Mission Saint James

What is peace and how do we know it when we see it? It can be discouraging to look for the peace of Christ when it seems all we see is violence, evil, and unrighteousness. This week, we light the peace candle and contemplate the promise of peace on earth, goodwill toward men. Guest preacher, Mr. Josh Krebs, expounds on the readings for the second Sunday in Advent. He reminds us that the bells of C...

What is Christian hope? Is it simply wishful thinking or is it something more? This week, as we begin our Advent season together, we hear from our own Matt Wright, who reminds us of our ultimate hope in Jesus Christ. This hope is not only fulfilled in Jesus’ first Advent, but has been prophesied in his second Advent as well. The hope that is in us changes the way we live our lives and love our nei...

What is power? Where does it come from and what is our relationship with it? This Sunday marks the final Sunday in the church year and we call it Christ the King Sunday. Join us this week as we remember that above all earthly powers, especially the power of death, our Lord Jesus Christ is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Where do you look for stability? Where do your foundations lie? This week’s gospel passage contrasts the stability of the earthly Temple in Jerusalem with the stability of eternal life promised in Jesus. We will interpret the instability of our lives here and now through a particular lens. The question is whether we will see instability through the lens of fear or through the lens of faith.

What has God called each of us to do in this life? How do we remain faithful to that call when we experience challenges and afflictions? This week, we focus on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5, where St. Paul encourages his readers to pray, stand firm in the faith and to continue the work of ministry in the midst of persecution and affliction. Join us as Fr. Ben encourages us to remain steadfast and resol...

What does it mean to be blessed? How do we receive blessing? Where does it come from? When Jesus delivered his famous Sermon on the Mount, he began with a passage we know as the Beatitudes, or the blessings. This week, Fr. Horace Tipton visits Mission Saint James from Marion, Arkansas. Join us as we hear his message of a blessedness that lasts for eternity.

After spending several weeks in Holy Scripture looking at creation, gender, marriage, children, and celibacy, what can we now say? What is the meaning of it all? How are we to understand these realities in light of God’s revealed Word? This week, Fr. Ben Williams wraps up our series, Very Good, with St. Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 5 on the analogy between Christ and his Church. It is all about Ch...

How do we keep going when we are beset by so many trials, setbacks, and brokenness? Where is God when we cry out and only hear silence? This week, Dr. Gary Osborne joins us at Mission Saint James and shares a message about persisting in the faith, despite life’s many setbacks. When we are at our lowest is when trusting Christ is most important.

Is the celibate life a life of lack? How do single Christians reflect God’s good design for human flourishing? This week, we continue our series on creation, marriage, and chastity called Very Good by focusing on living the celibate life. Join Fr. Ben Williams as we consider the fulfilling and prophetic gift of singleness.

What is the purpose of physical intimacy? Is it an end in and of itself or is it a means to another end? When God created Adam and Eve, His first commandment was for them to be fruitful and multiply. Physical intimacy within the boundaries of marriage is not only a means to bring two persons together as one flesh, but to produce the blessing of children. This week, Fr. Ben Williams shares the four...

If half of marriages end in divorce, why get married? What is marriage, anyway, and why do Christians make such a big deal about it? There is much confusion today about the purpose and meaning of marriage. Often reduced to a legal contract between two parties, marriage seems old fashioned and superfluous. Yet, Holy Scripture provides a much greater picture of marriage and human sexuality. This wee...

What is the purpose of gender? Is there an essential difference between male and female? These questions are a stumbling block to many folks today, including Christians. It seems that the world grows more skeptical and cynical when it comes to God’s design for gender. This week, Fr. Ben Williams delivers the second installment of the sermon series, Very Good, which examines creation, marriage, and...

Is the material world good? Does our existence have any meaning? How we view God’s creation determines how we live life in His creation. This week, Fr. Ben Williams begins a six-part sermon series on creation, marriage, and chastity. We begin by setting the foundation of the goodness of God’s creation. All that God has made is good and has a purpose. Join us as we delve into the most important top...

How are we to conform to the image of Christ? What characterizes a child of God? We know our efforts do not earn God’s love, but Scripture still calls us to live a life pleasing to God. This week, Mr. Matt Wright explores our lectionary readings and shares with us what he calls a mouthful of be’s. Join us this week as we seek to follow Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives.

As Jesus moves closer to His crucifixion, His teaching becomes more urgent and even chilling. When asked if only a few will be saved, He teaches about entering by the narrow door. The implication is that only a few make it through. This week, Fr. Ben Williams’ message is an encouragement to remain faithful to Christ through adversity and complacency. Otherwise, we may find ourselves on the outside...

Did Jesus come to bring peace on earth? The angels announced that he did bring peace at his birth. So why does Jesus tell us that he didn’t bring peace, but division in Luke 12:49-56? As we continue to journey with Jesus toward the cross, Fr. Ben Williams shares a message about the great divide the gospel brings between Christians and their closest relations.

Are our possessions good or do they weigh us down? Are they an idol? Do they encumber our discipleship? This week, Fr. Ben Williams shares Jesus’ admonition to sell our possessions and invest in the kingdom of God. Only by downsizing our lives can we make room for Christ and his kingdom.

Do you have what you need? Do you have more than you need? How will you steward your abundance? Our relationship with worldly goods can quickly tell us where our true treasures lie. This week, Fr. Ben Williams walks us through Jesus’ parable of the rich fool, who coveted more wealth to enjoy. As it turns out, there are eternal consequences for how we steward our abundance.

Who are you and what do you do? We are used to such a question because it tells us something about one another in our culture. But our work is not our identity. This week, Fr. Michael Schwandt visits us from Faith Anglican Church in Cordova, Tennessee. In his sermon on Mary and Martha, Fr. Michael challenges us to not let our labor become an idol. Although we are invited into good work, it is neve...

Who is my neighbor? What does the Bible say? How do we read it? Who are we really required to love? Jesus was once asked this question, which led to him telling the parable of the good Samaritan. This week, Fr. Wes Gristy, rector of our mother church, All Saints Anglican Church, challenges us to consider whether we are the kind of people who love indiscriminately or simply desire to justify oursel...

Can we have peace when we are surrounded by chaos and destruction? This question must have been on Judah’s mind when their prophet Isaiah declared both destruction in the immediate future, but peace beyond. This week, Fr. Ben Williams preaches on our Old Testament passage, which prophesies about peace like a river even in the midst of chaos and destruction.

What does it mean to follow Jesus? We often get discouraged when we fail in our discipleship or undergo trials and temptations. It can be tempting to resort to easy answers and solutions when Christ is calling us to the cross. He often leads us where we do not want to go. This Sunday is the Feast of Peter and Paul. Join Fr. Ben Williams as we look at the resurrected Jesus’ call to St. Peter and wh...

What is the most important question in life? Jesus once asked his disciples who the crowds said he was. Next, he asked them who they said he was. This week, Mr. Matt Wright asks this question to each of us. How we answer will determine whether we will pick up our own crosses and follow him.

What is the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and why is it important to Christians? Trinitarian theology is often pushed aside because it is either too hard to think about or seemingly irrelevant. This Sunday is known as Trinity Sunday and it marks the first Sunday of Ordinary Time within the church calendar. In this sermon, Fr. Ben Williams focuses on the necessity of this doctrine for our salvation.

What does it mean for us to do the “greater works” Jesus promised, and how can our ordinary labor be part of God’s work? In this Pentecost sermon Fr. Ben Williams explores how our everyday labor can either be self-serving or be transformed into “the works of God” through faith in Christ.