Epiclesis

Epiclesis http://www.epiclesis.org Ancient Future Faith Community en-US Sun, 12 Jul 2026 10:52:40 +0000 hourly 1 © Epiclesis Sermons & Teaching from Epiclesis Epiclesis Weekly teaching ministry of Epiclesis, an Ancient-Future Faith Community. Epiclesis pastorchris@epiclesis.org false Heart Detector https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/heart-detector/ Sun, 12 Jul 2026 10:52:40 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22657 transformation. But whether it ends up being an "ah-hah" moment for the listener depends upon their heart. Maybe parables are the ultimate heart detectors. Art credit: "Heart and Soul" by Jan Camerone. Other photos Pastor Chris referred to in this sermon:

Model of a working first century Judean fishing boat.
Model of the “Jesus Boat” they found at the Sea of Galilee in 1986.
The actual “Jesus Boat” on display.
The Sea of Galilee from Capernaum.
Farther up the hill looking down toward Capernaum.
“The Sower” by Millet (1850).
“The Sower” by Van Gogh (1888).
“The Sower” by Melani Pyke (contemporary).

]]> transformation. But whether it ends up being an "ah-hah" moment for the listener depends upon their heart. Maybe parables are the ultimate heart detectors. Art credit: "Heart and Soul" by Jan Camerone. Other photos Pastor Chris referred to in this sermon:

Model of a working first century Judean fishing boat.
Model of the “Jesus Boat” they found at the Sea of Galilee in 1986.
The actual “Jesus Boat” on display.
The Sea of Galilee from Capernaum.
Farther up the hill looking down toward Capernaum.
“The Sower” by Millet (1850).
“The Sower” by Van Gogh (1888).
“The Sower” by Melani Pyke (contemporary).

Model of a working first century Judean fishing boat.
Model of the “Jesus Boat” they found at the Sea of Galilee in 1986.
The actual “Jesus Boat” on display.
The Sea of Galilee from Capernaum.
Farther up the hill looking down toward Capernaum.
“The Sower” by Millet (1850).
“The Sower” by Van Gogh (1888).
“The Sower” by Melani Pyke (contemporary).

]]> Pastor Chris Alford One commentator has said that a parable is “storytelling with a message,” that also declares a truth, and that also asks for a response. So, when Jesus is telling a parable, it’s not just a literary exercise or a brain teaser. He’s using a story to call H... 00:31:59 Galilee, harvest, Jesus boat, John Chrysostom, Parable, seed, soil, Sower Jesus, the Galilee, and John the Baptist https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/jesus-the-galilee-and-john-the-baptist/ Sun, 05 Jul 2026 11:21:16 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22661 Globe 2: Israel map 3: Galilee/Tahoe 4: Sea of Galilee 5: Tiberias 6: Magdala 7: Capernaum 8: Galilee and Dead Sea 9: Israel map with dots: Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, baptism site, Machaerus]]> Globe 2: Israel map 3: Galilee/Tahoe 4: Sea of Galilee 5: Tiberias 6: Magdala 7: Capernaum 8: Galilee and Dead Sea 9: Israel map with dots: Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, baptism site, Machaerus]]> Globe 2: Israel map 3: Galilee/Tahoe 4: Sea of Galilee 5: Tiberias 6: Magdala 7: Capernaum 8: Galilee and Dead Sea 9: Israel map with dots: Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, baptism site, Machaerus]]> Pastor Chris Alford In this continuing series, we see Jesus ministering in and around the Sea of Galilee. That’s where He set up his home base (Capernaum), and it’s the region where He sent out the disciples as apostles to drive out demons, heal diseases, and spread the word... 00:40:34 "Children in the Marketplace", Capernaum, Herod, John the Baptist, Machaerus, Magdala, Sea of Galilee, Tiberias A Cup of Cold Water https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/a-cup-of-cold-water/ Sun, 28 Jun 2026 11:04:45 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22653 Pastor Chris Alford On this Sunday, we came to three little verses that cap off Matthew 10. And it’s the last thing— the last bit of instruction, the final words if commission— that Jesus gave before He sent His Apostles off on their mission. Wonder if the apostles were tryi... 00:23:42 apostles, commission, cost of following, David Koresh, disciples, Jim Jones, Marshall Applewhite Not Peace But a Sword https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/not-peace-but-a-sword/ Sun, 21 Jun 2026 20:23:44 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22578 expect persecution. Jesus even goes as far to say that His apostles should expect being flogged. Should we expect persecution as modern-day followers of Jesus? Join us as we look at a passage in Matthew 10, and along the way we also think about what it means to pledge our allegience to Christ.]]> expect persecution. Jesus even goes as far to say that His apostles should expect being flogged. Should we expect persecution as modern-day followers of Jesus? Join us as we look at a passage in Matthew 10, and along the way we also think about what it means to pledge our allegience to Christ.]]> expect persecution. Jesus even goes as far to say that His apostles should expect being flogged. Should we expect persecution as modern-day followers of Jesus? Join us as we look at a passage in Matthew 10, and along the way we also think about what it means to pledge our allegience to Christ.]]> Pastor Chris Alford Jesus is saying it very plainly— He’s laying it right out there—that His messengers, His apostles, should expect persecution. Jesus even goes as far to say that His apostles should expect being flogged. Should we expect persecution as modern-day followers... 00:30:34 apostles, Matthew, sparrows, take up your cross Shepherd, Shepherds, and Sheep https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/shepherd-shepherds-and-sheep/ Sun, 14 Jun 2026 19:26:34 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22548 Pastor Chris Alford As Jesus traveled around through the villages of Galilee, large crowds gathered around Him. Matthew describes those people as confused and helpless. Why did Jesus begin His ministry there, and why does the Gospel compare the people to sheep? Join Pastor C... 00:29:43 apostles, Galilee, Good Shepherd, Jesus, new covenant, religious leaders, sheep Tell Me the Story of Jesus https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/tell-me-the-story-of-jesus/ Sun, 07 Jun 2026 15:47:29 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22434 Duc in Altum Chapel exterior Duc in Altum Chapel interior Duc in Altum Chapel lower level]]> Duc in Altum Chapel exterior Duc in Altum Chapel interior Duc in Altum Chapel lower level]]> Duc in Altum Chapel exterior Duc in Altum Chapel interior Duc in Altum Chapel lower level]]> Pastor Chris Alford We're in the long season after Pentecost and on this particular Sunday, Pastor Chris began a short series examining the Gospel readings. Matthew's account of the person and work of Jesus is full of wonderful stories. Our first story records Jesus healing ... 00:29:18 allegiance, Capernaum, Duc in Altum, faith, faithfulness, fidelity, healing, Jesus, Magdala, Nazareth, physician, pistis Everyone Was Filled https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/everyone-was-filled/ Sun, 24 May 2026 11:22:06 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22402 Pastor Chris Alford The Holy Spirit was surely present and at work many times in God's Story throughout the Old Testament. So, what made the giving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost different than previous times? Join Pastor Chris as he looks at three Old Testament characters,... 00:29:10 Bezalel, Gideon, gifts, Holy Spirit, Joseph, king, Pentecost, Peter Jesus Ascended https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/jesus-ascended/ Sun, 17 May 2026 18:11:38 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22378 full image is here. The lower portion is here. The middle, here. And the top portion is here. The top portion is being used as the featured image for this podcast/sermon. The handout/notes we used is viewable/downloadable here.]]> full image is here. The lower portion is here. The middle, here. And the top portion is here. The top portion is being used as the featured image for this podcast/sermon. The handout/notes we used is viewable/downloadable here.]]> full image is here. The lower portion is here. The middle, here. And the top portion is here. The top portion is being used as the featured image for this podcast/sermon. The handout/notes we used is viewable/downloadable here.]]> Pastor Chris Alford Scripture tells us that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. And so, the ancient church, the early church Fathers, and the historic creeds affirm that the bodily ascension of Christ is a vital part of God’... 00:35:52 Ascension, Crucifixion, God's big story, incarnation, Jesus, king, priest, resurrection Roman Emperors and Fiery Ordeals https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/roman-emperors-and-fiery-ordeals/ Sun, 10 May 2026 16:26:19 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22340 Pastor Chris Alford In this final sermon in a series on the first letter of Peter, we took a close look at the first six emperors of Rome. Why? To provide some vivid and even shocking context for what otherwise might seem like easy words and phrases in the Scripture passages... 00:28:21 encouragement, Fall of Jerusalem, Ignatius, Nero, Paul, persecution, Peter, Roman Emperors, Tacitus Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/royal-priesthood-holy-nation/ Sun, 03 May 2026 15:49:34 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22326 Pastor Chris Alford Christian person, have you ever thought of yourself as a priest? Our baptism makes us to be people who share in the priesthood of all believers. We are to minister in a kind of priesthood, through the power of the Holy Spirit, spread the Gospel of Jesus C... 00:31:49 chosen people, holy nation, Israel, Peter, royal priesthood, temple