I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice- Sermon- Matthew 9:9–13

Parable of the Sower- Sermon- Isaiah 55- Deacon Steven

In this week’s sermon, Deacon Steven looks at Jesus’ Parable of the Sower and asks us to consider what kind of soil our hearts have become. The seed of God’s Word is generously scattered, but how we receive it makes all the difference. Jesus describes hearts that are hard, shallow, distracted, and those that are ready to receive his Word and bear fruit. Drawing from his own experiences of seasons when life disrupted his spiritual rhythms, Steven reminds us that our hearts can change over time and need regular care. He offers three simple ways to cultivate “good soil”: staying rooted in Scripture and prayer, practicing repentance and receiving God’s grace, and remaining connected to Christian community. It’s an encouraging invitation to let the Holy Spirit shape our hearts so God’s Word can take deep root and bear lasting fruit. “He who has ears, let him hear.”

The Easy Yoke: Finding Rest for the Weary Soul- Sermon- Matthew 11- Deacon Steven

In this homily, Deacon Steven addresses the universal experience of soul weariness by exploring Jesus's invitation to the burdened in Matthew 11. He begins by identifying the heavy yokes of modern life—such as burnout, loneliness, and professional stress—arguing that worldly escapes like entertainment or substances are merely temporary fixes that leave the spirit empty. The speaker then highlights the gentle character of Christ, emphasizing that Jesus does not demand self-improvement before arrival but offers a divine exchange of our crushing anxieties for His manageable burden. By sharing his personal struggle with the psychological weight of war, the deacon illustrates that true restoration is found not in a place of physical sleep, but in the person of Jesus. Ultimately, the text serves as a pastoral call to relinquish self-reliance and find lasting peace by walking in step with a Savior who carries the greater weight of our existence

Do Not Fear: You Are Seen, Known, and Valued - Sermon- Matthew 10

In this message, we dive into Matthew 10 to explore the deeply human experience of fear and Jesus's repeated command to "do not fear." While we often think of fear in terms of physical harm or existential threats, it frequently manifests in subtle ways—such as the fear of rejection, loss, or being misunderstood—quietly shaping our lives and decisions. Rather than calling us to muster up stoic courage on our own, Jesus invites us to redirect our fear by remembering how deeply God cares for us. Through the text, we look at two powerful images that offer comfort: * The Sparrows: Even the smallest, least expensive birds sold at the market are seen and valued by God, reminding us that we possess immense value and do not need to fear being unseen or excluded. * The Hairs on Our Head: God intimately numbers the hairs on our head, which serves as a profound reminder that He fully knows us and has already numbered our overwhelming anxieties and enemies. Ultimately, we overcome our fears not by trying to be harder or stronger, but by entrusting ourselves to God and boldly acknowledging Christ before others. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer noted, the fear of God is the single fear that destroys all other fears.

The Order of Our Loves | Matthew 10:34–39 -Sermon- The Sword That Brings Life

Passage: Matthew 10:34–39 YouTube Blurb: Some words of Jesus stop us in our tracks: "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword..." What does Jesus mean? Isn’t He the Prince of Peace? In this message from Matthew 10, we explore one of Jesus’ more difficult teachings through the lens of Ordo Amoris — “the order of our loves.” Jesus isn’t calling us to love family less; He’s inviting us to love God first so that every other love in our lives finds its proper place. When good things become ultimate things, they begin to carry a weight they were never meant to bear. But when our hearts are rightly ordered, we discover greater freedom, deeper joy, and the ability to love others better. This week we ask: What love in my life has drifted out of order? What am I asking to carry the weight of my soul? CTK | Matthew 10:34–39

Living on Mission Without Burning Out - Sermon- Matthew 9:35–10:4

What does it actually mean to live on mission? Many Christians find themselves in one of two ditches. On one side is a constant pressure to evangelize every person, every moment, every opportunity. On the other side is a quiet faith that rarely moves outward at all. In Matthew 9, Jesus offers a different way. As He looks upon the crowds, He is moved with compassion because they are "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." From that compassion flows a vision for mission that is rooted not in pressure, guilt, or performance, but in God's mercy. In this sermon we explore three marks of a faithful missional life: • The Eyes — seeing people with spiritual compassion • The Hands — ordinary people empowered by Christ • The Pace — a patient, rooted, and enduring witness Mission is not frantic striving, nor passive disengagement. It is learning to participate in God's loving call and outpouring with compassionate eyes, obedient hands, and a patient pace. Scripture: Matthew 9:35–10:4 Christ the King Anglican Church Denver, Colorado