Church of the Incarnation Sermons

In this sermon from Luke 8, Rev. Shawn Torres asks: Does Jesus’ power frighten you—or free you from fear? Through the story of the demon-possessed man, he shows how Jesus meets us in our darkest places—our “tombs” of addiction, shame, and despair—and brings freedom. When Jesus speaks, demons flee, lives are restored, and we are sent out to share what God has done. Help is not just coming—Help has a name, and His name is Jesus.

In this Trinity Sunday sermon, Bp. Greg Brewer reminds us that we are not striving for God's approval—we are held by His unwavering grip. Drawing from Psalm 8, Romans 5, and Hebrews, he paints a picture of our identity as beloved children, justified by faith not as a work but as a gift. This assurance invites us to live with peace, not fear; to trust, not strive. The Trinity is not a puzzle to solve but a divine invitation into relationship and joy. You belong—and He will never let you go.

On Trinity Sunday, Rev. Jordan Griesbeck invites us not just to understand the Trinity but to feel it. Drawing from Romans 5, he describes life in the Trinity as marked by peace with God through Christ, delight in being fully loved and approved by the Father, and hope—a grounded anticipation of future goodness shaped by God’s eternal love. The sermon challenges us to lay down our inner wars and step into the house of the Triune God, where we are welcomed, seen, and delighted in.

Rev. Jon Jordan compares the Tower of Babel and Pentecost, urging us to reject the murky, downstream pursuits of self-reliance and instead seek the pure source of life found in God. At Pentecost, God comes down—not to control us, but to dwell within us, empowering us to live a Spirit-filled, unified, and abundant life.

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on the unpredictable, transforming power of Pentecost, calling us to surrender pride and control to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Following Jesus may bring misunderstanding and discomfort, but it leads to joy, purpose, and a life shaped by God's love and mission.

Rev. Cody Turner reflects on the in-between time between Ascension and Pentecost, urging us to live with the prayer Maranatha—“Come, Lord” and “The Lord has come.” This word captures the tension of the Christian life: trusting that Jesus is already present while longing for His full return. Even amid grief, fear, and waiting, we are never alone—Christ is near, sustaining us through His Word, sacraments, and promises.

In this sermon, Rev. Cn. Oliver Lee challenges the question, “Is God on my side?” by pointing to Jesus’ prayer in John 17, where Christ pleads for unity among believers. Rev. Lee emphasizes that God is not about choosing sides—we are called to be on His side. Through scripture, he reminds us that division is the work of the enemy, but when we align with God, we experience His power to turn burdens into blessings and despair into joy. True faith is not about claiming God for our cause, but surrendering to His.

In his sermon, Shawn Torres unpacks Acts 16 and the idea that closed doors are often God's way of redirecting us toward His divine purpose. Using Paul’s journey to Macedonia as a model, he reminds us that what seems like a "no" from God may actually lead to something greater—like the first church in Europe. Through faith and obedience, divine direction leads to divine appointments and lasting impact.

Canon Oliver Lee reflects on Memorial Day as both a tribute to fallen soldiers and a call for Christians to stand firm in spiritual warfare. Evil, he reminds us, is the root of all conflict—and we are called to resist it with the armor of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand for truth, freedom, and righteousness.

Bp. Greg Brewer reminds us that praising God is not just a suggestion—it’s a command that reorients our hearts toward availability, not just productivity. Through stories, Acts 10, and Revelation 21, he emphasizes that our presence here is no accident, but the result of divine appointments. We are not just busy people trying to survive—we are tabernacles of God’s presence, called to live with purpose, openness, and expectancy.

Rev. Cody Turner explores our deep longing for "home"—a place of peace, belonging, and love. Through personal stories and Revelation 21, he reminds us that this longing points to our true home with God, where sorrow ends and joy is made complete. Earthly homes fade, but in Christ, we are promised an eternal one.

On Mother’s Day and Good Shepherd Sunday, Rev. Jordan Griesbeck shared the story of Tabitha—an ordinary woman whose life revealed the power of Christ’s resurrection. Through her acts of love, service, and community with the vulnerable, we see a life transformed by Jesus. But more than that, we see that God invites us to participate in His ongoing work of renewal. Like Tabitha, our everyday faithfulness, even when unnoticed, matters deeply to God and plays a part in His kingdom.

On Good Shepherd Sunday and Mother’s Day, Bp. Brewer shared how Jesus, our Good Shepherd, offers us both tender care and fierce protection. In our messy, imperfect families, His mercy makes healing and forgiveness possible. No matter where we are, we belong—welcomed, led, and loved by Him.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on Peter’s restoration in John 21, where Jesus meets him in the very place of his failure—not with shame, but with grace. Rather than punishment, Peter receives healing and a renewed calling. Each week at church, we rehearse this story, encountering a God who meets us in our shame and clothes us with mercy.

Bishop George Sumner’s sermon highlights Peter’s restoration after his denial of Jesus, calling it the “Uh-oh Gospel.” Despite failure, Jesus forgives Peter and calls him to lead, showing that the Church is made of forgiven sinners. As we age, we come to see that even life’s hardships can glorify God. Through it all, Jesus welcomes us with grace.

In John 20:19–21, Pastor Shawn Torres reminds us that Jesus’ first words to His fearful disciples were, "Peace be with you." Through His death and resurrection, Jesus accomplished reconciliation with God, offering peace to all who believe. But this peace isn’t just for us to receive — it’s also a mission to share. As Jesus was sent by the Father, so He now sends us to proclaim that same peace to a broken world.

In John 20:19-31, Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reminds us that even after Easter, the disciples were still locked in fear, doubt, and disappointment — until Jesus broke through their walls with unexpected peace. This sermon calls us to see how God's grace still surprises us today, breaking old patterns and breathing new life into places we thought were dead. We are invited to let the winds of God's mercy catch our hearts off guard and open them to joy and transformation.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on the darkness of grief and fear, comparing it to entering a tomb—but reminds us that the resurrection of Jesus transforms even death into a doorway to life. Easter is not just about one man rising—it's the promise of a new world, free from sorrow, sin, and fear. Christ's resurrection means that the darkest places in our lives are not the end, but the beginning of something glorious.

Bishop Gregory Brewer proclaims the resurrection of Jesus as a real, historical event that still transforms lives today. He invites listeners—whether certain or seeking—to trust the risen Christ, who offers peace, forgiveness, and purpose. Through the witness of ordinary people, especially the women at the tomb, we’re reminded that Jesus meets us where we are and never turns us away.

Pastor Shawn Torres reflects on Isaiah 53, revealing how Jesus—once considered insignificant—carried the weight of humanity’s sin in humility and suffering. Despite being rejected and misunderstood, His death brought healing, redemption, and access to eternal life. Through the sacrament, we remember not just His death, but the living gift of His resurrection.

Bp. George Sumner reflects on the profound mystery of Good Friday: the death of Jesus and its meaning for humanity. He explores how Christ’s death opens a new path for us at the intersection of divine love and human weakness. At the cross, God does something utterly beyond our comprehension—creating a way through death into eternal life.

Bp. Greg Brewer shares how Holy Week confronts us with Christ’s relentless love—a love that exposes our rebellion yet invites us into mercy. Despite discomfort and distraction, we’re called to receive Jesus with open hands, walk to Calvary, and live as true heirs of God’s kingdom.

Fr. Cody Turner invites us to see Holy Week as a question of identity. When the crowd chooses Barabbas—whose name means “son of the father”—over Jesus, they choose a reflection of themselves over the true Son of God. Today, we face the same temptation: to reshape Jesus in our image. But Christ resists our control and instead invites us to follow him—to sit, listen, and be transformed as we walk with him to the cross.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reminds us that Hosanna is not praise, but a plea: “Save us now.” On Palm Sunday, the crowd welcomed Jesus with hope but misunderstood the kind of salvation he brought. As Holy Week begins, we’re invited to see that our deepest need is not for quick solutions, but for the transforming love of Christ—who enters Jerusalem ready to give his life so we might be truly saved.

Fr. Joe Dewey challenges us to examine what we treasure most: our resume virtues or our relationship with Christ. Drawing from David Brooks’ critique of meritocracy and Paul’s renunciation of worldly status, the sermon contrasts public success with the inner life God desires. Through Mary’s heartfelt offering at the feet of Jesus, we’re invited to bring our attentive presence—not our achievements. As Holy Week approaches, Fr. Dewey asks, Where is your heart? God wants not our credentials, but our trust, our vulnerability, and our love.

In the wilderness of exile and distraction, God is already at work—bringing rivers to dry places. In this sermon, Bishop Greg Brewer invites us to awaken, to notice the quiet unfolding of divine promise, and to join in the grace already being poured out.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on the parable of the prodigal son, illustrating how our disordered appetites lead to spiritual emptiness. He contrasts the consuming hunger of vampires with the Christian feast on Christ, which makes us more fully human. True satisfaction is not found in the world’s fleeting pleasures but at the Father’s table, where mercy gives us “bread enough” and grace welcomes us as beloved children.

Rev. Cody Turner reflects on Luke 15:11-32, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, illustrating how it transcends time and culture. He emphasizes that the story is ultimately about the overwhelming grace of the father, who welcomes his lost son with open arms. Whether we identify with the younger son's rebellion or the elder son's resentment, we are all called to accept God's radical love and forgiveness.

Pastor Shawn Torres’ sermon highlights God’s call to Moses, showing that God often calls us when we least expect it. Moses, stripped of his former identity, encounters God in the burning bush and is confronted with God’s holiness. Though Moses doubts his ability to deliver Israel, God assures him of His presence. Like Moses, we are called to fulfill God's mission, not by our own strength, but through His power. When we submit to God, He works through us to bring hope and deliverance to others.

Rev. Oliver Lee’s sermon reminds us that, like Moses, we often resist God’s call, feeling unprepared. Yet, God equips those He calls, stretching us beyond our comfort zones for His greater purpose. Our mission isn’t for personal gain but to share the Gospel through word and action, bringing healing and hope to the world.

Rev. Jon Jordan reflects on Philippians and Luke, showing that Lent is about becoming more human, not just giving things up. Jesus calls Herod a "fox," warning of what happens when we let our cravings control us. Paul warns that those who live apart from God become ruled by their desires, leading to destruction. Lent helps us train our hearts to submit our passions to God’s will. Through prayer, fasting, and Scripture, we grow into the people we were created to be—fully alive in Christ.

Bp. Brewer reflects on Philippians and the Psalms, showing that God's greatest trait is His mercy. While struggling to prepare his sermon, he realized his need for stillness was part of the message itself. Instead of condemning us, God offers kindness and compassion. True repentance isn’t just feeling bad about sin—it’s turning toward God’s love. When we seek Him, His mercy gives us confidence, gratitude, and a renewed life in Him.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reminds us that temptation thrives in loneliness, but we are never truly alone. Satan seeks to isolate us, yet Christ has faced every trial, the Spirit dwells within us, and Scripture reassures us of God’s love. Instead of striving harder, we must trust that God is already fighting for us. Our baptism secures our place with Him forever.

Rev. Oliver Lee reflects on Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, reminding us that the devil’s tactics are subtle but real. Jesus overcame by trusting the Holy Spirit, not just by knowing Scripture. As we journey through Lent, we too must rely on God’s strength to resist temptation, standing firm in faith, knowing He is always with us.

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on the Transfiguration, where Jesus’ glory is revealed. This moment affirms His divinity and calls us to follow Him, even when it costs us. True discipleship means embracing His values over the world’s, bearing our cross, and saying yes to His transforming work in us. As we enter Lent, may we see it not as a burden but as an adventure of deeper faith.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 and the Transfiguration, emphasizing that true change comes through the Holy Spirit, not self-improvement. As Christ was transfigured in prayer, we are transformed by conversation with God and the communion of saints, shining His light—often through our weakness. Will we answer His call?

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on Luke 6:27-38, where Jesus calls us to love, give, and show mercy as God has shown us. Following Christ sets us apart, shaping how we see others and respond to challenges. When we surrender to His love, we become instruments of His grace in the world.

Rev. Matt Rossi reflects on Genesis 45, showing how Joseph’s forgiveness defies human instinct for vengeance. True mercy, like Christ’s, surrenders power and refuses retaliation, even when justified. Though forgiveness doesn’t undo harm, it mirrors God’s boundless grace.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on Luke 6:20-26, revealing how Jesus’ kingdom operates on a radically different currency. While the world values wealth, power, and status, Christ calls us to embrace weakness, grief, and humility as the path to true blessing. Pain and shame, when surrendered to God, become the soil for transformation. In following Jesus, we exchange the fleeting values of the world for the eternal currency of love.

Rev. Cody Turner reflects on Luke 6:17–26, revealing how Jesus frees us from the illusion that wealth, power, and status define us. The world’s values are fleeting, but Christ alone is eternal. In every season whether it be grief, struggle, or abundance, only His love remains.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on Isaiah 6 and Luke 5, showing how Jesus calls us beyond our comfort into the deep. Like Isaiah and Peter, we may feel unworthy, but God sees our potential and draws out His beauty in us. Following Christ means surrendering control, trusting His call, and casting our nets into the unknown with faith.

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on Isaiah 6 and Luke 5, showing how God's call disrupts expectations. Both Isaiah and Peter were unprepared, yet God rewrote their paths, revealing their deep need for Him. True security isn’t in control but in trusting His purposes and stepping into the unknown with faith.

Rev. Matt Rossi reflects on the Presentation of Jesus, showing how Mary, Simeon, and Anna embrace mortality by offering their lives to God. In contrast, our world obsesses over escaping limits- maximizing life, avoiding aging, and fearing death. Yet, Jesus came for finite people, and through the patterns of birth, life, and death, God’s redemption unfolds. True freedom comes not from control or endless striving, but from receiving life as a gift and offering it back to God in faith.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reflects on the Presentation of Jesus, illustrating how Mary, Simeon, and Anna surrender what they hold dear, reminding us that nothing truly belongs to us; all is given back to God. Through personal testimony, he shares how his family learned that true comfort comes not from control but from fully belonging to Christ. Inspired by "Avada Hashem" ("everything in service of God"), this sermon calls us to entrust every aspect of our lives- our work, joys, struggles, and even our deaths- into God's hands.

Canon Carrie Headington reflects on Jesus’ proclamation of His mission in Luke 4, describing it as the most transformative announcement in history. Jesus declares He is the Messiah, bringing good news to the poor, freedom for captives, sight for the blind, and liberation for the oppressed. This declaration is both universal and deeply personal, showing us God’s love, power, and purpose for our lives.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reflects on how scripture reveals our longings, exposes our sins, and brings us into the presence of God. Just as the people in Nehemiah’s time wept upon hearing the Law, we are invited to encounter Christ in the Word- a meeting that transforms sorrow into joy and strengthens us with His grace.

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on John 2:1-11, urging us to see Jesus not only as miraculous but also as playful and trustworthy. The wedding at Cana reveals Christ’s grace and invites us to trust Him, even when His plans differ from ours. Walking by faith often means stepping into the unknown, where God’s provision and abundance await. Bp. Brewer reminds us that true faith embraces the unpredictable, unlocking deeper experiences of God’s love.

Rev. Oliver Lee reflects on John 2:1-11, sharing the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. This act, more than a miracle, was a sign pointing to the transformative grace of Christ. It revealed that God’s greatest gifts, symbolized by the new wine, surpass the old ways of the law. Rev. Lee urges us to see God’s extraordinary work in the ordinary and embrace His abundant, life-changing gifts.

Rev. Matt Rossi reflects on Isaiah 43:1-7 and Jesus’s baptism, highlighting how baptism declares us as God’s beloved children. Through this covenant of grace, God binds Himself to us, offering His constant presence, forgiveness, and love. Baptism is a gift that redefines our identity and calls us to trust in Him fully.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on Isaiah 43:1-7 and the baptism of Jesus, exploring how our true identity is found in God’s choice, not our own. Baptism proclaims we belong to God, adopted as His beloved children. Though the journey includes suffering and trials, it leads to life and resurrection through Christ. In moments of self-reliance or despair, God’s voice reminds us of who we are and where we’re going: beloved, redeemed, and heading toward Him by way of the cross.