20 Essentials Sermon Series
The 20 Essentials Sermon Series
January 4 - May 3, 2009
Now Available!
The 20 Essentials Sermon Series CD Box Set
$30/set. Purchase at The Book Cellar
Includes (View Contents Overview)
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All 20 Sermons plus Good Friday Sermon
(HIGH QUALITY audios in both audio CD and .mp3 formats!) -
Bonus audios by Bp. John Guernsey, Dr. Mickey Efird, and Fr. Eric Dudley
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Introduction Outtakes
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Expanded lectionaries, key texts, teaching themes, and more!
Downloadable, lower-quality audios below:
The Second Sunday after Christmas, January 4
| Listen | Date | Title, Speaker, Readings | Length |
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01/04/09 |
1. Creation Fr. Michael Petty The Second Sunday after Christmas Genesis 1:1-31 -- 2:1-25 Psalm 8 Colossians 1:15-20 (Message Translation) John 1:1-5, 9-14 |
22:48 |
Key text: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. . . And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:1,31).
Teaching theme: All of life was originally created to serve the good purposes of God.
First Sunday after Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord, January 11
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01/11/09 |
2. The Fall Fr. Eric Dudley The First Sunday after Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord Genesis 3:1-24 Psalm 51:1-12 Romans 5:12-17 (Message Translation) Matthew 5:27-30 |
18:30 |
Key text: The Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17).
Teaching theme: By turning away from God, human beings plunge themselves and their world into chaos, violence and moral breakdown.
Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 18
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01/18/09 |
3. The Call of Abraham and God's Covenant Fr. John Wallace The Second Sunday after Epiphany Genesis 12:1-20; 17:1-8 Psalm 47 Galatians 3:7-9, 14, 26-29 (Message Translation) John 8:48-59 |
24:29 |
Key text: “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you” (Genesis 17:7).
Teaching theme: In order to restore the human race and creation to their original goodness, God created an alternative people, a covenant people, to live against the grain of a sinful world.
Third Sunday after Epiphany, January 25
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01/25/09 |
4. Exodus and The Passover Deacon Andrew Rowell The Third Sunday after Epiphany Exodus 12:1-42 Psalm 66:1-12 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 (Message Translation) Luke 22:1-2, 7-16 |
22:33 |
Key text: “And when you come to the land which the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep his service. And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by service?’ you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he slew the Egyptians but spared our houses.’ And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.” (Exodus 12:25-27).
Teaching theme: In an act of faithfulness that foreshadows his mighty act in Jesus Christ, God delivered his covenant people from bondage and brought them to himself.
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, February 1
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02/01/09 |
5. The Ten Commandments and The Law Fr. Eric Dudley The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Exodus 19:1-25 -- 20:1-21 Psalm 19:7-14 Romans 13:8-10 (Message Translation) Matthew 22:34-40 The Decalogue (BCP, p. 317) |
25:39 |
Key text: “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5, 6).
Teaching theme: God gave his covenant people the Law to form them in holiness and so guide them in their mission to live against the grain of a sinful world. Holiness is the vocation of all of God’s people.
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, February 8
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02/08/09 |
6. Sacrifice and Atonement Fr. Michael Petty The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Leviticus 16 Psalm 96:1-9 Hebrews 9:15-28 (Message Translation) Matthew 20:20-28 |
21:20 |
Key text: “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions” (Leviticus 16:15-16).
Teaching theme: God deals with the sinfulness of his people through atonement by which he purifies them and reconciles them to himself.
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, February 15
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02/15/09 |
7. David and the Kingdom Fr. John Wallace The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany 2 Samuel 5:17:25; 6:1-23; 7:1-29 Psalm 89:1-8 Colossians 1:9-14 (Message Translation) Mark 11:1-11 |
25:25 |
Key text: “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever...Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16).
Teaching theme: In establishing David’s kingdom, God gives the promise of a greater kingdom to come which is the kingdom of his own rule in righteousness.
Last Sunday after Epiphany, February 22
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02/22/09 |
8. Hosea: Covenant Faithfulness Fr. Eric Dudley The Last Sunday after Epiphany Hosea 1:2-11; 3:1-3 Psalm 100 Ephesians 5:21-32 (Message Translation) John 2:1-12 |
14:31 |
Key text: “When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, ‘Go, take to yourself a wife of adultery and have children of an adulterous woman, for the land commits great adultery by forsaking the Lord.’ So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son” (Hosea 1:1-3).
Teaching theme: The steadfast love of God is demonstrated in the mercy that he continually extends to his unfaithful spouse, his people. It is God’s final purpose to purify his people and make them worthy of being joined to him in a covenant.
Ash Wednesday, February 25
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02/25/09 |
9. The Necessity of Repentance Dcn. Andrew Rowell Ash Wednesday Jeremiah 17:5-13 Psalm 51 2 Corinthians 5:20b---6:10 (Message Translation) Luke 3:1-14 |
10:47 |
Key Text: “I shall teach your ways to the wicked, and sinners shall return to you. Deliver me from death, O God, and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness, O God of my salvation. Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, but you take no delight in burnt-offerings. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:14-18)
Teaching Theme: Through repentance we receive God's gift of reconciliation.
First Sunday in Lent, March 1
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03/01/09 |
10. Suffering Servant and Atonement Fr. Jim Hampson The First Sunday in Lent Isaiah 52:13-15 -- 53:1-12 Psalm 22:1-21 1 Peter 2:21-25 (Message Translation) Mark 8:31-38 |
17:20 |
Key text: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6)
Teaching theme: In the figure of the suffering servant, God promises the final atoning and reconciling ministry of Jesus Christ.
Second Sunday in Lent, March 8
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03/08/09 |
11. The Word Made Flesh Fr. Eric Dudley The Second Sunday in Lent Proverbs 8:22-31 Psalm 98 Hebrews 1:1-12 (Message Translation) John 1:1-18 |
22:25 |
Key text: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth... And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:14, 16).
Teaching theme: While God dwelt or tabernacled with Israel in the Temple, in Jesus Christ he tabernacles in human flesh to create a new covenant and to bring his saving action to its culmination.
Third Sunday in Lent, March 15
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03/15/09 |
12. The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus Deacon Andrew Rowell The Third Sunday in Lent Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 2 Romans 6:1-11 (Message Translation) Matthew 3:13-17 -- 4:1-17 |
20:16 |
Key text: “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:16-17).
Teaching theme: At his baptism Jesus was anointed as the Messiah, the true king of Israel and the rule of God’s promised kingdom.
Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 22
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03/22/09 |
13. The Sermon on the Mount Dcn. Andrew Rowell (from St. Peter's Parish Retreat) The Fourth Sunday in Lent Deuteronomy 6:1-9 Psalm 99 Colossians 3:1-17 (Message Translation) Matthew 5:1-48; 6:1-34; 7:1-29 |
21:21 |
Key text: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them... You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:17, 48).
Teaching theme: Jesus fulfills the purpose of the Law by creating a people who truly live in obedience to God’s purposes for creation.
Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 29
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03/29/09 |
14. Healings and Miracles Fr. Michael Petty The Fifth Sunday in Lent 2 Kings 4:18-37 Psalm 16:5-11 Ephesians 1:15-23 (Message Translation) John 11:1-44 |
21:27 |
Key text: “When he had said these things, he cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go’.” (John 11:43-44)
Teaching theme: Jesus’ healings and miracles all point to the grand miracle of the resurrection through which God finally and definitively restores the human race.
Palm Sunday, April 5
| Listen | Date | Title, Speaker, Readings | Length |
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04/05/09 |
15. The Kingdom of God Dr. James M. “Mickey” Efird Palm Sunday 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 Psalm 72:1-11 Colossians 1:3-14 (Message Translation) Matthew 4:17; 13:1-58 |
16:55 |
Key text: “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 4:17).
Teaching theme: Jesus was entrusted by God with the mission of bringing about the promised kingdom of God’s rule. Jesus is The Kingdom of God in person.
Maundy Thursday, April 9
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04/09/09 |
16. The Last Supper Fr. John Wallace Maundy Thursday Exodus 24:1-11 Psalm 75 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 (Message Translation) John 13:1-15 |
08:00 |
Key text: “...the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink, in remembrance of me” (I Corinthians 11:23, 24-25).
Teaching theme: Jesus’ death instituted the new covenant which was promised by the covenant at Mt. Sinai.
Good Friday, April 10
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04/10/09 |
Good Friday Sermon: The Cross |
10:08 |
Key Text: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).
Teaching Theme: Jesus’ death on the cross is the heart of the Gospel.
Easter Day, April 12
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04/12/09 |
17. The Resurrection Fr. Eric Dudley Easter Day Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 116:1-8 Romans 1:1-7, 16-17 (Message Translation) Luke 24:1-35 |
21:31 |
Key text: “‘Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:26-27).
Teaching theme: The resurrection of Jesus brings God’s purposes for creation to their culmination and fulfills the whole of Scripture.
Second Sunday of Easter, April 19
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04/19/09 |
18. The Ascension Fr. Jim Hampson The Second Sunday of Easter Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47 Ephesians 1:15-23 (Message Translation) Luke 24:49-53 |
18:50 |
Key text: “After this, Jesus was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid Him from their sight” (Acts 1:9).
Teaching theme: We have a great High Priest seated at the right hand of God who ever lives to make intercession for us with God the Father.
Third Sunday of Easter, April 26
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04/26/09 |
19. The Work of the Early Church Fr. Eric Dudley The Third Sunday of Easter Acts 4:1-21 Psalm 98:1-7 Ephesians 3:1-13 (Message Translation) Matthew 28:16-20 |
30:37 |
Key text: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Teaching theme: What God brought about in Jesus’ death and resurrection is put into effect through the Church, God’s new covenant people in whom the renewed humanity in Jesus finds its realization.
Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3
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05/03/09 |
20. Revelation and Future Hope Dcn. Andrew Rowell The Fourth Sunday of Easter Isaiah 25:1-9 Psalm 98 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 (Message Translation) Mark 13:24-27, 32-37 |
23:48 |
Key text: “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For God has put all things in subjection under him” (1 Corinthians 15:26-27).
Teaching theme: Since the future of creation belongs completely to God the Creator, his people are freed to live hope-filled lives.
