Sermons from St. John the Divine

Who are we beneath the labels and expectations of the world? Through Jesus’ teaching to render to God what belongs to God and Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians, this sermon reminds us that our true identity is found not in worldly success or status, but in being loved and chosen by God. Rooted in this truth and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can live with a joy that remains steadfast eve...

What does it look like when our lives become a witness to the Gospel? Through Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians, this sermon explores the power of prayer, Christian community, and a faith that shines even in the face of hardship. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to live in such a way that God’s love and truth sound forth into the world, bringing hope and transformation to those...

What if God's greatest promise is an invitation to feast in His presence? In this sermon from Isaiah 25, we discover the hope of God's eternal banquet, where death is defeated and all things are made new through Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice and the gift of the Eucharist, we are invited to leave behind our old lives, receive His abundant grace, and experience the joy of life with Him.

What does it truly mean to accept God's invitation? Through Jesus' parable of the wedding feast and the promises of Isaiah 25, this sermon explores God's abundant grace and His desire to make all things new. We are invited not simply to witness His kingdom, but to participate in it—allowing the transforming love of Christ to bring forgiveness, healing, and new life.

How can we rejoice when life is filled with worry and uncertainty? In this concluding sermon from Philippians 4, we discover that true joy and peace are not found in the absence of hardship, but in the presence of God. Through prayer, community, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are reminded that the Lord is near, inviting us to surrender our anxieties and rest in His peace.

Whose vineyard is it anyway? Through Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenants, this sermon challenges us to see everything we have—our lives, resources, and blessings—as gifts from God. Stewardship begins with gratitude, and when we recognize God as the giver of all things, generosity becomes our joyful response to His grace.

Who is the main character in the story of your life? In this sermon from Philippians 3, we are challenged to set aside self-made success and righteousness and see our lives as part of God’s greater story. Like Paul, we are invited to count everything else as loss compared to the surpassing treasure of knowing Jesus and living not for our own glory, but for His.

Through Jesus’ parable of the two sons, this sermon explores repentance, obedience, and the grace that welcomes us no matter our past. Because Jesus gave His wholehearted “yes” to the Father, we can follow Him in faith and discover that it is never too late to say yes—and to say yes again.

Reflecting on Paul’s words in Philippians, this sermon explores the God who did not wait for us to find our way to Him, but humbled Himself and came to us in Jesus Christ. Through the cross and resurrection, we are invited into the greatest story—and the greatest love—we could ever know.

What happens when we stop treating our relationship with God like a transaction? Through Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard, this sermon explores the radical welcome and generosity of God’s grace. No matter when we come or where we have been, Christ welcomes us on equal terms and gives us the greatest gift possible—not a reward we earn, but Himself.

What is the purpose of our lives as followers of Jesus? Reflecting on Paul’s words, “To live is Christ and to die is gain,” this sermon invites us to discover the joy and purpose found in encountering the risen Christ. Awakened by His love and filled with the Holy Spirit, we are called to a simple but life-changing mission: to know Christ and make Him known.

How do we forgive when the wounds run deep? In this sermon, Jesus’ call to forgive “seventy-seven times” reminds us that forgiveness is not forgetting or ignoring injustice, but refusing to remain captive to the past. By returning to the mercy we have received at the cross, we can trust the Holy Spirit to lead us toward healing, freedom, and a life no longer ruled by resentment.

How do we live in unity with Christians who are different from us? In this sermon from Romans 14, we discover a vision of the Church where differences on secondary matters do not lead to judgment or division, but to grace, charity, and welcome. Because Christ has welcomed us, we are called to extend that same welcome to others and become a family centered not on our preferences, but on Jesus.

What does it mean to be fully awake in our faith? In this sermon from Romans 13, we are reminded that loving our neighbor fulfills God’s law and that the Holy Spirit is continually shaping us to become more like Jesus. Through love, forgiveness, and life together, we are called to awaken our faith and live each day knowing that Christ is with us.

What does it truly cost to follow Jesus? In this sermon from Matthew’s Gospel, we hear Christ’s call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. By keeping Jesus as our true north, even the small choices of faith, sacrifice, forgiveness, and perseverance can lead us away from gaining the world and toward the priceless treasure of our souls.

How do we forgive when the hurt runs deep? In this sermon from Romans 12, we hear Paul’s challenging call to resist revenge, overcome evil with good, and trust justice to God. Through the grace of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, we discover that forgiveness can free us from resentment and allow God’s love to overcome even our deepest wounds.

Who do you say Jesus is? Reflecting on Peter’s confession that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” this sermon invites us to deepen our relationship with Christ and confidently share the hope we have found in Him. As we spend time with Jesus and one another, the Holy Spirit equips us to be His witnesses in a world searching for truth, hope, and meaning.

What does God’s mercy look like when it crosses the boundaries we create? Through Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman, this sermon explores humility, faith, and the abundant mercy of God. As we recognize our own need for grace, we discover that no one is beyond God’s love—and we are called to extend that same mercy to others.

What is one of the greatest challenges facing the Church? Unity. In this sermon from Romans 11, we explore Paul’s vision of Jews and Gentiles brought together as one people through Jesus Christ. Despite our differences, God calls us to look beyond division, extend mercy rather than judgment, and find our unity in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

What happens when fear takes over and we realize we can’t do life alone? In this sermon on Jesus walking on water, we see a God who doesn’t remain distant but comes directly to His people in the midst of the storm. Like Peter and the disciples, we need Christ—and we need one another. When Jesus meets us in our weakness, our response is to trust Him, worship Him, and remember that God has come to b...

What does it mean for Jesus to be the treasure of our souls? In this sermon from Romans 10, we hear the promise that everyone who trusts in Christ will not be put to shame. Jesus meets us as we are, restores what shame has taken from us, and reminds us of our dignity and worth in God’s eyes. And when we receive this treasure, we’re invited not to keep it to ourselves, but to share the good news of...

Can our religious traditions ever distract us from Christ Himself? In this sermon from Romans 9, we reflect on Paul's deep sorrow for Israel and the danger of valuing spiritual heritage without a living relationship with Jesus. Our traditions, worship, and faith practices are gifts meant to lead us to Christ—not replace Him. May we be rich in both our heritage and in the transforming presence of o...

How do we trust God when life is difficult and our prayers seem inadequate? In this sermon from Romans 8, we discover the comforting promise that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness, God is at work even in our trials, and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. As we grow in assurance, we are invited into a deeper longing for God and a greater confidence in His faithful love...

What is the gospel, really? In this sermon from Romans 8, we discover that the heart of the Christian faith is not merely forgiveness, but adoption into the family of God. Through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are no longer slaves to fear but beloved sons and daughters of the Father. This assurance of God's love transforms our identity, our hope, and the way we live each day.