Christ Church Sermons by The Rev. Dr. Richard Miles (Page 3)
Sunday, March 15, 2020: “More than a Quick Fix”
How often have you asked God for a “quick fix” in life? We all do it. We get busy, or defensive, or just too conflicted to face our problems honestly, and all we want is for God to “fix” things. Not change us, or open us, or make us face ourselves. Sometimes God does answer such prayers, just because God loves us and understands that we just need some relief. But real healing can only happen when we let God…
Sunday, March 1, 2020: “It All Started, In The Beginning”
What would the start of Lent be without a stirring sermon on SIN; especially on Temptation. The fact is temptation is not a sin at all; it’s just the invitation to sin. Even so, as we find out in our reading from Genesis, it can still lead us to ruin. It’s how we handle temptation that makes the difference. But temptation has a remedy: a remedy that we find in our Gospel lesson. Here Jesus shows us how to deal…
Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020: “Taking Inventory”
It’s Ash Wednesday, and Lent begins now. Lent is a time set for self-reflection. It is a time to take stock, take an inventory of our lives. In our Scripture lesson, the Prophet Joel helps us start off right.
Sunday, February 9, 2020: “Looking Forward”
You know Murphy’s Law, right? “If anything can go wrong, it will?” Some folks like to add this corollary to Murphy, “Murphy was an optimist!” Current events sure can make us think the corollary is more on target. Yet, Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians has some faith restoring good news for us: the future really does contain a bright and joyous vision. It is indeed something to look forward to.
Sunday, January 26, 2020: “Light Reflected”
Do you ever experience being afraid of the dark? I know that I occasionally do; especially after watching a scary movie. (Have you ever noticed that those are nearly always staged at night?) What makes the dark so scary? The lack of light, obviously; without light it’s hard to set our feet or place our hands anywhere safely. Without light we can’t tell who or what might be out there in the dark. We don’t want to walk in the…
Sunday, January 12, 2020: “Baptism of Our Lord: On Building an Ark”
In the past five to seven years, Arks have been popping up all around the world. As in Noah’s Ark. In reading the 29th Psalm this morning, it just might seem like a good idea to build an Ark ourselves. The Psalmist speaks of “mighty waters” that can drench, drown, and destroy us, where “the flood sweeps over” us. But the Psalmist is speaking here of how life itself can send metaphorical floods to drown us emotionally, spiritually, and mentally,…
Sunday, January 5, 2020: “Herod The Prophet”
Herod! A Prophet?!? If you know anything about King Herod, then you know that he is remembered for and as many things; most of them not very flattering. Being a Prophet is not usually one of those things. But, in our Gospel lesson this morning, Herod does in fact say something so prophetic, that if we miss it, we will miss the Savior too. Come and find out what Herod the Prophet says this morning that will change our New…
Sunday, December 29, 2019: “Can Anything Good Come to Nazareth?”
Here’s a big word: Incarnation. It’s one of those words that needs repeated explaining, especially since we tend to only mention it at Christmas each year. In short, it’s about God becoming human and living among us in Jesus. It’s kind of a shock to the mind to just think about what that means. But, that doesn’t stop John in our Gospel lesson this morning from opening his Gospel account with this very thought. But, as we will find out,…
December 24, 2019, Christmas Eve: If You’re Missing Baby Jesus, Call 7162
Christmas Eve is time for a good story. Actually, it’s time for a great story! This story is great, because it captures the real spirit and meaning of Christmas. And, it really happened! Have a listen, or read it here, and let Christmas’ spirit capture you.
Sunday, December 15, 2019: “Kringling”
Do you want to make a big difference in someone’s life this Christmas? How about a difference in the world? You can, and you can do it easily; if you take up the spiritual discipline of “Kringling.” Here’s how you can do it, and here’s the difference it can make when you do.