Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas

Fr Blackburn preaches on Jesus Walking in the Water, using Matthew 14:22-23 as his text.

Preaching from St Matthew 14th chapter, Fr. Blackburn explains part of the mystery of the feeding of the 5,000 men (not including the women and children) and what it means to follow our Lord’s commands when he says to His Church, “You give them something to eat.”

Continuing in Romans 8, Fr. Blackburn concluded this most significant chapter in the New Testament.

Fr Blackburn dives into the Eight Chapter of Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.

Fr Blackburn preaches on July 4th, 2026, at our Independence Day Mass and Celebration.

On Thursday, June 4th, 2026, we celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi at Saint Christopher’s. During the sermon, Father Blackburn preached from John 6 and some references from the Hebrew Scriptures.

On June 7th, 2026, Father Blackburn preached on the calling of Saint Matthew and what invitations to those outside the church looks like. Matthew 9:9-13 is his text.

On this Trinity Sunday, Father Blackburn explores one of the greatest of all mysteries: A God that is One God in Three Persons. Drawing on the first chapter of Genesis, we explore the Triune God whose Love fill all in all.

In this Sermon, preached on June 29, 2025, Fr. Blackburn speaks about the obstacles that present themselves when we make firm our resolve to follow Jesus.The text for the sermon is from the Gospel according to Saint Luke, the 9th chapter, beginning at the 51st and continuing through 62nd verse.

This sermon was preached at Saint Christopher’s Parish on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025. The two scriptures referenced are Luke 8:26-39 and 1 Kings 19:1-15a

Father Blackburn examines a portion of John 17, the Great High Priest Prayer of Jesus.

On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, 2025, Father Blackburn explains one of the shorter seasons of the Liturgical Year, and how it is a call to prayer for all Christians.

A sermon preached on May 18, 2025 by Father Blackburn on John 13:31-35.

On the Third Sunday of Easter, 2025, Father Blackburn preaches on the conversion of Saint Paul as taken from Acts 9.

This sermon was preached on the Second Sunday of Easter, 2025, by Father Blackburn.

There are things that creep up in our lives that divide our commitment to God. Father Blackburn addresses these that Jesus points out in Luke 9:51-62

On Easter Day, 2025, Father Blackburn speaks about life rising from the grave, and how the hope of the resurrection not only changes the world, but is a central promise of Jesus to those who believe and love him.

On Good Friday, 2025, Father Blackburn preaches a sermon on obedience, mortality, and self-sacrifice.

On Maundy Thursday of 2025, Father Blackburn preaches the New Commandment which Jesus gives to his disciples.

Father Blackburn preaches on two passages: Philippians 3:4-14 and John 12:1-8.

Preaching on 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Fr. Blackburn discusses Saint Paul’s a three-part truth that results in the Christian Believer’s conversion.

On the Third Sunday in Lent, Father Blackburn preaches on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.

Father Blackburn returns to Saint Christopher’s following the death of his Mother on the Second Sunday in Lent. Using Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians, Fr Blackburn calls the Parish into a holy and observant Lent.

Fr. Blackburn preached a sermon on the feast of Candlemas, 2 February 2025

Father Blackburn preaches at the end of our Year of Jubilee celebration. In the sermon, he presents the theme of our new year as Being the Family of God.

On the Feast of the Epiphany, Fr. Blackburn preaches on what the Magi knew and sought.

Fr Blackburn preaches on King Herod ordering the slaughter of the Holy Innocents after the Magi depart.

Father Blackburn preaches on the Third and Fourth Chapters of Galatians.

The 2024 Christmas Day Sermon preached by Fr. Blackburn.

Fr. Blackburn preaches in Christmas Eve, 2024

We welcome back to Saint Christopher’s Dr. Jason C. Dykehouse. Dr. Dykehouse preached for us last year and we were very glad to welcome back to our pulpit. Here is his sermon for The Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Father Blackburn preaches about the importance of searching through Scriptures, and our own lives, and how God works through time and history.

A Sermon for Advent Sunday, preached by Father Blackburn.

Following the Archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation this last week, Fr. Blackburn addresses some of the concerns and the aftermath of the Church’s failures.

Fr. Blackburn preaches on the Widow who have her last few cents to the poor.

Father Blackburn preaches on the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, in which the Parish celebrated a baptism.

On All Saints’ Day, Father Blackburn preaches about who the Saints are, what role they continue to play, and how we too can become more like them.

In today’s Gospel Passage, Jesus encounters Blind Bartimaeus as they are leaving Jericho. What can we learn from Bartimaeus’ request of the Son of David? Fr. Blackburn explores both the story and the story-behind-the-story in today’s sermon.

Father Blackburn preaches on Hebrews 5:1-10

What do you carry that needs to be let go of? Father Blackburn preaches on Mark 10:17-31.

In the life of the Church, Divorce is a tragic occurrence that does happen from time to time. Part of the reason it is so painful is because of the sacramental nature of marriage, and the imprint on us from Adam and Eve.In this sermon, Father Blackburn explores some of these issues, and uses Genesis 1 and 2, Mark 10, and Ephesians 5 to explain why the Church believes what she believes.

For Christians, prayer is at the root of our being. Father Blackburn explores prayer as part of our relationship with God, using James 5 as our text.

A sermon reflecting on Mark 9:30-37 and the Epistle of Saint James, 3:13-4:3, 7-8a, preached by Fr. Blackburn.

“Who do you say that I am?” That question is posed by Jesus to not only his disciples, but to each one of us. But how do we know Jesus is the Messiah? Fr Blackburn explores Saint Mark’s account of Saint Peter’s confession.

The sermon for today is based upon James 2:1-17, when Saint James asks if we show favoritism simply to those who appear rich within our midst. Fr. Blackburn is the preacher.

In this sermon, Fr. Blackburn demonstrates how faith and works are not mutually exclusive, but rather work together. Using the Epistle of Saint James, the Brother of Jesus, Fr. John points to aspects of our Christian Life that are sometimes ignored.

Fr. Blackburn preaches on the Sixth Chapter of Saint Paul’s Letter to the Church in Ephesus.

Fr. Blackburn preaches the Sermon for the Burial Liturgy for the parishioner Charlie Cotton.

Father Blackburn preaches a sermon based in John 6:51-58

Fr Blackburn preaches on Ephesians 4:25-5:2.