Shows / Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Sermons and Homilies from the Liturgies at Saint Christopher's Episcopal Church, in Portland, Texas
Episodes
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Being Merciful to our Neighbors
Today's Gospel Lesson is the parable of the Good Samaritan, one of the most famous of Jesus' parables.
Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland TexasLove your Enemies, and Be at Peace
On July 4th, our Independence Day, Saint Christopher's welcomed the Rev'd Dexter Lesieur, the Vicar of Devine, as our guest preacher for the day. Father Dexter…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Go on your way
Jesus sends 70 of his followers out to prepare the cities and town that he is to visit for his arrival. And he sends them with great urgency as he has set his…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Christ has set you free.
Saint Paul, writing to the Galatians reminds them that we are set free in Christ Jesus from the grace and mercy of his gift of redemption. But then what?…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Exorcism, Healing and the Justice of God
Today, we read a passage from Luke 8, and the healing of a man with a "Legion" of demons in control of him. Jesus heals, or excorcisis these demon from him…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Trinity and the Imago Dei
Today is Trinity Sunday, the day when we call to mind in a specific way the nature of the Triune God: The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
"Peace I leave you"
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that is given to us is the Peace of Christ. It is something that Jesus both promised and gave to his disciples. But what…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Law of Prayer is the Law of Belief
After a tragedy like another school shooting, a terrorist attack, a natural disaster, we sometimes turn to prayer, or as many officials say, thoughts and…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Why stand gazing into heaven?
The Feast of the Ascension is part of the Great 50 Days of Easter. Yet, it is one of the mysterious days, as it is hard to wrap our minds around what the…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Evil did not win
The sermon from a Requiem Mass held at Saint Christopher's by-the-sea on Wednesday, 25 May at 5:30 p.m.
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
A Sermon for Rogation Sunday
Today, the Church celebrates and prays for the land, the produce of farms and livestock, and all things that give us sustenance. But, how does that relate to…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Moving from assumptions to witness
Acts 11:1-18 records Saint Peter retelling a story about what he had experienced with a group of Gentiles who had come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd, but he is also the True Paschal Lamb. Our reading is from the 7th Chapter of the Book of Revelation.
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Moving from Fondness to Love
The final chapter of Saint John's Gospel has Jesus asking Simon Peter how much peter love him. And the answer is less that satisfying. How do we move away from…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Believing in Faith
The Story of Doubting Thomas goes to us during Eastertide on the Second Sunday of Easter, as today, this evening in fact, is when Jesus reveals himself to…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Are not our hearts burning?
Our Gospel Lesson from Evening Prayer on Easter Day comes from the Gospel according to Saint Luke. In this passage, two disciples encounter the Risen Jesus…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Welcome to the Eighth Day of the New Creation!
Today is Easter Day! We celebrate the Resurrection of our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ.
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
A Sermon for Easter written by Saint John Chrysostom, read by the Father John L. Blackburn.
For Centuries, the Christian Church has gather on this night to wait in vigil for Easter Morning, the morning of the Resurrection. Some of these Vigils lasted…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Behold, the Man!
This is the sermon from our Liturgy for Good Friday, 2022. Father Blackburn is the preacher.
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Thee, we adore, O Hidden Saviour, Thee: A Sermon for Maundy Thursday
Today the Church celebrates Maundy Thursday, the giving of the New Commandment as well as the command and institution of the Lord's Supper, or the Holy…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Betrayer: A Sermon for Wednesday in Holy Week
Today is Spy Wednesday, the day by tradition that Judas betrayed our Blessed Lord to the Chief Priests. Father Blackburn asks the question, "When have you…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
A Light to give Light to the Nations: A Sermon for Tuesday in Holy Week
One of the prophecies that weaves its way through both the Old and the New Testaments is the giving of Israel and the Messiah as the Light to the Nations…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Servant, the Thief, and the Powerful: A Sermon for Monday in Holy Week
During Holy Week, we hear the four Servant Songs found in Isaiah, as well as recall the events of Holy Week as told to us by Saint John's Gospel. Fig Monday…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Remembrance, Reenactment, and Relationship
Today, the Church celebrates Palm Sunday, sometimes known as the Sunday of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. We gather before the service away from the…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Fragrance of Worship
This morning, Saint Christopher's was pleased to welcome the The Rev'd Eric Tarver. Pastor Tarver is the preacher and pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Dead Father, Dead Son; Living Father, Living Son
The parable of the Prodigal Son is one that is familiar to many people, both Christian and non-Christian alike. It is a story that rings true throughout…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Repentance, Conversion, and Fig Trees
Lent is a season that calls us to repentance. But sometimes, we really don't know what repentance means, or how to go about it. And, something else that we…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Being Citizens of Heaven
As Christians, we are already Citizens of Heaven. Saint Paul is explaining this to the Church in Phillipi, which is a Roman city and province. But, what does…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Battle of the Two Kingdoms
Spiritual warfare is something that is a reality that all Christians face. It is in the world around us, in our thoughts, our habits. Jesus himself underwent…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Keeping a Holy Lent
Today is the First Day of Lent, commonly known as Ash Wednesday Lent is a season of fasting, penance, prayer, and seeing some of the places where we all fall…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Transfigure this World
Today is the Last Sunday of Epiphany, also known as Quinquagesima, or approximately 50 days before Easter. With the revision of the Lectionary in the 1979 Book…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
You want me to love who?!
Jesus gives us a difficult teaching in our passage from Luke 6:27-38
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Sermon from the Burial Services for Elizabeth Brown and Susan Bradford
This is an audio version of the Sermon from the Burial Services for two sisters, Elizabeth Ann Bradford Taylor Brown and Susan Elaine Bradford. Both sisters…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Ever-Present "Now"
Saint Luke's Gospel presents us with a version of the Beatitudes that are different from the account we have in Matthew. Alongside the "blessed are those"…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
An Encounter in the Temple
One of the most stupendous episodes in the Hebrew Scriptures is Isaiah's vision of God seated on a throne in the Temple in Jerusalem, which is found in Isaiah…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Empty Jars
In the Gospel according to Saint John, the Second Chapter opens with Jesus, his mother, and the disciples attending a wedding in Cana. During the festivities…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Identity of Christ
Sometimes, we ask ourselves questions that are more existential in nature; questions about who we are and why we are here. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Losing...and Finding Jesus
The only story that we have in the gospels from Jesus' childhood is the story of him in the temple, sitting with the teachers there, while Mary and Joseph look…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
What Name do you wear?
Names, like brands, sometimes define who we are, or at least who we want to be. But, as Christians, we bear the Name of Jesus out into the world. On the Feast…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Being "God-Bearers": A Sermon for the First Sunday after Christmas with a Reflection on the Life of The Most Rev'd Desmond Tutu
This morning, the world learned the news that The Most Rev'd Desmond Tutu, the former Archbishop of Cape Town died at the age of 90 on the Day after Christmas…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
In Him was Life
On Christmas Morning, we hear the Prologue to Saint John's Gospel. In this portion of the First Chapter of Saint John's Gospel, John unfolds the Mystery of the…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
"This, this is Christ the King."
On Christmas Eve, we remember the story of the Birth of Jesus, the angels singing to the shepherds, of Mary and Joseph unable to find room in the inn. It is a…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Saint Thomas: Apostle, Missionary, Martyr
Sometimes we are rather unkind to Saint Thomas. But, one of the things we should do is look to Thomas as one of our examples of a life of faith and…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Joy, Remembrance, and Expectation
The Magnificat, sometimes known as the Song of Mary, is a song of praise and remembering to God for the wonders he has done, and will do in Creation. Mary's…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Bearing Fruits of Repentance
Today we are introduced to Saint John the Baptist and his fiery sermon on the banks of the River Jordan. Sometimes we can't get past the image of John and move…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Visitation and Redemption
One of the beloved Canticles that is found in the Gospel according to Luke is the Song of Zechariah, which is would in the first chapter of Luke. In that Song…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Beginning at the End
Today is the First Sunday of Advent, and it is the beginning of our new Liturgical Year. What does that mean for us as Christians, and why do we even worry…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Turning Thanksgiving into "Thanks-living"
This sermon was delivered on Thanksgiving Day, 2021 during a service of Holy Communion. Father Blackburn preaches on the theme that someone who is truly…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
King of my life I crown thee now
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of Christ the King. It is a day for us to reflect about Christ's sovereign rule of heaven, the world, the cosmos and…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Destruction, Healing, Hope and Gratitude
Jesus and his disciples have come into Jerusalem for the Passover Festival, and the disciples are in awe of the Temple Structure and Complex. As they are…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Scribes, the Widow and the Practice of Stewardship
One of the Spiritual Disciplines that Christians practice is Stewardship. Stewardship is not as much about raising money for the Parish or the Church, but…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Souls of the Righteous
All Souls' Day is when the Church gathers to remember those who have died in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, but in a more personal way. This is when we…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
We are the Saints!
Who or what are the Saints of the Church? Are they super heroes with super power? Are they the devoutly religious? Are the special people or just common…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Sh'ma Yisrael
In our passage from the Gospel according to Saint Mark, Jesus is asked what the most important of the commandments in the Jewish Law is. He responds with the…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
"Let me see again."
Blind Bartimaeus is sitting by the roadside while Jesus is traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem. He calls out to Jesus, who restores his sight. How can the…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Be careful what you pray for!
Father Blackburn examines Mark 10:35-45 and the request of the Sons of Zebedee, who ask that they sit on the right hand and the left hand of Jesus in glory…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Marriage and Restored Creation
One of the painful things to talk about in Church is divorce. Divorce is always tragic and destroys relationships and families. Jesus teaches about divorce and…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
Notice, Preach, and Build
Saint Christopher's Church gathered on Saturday, 2 October 2021, for their annual Blessing of the Animals, which is always a fun and lively event. We celebrate…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
The Practice of Prayer
Prayer, spending time with God, is essential for us to grow and develop as Christians. It is how we grow in relationship with God, and how we also learn more…
- Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas
G.O.A.T v Goat
What does it take to be the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus answers this question in our Gospel passage of the day. Join us as Fr. John explores what…