Shows
Reverend Neil Taylor - Podcast"I still have many things to say to you.” | Trinity SundayRead John 16:12-15
Trinity Sunday
Dear friends, here we are at Trinity Sunday, a day not to celebrate an event in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, but to honor a doctrine shaped by the experiences of the Early Church.
2025-06-1614 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - Podcast“I Will Pour Out My Spirit On All People”Read Joel 2:28-23, Acts 2:14-21
“I Will Pour Out My Spirit On All People” (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:18)
“I Will Pour Out My Spirit On All People” is one of the greatest statements in the Bible; this is how God ignites kingdom life in his people; he pours out his Spirit on them, and they are never the same again. When God promises to “pour out” the Spirit, this is more than a trickle. It means that God plans to release the floodgates of heaven into the human heart. No person can do this on their own; this is not the...2025-06-0934 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastA Greater GloryRead John 17:20-26
The Sunday After Ascension — A Greater Glory
Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus has been stiff-arming human popularity. Up until now, he hadn’t been ready to go big, but now he is. The moment has come for God to be glorified in Christ, Jesus’ relatively localized Palestinian ministry is about to step onto a cosmic stage through the Cross.
2025-06-0222 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastKairos Time — An Ascensiontide HomilyThe Ascension is a central pillar of Christian doctrine, affirming Jesus' divinity and his role as Lord and Christ. The Ascension is also linked to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. And so, we are in that time now between Ascension and Pentecost. The 10-day period we call Ascensiontide. For 10 days, God's people prayed for the promise of the Holy Spirit to come. For ten days, Jesus' disciples waited and prayed in unity for the Pentecost experience, the time of the Holy Spirit.
2025-06-0106 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - Podcast“My Peace I Give You”Read John 14:21-31
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
One of the most wonderful and sweetest things in the Bible is that just hours before Jesus' crucifixion, he was concerned for his followers' peace, joy, and faith. Think of it, He is about to be tortured to death with one of the most horrific means of torture ever devised, and his burden was to reinforce in the souls of his followers peace, joy, and faith.
2025-05-2625 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastQuestions About LoveRead John 13:31-35
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sometimes, the most familiar passages in the Bible are the most challenging to preach. This Sunday’s gospel reading is a great example. It contains Jesus’ famous “love command.” It is one of the better-known passages in the Bible, and for that very reason, it is challenging. The passage is so familiar that most assume they know it before hearing it. Moreover, what can you add to “love another”? At the same time, these words are ridiculously easy to understand and ridiculously hard to do.
2025-05-1910 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastJesus Is Precious Because He Provides the Gift of Eternal Life.Read John 10:22-30
Fourth Sunday of Easter
For the two and a bit years of the COVID-19 pandemic, I averaged roughly one funeral a month, sometimes two. I regret that experience because the congregation could not share in that ministry with me. Because I know that even today, some of you would not live the way you do if once a month you had to spend three or four hours writing a funeral meditation about the meaning of death, that if you had to think and pray about what you would say to the family...2025-05-1122 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFishing, Breakfast, and the Care of ChristRead John 21:1-14
The Third Sunday of Easter
Fishing, Breakfast, and the Care of Christ
John 21:1-14 is a lot like a seven-layer bean dip because, on the surface, we have a very straightforward story: some disciples go out to fish; however, they don’t catch anything during the night. Then Jesus tells them where to find fish, and they make an enormous catch, and then they eat breakfast on the beach with Jesus.
But after reading this passage, we can’t help but ask ourselves, what does all of this mean...2025-05-0424 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastThe Resurrected Christ — His Peace, Power, and PurposeRead John 20:19-23
The Second Sunday of Easter
As we examine Jesus’ first appearance to all his frightened disciples after the resurrection, let us ask how the risen Jesus acted and what he said.
2025-04-2819 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastA Promise, A Hope, And A Call — Easter SundayRead Luke 24:1-12
Easter Sunday
The tomb is empty, and as the angels told the women, “He is not here, but has risen.”
2025-04-2112 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastPassion: A Question of Greater SignificanceThe Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
A Question of Greater Significance
Read Luke 22:39 - 23:56
We are close to the end. For the last five weeks, we have traced Jesus’ steps toward the cross, and this Sunday, we reach the sobering and even brutal conclusion to Luke’s account of our Lord’s Passion.
2025-04-1421 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastHosannaThe Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Read Luke 19:29-40
"Hosanna" is a Hebrew word that translates as "Save us" or "Grant salvation." Hosanna is a plea for help and a declaration of the need for salvation. We see this in Psalm 118:25, which says, "Save us, (Hosanna) we pray, O LORD!"
2025-04-1406 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastRejectionFifth Week of Lent
Read Luke 20:9-19
Traditionally, this parable from Luke’s Gospel is called “the parable of the wicked tenants.” However, considering the context, the vineyard owner is the story’s hero because he exhibits restraint.
This teaching from Jesus follows on the heels of His confrontation with the temple leadership. They asked Him a loaded question intended to trap Him. He answered their question with one of His ownand they faltered claiming they did not know the answer. Jesus, therefore, refused to answer their question, but He did tell them this par...2025-04-0726 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastEvery Tragedy is a WarningThird Week of Lent
Read Luke 13:1-5
Jesus's words in verses 1-5 have astonishing implications about the true nature of the world, which differ significantly from what people often think. I aim to deeply impress upon our consciences the reality that people are perishing and to be the kind of witnesses for Christ that we should be. We must come to know and feel the gravity of what is truly at stake: the perishing of those who remain unrepentant.
2025-03-2419 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastEnter Through The Narrow DoorSecond Week of Lent
Read Luke 13:22-30
v. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?”
In other words, Jesus, how many will be saved? I can think of only four ways to answer that question:
Everyone will be saved.
No one will be saved.
Some will be saved; some will be lost.
There is no way to know.
2025-03-1727 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastJesus in the WildFirst Week of Lent
Read Luke 4:1-14
This morning, we will explore the Holy Spirit's role in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ and the events surrounding Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. As we study the story, keep in mind that Luke, our Gospel writer, presents Jesus as the perfect man and the model we should follow. This one thing we learned very clearly during Epiphany now has a laser focus as we enter the Lenten season.
2025-03-1030 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastSermon on the Plain: Blessings & WoesRead Luke 6:17-26
Blessings & Woes
I don’t know about you, but today’s gospel is hard to hear. I’d rather be rich than poor; I’d rather be full than hungry; I’d rather laugh than weep and be spoken well of than hated, excluded, reviled, and defamed. Does anybody find today’s gospel hard to hear?
Today’s gospel doesn’t align well with the values of a capitalist society. It doesn’t align with our constitutional right to “the pursuit of happiness” or our programs for happiness.
2025-02-1712 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFifth Sunday of Epiphany | Jesus Addresses the Issue of Limited VisionRead Luke 5:1-11
Jesus Addresses the Issue of Limited Vision
Our Gospel text is the story of how Christ called Peter to be his disciple. At the beginning of the story, he is fishing for fish by the end of the story, he is fishing for men. It is fascinating to consider the men Jesus chose as his first disciples. He didn’t go to an executive search consultant or visit the placement office at the local college. He started by calling men with dirt under their fingernails—blue-collar workers, men without much education, men who knew about...2025-02-1026 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastThe Presentation of Christ in the Temple | Luke 2:22-40Read Luke 2:22-40
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
Today's Gospel reading is a story full of joy—the joy of parents faithfully fulfilling their faith practices, especially the joy of two older people who see the baby's identity and testify to his world-historical significance.
2025-02-0416 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastThird Sunday of Epiphany | Good News is Bad News is Good NewsRead Luke 4:14-21
Good News is Bad News is Good News
This morning's gospel reading is undoubtedly about the good news in connection with Jesus as he preaches his first hometown sermon in Nazareth. But like a lot of good news, there is often a little bad news lurking quietly. Perhaps Martin Luther was not too far off when he famously said, "The gospel is bad news before it's good news."
2025-01-2723 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastSecond Sunday of Epiphany | Jesus' Glory and a WeddingRead John 2:1-11
Jesus' Glory and a Wedding
After the story of the Cana wedding, John adds his narration in v. 11.
"This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him."
John focuses on seeing Christ's glory: "His disciples saw his glory, and they believed in him."
That's why John is writing this Gospel. He wants to reveal the glory of Christ to us, and he wants us to receive the grace of believing. So i...2025-01-2022 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFirst Sunday of Epiphany | A More Meaningful BaptismA More Meaningful Baptism
Read Luke 3:15-22
1. Baptism is about identity
2. Baptism is about God’s work
2025-01-1417 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastSecond Sunday of Christmas | Six Miles From JesusRead Matthew 2:1-6
Six Miles From Jesus
How long would it take to walk six miles? If you’re fit and the terrain is relatively flat, you can walk it in a couple of hours.
The most important event in the Bible—and in all of human history—took place six miles from Jerusalem.
2025-01-0620 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFirst Sunday of Christmas | When Did Christmas Begin?Read John 1:1-18
When Did Christmas Begin?
When did Jesus Christ's earthly life really begin?
John 1:14 tells us that "the Word (referring to Jesus Christ) became flesh and lived among us." That takes us back before Bethlehem to the conception of Jesus in Mary's womb. Christmas began not in Bethlehem but nine months earlier when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and implanted the divine-human Person of the Lord Jesus Christ within her.
2024-12-3019 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastChristmas Day | The Ripple Effect of ChristmasRead Luke 2:15-20
CHRISTMAS DAY | THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF CHRISTMAS
Our text is the second part of the Christmas Gospel we heard last night. It shows that Christmas has a ripple effect. The good news radiates outward, just like when a pebble is thrown into the still waters of a pond.
To catch up with Christmas Eve, preached by Bishop Mark Engel, go to https://youtu.be/kb3Bg5fI7zghttps://youtu.be/KnlHkNscllI
2024-12-2613 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastAdvent 4 | Jesus, The Revolutionary: Mary’s SongRead Luke 1:48-55
ADVENT 4 | JESUS, THE REVOLUTIONARY: MARY'S SONG
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
We anticipate and celebrate the arrival, work, and person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in this world.
Daily Advent devotions will be posted at www.facebook.com/HolySpiritAkron
To catch up with Advent 3, preached by Rev'd Mark Hottel, go to https://youtu.be/kb3Bg5fI7zg
2024-12-2335 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastAdvent 2 | Preparing the WayRead Luke 3:1-6
ADVENT 2 | PREPARING THE WAY
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
We anticipate and celebrate the arrival, work, and person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in this world.
Daily Advent devotions will be posted at www.facebook.com/HolySpiritAkron
2024-12-0917 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastAdvent 1 | Christ's Coming Brings HopeRead Luke 21:25-36
ADVENT 1 | CHRIST'S COMING BRINGS HOPE
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
We anticipate and celebrate the arrival, work, and person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in this world.
Daily Advent devotions will be posted at www.facebook.com/HolySpiritAkron
2024-12-0320 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part SeventeenRead Genesis 2:4-17, 3:1-7, 22-24; Revelation 21:1-4, 22:1-5
I BELIEVE... in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting | Part Seventeen
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us in this final message as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
2024-11-2541 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part SixteenRead 2 Kings 6:15-17; Psalm 16; Hebrews 12:1-4; John 1:9-13
I BELIEVE... In the Communion of Saints | Part Sixteen
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
2024-11-1923 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part FifteenRead Isaiah 28:14-17; Psalm 118:14-24; Ephesians 4:4-6; Matthew 16:13-20
I BELIEVE... In the Church | Part Fifteen
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
2024-11-1138 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part FourteenRead Numbers 20:2-13; Psalm 72:1-7; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; John 7:37-39
I BELIEVE... In the Holy Spirit | Part Fourteen
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
2024-11-0432 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part ThirteenRead Daniel 7:13-15; Psalm 98; 2 Peter 3:3-10; Mark 13:32-37.
I BELIEVE... He Will Come Again | Part Thirteen
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
2024-10-2831 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part TwelveRead Psalm 110; Hebrews 7:24-26; Luke 24:50-52.
I BELIEVE... He Ascended | Part Twelve
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
To catch up with PART ELEVEN of "I BELIEVE," preached by Rev'd Mark Hottel, go to https://youtu.be/_hic_Ra-RD8
2024-10-2138 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part TenRead Ecclesiastes 9:1-6; Psalm 139:1-12; 1 Peter 3:13-22; Luke 16:19-31.
I BELIEVE... He Descended to the Dead | Part Ten
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
2024-10-1440 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part NineRead Leviticus 16:8-10, 21-22, 1 Corinthians 15:1-6, Matthew 26:6-13
I BELIEVE... in Jesus Christ, Buried | Part Nine
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
2024-09-3034 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part EightRead Numbers 21:6-9, Hebrews 9, 10, Matthew 20:17-19
I BELIEVE... in Jesus Christ, Crucified | Part Eight
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
2024-09-2332 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part SevenRead Isaiah 53, Acts 4:1-31, John 18:28-40
I BELIEVE... in Jesus Christ, He suffered under Pontius Pilate | Part Seven
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
To catch up with PART SIX of "I BELIEVE," preached by Rev'd Mark Hottel, go to https://youtu.be/2ctfTqlesr4
2024-09-1636 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part FiveRead Isaiah 9:6-7, Philippians 2:9-11, Matthew 16:13-20
I BELIEVE... in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord | Part Five
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
2024-09-0338 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part FourRead Genesis 2:1-7, Psalm 33:1-9, John 1:1-5, Revelation 4
I BELIEVE... in God... Maker of Heaven and Earth | Part Four
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
2024-08-2630 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part ThreeRead Genesis 17:1-8, Psalm 89:5-13, Matthew 7:9-11, Revelation 1:1-8
I BELIEVE... in God the Father Almighty | Part Three
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles' Creed says.
To catch up with PART TWO of "I BELIEVE," preached by Rev'd Mark Hottel, go to https://youtu.be/MQ7mbcuGhSk
2024-08-1926 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFeast of The Transfiguration Homily | August 6, 2024Read Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Peter 1:13-21, Luke 9:28-36
Humanity can never build a dwelling place for God; rather it is God who makes humanity the dwelling place of divinity. It is God through Jesus who tabernacles among us and this is most profoundly revealed in the Transfiguration of Jesus.
2024-08-0605 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI BELIEVE | Part One
Read Romans 1:16
I BELIEVE | Part One
Saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do. So, join us over the next several weeks as we explore what the Apostles’ Creed says.
2024-08-0529 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWatch the Gap — Restoring Emotional and Spiritual Margin | Part FourRead Proverbs 21:20 & 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Part Four | A Better Life — Watching the Finacial Gap
Sometimes, the only way to keep up with all the demands on our lives is to run at maximum capacity and then some. But there is another way...one where we have room to breathe and space to respond to what life brings our way. Join us as we explore what it means to WATCH THE GAP and live with Margin over this four-week sermon series.
2024-07-2932 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFeast Day of St. James the Elder (Greater) | Homily
Read Matthew 4:21-22
Feast Day of St. James the Elder (Greater) | July 25, 2024
Little did this brash disciple, who left his nets on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, know that he would be the first Apostle martyred for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, James, the son of Zebedee, was the first of the Apostles to win the crown of martyrdom and the only Apostle whose death is recorded in the New Testament. In Acts 12, we read that the outstretched hand of King Herod Agrippa put James to death by the sword. J...2024-07-2508 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWatch the Gap — Restoring Emotional and Spiritual Margin | Part ThreeRead Job 31:1-8, James 1:13-16, Matthew 5:21-37
Part Three | Moral Spaces
Sometimes, the only way to keep up with all the demands on our lives is to run at maximum capacity and then some. But there is another way...one where we have room to breathe and space to respond to what life brings our way. Join us as we explore what it means to WATCH THE GAP and live with Margin over this four-week sermon series.
2024-07-2235 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFeast of St. Mary Magdalene | HomilyFeast of St Mary Magdalene | Homily
Read John 20:1-2, 11-18
Our Christian faith, in the resurrection of Christ, our risen Lord, depends principally on the testimony of Mary Magdalene. This fact speaks eloquently of the important role of women in the Church universal, and Mary Magdalene stands in a long line of women who have loved and served Christ. Women, who have told others about him, who have witnessed the truth of the Gospel, and who have been the first teachers and preachers of the Gospel.
2024-07-2207 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWatch the Gap — Restoring Emotional and Spiritual Margin | Part TwoRead Ephesians 5:15-17, Matthew 6:26-34
Part Two | Planning Sacred Spaces
Sometimes, the only way to keep up with all the demands on our lives is to run at maximum capacity and then some. But there is another way...one where we have room to breathe and space to respond to what life brings our way. Join us as we explore what it means to WATCH THE GAP and live with Margin over this four-week sermon series.
2024-07-1531 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWatch the Gap – Restoring Emotional and Spiritual Margin | Part OneRead Luke 10:38-42
Part One | Managing Life's Sacred Spaces
Sometimes, the only way to keep up with all the demands on our lives is to run at maximum capacity and then some. But there is another way...one where we have room to breathe and space to respond to what life brings our way. Join us as we explore what it means to WATCH THE GAP and live with Margin over this four-week sermon series.
2024-07-0835 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastReach Out and Touch SomeoneRead Matthew 9:9-13
"When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
Here is the Pharisees' question asked differently: "What is your teacher's philosophy of ministry?" "What is He all about?"
Jesus heard them and said in verse 12, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
That is what being a Christian is all about; it's not about you and me, the strong and the believing, holding one another up constantly. True Christianity is the strong ministering t...2024-07-0134 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFeast of St. Peter and St. Paul | HomilyRead John 21:15-19
The two leading Apostles of the early Church are celebrated together in the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, which is observed on June 29th. This liturgical feast honors Peter and Paul's martyrdom in Rome.
2024-06-2910 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastNativity of St. John the Baptist | HomilyRead Luke 1:57-80
When an angel told Zechariah that his aged wife, Elizabeth, was pregnant, Zechariah began asking questions that betrayed his disbelief. It was then that Zechariah's voice failed him. Because of his lack of faith… his powers of speech were temporarily taken away.
In the gospel reading, Zechariah's voice is restored when he signals that his newborn son will be named "John" according to God's set plan and purpose. When Zechariah's tongue was loosed, he uttered a beautiful canticle that described the mission of the child whose birthday we celebrate.
2024-06-2411 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWhat Good is a Clean Barn?Proverbs 14:4 "Without oxen, a barn stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest." (NLT)
Knowing that a barn's purpose is to store the biggest harvest possible, the question needs to be asked: Would you rather have your barn clean or filled?
2024-06-1733 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastGenerosity and Encouragement | The Feast of St BarnabasRead Acts 11.19-30, 13.1-3
We know more about Barnabas than most of the Saints of the apostolic age. What we know is found throughout the Acts of the Apostles, which are commented on in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Galatians, and Colossians. We can determine that he is a native Cypriot, a Levite, and a leader in the church in Jerusalem; tradition says he was an evangelizer of his native Cyprus and died around 61 A.D. at Salamis. He is commended in Acts 11:24 as “being a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of fait...2024-06-1108 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastYour Rejection is Your Direction | Part TwoRead Genesis 45:1-8
As we consider Joseph's life, ask yourself where you would be without the rejections that have pushed you towards the better life you have now or the life you have yet to go on to live. Most people see rejection as an ending. Can I tell you it is the beginning? Rejection and loss are the beginning. Joseph came to realize that, and so must we.
2024-06-1031 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastYour Rejection is Your Direction | Part OneRead Genesis 45:1-8
As we consider Joseph's life, ask yourself where you would be without the rejections that have pushed you towards the better life you have now or the life you have yet to go on to live. Most people see rejection as an ending. Can I tell you it is the beginning? Rejection and loss are the beginning. Joseph came to realize that, and so must we.
2024-06-0327 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastTrusting In God’s Plan Within the Midst of Our Messy Lives | The Feast of the Visitation
Read Zephaniah 3:14-18; Luke 1:39-56
The Feast of the Visitation
In our lectionary lessons, we are reminded that, whatever happens to us on our journey, God is in charge And He will and can use whatever it is you’re going through for good and to bring us joy and to help us get home.
2024-06-0110 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastThe Free Will of the Wind | Trinity SundayRead John 3:1-16
The work of the Spirit in the new birth is to make us alive so that we see the glory of Christ crucified and risen. So look to him; look to the Son of Man.
2024-05-2829 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastSPIRIT | Pentecost SundayRead John 14:8-17, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:4-13
SPIRIT
In the Bible's very beginning, the Spirit is involved in the birth of Creation, and in the New Testament, the Spirit is involved in the birth of the believer. The Spirit is the giver of new life, and it is this "new life" that we want to explore.
If you want to take things further, there are some great resources you can tap into, such as "Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit" by Frances Chan.
2024-05-2041 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastBecoming an Overcomer | Seventh Sunday of EasterRead 1 John 5:1-11, John 17:6-19
Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year B)
Our reading from 1 John 5 shows us and helps us keep our eyes and will on the finish line.
2024-05-1337 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWe Are Witnesses | Third Sunday of EasterRead Luke 24:36-49; Acts 3:12-20
Third Sunday of Easter (Year B)
Witnessing is not optional. It is not a sporadic or patchy activity of faith. It is not something you can decide to do one day and then resolve to take the next day off. It is constant. It is a way of life. It is who you are.
WE ARE WITNESSES.
2024-04-2223 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastDoubters Welcome | Second Sunday of EasterRead John 20:19-31
Second Sunday of Easter (Year B)
Unfortunately, Thomas is remembered solely in a negative light; there is more to this man than doubt.
2024-04-0727 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastEaster Sunday — "The Resurrection: How Will You Respond?" | Including a word from Bishop Mark EngelRead Mark 16:1-8
The resurrection of Jesus Christ requires a response. It is impossible to confront this historical reality and walk away unchanged. As we will see, people did not anticipate Jesus’ resurrection because they weren’t expecting Him to rise from the dead.
2024-04-0121 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastGood Friday Homily | Why We Call the Worst Friday ‘Good’.Read John 19:1-37
It was the single most horrible day in the history of the world. No incident has ever been more tragic, and no future event will ever match it. No surprise attack, no political assassination, no financial collapse, no military invasion, no atomic detonation or nuclear warfare, no cataclysmic act of terrorism, no large-scale famine or disease — can eclipse the darkness of that day.
No suffering has ever been so unfitting, no human has ever been so unjustly treated, and no other human has ever been so worthy of praise. No one else has...2024-03-3019 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastMaundy Thursday HomilyRead Exodus 12:1-14 and John 13:1-15
2024-03-2916 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastThe Quiet Sign of Calvary’s Love | Palm Sunday 2024Read Mark 15:29-32
2024-03-2534 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFeast of Saint Joseph HomilyRead Luke 2:41-5
Of all the direct descendants of King David, Joseph was beyond all comparison the most faithful, the most just most obedient, the most holy.
2024-03-1910 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWE ARE JONAH | Lenten Pulpit Series | Week FourRead Jonah 4:1-11
The Book of Jonah is more than a colorful story about a man being swallowed by a fish; it is a tale of God’s redemption in a lost world. If that is true, here's a great question: What is God willing to do to bring us back to Himself? Maybe you left God because you carelessly drifted from Him or consciously disobeyed Him. Regardless, what is God willing to do now? Those who desire to see God move in the church must grasp this truth: God will do whatever it takes to bring us...2024-03-1837 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWE ARE JONAH | Lenten Pulpit Series | Week ThreeRead Jonah 3:1-10
The Book of Jonah is more than a colorful story about a man being swallowed by a fish; it is a tale of God’s redemption in a lost world. If that is true, here's a great question: What is God willing to do to bring us back to Himself? Maybe you left God because you carelessly drifted from Him or consciously disobeyed Him. Regardless, what is God willing to do now? Those who desire to see God move in the church must grasp this truth: God will do whatever it takes to bring us...2024-03-1037 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWE ARE JONAH | Lenten Pulpit Series | Week TwoRead Jonah 2:1-10
The Book of Jonah is more than a colorful story about a man being swallowed by a fish; it is a tale of God’s redemption in a lost world. If that is true, here's a great question: What is God willing to do to bring us back to Himself? Maybe you left God because you carelessly drifted from Him or consciously disobeyed Him. Regardless, what is God willing to do now? Those who desire to see God move in the church must grasp this truth: God will do whatever it takes to bring us...2024-03-0436 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWE ARE JONAH | Lenten Pulpit Series | Week OneRead Jonah 1:1-17
The Book of Jonah is more than a colorful story about a man being swallowed by a fish; it is a tale of God’s redemption in a lost world. If that is true, here's a great question: What is God willing to do to bring us back to Himself? Maybe you left God because you carelessly drifted from Him or consciously disobeyed Him. Regardless, what is God willing to do now? Those who desire to see God move in the church must grasp this truth: God will do whatever it takes to bring us...2024-02-2746 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastThe Joy Of Being HiredThird Culture | Love God, Love People
Read Matthew 20:1-16
Did Jesus really call his followers to change the world? Over the next 3 weeks we're asking the painful question of why the church haven't changed the world more profoundly. The church is surely big enough, but it would seem that bigness is not the answer. Jesus often thought small. So let us put aside our measuring sticks and look at where the power of the church to transform culture really lies.
2024-02-1838 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastLiving A Life Worthy Of The Gospel
Living A Life Worthy Of The Gospel | Week Two
Third Culture | Love God, Love People
Read Romans 12:9-21
Did Jesus really call his followers to change the world? Over the next 3 weeks we're asking the painful question of why the church haven't changed the world more profoundly. The church is surely big enough, but it would seem that bigness is not the answer. Jesus often thought small. So let us put aside our measuring sticks and look at where the power of the church to transform culture really lies.
2024-02-1140 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastUnderstanding The World We Live InUnderstanding The World We Live In | Week One
Third Culture | Love God, Love People
Read Leviticus 19:9-18; Psalm 96; Acts 17:16-23; Matthew 22:36-40
Did Jesus really call his followers to change the world? Over the next 3 weeks we're asking the painful question of why the church haven't changed the world more profoundly. The church is surely big enough, but it would seem that bigness is not the answer. Jesus often thought small. So let us put aside our measuring sticks and look at where the power of the church to transform culture really lies....2024-02-0551 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI Quit! Comparing! (Week Four)Week Four — I Quit! Comparing.
Fed up with the status quo? The way things are isn’t the way things have to be. Are you willing to see what happens when you’re ready to say, "I Quit!".
2024-01-2826 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFeast Day | Conversion of St Paul | HomilyRead Acts 26:9-21
St. Paul’s entire life can be explained in terms of one experience—his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He instantly saw that all the zeal of his dynamic personality was being wasted, like the strength of a boxer swinging wildly. Perhaps he had never seen Jesus, who was only a few years older. But he had acquired a zealot’s hatred of all Jesus stood for, as he began to harass the Church: “…entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment” (Acts 8:3b). Now he w...2024-01-2512 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI Quit! Living in Fear (Week Three)Week Three — I Quit! Living in Fear.
Fed up with the status quo? The way things are isn’t the way things have to be. Are you willing to see what happens when you’re ready to say, "I Quit!".
2024-01-2130 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI Quit! Complaining (Week Two)Week Two — I Quit! Complaining.
Fed up with the status quo? The way things are isn’t the way things have to be. Are you willing to see what happens when you’re ready to say, "I Quit!".
2024-01-1434 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastI Quit! Making Excuses (Week One)Week One — I Quit! Making Excuses.
Fed up with the status quo? The way things are isn’t the way things have to be. Are you willing to see what happens when you’re ready to say, "I Quit!".
The audio of the first 4.30min is a bit rough — Mea culpa!
2024-01-0733 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFeast of Saint Stephen HomilyRead Acts 6:8-7:2a,51-60 and Matthew 23:29-39
2023-12-2614 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastChristmas Day Homily | 20232023-12-2513 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastChristmas Eve Homily | Declare that the Dawn is ComingRead Luke 1:67-69
Zechariah praised God when his son was born. He praised God for the promises that God made, the promises that God kept the promises that were in his son. Because he knew that his son was created for a purpose. He knew that his son John would be called a prophet and would “go before the Lord to prepare a way.” He knew that his son would “tell the people how to be saved through the forgiveness of their sins.” Zechariah was filled with joy at the birth of his son… so he praised God.
However...2023-12-2509 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastBe the Moon!Read John 1:19-34
John the Baptist appears at the beginning of John’s Gospel (and the other Gospels) and then falls into the background because he is a link or a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. He is prominent at the beginning of the Gospel because he is part of its roots. The roots of Jesus go back to eternity (John 1:1), and his roots go back to the Old Testament. John is like one of those great tree roots that protrude above the ground a few feet out from the tree trunk.
Over a...2023-12-1719 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWhat Sort of People Ought We Be?Read Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8; 2 Peter 3:8-18
To understand our New Testament reading from 2 Peter 3:10–14 and to understand the season of Advent and all things apocalyptic, we need to realize that there are false teachers that saturate their false teaching through the media, academia, and once-trusted institutions, and they all in lockstep say:
“Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4)
Therefore, the false teachers of this age reject the reality of the second coming...2023-12-1028 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastStuck in the CloudsRead Isaiah 64:1-9a, Psalm 80, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Mark 13:24.
As we come to the Advent worship season, it can be enjoyable to ride this wave of enthusiasm and expectation as we revel in the flourishes of the season like the advent candles and the steady influx of Christmas cards and gifts.
But in preparing for Advent, we miss something crucial if we overlook the fact that there is a deep wound at the heart of Advent; God’s groaning and limping creation still waits for its healer to appear in glory. As Christians, we still await the r...2023-12-0320 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFollowing the Lessons of St. Andrew’s LifeAndrew was a disciple of John the Baptist — who was preparing the way for the Messiah—and as soon as John, the Precursor, pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, he who takes away the sins of the world!” Andrew immediately sought to follow Jesus along with another disciple of the Baptist who was almost certainly the man who would become St. John the Evangelist. The one who would write down the details of the encounter for us in the first chapter of his gospel.
2023-11-3015 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastThe Real Difference Between Sheep and GoatsRead Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus describes the final judgment of the world as a shepherd separating the righteous sheep from the unrighteous goats. The shepherd distinguishes between the two groups by examining their sacrificial love toward the “least of these, my brothers.”
There is nothing uglier than hypocrisy, is there? Especially Christian hypocrisy. There is nothing quite as disheartening, dishonest, and disorienting as a professing Christian who does not love others.
2023-11-2645 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastEntrustedRead Matthew 25:14-30
5 Life Lessons from the Parable of the Talents
The Parable of the Talents teaches us valuable life lessons that can strengthen our relationship with God. In this parable, we learn the importance of using our gifts for His glory and God's varying expectations for His children based on their abilities. Here are five key lessons we can learn from this parable.
God has gifted and entrusted us with blessings.
He expects us to use our gifts wisely.
God judges us based on our abilities.
We will be held accountable.
We are calle...2023-11-1935 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastBe Ready For Things To ComeRead Matthew 25:1-13
There have been a lot of predictions about the end of the world and if and when the Second Coming will happen. The scriptures teach us that Jesus Christ will return. However, the Savior taught, “You do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42).
Whether He comes today or years from now, Jesus told us to “Watch” and prepare ourselves. Through the parable of the Ten Virgins (Bridesmaids), He impressed the importance of unwavering diligence in preparation for His coming. Will you be ready? Are you like the wise or the foolish w...2023-11-1240 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWho Do You Think You Are? — Week FiveWeek Five — Disciple
Read Matthew 9:9
WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.
How do you see yourself? A masterpiece or a mess? Survivor or struggler? Advocate or critic? Getting perspective on how God sees you might give you a new view of yourself.
2023-10-2933 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWho Do You Think You Are? — Week FourWeek Four — Salt & Light
Read Matthew 5:13-16
WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.
How do you see yourself? A masterpiece or a mess? Survivor or struggler? Advocate or critic? Getting perspective on how God sees you might give you a new view of yourself.
2023-10-2237 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFeast Day of St Luke | October 18, 2023Feast Day of St Luke
Today is the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, the physician and companion of Paul whose gospel contains the most extensive biography of Jesus.
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2023-10-1813 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWho Do You Think You Are? — Week ThreeWeek Three — Overcomer
Read Romans 8:31-32, 35, 37
WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.
How do you see yourself? A masterpiece or a mess? Survivor or struggler? Advocate or critic? Getting perspective on how God sees you might give you a new view of yourself.
2023-10-1530 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWho Do You Think You Are? — Week TwoWeek Two — Masterpiece
Read Ephesians 2:1-10
WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.
How do you see yourself? A masterpiece or a mess? Survivor or struggler? Advocate or critic? Getting perspective on how God sees you might give you a new view of yourself.
2023-10-0833 minReverend Neil Taylor - PodcastWho Do You Think You Are? — Week OneWeek One — Ambassador
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.
How do you see yourself? A masterpiece or a mess? Survivor or struggler? Advocate or critic? Getting perspective on how God sees you might give you a new view of yourself.
2023-10-0129 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - Podcast10—The Decalogue | Part Three: Family and CommunityRead Exodus 20:1-17
Part Three: Family and Community
Did you know that God has given us a pretty important list?
It's called the 10 Commandments. Our God is more than just a name - it's someone we serve.
Please think of the commandments like traffic laws; they're not meant to feel restricted but to keep us safe.
The first four commandments are about our relationship with God, while the next six are about how we treat others.
These commandments help us understand what's right and wrong.
They're simple, direct, and still...2023-09-2532 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastFeast of Saint Matthew | HomilyFeast of Saint Matthew | Homily
Read Matthew 9:9-13
ABOUT ST MATTHEW
Before Jesus called him, Matthew was a publican, i.e., a tax collector for the Romans based in Capharnaum. As such, he was viewed by most people as a great sinner: publicans were not allowed to trade, eat, or pray with other Jews. In calling Matthew, Jesus showed that his message was for sinners and the righteous. Matthew's response demonstrates repentance.
He was originally called Levi, in Hebrew, meaning "Adhesion". Matthew's new name in Christ means "Gift of God."
2023-09-2110 minReverend Neil Taylor - Podcast10—The Decalogue | Part Two: God’s Last Name is not Damn!Read Exodus 20:1-17
Part Two: God's Last Name is Not Damn!
Did you know that God has given us a pretty important list?
It's called the 10 Commandments. Our God is more than just a name - it's someone we serve.
Please think of the commandments like traffic laws; they're not meant to feel restricted but rather to keep us safe.
The first four commandments are all about our relationship with God, while the next six are about how we treat others.
These commandments help us understand what's right and wrong.
...2023-09-1729 minReverend Neil Taylor - Podcast10—The Decalogue | Part One: Is God #1 In Your Life?Read Exodus 20:1-17
Part One: Is God #1 In Your Life?
Did you know that God has given us a pretty important list?
It's called the 10 commandments. Our God is more than just a name - it's someone we serve.
Think of the commandments like traffic laws, they're not meant to feel restricting, but rather to keep us safe.
The first four commandments are all about our relationship with God, while the next six are about how we treat others.
These commandments help us understand what's right and wrong.
They're simple, direct...2023-09-1131 min
Reverend Neil Taylor - PodcastBaggage | Part Four: The Baggage of DepressionPart Four: The Baggage of Depression
Do you find yourself carrying burdens that weigh you down? Are you longing to find freedom from the things that hold you back? This sermon series will explore how God is ready to take hold of your baggage if you are willing to let it go. This is not just a temporary solution but a permanent release that will set you free. Discover how to leave pain, addiction, and torment behind and break free from the battles that keep you grounded.
2023-09-0431 min