A circle of friends on pilgrimage for the love of God

Sermons by Rev. Dr. Les Martin

The Law of Jesus

Rev. Dr. Les Martin Pentecost +23Rev. Dr. Les MartinMatthew 23:1-12 I am resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified in the name of the living God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen. As a young priest in the pre-internet age, I was often looking for direction that would stick with me. And so for…

Yoke of Christ

Pentecost +6Rev. Dr. Les MartinZechariah 9:9–12, Psalm 145:1-13, Romans 7:21-8:6, Matthew 11:25-30 “I have resolved to know nothing among you except Christ Jesus and Him crucified.” In the name of the living God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon…

Ascension of Jesus Christ

Rev. Dr. Les Martin Ascension 2023Rev. Dr. Les MartinLuke 24:44–53 In the name of the living God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Isaiah is five weeks of age and I already don’t know my son. For the first two weeks right after his birth and then when we were back in the hospital, yes, I knew almost…

Easter 3 – Meeting Jesus

Easter 3 2023Rev. Dr. Les MartinLuke 24:13–35 One of the interesting things about moving back to this region after all these years away, I’ve now spent more of my life outside of East Tennessee than I did here, even though I grew up here. And one of the particularly interesting things about moving to this side of town is I have occasion…

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday 2023Rev. Dr. Les MartinJohn 13:1-5 In the name of the living God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, amen. During the years that Kate and I lived in Nigeria, there was a story that often repeated itself. Sometimes at the market, sometimes at the bank, sometimes in a government queue. We’d be waiting patiently and a man, it was almost…

Lent 3 – Lust

Lent 3 – LustRev. Les MartinRomans 1:16-32 In the name of the living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. I’ve had to wear glasses since eighth grade. And as you can imagine, over the years my vision has only gotten worse. And so, I have this funny habit at night, I take my glasses off to sleep, of course, and particularly…

Epiphany – -Follow Me

Epiphany 3 – Follow MeRev. Dr. Les MartinAmos 1:1-11, Psalm 139:1-13, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Matthew 4:12-22 I grew up here over in Oak Ridge and was ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal church in Morristown, Tennessee in 1994. For the last 10 years I’ve been living in Nigeria and that’s one reason it’s nice to say I’m just less because protocol…