Going Deeper With Christ Episcopal Church Friends

Ever-Present Spirit

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15



Father Mark’s sermon focuses on the Holy Spirit’s presence in the lives of believers, drawing on biblical examples from both the Old and New Testaments.



He explains that the Spirit of God has always been with humanity, empowering individuals for extraordinary deeds and guiding them in truth. The sermon emphasizes that the Holy Spirit’s presence is not new or intermittent, but a constant force within us, as evidenced by Pentecost.



Father Mark highlights the significance of realizing and awakening to this indwelling Spirit, urging believers to live from the awareness that God’s Spirit is within them. This awareness can bring strength, comfort, and unity, helping us navigate life’s challenges and fostering a deeper connection with God and each other.



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Axis of Devotion

John 17:6-19



In his sermon, Father Mark examines Jesus' prayer for his disciples before his crucifixion. Jesus asks God to protect the disciples from the world's ways so they may remain united in God's loving character. Father Mark notes that living according to God's ways is counter-cultural and often opposed by the prevailing worldly culture.



Father Mark highlights the difficulty of maintaining devotion to God when constantly surrounded by a culture with conflicting values and priorities. There is a tendency to confuse cultural devotion with devotion to God's teachings. Father Mark reminds us of Jesus' warning against trying to serve two masters simultaneously.



Drawing from Jesus' metaphor of the vine and branches, Father Mark emphasizes Jesus' call for his disciples to abide in him, drawing life from his spirit rather than the world's. Staying connected to God is crucial for bearing spiritual fruit. Father Mark poses the central question: are our lives spinning around devotion to God or devotion to other things?



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Tuned In to God’s Love

John 15:9-17



Father Mark began by reflecting on Jesus' words in John 15:9-17, where Jesus says "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." He noted that this passage is not just about intellectual understanding, but about feeling a deep sense of connection and love with God. He encouraged the congregation to imagine themselves as branches connected to the true vine, Christ, and to feel the stir of inward sap rising from their root, which is planted in the ground of love.



Father Mark used various metaphors and images from the Bible to illustrate how language about God can be symbolic and figurative, pointing towards the thing itself rather than being the thing itself. He noted that while analysis of these images can be helpful, they are often meant to convey spiritual truths beyond intellectual understanding. He encouraged the congregation to allow themselves to be receptive to God's love at a deep level, rather than just processing it with their minds.



Father Mark then explored the concept of resonance, using the image of two violins in tune with each other as an example. He suggested that when our hearts are tuned to the frequency of God's love, they resonate with that love, and that this resonance can spread to others.



He also used the concept of prayer as a way of retuning our hearts to sing God's grace, allowing us to resonate with the music of the spheres and feel connected to all of creation. Throughout his sermon, Father Mark encouraged the congregation to cultivate a deeper sense of connection with God and with each other, and to allow themselves to be resonated by God's love song.



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Fruit of Love

John 15:1-8



Father Mark draws parallels between our physical bodies and our spiritual lives, noting that just as what we put into our bodies affects our health, so too does what we feed our minds and spirits affect our well-being. He emphasizes that our spirits were designed to run on God, not alternative fuels like entertainment or busyness. Instead of seeking happiness and peace through external sources, we should abide in Christ, the true vine, and allow His love to flow through us.



Father Mark uses the example of pruning rose bushes to illustrate how sometimes, even good things in our lives can become distractions and drain our energy away from God. He encourages listeners to examine their priorities and ask themselves if they are producing the fruit of love in their lives and in the world. He also reminds us that it is not always easy to let go of secondary branches or suckers, but that with prayer and guidance from the divine vine grower, we can learn to prioritize what truly nourishes our souls.



Ultimately, Father Mark's message is one of encouragement to abide in Christ and allow His love to flow through us. He notes that the fruit of discipleship is love for one another, and that this love is only possible when we are abiding in the true vine. By recognizing where we may be diverting our energy away from God and by seeking guidance on how to prioritize what truly nourishes our souls, we can become more fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ.



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Following the Good Shepherd

John 10:11-18



In his sermon, Fr. Mark discusses the image of Jesus as the good shepherd, contrasting it with the hired hand who abandons the sheep in times of danger. He emphasizes the deep, loving connection between the good shepherd and his sheep, which mirrors the relationship between Jesus and his heavenly Father. Fr. Mark stresses that following the good shepherd is not always easy or comfortable, as it involves sacrifice and can be counter-cultural.



Fr. Mark then relates the message of the good shepherd to the current situation at Christ Church, where the vestry and he have been trying to follow and listen to the good shepherd's guidance for over two years. He acknowledges that this process can be painful and confusing for everyone involved, but he encourages the congregation to continue following Jesus, even when it is difficult.



Finally, Fr. Mark reflects on Psalm 23, noting that the psalmist's shepherd Lord leads him in roundabout ways rather than straight paths, through challenging situations like the valley of the shadow of death and in the presence of enemies. Despite these difficulties, the psalmist maintains an unshakable trust in the Lord, and Fr. Mark suggests that this psalm might serve as a guiding scripture for the parish during this time of uncertainty, encouraging them to keep trusting, listening, and following the good shepherd.



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Dying to Live

John 20:19-31



In this sermon, Father Mark discusses the concept of resurrection and its relevance to our lives in the present. He shares a story about his friend who experienced the death of his relationship with his mother, only to have it resurrected after she survived a near-fatal heart attack. Father Mark emphasizes that the power of resurrection is not limited to Jesus' story from 2,000 years ago, but is available to transform our lives here and now, releasing us from deadly habits, thought patterns, and mindsets.



Father Mark explains that the risen Christ is present in our world, sharing our human life and enabling new resurrected life within us. He encourages the congregation to experience the mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead, even though it may involve letting go of old habits, customs, or relationships.



Father Mark asserts that without death, there can be no resurrection, and that God never wastes anything. He concludes by reminding the congregation that resurrection happens every time we love, trust, and refuse to become negative or cynical, and that we don't have to wait for it later.



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.