A sermon from Father Michael Novotny from Hebrews 4 / Psalm 95. Trading anxiety for gratefulness.
Have you ever been lost? Really lost? Getting lost in the light has advantages over getting lost in darkness. St. John’s Gospel begins with the pronouncement that the Word became flesh and in this Word was life, which was the light of men. This week’s message from Fr. Brad Acton challenges us to rejoice anew in the incarnation of the life and light of man, Jesus Christ.
Why did God become man? This is one of the most profound questions we can ask. This Christmas Day message from Fr. David Tew offers two answers: 1) the Word-Made-Flesh, Jesus Christ, revealed the glory of God to his people, and 2) those who receive this glory are given the right to be children of God and have been redeemed. Even death cannot overshadow these truths.
How has your 2020 been? For many, it has been a difficult and dark year. Just as Israel had suffered a long, dark night of God’s silence, we have had to face a world over which we have no control. However, in the Incarnation of the Eternal Word, God has broken his silence to Israel and all humanity. This Christmas Eve message by Dcn. Ben Williams challenges us to rejoice in the good news of great joy, even in such a dark hour as 2020.
In Isaiah 65:17-25, the Prophet foretold of Israel’s return from exile. Although many rejoiced at what God had done, some were disappointed. In this week’s message, Fr. Daniel Logan connects Isaiah’s vision of the New Heavens and the New Earth with the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21. When we are disappointed in this life, we are to always look for God’s final fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
As we begin a new church year we find ourselves at the beginning of Mark’s gospel. John the Baptist is to prepare the way for the Messiah. On this second Sunday in Advent, Fr. Michael encourages us to take inventory of how we are spending our days between Christ’s birth and his return. Like John the Baptist, are we living lives of holiness and godliness, pointing to Christ? Listen to this week’s message on 2 Peter 3:8-18.
This Advent we begin at the end. Jesus told his disciples in Mark 13:24-37 to stay awake, for no one knows when the Son of Man will return to judge the living and the dead. As Christians, we are living between Christ’s first and second advents. This week’s message, Fr. Michael Novotny encourages us to be prepared and wait for his coming.
