http://www.epiclesis.org Ancient Future Faith Community en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:39:21 +0000 hourly 1 © Epiclesis Sermons & Teaching from Epiclesis Epiclesis Weekly teaching ministry of Epiclesis, an Ancient-Future Faith Community. Epiclesis pastorchris@epiclesis.org false https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/resurrection-worship/ Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:39:21 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22184 here on Facebook.]]> here on Facebook.]]> here on Facebook.]]> Pastor Chris Alford Worship on that first resurrection morning? Yes, indeed. From just a few verses in Matthew 10, we see the wondrous and thoroughly biblical four-fold pattern of Christian worship on display. Curious about how that works? Join us as Pastor Chris takes us th... 00:28:16 angel, Divine Presence, Easter, four-fold pattern, Jesus, Mary, Mary Magdalene, resurrection, tomb, worship https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/bringing-the-dead-to-life/ Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:11:17 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22153 Pastor Chris Alford On this Palm Sunday, Pastor Chris looked at some things that Ezekiel's vision of the Valley of Dry Bones has in common with Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Those two remarkable biblical accounts share some beautiful parallels, and along the way we ... 00:28:55 Dry Bones, Ezekiel, hopelessness, Jerusalem, Jesus, judgment, Kidron Valley, Lazarus, Mount of Olives, Palm Sunday, presence of God, resurrection https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/blindness-sight-and-new-creation/ Sun, 22 Mar 2026 13:43:37 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22117 view it here. Also, the other work that Pastor Chris referred to is titled "John 9 Reflection" by Brian Jekel seen here.]]> view it here. Also, the other work that Pastor Chris referred to is titled "John 9 Reflection" by Brian Jekel seen here.]]> view it here. Also, the other work that Pastor Chris referred to is titled "John 9 Reflection" by Brian Jekel seen here.]]> Pastor Chris Alford Pastor Chris focused on this Lent Portrait of the man born blind by looking at two or three of the more familiar themes associated with the story: blindness of at least two kinds and healing. But have you ever considered the story's many connections with ... 00:31:29 embedded theology, Feast of Tabernacles, Gihon Spring, Hezekiah's Tunnel, Jesus, Living Water, man born blind, Pharisees, Pool of Siloam, Sabbath, sin, temple, worship https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/to-be-or-not-to-be-content/ Sun, 15 Mar 2026 18:20:00 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22142 about her here). Her message this day? About contetment. She writes, "The command from God that we should learn contentment is a challenge that we face all of our life. Let’s consider just what is meant by contentment and how God tells us we can achieve it. This message is replete with Scripture verses and personal testimony.' The artwork associated with this podcast/sermon is by Eva Crawford and is titled "More Than Conquerors," 2018. You can find more of her vibrant art here. Dianne is a champion of Christian artists of all kinds. She chose this particular work "because contentment is based on our dependence on Christ and the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives."]]> about her here). Her message this day? About contetment. She writes, "The command from God that we should learn contentment is a challenge that we face all of our life. Let’s consider just what is meant by contentment and how God tells us we can achieve it. This message is replete with Scripture verses and personal testimony.' The artwork associated with this podcast/sermon is by Eva Crawford and is titled "More Than Conquerors," 2018. You can find more of her vibrant art here. Dianne is a champion of Christian artists of all kinds. She chose this particular work "because contentment is based on our dependence on Christ and the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives."]]> about her here). Her message this day? About contetment. She writes, "The command from God that we should learn contentment is a challenge that we face all of our life. Let’s consider just what is meant by contentment and how God tells us we can achieve it. This message is replete with Scripture verses and personal testimony.' The artwork associated with this podcast/sermon is by Eva Crawford and is titled "More Than Conquerors," 2018. You can find more of her vibrant art here. Dianne is a champion of Christian artists of all kinds. She chose this particular work "because contentment is based on our dependence on Christ and the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives."]]> Dr. Dianne Collard On this Sunday, we were blessed to have Dr. Dianne Collard speak to our congregation. Dianne is one the missionaries we enthusiastically support at Epiclesis (and you can find more information about her here). Her message this day? About contetment. She w... 00:30:21 contentment, Dianne Collard, satisfied https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/bride-and-groom/ Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:10:04 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22066 closer detail of the work can be seen here. Two other settings of the same story that Pastor Chris referenced were a 6th century mosaic by an unknown artist(s) and "The Woman of Samaria at the Well" by James Tissot.]]> closer detail of the work can be seen here. Two other settings of the same story that Pastor Chris referenced were a 6th century mosaic by an unknown artist(s) and "The Woman of Samaria at the Well" by James Tissot.]]> closer detail of the work can be seen here. Two other settings of the same story that Pastor Chris referenced were a 6th century mosaic by an unknown artist(s) and "The Woman of Samaria at the Well" by James Tissot.]]> Pastor Chris Alford "Bridegroom” is one of the important scriptural titles for the Messiah. Jesus purposefully goes into hostile territory, Samaria. And while there, He starts up a conversation with an unmarried, perhaps-five-time-divorced, now-cohabitating, foreign, Samar... 00:28:38 bride, groom, Jacob, Moses, Samaria, well https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/darkness-to-light-light-to-darkness/ Sun, 01 Mar 2026 13:00:47 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22047 here if you'd like to see it.]]> here if you'd like to see it.]]> here if you'd like to see it.]]> Pastor Chris Alford Nicodemus is a character that perfectly personifies the tensions that surrounded Jesus. And he seems completely unique in the Gospels. What might a beautiful painting of his memorable nighttime meeting with the Messiah highlight some things we can learn a... 00:32:02 born again, bronze serpent, Henry Tanner, Israel, Jesus, Judas, Moses, Nicodemus, the nations, Torah https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/comparing-judas-to-whom/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:00:37 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22028 Rev. Robert Brown Robert Brown was back in the Chapter House for a conversation about Nicodemus. Have you ever thought about how Nicodemus might compare and contrast with Judas? Both men had some things in common, but in the end both men's journeys ended up in radically di... 00:40:08 Jesus, Judas, Maccabees, Nicodemus, Sandedrin, Simon bar Kokhba https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/the-author-of-upside-down-things/ Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:55:05 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=22001 Original full size. Close-up. Extreme close-up.]]> Original full size. Close-up. Extreme close-up.]]> Original full size. Close-up. Extreme close-up.]]> Pastor Chris Alford Today’s character, the first in a series of portraits during Lent, is Satan. Scripture references for today take us back to the very beginning and remind us that Satan is at first a deceiver, one who calls into question God’s goodness. Sometimes Pasto... 00:29:15 Adam, choosing, Eve, Garden, Jesus, Lucifer, Satan, temptations, The Deceiver, The Fall https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/witnesses-to-a-transfiguration/ Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:56:09 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=21969 Transfiguration of Jesus (1408) Theophanes the Greek. 2. Mosaic in the apse of the Church of the Transfiguration (1924) Mt. Tabor. 3. The Transfiguration (c 1520) Raphael. 4. The Transfiguration of Jesus (1824) Alexander Ivanov. 5. Transfiguration of Jesus (1872) Carl Bloch. 6. Transfiguration (2008) Lewis Bowman. 7. The Transfiguration (2023) Chris Brazelton (The image used on the title page of this podcast/sermon). 8. The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ (2025) George Meluch.]]> Transfiguration of Jesus (1408) Theophanes the Greek. 2. Mosaic in the apse of the Church of the Transfiguration (1924) Mt. Tabor. 3. The Transfiguration (c 1520) Raphael. 4. The Transfiguration of Jesus (1824) Alexander Ivanov. 5. Transfiguration of Jesus (1872) Carl Bloch. 6. Transfiguration (2008) Lewis Bowman. 7. The Transfiguration (2023) Chris Brazelton (The image used on the title page of this podcast/sermon). 8. The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ (2025) George Meluch.]]> Transfiguration of Jesus (1408) Theophanes the Greek. 2. Mosaic in the apse of the Church of the Transfiguration (1924) Mt. Tabor. 3. The Transfiguration (c 1520) Raphael. 4. The Transfiguration of Jesus (1824) Alexander Ivanov. 5. Transfiguration of Jesus (1872) Carl Bloch. 6. Transfiguration (2008) Lewis Bowman. 7. The Transfiguration (2023) Chris Brazelton (The image used on the title page of this podcast/sermon). 8. The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ (2025) George Meluch.]]> Pastor Chris Alford The Transfiguration comes at a pivotal point in Matthew’s Gospel, and it occurs at a dramatic, shifting moment in the other two Gospels that include it. It is after the Transfiguration that Jesus “sets his face” toward Jerusalem-- a moment of pause ... 00:23:56 Christ, Elijah, James, John, Moses, Peter, Transfiguration https://www.epiclesis.org/podcasts/mind-of-christ-or-tribal-differences/ Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:55:08 +0000 https://www.epiclesis.org/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=21847 remembered for—or about what we’d like to be known or admired for. But what would you like to be hated for? Someday, maybe even today, someone is going to see you or hear you and get angry and "gnash their teeth," as the Psalmist says. Join Pastor Chris as he looks at three Scripture passages to discover ways we can faithfully live in a contentious world divided by tribal factions.  ]]> remembered for—or about what we’d like to be known or admired for. But what would you like to be hated for? Someday, maybe even today, someone is going to see you or hear you and get angry and "gnash their teeth," as the Psalmist says. Join Pastor Chris as he looks at three Scripture passages to discover ways we can faithfully live in a contentious world divided by tribal factions.  ]]> remembered for—or about what we’d like to be known or admired for. But what would you like to be hated for? Someday, maybe even today, someone is going to see you or hear you and get angry and "gnash their teeth," as the Psalmist says. Join Pastor Chris as he looks at three Scripture passages to discover ways we can faithfully live in a contentious world divided by tribal factions.  ]]> Pastor Chris Alford In this world, you’re not going to be liked for one reason or another. In fact, you might even be hated. We talk sometimes about what we’d like to be remembered for—or about what we’d like to be known or admired for. But what would you like to be ... 00:25:49 C.S. Lewis, Corinthian church, factions, Light of the World, mind of Christ, Paul, salt of the earth, Screwtape Letters, tribalism