that?
2021-10-3115 minSaint Paul’s SermonsWalking in Faith - Very Rev Andrew Faust, RectorExamining what it means to be faithful, to resist Satan daily, to love the Lord our God and our neighbor as ourself.
2021-10-2416 minSaint Paul’s SermonsMany Are Called (Matt 22:1-14)In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus illustrates the Kingdom of God with a parable, a story about a wedding feast. It shows us the wonderful way in which God has chosen those who come to faith in Christ.
2021-10-1712 minSaint Paul’s SermonsGod Does Not ChangeGod is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He does not change. His will does not change. His teachings and commandments for us are not suggestions, but tell us how to love him with all our hearts, minds, and strength.
2021-10-0317 minSaint Paul’s SermonsChristians and the Ten CommandmentsWhat is the proper understanding of the Christian’s obedience to the law of God
2021-10-0309 min
Saint Paul’s SermonsHumility comes before honorSeven times Jesus taught us the first shall be last, and those who exalt themselves will be humbled. What lessons do we learn from that?
2021-09-2621 min2021-08-2911 min2021-08-2914 min
Saint Paul’s SermonsThe Pharisee and The Tax Collector - On Not Thinking Ourselves Better Than OthersLike the Pharisee in this parable Jesus told, many today think themselves “better people” than others and use it to exercise power over them.
2021-08-1516 min