Author Archive

The time for Elijah to depart has come, and he passes on his prophetic mantle to Elisha, his close disciple. As Elijah and Elisha separate from one another, Elisha requests that he receive a “double portion” of Elijah’s spiritual power. In this story found at the beginning of 2 Kings, we watch Elisha exhibit several characteristics of a effective and powerful disciple. In today’s sermon, Father John explores what we can learn about discipleship from Elisha’s example of loyalty, courage, ...

In 1 Kings 21 we find a story about King Ahab’s desire for the vineyard of an Israelite named Naboth. After Jezebel secures the land through deception, Elijah is moved to confront the King and his covetous ways. Father John explores the struggle between acting out of our passions versus our faith values. This cautionary tale invites readers to consider how life would be different, and much better, if we chose to live into the call of God in our ...

In I Kings 19, Elijah flees from Queen Jezebel’s threat into the Sinai wilderness. He has convinced himself that he is alone, and that he bears all the responsibility to turn Israel back to the God of Moses and his ancestors. In this time of spiritual crisis, God comes to Elijah – but not in dramatic displays of power (as Elijah likely wanted from God). Rather, God comes in sheer silence, whispering to the prophet that there is hope and ...

Contending for religious ideas has become understandably unpopular given the lessons of history. It is sometimes easy to cross a line into violence and hatred – as Elijah does in this story by killing the prophets of Baal (doing so apparently was his own idea). And yet, religious ideas matter … and bad religious ideas need to be confronted. In today’s sermon, Father John examines the famous story of Elijah on Mount Carmel in a contest with the prophets of ...

Today Father John begins a new series exploring the lives of two prophets: Elijah and Elisha (whose stories are found in the books of 1 & 2 Kings). In today’s story, Elijah is directed by God to get sustenance from a poor widow, who finds Elijah’s request a challenge to meet. Her faith is rewarded and God provides for both the prophet and the widow. This sermon explores the notion that Jesus expresses when he instructs his disciples on “giving ...

In today’s Gospel lesson, three would-be followers of Jesus find that they do not actually understand what it means to be a disciple – and Jesus has to correct their perceptions. In each case these individuals were holding on to something, hesitating, saying to Jesus, “I will follow you.. but first let me do this other thing….” What are we holding onto that we know God calls us to give up? As a community, how will we move forward into ...

Today we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord, recalling his participation in John’s wilderness call to spiritual renewal. Father John examines what it means to live as baptized people, and what spiritual renewal truly looks like both for individuals and communities. Saint Andrew’s is entering an exciting year which involves renovation of our physical space, the topic of discussion for our Ministry Gathering after services. Father John’s message today is a reminder that as wonderful as it is to renew ...

When Zacharia and Elizabeth took their child to the Temple to be dedicated their neighbors were shocked that they named him “John.” Why do the Christmas stories make such a point of the naming of both Jesus and John? In this sermon, Father John explores the meaning of name-giving in the first century and the practical and critical spiritual lesson this teaches us today.

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Do you ever feel like life seems overwhelming? Most people experience the feeling of powerlessness at some time in their lives, but how should we respond to that? In this Advent sermon, Father John looks at the example of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as an example of how to embrace the power that God has given to each of us. Listen and be encouraged to allow God to transform your inner person – which will inevitably transform the world ...

What are the biblical roots of the story of Christmas? At the beginning of Advent we are called to consider the long history of prophecy that led to the eventual birth of Christ. Examining the text of Genesis 49, Father John concludes that God works slowly but purposefully to bring human history to an ultimate fulfillment, despite what we sometimes feel when confronted with the chaos and randomness of life in this world. Listen and be encouraged to grow your ...