St. Alban's Sermons w/FatherJohn

In this episode, we explore one of the most comforting and profound passages in the Gospel of John. Journey with us through John 14:1-14 as we reflect on Jesus' reassuring words to His disciples: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." This sermon from St. Alban's Episcopal Church dives into the promises of Christ, offering hope, direction, and a deeper understanding of what it means to truly know the Father through the Son. Tune in to discover how this timeless truth anchors our faith and applies to our lives today.

When reading the famous words of Psalm 23, we often glaze over the phrase, "Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." But what exactly are these tools, and why would a shepherd's equipment bring us comfort in our darkest valleys?In this episode, Rev. John Inserra dives into Good Shepherd Sunday to explore the fascinating difference between a shepherd's rod and staff. Far from just being ancient props, these tools perfectly illustrate God’s "corrective love" and how He actively works to keep us on the right path.Join us as we break down the four ways God acts as our Good Shepherd to protect us from external dangers—and from ourselves.Main Points & Teachings:The Tools of the Shepherd: * The Staff (Crook): A functional tool with a hooked end used to reach over and pull a wandering, distracted sheep back into the safety of the flock.The Rod: A blunt weapon used to fend off wild animals and external predators.The Comfort of Correction: David writes that these tools brought him comfort because they proved God was protecting him from both outside threats and his own tendency to wander astray.The 4 Stages of God's Corrective Love: When we start to wander, God uses a progression of methods to shepherd us back to safety:Conscience: That internal conviction or immediate regret after a heated moment, reminding us that we are off track.Indirect Address: When a random sermon, a song on the radio, or an overheard conversation seemingly speaks directly to our specific, private struggle.Direct Address (Rebuke): A difficult but necessary intervention from someone who loves us enough to look us in the eye and tell us we are wrong.Closed Doors: When God abruptly slams the door on a job, a relationship, or a plan to protect us from walking down a path we were never meant to take.Whether you are facing closed doors, feeling the gentle tug of conviction, or just needing a reminder that you are being looked after, this message will help you recognize the loving guidance of the Good Shepherd in your life.

This week sermon Father John dives into the concluding moments of Peter’s powerful Pentecost sermon in the book of Acts [00:31]. When Peter finished speaking, the crowd wasn’t cheering; instead, the scripture says they were "cut to the heart." But what exactly did Peter say to provoke such a visceral reaction?The answer lies in two culturally explosive words: Lord and Messiah.We explore the profound historical and personal implications of these titles, breaking down what they meant to a first-century Jewish audience living under the shadow of the Roman Empire, and what they mean for us today.Main Points & Teachings:The True Meaning of "Lord": In the first century, the title of "Lord and Savior" belonged exclusively to Caesar [01:55]. By declaring Jesus as Lord, Peter made a radical statement: God is entirely in charge, and His authority doesn't rely on dethroning earthly powers [04:23].The Unexpected "Messiah": For generations, the people awaited an anointed king from the bloodline of David who would conquer Rome and fix their earthly problems [06:16]. Jesus’s resurrection proved that God’s plan wasn't just to replace a flawed human government, but to establish an eternal, perfect reign [08:23].Changing Our Thinking (Repentance): The crowd was devastated realizing they missed the truth, but Peter offered a comforting promise: change your direction, and the gift of the Holy Spirit is yours [09:53].Modern Day Applications: * Checking Our Anxiety: Do our fears and worries betray a secret belief that Jesus isn't actually in charge? [10:48]Releasing the Weight of the World: Recognizing Jesus as the sole Messiah frees us from the temptation of looking for salvation in modern human leaders [12:16].Retiring Our Savior Complex: We are relieved of the crushing burden of trying to be the "Messiah" who fixes and saves the people around us [12:41].Whether you are carrying wounds, battling anxiety about the future, or feeling the heavy burden of trying to save someone you love, this message is a powerful reminder to turn around and rest in the One who is truly in charge.

In this Sunday sermon from St. Alban's Episcopal Church, The Rev. John Inserra dives into Peter’s powerful Pentecost sermon from Acts 2 to challenge how we view God’s work in our everyday lives.Just as the first-century Jews expected a militant, political Messiah to conquer the Romans and solve their immediate worldly anxieties, we often approach God with a rigid checklist of how He should fix our own modern-day struggles—whether they are political, financial, or familial. Rev. Inserra reminds us that Jesus didn't meet the worldly expectations of His day; instead, He conquered the grave. We must work backwards from there.

Why the resurrection makes a difference? This Easter we see why it matters in our daily lives, in lost, and how we can now face God boldly because of his son. The resurrection is the foundation of our existence as Christians. We know that Easter is always the end in God's plan.

In what ways do we see Jesus? Jesus is clear that he is king as he enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He doesn't force us but wants to the king of our hearts and lives.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read shares about how to see the world like God. Putting not on smart glasses but glasses that allow us to see every unique person like Jesus does. Bishop Read dives into our old testament reading about David being over looked but the perfect person in God's eyes, or the man who is given site by Jesus, to then defending Jesus and becoming a follower of Christ. We are challenged to look at the world through a different lens, where we see all people as children of God.

God ask Abraham to do 3 things so this leads us to find our own Abraham. We can reflect on God's calling of Abraham to leave everything behind to be the connection of God and this broken world.

There are 3 things we can learn about sin. First laziness, second temptation, and lastly shame. Adam and Eve teach us as they face each of these problems as the commit the first sin.

This sermon is a dive into what Jesus means when he says we are the Salt of the Earth. He warns us about losing our saltness. We look at the Greek to see what Jesus really meant. We are called to be a blend that brings Jesus to the world. More of Jesus and less of the things that brings the world despair. Despair is a tool of the devil but Jesus is always the answer.

Everything in life only works when Jesus is first. Paul teaches us this, where a church can't be divided if Jesus is first. Whether it is work, politics, or any other part of life we are divided we must place Jesus first so the church can be the healing it is supposed to be. Humans fall short but Jesus the one and only Messiah will never disappoint but bring life.

Today Father John sermon focus on John the Baptized claim that Jesus is the lamb of God. The Jewish people would have seen lambs as both a sacrifice and a feast. Jesus taking the sins of the world as the perfect sacrifice and then Jesus as the strength that he gives just as the lamb gave Moses and the others in the first Passover as commanded by God

This sermon focuses on why Jesus was baptized and how it was the start of his ministry. It is not a baptism as we think of today but rather an old Jewish cleansing where one could have a fresh start. A new chapter in life where God open the heavens to announcing Jesus new chapter in his life

This sermon is a deep dive on the Magi and why they are such important part of the Christmas story. They teach us that Jesus came for everyone even at his birth. He is a savior for the whole world.

Be able to discern the truth by looking to the word made flesh. Jesus creates the image of God so we need to go to him in order to be able to work against the devil, and avoid his lies. God sent Jesus on Christmas for that reason so this year lets all study the word so we can see the truth of God in our broken world.

Through the things we can't control God gave us his son in a manger as a reminder to step closer to him. Not to change the things in the world but to CHANGE US. The manger is a reminder of this and God greatest gift to the world.

Today we focused on Joseph in the Christmas story and we see his mercy shown by how he is going to handle not understanding what is happening to Mary. He chooses not to shame Mary, and this is why God has chosen him to raise Jesus just as much as he chose Mary. God mercy is shown through Joseph and is an example for Jesus through out his life.

Thinking about how we can relate to John the Baptist in our own times of doubt just how John did in our reading from the gospel of Matthew.

First Sunday of Advent Sermon at St. Alban's Episcopal Church Harlingen, Texas

St. Alban's Episcopal Church 1417 East Austin Ave. Harlingen, Texas 78550www.staec.org