Sermons Audio - St. John the Divine

On All Saints Sunday, we remember the great heroes of the faith who continue to inspire us to believe and live for Christ. But this day also calls us to reflect on our own faith.What would it take for our lives to inspire others in the same way? In this message, we are invited to live an “All Saints” kind of faith: to know Jesus deeply, to love Him fully, and to follow Him faithfully, not as the hero of our own story but as part of God's great story of redemption.

On All Saints Sunday, Bishop Jeff W. Fisher reminds us of a simple but life-changing truth: God doesn't discriminate between sinners and saints.Through the waters of baptism, we are marked as Christ's own forever, forgiven, loved, and called to new life in Him. Drawing from his own story at St. John the Divine, Bishop Fisher reflects on the gift of grace, the power of community, and the love that unites all the saints, both past and present.Join us as we give thanks for our baptism, for God's unearned love, and for the saints who have shown us what that love looks like in action.

In the final message of our Letters to a Young Christian series, The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill reflects on Paul's final words to Timothy and the calling to carry the faith forward. Like runners in a relay, we are entrusted with the gospel not to hold it, but to pass it on.Drawing from 2 Timothy 4, this sermon challenges us to live with purpose, to love deeply, and to invest the grace we've received into others. Faith is not about success—it's about succession. The question is: who are you passing the baton to?

In this sermon, The Rev. Trent Pettit reflects on Psalm 65 and the deeper meaning of gratitude. Thanksgiving is more than good manners; it is how we recognize that everything we have and everything we are comes from God.Our gifts, our worship, and even our very lives are acts of praise and offerings that join us to God's own self-giving in Christ. Through this lens, the tithe becomes not a transaction but a transformation: a way of giving ourselves to God's ongoing work of redemption, healing, and hope in the world.Join us as we remember that we are not self-made but grace-made, drawn into God's song of love for all creation.

What is truth? In a world of noise, distraction, and deception, God calls us to discern what's real through His Word. In this message from Letters to a Young Christian, we look at Paul's teaching to Timothy about recognizing lies, guarding our hearts, and anchoring ourselves in Scripture, the only foundation that will never fail.Part 5 of our series, “Letters to a Young Christian.”

When Jesus tells the story of the persistent widow and the unjust judge, he's not comparing God to a bad judge. He's showing us how much greater God's love and faithfulness are. In this sermon, we're reminded that prayer isn't about wearing God down but about being drawn close to the One who never gives up on us.

Memory is one of God's greatest gifts. In this week's message, we look at Paul's words to Timothy and the power of remembering. We remember God's faithfulness, the people who shaped our faith, and the truth that even when life feels confining, the Word of God is never bound. No matter what we face, God's presence and promise of freedom remain unshaken.

We're constantly surrounded by messages about what the “good life” should look like — more money, more success, more stuff. But in 1 Timothy 6:6–19, Paul offers a radically different vision. In this week's sermon, we explore how the good life isn't about wealth or perfection — it's about godliness, contentment, generosity, and hope in Christ.

What if the people the world overlooks are the very ones God sees most clearly? In this sermon, we dive into Jesus' story of Lazarus and the rich man and discover a God who knows every name, welcomes every person, and calls us to do the same. When we open our hearts, share what we have, and look beyond our own gates, we get a glimpse of God's kingdom, a place where everyone belongs and no one is forgotten.

In this second message from Letters to a Young Christian, we reflect on God's deepest desire—that all people would be rescued, forgiven, and brought near through Jesus Christ. As we discover God's heart for the world, we are invited to make His desire our own: to pray for all people, to live in peace, and to share the love that has transformed us.

What does Jesus' strange story of the dishonest manager mean for us today? Dr. Michael Lloyd unpacks this challenging parable, showing how God's mercy invites us to lighten burdens, widen the net of welcome, and become a community shaped by grace.

In the opening message of our new series Letters to a Young Christian, we turn to Paul's first letter to Timothy. Paul reminds Timothy, and us, of what matters most: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. In a culture weighed down by anxiety and brokenness, this word of grace overflows with hope. If you have ever felt lost or burdened, this sermon proclaims the good news that Jesus has already come to find you and bring you home.

In a week shadowed by violence, this sermon returns us to the hope and power of the gospel. Walking through Luke 15, we explore the joy of being found, the light of the Spirit that searches for the lost, and the church's call to carry that light into a dark world. Be encouraged to trade outrage for intercession, resentment for generosity, and fear for the Lamb's radiant peace.

When Paul wrote his brief letter to Philemon, he invited a master to welcome back a runaway servant not as property, but as a beloved brother in Christ. At the heart of this little book is a big truth: forgiveness is not only possible, it is transformative. In this sermon, we reflect on how the grace of God frees us from the prisons of guilt, resentment, and bitterness, and how choosing to forgive, like Philemon was urged to do, sets both others and ourselves free.

Paul's short letter to Philemon is more than an ancient note between two men. It is a living word about forgiveness and freedom. Onesimus, a runaway slave, found himself in a prison cell, but also found Christ through Paul's witness. Philemon, his master, was challenged to welcome Onesimus back not as property, but as a brother in Christ. This powerful story invites us to see ourselves in both men: trapped in prisons of guilt, shame, or anger, yet met by Jesus who breaks our chains and calls us to forgive. Discover how God turns finite evil into infinite good, and how the freedom we receive in Christ enables us to extend forgiveness to others.

When Jesus attends a dinner party, He doesn't just take a seat. He rewrites the seating chart. In Luke 14, Jesus flips the rules of social climbing upside down, challenging our obsession with status and teaching us what true hospitality looks like. Instead of jockeying for recognition, He calls us to humble ourselves and invite those who can't pay us back. What happens when we take His party advice seriously?

What does it mean that Jesus takes the lowest place at the table—and still becomes both host and meal? In this sermon, we reflect on Jesus' parable of the wedding banquet and discover the radical hospitality of the Kingdom of God. Unlike the social ladders and power games of this world, Christ welcomes the poor, the broken, and the undeserving. He Himself takes the humble place, even to the cross, so that we might be fed, healed, and made new at His table. Come hear the good news of God's unexpected generosity and be invited to live as bearers of His mercy.

What does it mean to practice true Kingdom hospitality? In this sermon, we're challenged to see the face of God in the stranger, the outsider, and those different from ourselves. Unlike worldly hospitality, which is conditional and comfortable, Kingdom hospitality calls us beyond our fears and prejudices to welcome with open hearts. Discover how Jesus' radical example of inclusion reshapes our lives, our church, and our city.

Happy Rally Day at St. John the Divine! This sermon calls us to gather as one body in Christ, to renew our faith, and to be set free by Jesus who sees us, heals us, and empowers us with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Drawing on Hebrews and the story of the bent-over woman, we are reminded that worship is not about order alone: it is about gratitude: standing tall in God's grace, lifting our hearts in thanksgiving, and rallying together to shine Christ's light to the world.

Have you ever been unsettled by Jesus' words that he came not to bring peace but division? This sermon wrestles honestly with that difficult passage, showing how Christ's message disrupts the status quo and calls us into bold, transforming faith. Drawing on Hebrews' image of the Christian life as a race of endurance, it explores what it means to lay aside the weights that hold us back, to trust God in the midst of struggle, and to discover a deeper joy and peace that the world cannot give.

The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill draws from Hebrews 11–12 and a personal memory of his brother's final high school track meet to reflect on what it means to run with endurance the race set before us. Surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses,” the Christian life is not a solitary sprint but a shared journey of encouragement, perseverance, and hope in Christ.Whether you're weary in faith or feeling weighed down by life's burdens, this message is a reminder to lay aside what hinders and fix your eyes on Jesus, the one who runs before us and crowns the race with joy.

Feeling worn out in your faith? Hebrews 11 awakens us to see God's unseen reality when life feels stale. Discover how shifting your focus can reignite joy, renew conviction, and open your eyes to the presence of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus returns, will He find you ready? The Rev. Reagan Cocke shares how to trade fear for faith, treasure the Kingdom over possessions, and live prepared for the Master's arrival.

What does it mean to walk in Christ? In this sermon, The Rev. Reagan Cocke connects Paul's call to live in Christ with Jesus' teaching on prayer. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we're invited into daily dependence on God, bold and intimate prayer, and a life rooted in God's presence.

When life brings triumph or tragedy, how do we respond? In this sermon, The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill reflects on Paul's letter to the Colossians, urging us to live lives rooted in Christ—not as an add-on to busy lives, but as the very center. Especially in seasons of grief and doubt, we are called to keep walking in faith, trusting in a God who walks with us.

The Most Rev. Josiah-Idowu Fearon reflects on the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10. While Martha busies herself with hospitality, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen. What does it mean to choose “the better part”? Is our faith rooted in doing, or in delighting? Are we willing to pause, to sit, to submit, and to draw close to Christ?

The Rev. Reagan Cocke reflects on Mary and Martha to explore the difference between doing for Jesus and being with him. Mary sees in Jesus the very presence of God, one who forgives, reconciles, and holds all things together. In the wake of deep loss, we are reminded that Christ meets us in our suffering, and nothing can separate us from his love. Even Martha, in the end, comes to know this good portion.

Seminarian Karlie Keller reflects on the parable of the Good Samaritan and the command to love God and neighbor, asking where we see ourselves in the story. She explores Jesus as the true Samaritan, moving toward us with gut-level compassion, binding our wounds, and entrusting us to the Church, the inn where we receive care through the sacraments. As modern innkeepers, Karlie reminds us, we are called to tend the hurting around us until Christ returns. When we show mercy, we not only love our neighbors, we love Jesus himself.

When a religious scholar asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life, the answer doesn't come in a formula. It comes in a story. In this sermon, Bishop Josiah Fearon challenges us to see ourselves not as the hero, but as the one in the ditch: helpless, broken, and in need of mercy. Drawing from the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Bishop Fearon reminds us that salvation isn't something we earn by religion or good behavior. It's a rescue we receive from Jesus, the one who sees us, stoops down, and lifts us up. Have you let him lift you?

In this sermon, we hear Jesus' call to go out like the 72 disciples, proclaiming the kingdom of God with courage and trust. We are reminded that Jesus sends us to share his peace and healing, not burdened by fear of failure, things, or our own needs. Instead, we are invited to depend on God, bless others, and remain faithful even when facing rejection. As we go out from worship to love and serve the Lord, may we carry Christ's message boldly, knowing he equips and frees us to follow him without fear.

Seminarian Karlie Keller explores Jesus' sending of the 72 disciples with the message, “The kingdom of God has come near.” This sermon invites us to receive and share Christ's peace, grieve the world's brokenness, and join in God's work of healing as we participate in the kingdom drawing near today.

Why do we start our walk with Jesus so determined, only to lose focus along the way? In this sermon on Jesus' journey to Jerusalem from Luke's Gospel, we explore how our everyday hesitations mirror the struggles of would-be disciples who let even good things distract them from following Jesus fully.But the good news is that our salvation doesn't depend on perfect resolve, but on Christ's unwavering commitment. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, we can find fresh courage to follow Him more faithfully.

When Jesus heals the man possessed by demons in the country of the Gerasenes, the man begs to follow him, but Jesus tells him to go home and share what God has done.In this sermon, we're reminded that God's transforming power is not only real but also deeply personal. The miracle isn't just that the man was healed—it's that he became the first apostle to the Gentiles, sent not far away, but home.Do we believe Jesus still works this way today? And if so, are we willing to begin by letting him transform what's closest to us—our own homes, our relationships, and our hearts?

Are miracles just stories from the Bible—or does God still intervene in the world today?In this sermon, we reflect on Jesus' healing of the Gerasene demoniac and explore the deeper meaning behind miraculous encounters: divine compassion, spiritual rebirth, and the call to share the good news. With a personal story, the preacher offers heartfelt testimony that God's love and power are still at work today.Even in a skeptical, high-tech world—miracles still happen.

Happy Father's Day! Today's sermon dives deep into the mystery of the Trinity— Father, Son, and Holy Spirit— with stories that are as heartfelt as they are relatable.Through personal testimony, Scripture, and real-life moments of joy and struggle, The Rev. Reagan Cocke explores how the Holy Spirit isn't just a theological concept, but a guiding presence—compelling, comforting, and incredibly real. Whether you're new to faith or have walked with God for years, this message is a reminder that the Trinity isn't something to crack like a code— it's love, alive and at work in you.

In an age of disconnection, distraction, and curated spiritualities, what we're truly longing for is not just community—but communion with the living God.This Trinity Sunday sermon reflects on the deep human desire to be known, to matter, and to belong—and the scandalous Christian claim that God has not left us to find our way alone. Through the gift of the Spirit, God has come close. He has made Himself known—not as an idea or a distant power, but as a personal presence who loves, speaks, and saves.

Pentecost isn't just about wind, fire, and speaking in tongues — it's about what happens next. The Holy Spirit unifies, empowers, and reveals — not only to the early church, but to us today. In this sermon, discover how the Spirit bridges divides, equips ordinary people for extraordinary love, and draws us deeper into God's presence. Whether you're curious, skeptical, or longing for more, the invitation is the same: come and see what the Spirit is doing.TEXTS: Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-27https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202%3A1-21&version=ESVhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A8-27&version=ESV

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came not with spectacle but with purpose—sending ordinary people into the world with extraordinary news. In this sermon, we explore what Pentecost means for the Church today. Why is Christianity a public faith, not a private one? What does it mean to carry Christ's mission into everyday life? And where is the Spirit already at work in your ordinary corners of the world?Discover how Pentecost isn't just a story of wind and fire—but of witness, mission, and love that breaks down walls.

What does it mean to become one? In this poetic sermon, The Rev. Louise Samuelson explores Jesus' final prayer for his followers—that they may be one—as she introduces the ancient word “oneing,” drawn from the writings of Julian of Norwich. In a divided world, this call to spiritual unity is both timely and transformative. Through stories of worship, community, and love in action, this sermon invites us to embody the self-giving love of God and carry it beyond the walls of the church.

On the night before his death, Jesus offers one final prayer—not for himself, but for us. In this sermon, Dr. Kira Moolman Pettit reflects on what that prayer reveals about Jesus' hopes for his followers: unity, love, and enduring presence. From the intimacy of a pre-pandemic dinner to the cosmic visions of Revelation, we are invited into a story where apocalypse doesn't mean disaster, but unveiling. What is revealed? A God who is with us, and a Church called to say, “Come.”

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus offered His disciples—and all of us—a stunning promise: “I will not leave you orphaned.” In this sermon, the Rev. Dr. Leigh Spruill reflects on John 14 and the intimate care of Christ, who sends the Holy Spirit to be our Counselor, Comforter, and constant presence. Through vivid personal stories and biblical insight, hear how the Spirit brings truth, peace, and belonging—even in a disoriented world. Whether you're seeking clarity or comfort, this message is a reminder that you are never alone.

On this Memorial Day weekend, we honor those who gave their lives for our freedom—and we turn to the One who gave His life to set us free forever. The Rev. Reagan Cocke reflects on Jesus' promise to make His home with us and send the Holy Spirit as our constant Helper and Advocate. Drawing from personal testimony and John 14, he reminds us that we are never alone—Christ is with us in our struggles, our service, and our suffering. Even now, in the space between D-Day and VE Day, between the Cross and Christ's return, we live with the assurance of victory and the peace that the world cannot give.

On the night of his betrayal, Jesus gives his disciples one final command: love one another. In this sermon, Dr. Kira Moolman Pettit explores what it means to follow that command in a world full of pain, weakness, and betrayal. Through the image of a stripped altar and a Savior who shared our vulnerability, we're reminded that Jesus doesn't ask us to love blindly— he asks us to love as he loved, from the depths of sacrifice.Whether you're carrying grief, doubt, or the weight of loving others, this message invites you to see that Jesus is not far off. He's with you at the kitchen table, in the hospital room, in every tender and painful place. And in him, even suffering can become glory.

What if heaven wasn't just something we hope for—but something we live for?While we believe in heaven, one wonders why the revelation God gives us in Scripture does not animate us now as a present power more than simply as a vague future promise. Oh, how our Lord would love to fill us with his Spirit to sense heaven touching down in advance all around us, enlivening us as people of hope and assurance.

Jesus doesn't just give us answers—He gives us Himself. This sermon reflects on our deep need for clarity and how true understanding of Jesus comes not through facts alone, but through daily experience, trust, and action. Like sheep who know their shepherd's voice, we are invited to follow, not as armchair explorers, but as those who walk with the Good Shepherd each day.

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, we reflect on the comforting truth that we are held in the loving, strong hands of God—hands that create, protect, guide, and never let go. No matter where we are or what we face, nothing can snatch us from His grasp.

Easter is not a one-time event; it is something that keeps happening. When Peter returns to fishing—lost, empty, and searching—Jesus meets him right where he is. Through empty nets, a charcoal fire, and a quiet meal, Christ brings healing, restoration, and a renewed call to love. Wherever you are—wrestling, weary, or weighed down—this story reminds us: Jesus shows up. Not to shame, but to restore. Not to condemn, but to call us forward in love.

Ever felt like you've let God down—or like you're just not quite "spiritual enough"? In this sermon, we hear the good news of resurrection life through three simple truths: Jesus finds us where we are, Jesus calls us to follow him, and Jesus forgives us. Wherever you are in life, this is a reminder that Christ is already there—calling you by name and inviting you into grace.

Even when we are locked away by fear, shame, or doubt, the risen Jesus shows up. If we are small, he becomes small. If we doubt, he comes to those doubts. If we are wounded, he shows us his own wounds. In this sermon, we reflect on how Christ meets us right where we are — offering peace, healing, and hope. He is risen — and he is risen for you.

On the night of his resurrection, Jesus speaks the words we all long to hear: "Peace be with you." In this farewell sermon, our seminarian The Rev. Caroline Devitt reflects on Christ's unstoppable love—the love that walks through locked doors, carries our wounds, and calls us into new life. As we celebrate baptisms and resurrection hope, we are invited to believe again, to wonder again, and to live in the peace that can never be taken away.