Book: John

The epilogue to John’s Gospel – chapter 21 – reveals much about Jesus, the Apostles, and the early Church. In particular, we learn much about the unparalleled strength and character of the Apostle Peter. Listen as the Rev. Galloway explains what we can learn from John’s epilogue, and how the boldness of the Apostle Peter helped establish the infant Church.

Our lives are littered with difficulties and differences which seem irreconcilable. The will of the nations are brought to naught, and so the nations go to war. Our own plans for life and ministry are thwarted, and we go to war with ourselves to find the answers. Looking to the Apostles Peter and Paul, let us remember that God’s plan for our lives is dramatically different from what we want in our sin – and that is a good thing.

After Christ’s death, the disciples took refuge in the Upper Room. Without warning, the risen Christ appeared to them. Listen as the Rev. Galloway discusses Christ’s miraculous appearance and explains what it means for our lives. “Shalom,” Christ said, “Peace be with you.”

We are quick to justify ourselves by our own works and self-righteousness. As Christians, we easily fall into the trap of looking not to the cross but to our own virtue-signaling for assurance of salvation. As the Rev. Galloway explores Christ’s final hour on the cross this Good Friday, we are asked the question: Is the cross not enough for us?

Christian marriage, for all its human imperfections, is the greatest representation of God’s love and joy for His people, lived out through Christ and His Church, and celebrated both temporally and eternally in the Holy Eucharist.

The Christian celebration of Christmas extends well beyond the limits of its cultural and commercial celebration. As the world is quick to abandon the celebration of Christmas, the holidays become absent of joy – because they are starving for truth. They are held by a pagan law, spiritually starving. At Christmas, in Christ’s Incarnation, we boldly proclaim the miracle that sets us free from the law of sin and fills us with eternal joy, because joy doesn’t come from a holiday, but from Christ himself.

As we look at the Scriptures, we see the stark contrast between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world. If we are reminded of one thing on the Feast of Christ the King, it is that we belong to a Kingdom that is not of this earth, serving a King who is perfectly holy, perfectly righteous, and just, perfectly powerful, and yet perfectly loving and merciful.

Joshua commanded the people of Israel, “Choose this day whom you will serve.” In today’s sermon, the Rector reminds us of the urgency of this decision the Christian life today. Do we obey God, or man? Joshua’s words warn us: If we don’t choose now, then by default we will find ourselves looking back after a long series of incremental changes, realizing we renounced the LORD long ago.

We don’t get to “play nice” with sin. When we ignore or keep around “small” sins because it is convenient for us, we forsake the Truth and embrace falsehood. God requires us to embrace his WHOLE commandment – not to keep us down, but so we may truly flourish. Watch this sermon by the Rector to learn more.