The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from selections in Proverbs on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013

Bishop Guernsey speaks to The Falls Church from Proverbs 25 and Matthew 5.

The Bible says that work is intrinsic to human health - we need to be working, and through our work serving others. Diligence in our work is essential.

On Palm Sunday, the Proverbs speak to us about pride and humility, and Jesus models what humility looks like, and a lot of others too.

Wisdome comes from God - fearing God and walking God's path. We develop a wise character by the daily choices we make.

Wisdom is rare nowadays, but is at the heart of Christian character. Wisdom means knowing how things really are, and how things really work, and what decisions to make in light of this. Wisdom begins with knowing Christ.

When Jesus calls us, it's not just to himself, it's to the good of all.

The person who lives into God's purposes must temper justice with mercy, learn to wait if he isn't certain, and then act when God speaks, even if God's guidance makes little sense.

Are the things we pursue in life worthy of Christ? Did he give himself for us so that we could pursue these things? “Once you really realize how Christ sacrificed for you, you won't spend the rest of your life living to fulfill your own human desires and appetites, but you live for what God wills.” (1 Peter 4:2) Sometimes we need Godly rebuke and sometimes to rebuke another.

In the aftermath of Israel’s idolatry with the golden calf God refused to go with them any further. When Moses stepped in to intercede God relented, promising his presence and revealing his glory.

When we are anxious and worry about the future, it is good to fortify ourselves with a review of the Bible’s teaching on hope. In Romans 8:24-25, Paul lays out four things to know and do: 1. We were saved in hope (24a). 2. We do not hope for what we see (24b). 3. We hope for what we do not see (25a). 4. We hope with endurance (25b). And beware: the two great enemies of hope, despair and presumption, are lurking around any hope we can manage. But also be consoled: God is at work in us to get us from our first beginning to our last end.

The Christian life is lived in, by and through the power of the Spirit. It is a supernatural –and natural – life. Too often we focus on the work of the Spirit at conversion, and at our resurrection, but neglect the Spirit’s work in our present, everyday lives. Paul tells the Roman Christians to “walk according to the Spirit.”

If you are a believer, then be passionate about being faithful to Christ!

What’s the secret to being content in all circumstances? Paul tells us, and it’s at the same time comforting and challenging.

How can all Christians live faithfully to God in an oversexed and permissive culture, particularly if they are single?

God wants to fill you with his Holy Spirit. Understand the differences between receiving the Holy Spirit, a baptism in the Spirit, and being filled with the Spirit.

Along our Lenten way, looking ahead to the great drama of our redemption which we will shortly be celebrating at Holy Week and the Easter feast, we pause to sing a song of ascents which paradoxically begins “out of the depths.” How can that be? By waiting for the Lord. Why? Because he is God and we are not. Yes, but how? First, we wait actively, as St. Paul directs us in our capacity to set our minds on the Spirit and not on the flesh. Secondly, in our incapacity, we wait passively, like Lazarus. His contribution? It was twofold: he was dead and he stunk.

Bearing fruit for Christ involves our choice to abide in him, and letting him abide in us. We abide in his love as he abides in the Father's love.

God loves me and has designed me to draw life from him as I remain connected to the vine which is Jesus Christ. As a loving Father, he prunes back areas of my life that may potentially become the things from which I draw my ultimate satisfaction, security and fulfillment. And he does this so that we can draw more deeply from Him and be more fruitful, reflecting the character of Jesus Christ.

What is the essential meaning of John 15.1-11? Jesus tells us how the spiritual life works, and says simply “Abide in Me” using an illustration of the vine and branches.

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from Luke 11:5-13 and Ephesians 5:15-21, giving an introduction to the ministry of the Holy Spirit and what it means to be filled by him.

"The Kingdom of God" is The Age of the Spirit. In this age God pours out His Spirit on the elect and comes to dwell in their hearts in the Person of the Holy Spirit. No one is saved apart from the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. Similarly, the process of sanctification is all about learning to walk in the Spirit, submitting more and more of your life to the Spirit. The key question is not “how much of the Holy Spirit do you have?,” but “how much of you does the Holy Spirit have?” One implication of being filled with the Spirit is worship!

The Rev. Robert Watkin speaks to The Falls Church from Matthew 9:35-38, focusing on the outward call of God's people to proclaim and demonstrate the good news of Christ.

We live in an age where God is expanding His kingdom one person at a time. Jesus chooses to use us to expand His kingdom by our actions and with our words. Three things to do to effectively tell others about the gospel of heaven: (1) Make time in your life to hang around with people that don’t know Jesus. (2) Think through your testimony and what your life was like before you met Christ, how you met Christ and what’s your life like since you met Christ. (3) Learn a simple illustration to explain the good news of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven.

The Rev. John Yates speaks about how the Wise Men show us how to respond to Jesus by worshipping him, giving gifts to him, becoming changed people, and by being totally truthful.

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from John 15:12-17. Being made in the Image of God provides deep dignity to our work, but we must be sure to love first and love well.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from John 14:1-7. He shares that Jesus is the lens through which we see God the Father, and the pathway to the Father.

The Christian response to suffering for Christ is to rejoice. How can this be? The Rev. Bill Haley explores four reasons in this sermon given to The Falls Church .

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from 1 Peter 4:1-7. Growing up in Christ requires us to learn to think like Jesus - we are to learn to pray with a mind that is anchored in reality (not appearances) and a heart set on discovering and doing the will of God. This is particularly true in praying about how to handle our money.

Why is prayer important in a time of hardship, and, more than that, how do we pray? The Rev. Wright Wall speaks to The Falls Church from 1 Peter 4:1-7. We need to be self-controlled and think soberly so that we can pray as we ought to pray.

Give generously because: (1) Because generous giving is a part of Christian Maturity and Discipleship, (2) Because of the grace that they have received through Christ, (3) Because it’s important that they follow through on their good intentions, and (4) Because it’s important to care for the body of Christ.

The Rev. John Kurcina speaks to The Falls Church from 1 Peter 1:1-9. The foundation for holy living and for trusting God in hard times is the living hope of our imperishable inheritance through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, “kept in heaven for you…the certainty of Heaven assures us of joy.”

The Rev. Kathleen Christopher speaks to The Falls Church from 1 Peter 1:1-9. The foundation for holy living and for trusting God in hard times is the living hope of our imperishable inheritance through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, “kept in heaven for you…the certainty of Heaven assures us of joy.”

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 13:18-25, in the conclusion to the church's eight-month study of the book of Hebrews. This message was given at the Saturday 5 p.m. service, the Sunday 9 a.m. service, and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 13:1-6. This message was given at the 9 a.m. and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. Robert Watkin speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 12:3-17. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 12:1-2. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. Dean Miller speaks to The Falls Church from Jeremiah 2:11-18, 15:16-21, and 17:13. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from Deuteronomy 34:1-8. This message was given at the 9 a.m. and large 11:00 a.m. informal service.

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 11:23-28. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. Dean Miller speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 11:17-22. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 11:1-7. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 10:19-30. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 10:1-18. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 9:27-28. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. James Swynford speaks to The Falls Church from Jeremiah 34-36. This message was given at the Sunday 5:30 p.m. service.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 7:1-28. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. John Kurcina speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 6:13-20. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 6:1-12. This message was given at the 9 a.m. and large 11:00 a.m. informal service.

The Rev. Dean Miller speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 6:1-12. This message was given at the Sunday 11 a.m. Rite II Holy Communion service held in the Historic Church.

The Rev. Wright Wall speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 6:1-12. This message was given at the Saturday 5 p.m. service.

The Rev. Wright Wall speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 5:11-14. This message was given at the Saturday 5 p.m. service.

The Rev. Kristen Yates speaks to The Falls Church. This message was given at the Saturday 5 p.m. service.

The Rev. Jim Byrne, Director of TFC Student Ministries, speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 4:11-13. This message was given at the Saturday 5 p.m. service, the Sunday 9 a.m. service, and the large 11:00 a.m. informal service.

The Right Rev. David Bena, Suffragan Bishop, speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 4:1-13. This message was given at the large 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Confirmation services.

The Rev. Kristen Yates, Deacon, speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 4:1-13. This message was given at the Saturday 5 p.m. service.

Sergio Koloszyc shares about accountability with the men's ministry of The Falls Church.

The Rev. Bob Ragan speaks to the men's ministry of The Falls Church about the importance of good accountability.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 3:7-19. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. Robert Watkin speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 3:1-6. This message was given at the 9 a.m. and large 11:00 a.m. informal service.

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 2:1-8. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Hebrews 1:1-4, in the first message in the church's series on the book of Hebrews. This message was given at the 9 a.m. service and both 11:00 a.m. services.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from John 20-19-23.

The Rev. Dean Miller speaks to The Falls Church during the Sunday evening 5:30 p.m. service.

The Rev. John Kurcina speaks to The Falls Church from Ephesians 6:10-24 and describes the spiritual battle that Christians have with Satan.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Ephesians 5:21-6:9.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Ephesians 5:3-20.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Ephesians 4:1-16.

The Rev. Wright Wall speaks to The Falls Church from Ephesians 4:1-16. This message was given at the Rite II Holy Eucharist held at 11 a.m. in the Historic Church.

The Rev. James Swynford speaks to The Falls Church from Ephesians 4:1-16. This message was given at the Saturday 5 p.m. service.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Ephesians 3:14-21.

The Rev. Dean Miller speaks to The Falls Church during the Sunday evening 5:30 p.m. service.

The Rev. Chris Hancock speaks to The Falls Church from Ephesians 1:1-14.

The Rev. Bill Haley speaks to The Falls Church from Mark 8:22-30, the healing of a blind man at Bethsaida.

Seminarian Sam Ferguson speaks to The Falls Church from Luke 15:17-32, the parable of The Lost Son.

The Rev. Robert Watkin speaks to The Falls Church from Luke 15:11-24, the parable of The Lost Son.

The Rev. Dean Miller speaks to The Falls Church from Luke 15:11-32, the parable of The Lost Son.

The Rev. John Kurcina speaks to The Falls Church from Luke 18:18-30, the encounter betwee Jesus and The Rich Young Ruler. This message was given at both the Saturday 6 p.m. service and the Sunday 11 a.m. Rite II Holy Eucharist held in the Historic Church.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from Luke 18:18-29, the encounter between Jesus and The Rich Young Ruler.

The Rev. Dean Miller speaks to The Falls Church from Luke 19:1-10, the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus, "The Rich Public Servant".

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. He speaks about what God has in store for the faithful after the resurrection.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church from 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 about how to overcome discouragement when living out the Christian faith and ministering to others.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church on Easter Sunday from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. He talks about the reality of the Resurrection, its accompanying gospel message, and its implications on our lives.

On Palm Sunday, The Rev. John Yates, III (son of TFC Rector John Yates) speaks to The Falls Church from Luke 19:29-42, about the true peace that comes from trusting in Jesus.

Dr. Dennis Hollinger speaks to The Falls Church from Mark 3:13-21 about Jesus' call for his followers to spend quality time with him. Dr. Hollinger is president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church, unpacking the Beatitudes and how they relate directly to Biblical Manhood.

How certain is your place in eternity? How can you become more certain? The Rev. John Kurcina speaks to The Falls Church from Galatians 3:23 - 4:7. This message was given at both the Saturday 5 p.m. family service and the Sunday 11 a.m. Rite II Holy Eucharist held in the Historic Church.

The Rev. John Yates speaks to The Falls Church about the role a father plays in the growth and development of boys and young men.

The Rev. John Kurcina speaks briefly to The Falls Church from John 1:1-14 at the service of Advent Lessons and Carols on December 21, the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

John Yates speaks to The Falls Church about the church and its approach to culture.

John Yates teaches The Falls Church about the characteristics of the early church.