Sermons on Lent

Jesus and the Grieving

This sermon explores how Jesus meets people in their grief through tears, truth, and grace, drawing from the story of Lazarus in John 11. It highlights how Jesus responds differently to Mary and Martha—offering compassionate presence to one and grounding truth to the other—showing his intimate understanding of human sorrow. Jesus points to the hope of resurrection, reminding listeners that he enters death itself so that everything sad might one day come untrue. Sermon preached by Peter Tepper at St…

When the Light Breaks In

In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind—not only restoring physical sight but revealing a deeper spiritual reality. This miracle, or “sign,” exposes the contrast between physical vision and spiritual blindness. With our “small eyes,” we often try to make sense of the great mysteries of suffering, pain, and evil. But Jesus invites us into a larger story: God’s redemptive work in the world. The Pharisees, though physically sighted, cannot recognize the Light of the World standing before them.…

Good News in a Good Way

Jesus conversation with the the woman at the well in Samaria tells us how to share our faith, naturally, sensitively, and with clarity. Sermon preached by Michelle Tepper on 8 March 2026 at St Peter the Fisherman, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

The Way Back to the Garden

The Way Back to the Garden The sermon traces the biblical story arc from the Garden of Eden, through the wilderness of sin, to our return to the garden made possible through Christ. It highlights that Scripture both begins and ends in a garden—Paradise lost and Paradise restored. Humanity’s fall introduces four forms of death/alienation: After Adam and Eve are sent into the wilderness, humanity continues to wander there. Yet God does not abandon us—Christ enters the wilderness to find…

Running Routines

The story of the Prodigal Son is a story of running routines. We are all runners of one sort or another. Some of us run long distances. Some of us run in place. God runs towards us in grace. Text: Luke 15:11-32 Sermon preached by Peter Tepper at St Peter the Fisherman, New Smyrna Beach, Florida on 30 March 2025.