4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Two Lost Sons, One Loving Father: Grace for the Prodigal and the Faithful
In his Trinity 9 sermon on Luke 15:11–32, Fr. Dan explores the familiar Parable of the Prodigal Son from a fresh perspective. Rather than focusing solely on the younger brother who wandered away, he highlights the lostness of both sons—the rebellious son in the distant country and the resentful son standing outside the celebration. At the heart of the story is a father whose grace reaches both. This sermon reminds us that whether we have strayed far from God or have become spiritually distant while remaining close to religious life, the Father’s invitation to forgiveness, belonging, and joy remains open to all.
Buried with Christ, Raised to New Life: Living the Reality of Baptism
Baptism is more than a past event—it is the defining reality of the Christian life. Drawing from Romans 6:3–11, this Trinity 6 sermon reminds believers that they have been buried with Christ, freed from the dominion of sin, and raised to walk in the newness of resurrection life.
Nevertheless at Thy Word: Faith in the Midst of Empty Nets
Sermon Excerpt — Trinity 5
Luke 5:1–11
Have you ever worked hard at something, only to come up empty? Simon Peter knew that feeling well. After a long night of fishing, he and his companions had caught nothing. Exhausted and discouraged, they returned to shore and began washing their nets—resigned to failure.
It was in that very moment that Jesus stepped in and said, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets.”
By all human reasoning, this made no sense. The night was over. The opportunity had passed. Yet Peter responds with remarkable faith:“Nevertheless at thy word, I will let down the net.”
Those four words change everything.
Peter obeys—and the result is abundance beyond imagination. The nets overflow. The boats nearly sink. What began in exhaustion ends in overwhelming blessing.
This passage reminds us that faith often looks like simple obedience in difficult moments. Not when we feel strong or confident, but when we are tired, uncertain, and ready to give up. Christ does not wait for us to be perfect or prepared—He meets us in our weakness and calls us to trust Him.
Whatever “empty nets” you are carrying today, bring them to Christ. And then, like Peter, say: “Nevertheless at thy word.” Cast the net once more—and trust that He is faithful.