Trinity Church of Portland - Sermons

In John 10:22–42, Jesus stands in the temple during the Feast of Dedication and is charged with blasphemy for claiming equality with God. Against the backdrop of a false “god manifest” (Antiochus), we meet the true God in the flesh and hear His promise: “No one will snatch them out of my hand.” This sermon walks through four simple questions—Who is He? Who are His? What has He done? How will you respond?—and offers deep assurance for weary believers living in a dark world: the Shepherd who calls you is the Shepherd who keeps you.

In this sermon, Pastor Andrey unfolds Jesus’ teaching in John 10, where Christ declares Himself both the door of the sheep and the Good Shepherd.First, we see the need for a shepherd (vv. 1–10). Jesus contrasts Himself with false shepherds who climb in another way—those who neglect, misuse, or scatter God’s people. Drawing from Ezekiel 34, Pastor Andrey shows how Jesus indicts the religious leaders of His day, while revealing Himself as the true Shepherd who calls His sheep by name and offers abundant life.Second, we see Jesus the Good Shepherd (vv. 11–18). Unlike hired hands, Jesus willingly lays down His life for the sheep. His care is comprehensive: He knows His own, secures them, and even gathers “other sheep” into one flock—Jews and Gentiles together. This is a love that not only rescues but also provides abundant life here and eternal life to come.Finally, we see a continuing confusion (vv. 19–21). Some accuse Jesus of being demon-possessed, while others marvel at His words and works. Pastor Andrey presses us to consider: do we hear the voice of the Shepherd? Do His words stir us toward worship, trust, and obedience?The sermon closes with a picture from Revelation 7, where the Lamb becomes our eternal Shepherd, wiping away every tear and leading His people to springs of living water. The abundant life Jesus offers is not just for today—it is forever.

In John 9, Jesus encounters a man blind from birth and gives him sight—not only physically, but spiritually. This miracle sparks controversy among neighbors, parents, and Pharisees, all wrestling with the same question: Who is Jesus? As the healed man’s understanding of Christ grows from “a man” to “a prophet” to “one sent from God” and finally to the Son of Man worthy of worship, we are confronted with our own blindness and need for spiritual sight.In this sermon, we explore how Jesus reveals Himself as the true Messiah, the Light of the World, and the only one who opens blind eyes. Some reject Him in pride; others bow in worship. The call is clear: will we remain blind in self-righteousness, or will we see and believe in the Savior who gives life?

When Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world,” He confronted darkness, exposed unbelief, and offered life to all who believe. In John 8:12–59, Pastor Thomas shows how this bold claim exposes hostility, reveals our deepest need, and points us to Christ as the only answer—calling us to belief, worship, and witness in a world of darkness.

When a woman is dragged before Jesus to be condemned, He turns the tables on her accusers with one piercing sentence: “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” In this sermon, Pastor Thomas shows how Jesus exposes hypocrisy, warns us about judging others, and points us to the cross—where justice and mercy meet, and sinners stand forgiven, not condemned.

In John 7:37–52, Jesus stands and cries out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” It’s a bold invitation—urgent, clear, and life-changing. In this message, we walk through five scenes: the plotting of the religious leaders, the invitation to the thirsty, the division in the crowd, the arrest that never happens, and the pride-filled rejection of the Pharisees. Along the way, we meet Nicodemus, a man whose quiet questions and cautious words remind us that God often works slowly in drawing people to Himself. This passage confronts us with a choice: Will we scoff in pride, stand undecided, or come thirsty to the only One who satisfies?

In this sermon on John 7:1–31, Pastor Andrey Gorban opens up the dramatic tension surrounding Jesus’ public ministry as He journeys to the Feast of Booths. Although He faces growing opposition from religious leaders and even misunderstanding from His own family, Jesus walks in perfect obedience to the Father’s timing and mission.With clarity and conviction, Pastor Andrey explores how Jesus’ words and works provoke varied reactions—astonishment, confusion, division, and rejection—yet all serve to reveal His identity as the one sent from God. This message invites us to examine our own responses to Jesus, and to trust in His divine purpose even when He defies our expectations.

In this sermon, Pastor Thomas Terry walks us through John 6:22–59, where Jesus makes the stunning claim, “I am the bread of life.” Drawing connections to the manna in the wilderness, Thomas shows how Jesus reveals Himself as the true and better bread sent from heaven—not merely to fill stomachs but to satisfy souls eternally.This message confronts our tendency to chase after signs and superficial blessings instead of the Savior Himself. Through four movements—The Shallow Search, The Superior Source, The Satisfying Substance, and The Secure Salvation—Thomas challenges us to examine what kind of “bread” we pursue in life and calls us to a deeper faith rooted in the sustaining provision of Christ.Whether you are wrestling with doubt, struggling with spiritual hunger, or just longing for assurance, this sermon will lift your eyes to the One who never casts out those who come to Him.

In this sermon, Pastor Andrey guides the congregation through John 6:60-71. He addresses the challenges the disciples faced when confronted with Jesus' difficult teachings. He discusses why some disciples departed while others stayed, highlighting the importance of faith, the role of God’s sovereignty, and the misconceptions people have about Jesus. Emphasizing Peter’s pivotal question, 'Lord, to whom shall we go?', Pastor Andrey explores the nature of true belief, eternal life, and the assurance that comes from sticking with Jesus despite difficult doctrines and life's trials.

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.