Preaching – Page 3 – Porter C. Taylor

April 26, 2023April 26, 2023

The God Who Always Provides

As Christians, we have been crucified with Christ through the waters of baptism and we have been raised to new life with him by his resurrection. This is why we renew our baptismal covenant at the Easter Vigil, this is a baptist liturgy. Resurrection means that God has provided us with new life, resurrection life, everlasting and eternal life in the here and now because of what he has done in Christ, because of what God has done in, through, and for him. Continue reading The God Who Always Provides

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023

Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us?

In all of his gracious goodness, Jesus is willing to travel miles with his disciples to show them who he is and what he has done. Jesus always draws near because he is Emmanuel, God with us and he is always near to us. He meets the disciples in their grief and walks with them through it, turning their broken hearts into burning hearts. Continue reading Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us?

April 7, 2023

Do You Know What I have Done To You?

Maundy Thursday is charged with so much historical electricity, such thick theological meaning that you can’t take a step or two without bumping into a significant biblical theme. It’s like a one-pot meal: Passover, Eucharist, sacrificial lambs, foot washing, stripping the altar, pain, passion, servitude, glory, forgiveness, and divine love all mixed together. Continue reading Do You Know What I have Done To You?

April 3, 2023April 4, 2023

All Rise: The Passion and Killing a Mockingbird

The Sunday of the Passion isn’t about palms or donkeys or songs, beloved, it is about the cross. And in the shadow of the cross we come to the sickening understanding that we can sing, “All glory, laud, and honor” and then cry out, “Let him be crucified,” days later. Continue reading All Rise: The Passion and Killing a Mockingbird

December 13, 2020December 26, 2020

Advent 3 Sermon – Year B

This was written and preached for the people of St. David’s by the Sea Episcopal Church for the Third Sunday in Advent, December 13, 2020. The lectionary texts were Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, and John 1:6-8, 19-28. I’d like to begin with a quote from two great 20th century philosophers, Simon … Continue reading Advent 3 Sermon – Year B

December 2, 2019

Constant Vigilance: A Sermon for Advent 1

We are not awaiting the thief to come in the night. While the second coming might be compared to a thief coming in the night, please remember that we are actually talking about the return of the King, the coming of the One who has a rightful claim to the throne and who will judge all things and put the world to rights. Jesus is coming, both King of kings and Lord of lords, and our call is to prepare our hearts for his return, even as we reflectively prepare to celebrate his birth once more. May we be found faithful and vigilant. Continue reading Constant Vigilance: A Sermon for Advent 1