Trinity Church of Portland - Sermons

In this sermon, Pastor Andrey addresses the theme of brokenness leading to joy, using Psalm 51 and the story of David’s sin with Bathsheba as key texts. The message emphasizes how Christian joy is often misunderstood and highlights the importance of repentance and acknowledging sin. Through the process of confession, cleansing, and seeking God’s forgiveness, believers can find true joy in their salvation.The sermon also explores the relationship between sin, guilt, and the grace of God, ultimately encouraging a life of deep reliance on Jesus and a renewed sense of joy and worship.

In this sermon from John 6:16–21, Pastor Andrey unpacks the often-overlooked account of Jesus walking on water—not merely as a miraculous event, but as a moment charged with theological meaning and comfort for every believer. Set between the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus’ declaration as the bread of life, this passage reveals Jesus as the Creator-God who brings peace not only to raging seas, but to fearful hearts.Drawing connections to Genesis, the Psalms, and the other Gospel accounts, Pastor Andrey shows how this moment at sea pulls back the curtain on Christ’s divine identity. The disciples are exhausted, overwhelmed, and terrified. But everything changes—not when the storm stops, but when Jesus steps into the boat. With the simple declaration, “It is I,” Jesus reveals Himself as the great “I AM” and brings instant calm.This sermon reminds us that trials aren’t accidental—they are often God’s gracious design to draw us closer to Himself. Our hope is not ultimately in changed circumstances but in the presence of Christ.Whether your soul is weary, fearful, or doubting, listen and be reminded: Jesus still enters the chaos and speaks peace.

In this sermon, Pastor Samuel Nagel preaches on the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000, focusing on the abundant and compassionate hospitality of Christ. Drawing from John 6:1–15, Samuel highlights that Jesus not only sees the needs of the crowd but intentionally provides for them in a way that points beyond the bread to His divine identity.Through three movements—the where, the why, and the who of hospitality—Samuel walks us through how Jesus initiates care for a crowd that is more curious than committed. Though their motives are mixed, Jesus, full of mercy, lifts His eyes and feeds them—not just physically but spiritually. This miracle, one of the few recorded in all four Gospels, becomes a window into Jesus’ mission as the true bread of life.The sermon concludes with a pastoral challenge to distinguish between entertaining and biblical hospitality. While the former seeks to impress, the latter seeks to serve. Christians are called not merely to host, but to reflect Christ by creating space to meet deeper needs with gospel truth. As recipients of God’s abundant hospitality in Christ, we are sent into the world to offer others the same grace we’ve received.

In this sermon, Trinity Church Member, Sean, shares insights on Jesus as the ultimate source of life. Referencing John 5:19-30, Sean contrasts human attempts to find fulfillment apart from God with the true life offered through Jesus Christ. He highlights Jesus' perfect obedience to God's will, His role as the giver of life, and His authority to judge. The message challenges both non-believers and believers to turn to Jesus for life and to live in obedience to God's design, finding true purpose and fulfillment in a relationship with Him.

In this Father’s Day sermon at Trinity Church, Pastor Andrey Gorban invites us into a rich meditation on the compassion, power, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Preaching from John 5:1–18, he reflects on the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda—not just as a miracle of mercy, but as a confrontation with dead religion and a revelation of Christ’s identity as the Son of God.Andrey challenges us to see this moment as more than just physical healing—it’s about the deeper healing Jesus offers to the soul. He draws out the deliberate and intentional nature of Jesus’ ministry, His sovereign choice to pursue the broken, and His willingness to defy religious expectations in order to bring restoration. Along the way, Andrey offers a helpful explanation of textual criticism (addressing the “missing verse” in many translations), affirms the historical reliability of Scripture, and highlights the cost of discipleship.The sermon culminates in a call to compassion, holiness, and true worship, urging believers to reflect the mercy of Christ to a hurting world and to trust in the Savior who is not only healer, but Lord of the Sabbath and Son of God.

In this sermon from John 4:43–54 titled Faith and Fact-Checking, Pastor Thomas walks us through the story of a desperate father, a dying son, and a Savior whose word is enough. In a culture obsessed with proof—where belief often hinges on what we can verify with our eyes—this passage challenges us to consider a different kind of faith. A faith that isn’t built on spectacle or emotion, but on the spoken Word of Christ. Through four scenes—The Superficial Welcome, The Supernatural Weight, The Spoken Word, and The Saving Work—we’re invited to see how Jesus exposes shallow belief, honors persistent trust, and ultimately transforms not just an individual, but an entire household. This is a call to deeper faith: faith without sight, faith that takes Jesus at His word, and faith that bears fruit in the home.

In this sermon, Pastor Andrey continues our study of the Gospel of John, focusing on John chapter 4 and the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well. Pastor Andrey emphasizes Jesus' willingness to cross cultural and social barriers to offer grace and living water to a sinner. The sermon's key points include the radical nature of Jesus' actions, the need for transparency before God, and the transformation that occurs when sinners meet the Savior. Andrey contrasts the encounters of Jesus with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman to illustrate that salvation is available to all, regardless of societal or personal flaws.

This week, Pastor Thomas Terry dives into John 3:22-36, exploring the themes of ministry ambition, comparison, and true humility. He contrasts the growing influence of Jesus' ministry with John the Baptist's humility, emphasizing that all successes and callings come from God. Addressing the dangers of self-focused ambition and the pressure of social media, Pastor Thomas encourages the congregation to find joy in exalting Christ rather than seeking personal glory. The sermon underscores that true fulfillment comes from making Jesus known, not from personal recognition or platform-building.

In this sermon, Pastor Andrey focuses on John chapter 3:1-21 where Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus is highlighted. This discussion addresses the necessity of being born again to enter the kingdom of God. The sermon dives deeply into the theological implications of this new birth, emphasizing that neither heritage nor good deeds can secure salvation—it is a transformative process initiated by God. The sermon also touches on contemporary issues within the Christian community, such as differing beliefs about essential doctrines. Finally, Pastor Andrey underscores the persistent and boundless love of God demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice, urging believers to embrace their new identity in Christ and live in freedom from sin.

In this sermon on John 2, pastor Andrey Gorban examines Jesus' act of cleansing the temple, which appears early in John's Gospel but later in the Synoptic Gospels. The sermon explores the zeal Jesus had for true worship, contrasting it with the commercialized and expedient practices of the religious leaders of His time. It highlights how Jesus' anger was directed towards the desecration of a sacred space meant for communion with God. Pastor Andrey also emphasizes the importance of internal purity over mere outward religious practices, and stresses the necessity of a new heart for genuine worship. The latter part of the sermon warns against superficial belief and underscores the vital need for personal relationship with Jesus.