My life as an Anglican Priest

Random things from sermons to theological thoughts to Doctor Who figures and lots in between

[anglicanj]

The Blessing of the Light, Luke 2:22-40

When Jesus was presented at the Temple, Simeon saw him for who he truly is, the Messiah that enlightens the nations and who is the glory of Israel. What does this mean? How is Jesus fulfilling prophecy with this action of being brought by his parents to the Temple? How does it affect us today?

For More: www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2025/2/2/the-blessing-of-the-light-luke-222-40

Image: The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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The True Temple is the Way, John 14:1-14 — Grace Anglican Church

During Jesus’ discourse with his disciples before he was crucified, he told them to not let their hearts be troubled in light of the events

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What’s St. Nicholas Day about?? Check this out to discover more.

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Apprehending the Trinity, John 14:5-15 — Grace Anglican Church

When we think of the Trinity, we can find ourselves in a position of trying to comprehend the mystery of the nature of God. If we try to comprehend the reality of God’s triune nature, we will fail, for God is above and beyond us. However, we are enabled through God’s revelation in Scripture to appre

I preach about the importance of the Trinity for Christian faith and explain parts of the Athanasian Creed throughout.

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Still love this Easter-picture drawn by the show’s creator himself, Tad Stones. :)

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The Son and the Stone, Luke 20:9-19 — Grace Anglican Church

Image: The Green Vineyard, Van Gogh, picture by Frans Vandewalle, license: CC BY-NC 2.0 Location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/snarfel/4686086936

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Re-understanding the Prodigal, Luke 15:11-32 — Grace Anglican Church

So often when we hear the parable of the Prodigal Son, we think that it is all about the two sons. However, in the broader context of Luke 15, Jesus is driving home why we should celebrate when repentant sinners come home and it isn’t because they come home! The celebration is for the one who receiv

My sermon from this past Sunday. Because we haven’t picked up on the deeper parts of the parable of the Prodigal Son, we miss the truly shocking nature of this parable. Listen now to discover more about this beloved parable.

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Broad Compassion in the Narrow Way, Luke 13:22-35 — Grace Anglican Church

In Luke 13, someone asks Jesus about the number that will be saved. Instead of answering directly, Jesus says that the we should strive to enter the narrow door. He puts the focus away from the number and onto each of us regarding salvation. He then tells the people that he would have gathered them

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The Forest for the Trees, Luke 4:1-13 — Grace Anglican Church

With the temptation of Christ, we often get focused on the details of how he overcame the Devil, but we don’t often consider why he even was tempted or why he overcame the devil. Father Jeremiah walks through these background aspects to help us see a grander picture of Jesus’ overcoming the Devil an

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The Transfiguration and Us, Luke 9:28-36 — Grace Anglican Church

There are so many layers to the Transfiguration that it is hard to comprehend how glorious it really was. Many aspects of it are recalling various events in the Old Testament, especially the cloud overshadowing them out of which God the Father speaks. All of this is to direct our eyes to Jesus alone

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Sent to Proclaim Forgiveness, John 20:19-32 — Grace Anglican Church

This Sunday is World Mission Sunday. Father Jeremiah reflects upon the coming of Christ to his disciples from John 20 and how this event undergirds all that they then go out to do. We must lay hold of the forgiveness and peace that Christ brings to us through his cross and that is what we take with

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What does the prayer for World Mission Sunday mean? I consider it in this video!

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Blessings and Woes for the Deceitful Heart, Jeremiah 17:5-10, Luke 6:17-26, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Psalm 1

In our lessons today, we have heard much about blessings and curses based on the one you trust. We often think that the only thing that matters is having trust, but the reality is that your trust is only as good as the one in whom you trust is placed. On top of that, we have to contend with a deceitful heart! What is one to do? Father Jeremiah takes us through these passages from Jeremiah 17.5-10, Psalm 1, Luke 6.17-26, and 1 Corinthians 15. 12-20 to help us understand where we are going in this world.

Image: The Sermon on the Mount, Gustave Doré. Public Domain. Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dore_Bible_Sermon_on_the_Mount.jpg

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2022/2/13/blessings-and-woes-for-the-deceitful-heart-jeremiah-175-10-luke-617-26-1-corinthians-1512-20-psalm-1

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I will be with You, Judges 6:11-24, Luke 5:1-11

When Israel had turned to idolatry and come under the discipline of the Lord, he went to Gideon and called him to be a judge and redeemer for the people. His promise to Gideon was that the Lord would be with him and that this would be Gideon’s strength. The same is true for us who have been baptized and trust in Jesus. He is with us and his being with us means that we will be transformed by this promise because he calls us to go out and be Christians in this world through his being with us.

Image: Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2022/2/8/i-will-be-with-you-judges-611-24-luke-51-11

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Jesus' Baptism and Us, Luke 3.15-22

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Why was this? How does it connect to John’s ministry of baptism? What does it reveal about God’s actions in Jesus towards us who are sinners? Father Jeremiah reflects on these things in his sermon from Baptism of Our Lord Sunday.

Image: Christ’s Baptism (San Marco), from the Cathedral of San Marco in Venice. Photo taken by Jim Forest, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, no changes made. Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimforest/3473212604

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2022/1/9/jesus-baptism-and-us-luke-315-22

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Harmonizing the Infancy of Jesus, Luke 2, Matthew 2

As we read each of the Gospel narratives about the birth of Jesus, we usually ask, “How does this all fit together?” Father Jeremiah walks us through how St. Luke and St. Matthew’s Infancy narratives can fit together so that we can better appreciate the full work of the Father in sending his Son into this world.

Image: Stories of life and passion of Christ, by Gaudenzio Ferrari (cropped). Public Domain. location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GaudenzioFerrari_StorieCristo_Varallo.jpg

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2022/1/2/harmonizing-the-infancy-of-jesus-luke-2-matthew-2

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Leo the Great's Homily on the Incarnation

Father Jeremiah steps back in time and reads a sermon from St. Leo the Great. Throughout the sermon Fr. Jeremiah offers additional thoughts to hopefully build your faith and draw you nearer to the God who would send his Son to become a true man.

Image: Gloria in Excelsis Deo, photo taken by Lawrence OP. License: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. No changes made. Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/31864224215

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2021/12/26/leo-the-greats-homily-on-the-incarnation