All Saints Anglican Church Sermons

Text: Acts 7:9-16 In this sermon, we look at the second section of Stephen's sermon. Here he turns his focus to Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob, the patriarchs of Israel. Stephen draws on the image of Joseph to show that God redeems people who often seem unredeemable, and he does it in ways that are often unexpected. But we'll also see that Joseph is a shadow of Christ, foreshadowing a far better redemption than even the council dared to expect. But just as Joseph foreshadows Christ, Stephen reflects him. As we think about all these connections, we are reminded yet again that our hope is in a God who redeems those who often seem the most unredeemable.

Text: Acts 6:8-15 We now turn our focus to Stephen, sometimes called the proto-martyr (or first Martyr). It is the first time in the book of Acts that we turn our focus away from Peter, John, and the other apostles. But Luke shares this moment for another important reason. In it, we see two very different ways - the way of Christ and the way of man. The contrast couldn't be more stark. The way of man is one of deception and pain, while the way of Christ is one of grace. The invitation, by turning his focus to Stephen, is to ask: which way will you choose, the way of man or the way of God?

Text: Acts 5:17-42 In this passage, we see two types of obedience: the first stems from the fear of man and self-made obedience, the second stems from knowing God. In this passage, we learn how Christ has fulfilled our obedience for us, and from that, we get to do because God has already redeemed us. This distinction makes all the difference; the self-made obedience leads to horrible destructions - jealousy, fear of man, and indignation. Obedience to God leads to joy - even in the face of incredible hardship.

Text: Acts 3:17-4:4 We often expect a certain kind of blessing, or that our lives will turn out in a specific way, but God's plans are not always what we expected, but always infinitely better than we could imagine. Peter tells his audience that they are ignorant of the reality of who Christ is and what he has done. He goes on to note just three of the benefits of Christ's death and resurrection. When we put our faith in Christ, our sins are wiped away, we are given refreshment, and he will return to make all things right. These gifts are incredible and better than simply restoring a temporal kingdom. Christ, the true messiah, restores our relationship with God and will renew all of creation.

Text: Acts 3:1-10 We were blessed to be visited by The Rt. Rev. Ben Fischer, rector of Christ the Redeemer, Nampa, ID, and one of our diocese's suffragan bishops. He preached on Acts 3:1-10 and reminded us how God always gives good gifts. As Peter and John enter the temple to give thanks and worship God, they run across a man who was lame by birth. He asks them for alms, but they have no money to give them. Instead, Christ uses his apostles to heal the man and give him something infinitely better than anything he could have imagined. We are reminded how we often think we know what we need, and God says no but gives us something far better.

Text: Acts 2:14-41 In this sermon, we look at Peter's Pentecost sermon. It is an incredible sermon, first because it is thoroughly rooted in scripture, but it is also a profoundly clear articulation of the Gospel of Christ. Peter starts with why the Holy Spirit was given, but quickly moves into reviewing Christ's life, death, resurrection, and exaltation, showing what it all means. As the people hear this, their conscience is seared, and three thousand repent and are baptized. As Peter articulates this, we see it shown forth in his life. Peter is transformed from someone who seems to have a propensity to get it wrong and who denied Christ to someone who boldly proclaims him before thousands. None of this happens because he pulled himself up by his bootstraps, but because the risen Christ revealed himself to him, walked with him, taught him, and then sent the Holy Spirit to empower him.

Acts 1:12–26 We live in a culture that struggles to wait. Yet in Acts 1, after Jesus ascends, the disciples are told to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. What follows is a powerful picture of faithful obedience in uncertain times. They do not panic. They do not scatter. They gather in unity, devote themselves to prayer, search the Scriptures, and act carefully in community. Their waiting is not passive—it is active trust in God. This passage reminds us that obedience is not a frantic effort but humble dependence. As individuals and as a church, we are called to persistent prayer, attentiveness to God’s Word, and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide what comes next. In seasons of waiting, we do not rush ahead—we depend on Him. Join us Sundays at 10 am, All Saints Anglican Church - 1806 Savage Ln. N, Prescott, AZ.

Text: 1 Corinthians 13 In this sermon, we will look at what may be the most well-known and possibly most popular passage of scripture. As we prepare for Lent, we'll sit in St. Paul's call to love well, in 1 Corinthians 13. In this passage, we learn the importance of love, what love actually is, and that in the end, it is the most important thing. But Paul is also clear that love isn't an emotion but an attitude and posture towards others. As we examine Paul's understanding of love, we realize that the only way to love well is to be rooted in the reality that Christ loved us first. Love is ultimately what Christ is forming in us, as he renews our hearts and minds. It is not a work to be created, but a gift.

Text: Jonah 3 In this sermon, we look at Jonah 3, which is a chapter of hope. In it, Jonah is told, yet again, to go to Nineveh; he goes, preaches the message that God gives to him, and the Ninevites repent. What makes this chapter especially interesting is the people's hope without promise. The Ninevites in particular realize the despicable nature of their ways, show signs of repentance through inward and outward action, but they don't know that God will relent. They simply know that it is the right thing to do. While we, as Christians, have assurance of our salvation in Christ and a promise of eternity with God, there are very few things we can know for certain in this life. Jonah 3 reminds us that fidelity to Christ is good, that he is merciful and kind, and that even when life takes unexpected turns, he is a faithful and good God.

Text: Jonah 1 This sermon starts our mini-series working through the book of Jonah. This short book is filled with incredible imagery, beautiful wordplay, and a profound message: God's mercy is deeper than our sin. In Jonah 1, we meet the hapless prophet, who, as we will learn, would really rather not see pagans saved. Yet, even as Jonah runs, even in his rebellion, God uses Jonah to turn pagan hearts to him. The contrast between the sailors and the prophet is clear. Jonah is, as Christ will say some 700 years later, a whitewashed tomb, while the sailor seems to come to a living and real faith in the Lord. The passage invites us to ask ourselves some hard questions: Are there people we'd rather not see come to Christ? Are there ways that we are becoming dulled to God's movements in the world, and therefore hardened?

Text: Psalm 133 One of the things we've been thinking about as we've read through the Ascension Psalms is how to read them canonically, that is, how they fit together as a whole. We have seen that we are on a trajectory from Galilee to Jerusalem to the Cross to life in the resurrected Christ. Tomorrow, we are nearing the end. Psalm 133 anticipates, in a deep and hope-filled way, eternity bound together in Christ, in unity one with another. Although short, Psalm 133 is a beautiful illumination of the saints' unified worship. There are beautiful similes that depict good and delightful worship as the saints are bound together for all eternity.