Trinity Church of Portland - Sermons

In this sermon, Pastor Samuel Nagel examines the account of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, as recorded in John 2:1-11. The narrative is explored through five sections: The Invitation, The Issue, The Instruction, The Interpretation, and The Increase. Pastor Samuel discusses the context of Jewish weddings, the significance of Jesus' response to His mother, and the deeper spiritual implications of this first miracle. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus must be approached on His terms and highlights the prophetic connection to the Messianic age. Ultimately, it points to the future marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation, urging believers to hold onto the hope and glory found in Jesus Christ.

In this sermon for Resurrection Sunday, Pastor Thomas J Terry reflects on John 1:35-51, where Jesus invites his first disciples to 'come and see.' The message emphasizes the significance of curiosity in discipleship, the joy of discovering Jesus, and the transformation encountered through a personal relationship with Him. Through the exploration of these passages, Pastor Thomas highlights how Jesus meets people where they are, changes their lives, and opens heaven to them. It underscores that just as Jesus' identity was confirmed by His resurrection, all those who follow Him will experience profound spiritual transformation and the promise of eternal life.

This week, Pastor Andrey Gorban continues our series through the Gospel of John by focusing our attention on one of the most iconic titles given to Jesus: The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.Preaching from John 1:19–34, Pastor Andrey walks us through the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist—not as a celebrity prophet or spiritual influencer, but as a humble voice crying in the wilderness. John knew who he wasn’t—he wasn’t the Christ, wasn’t Elijah, wasn’t the prophet—and he knew exactly who he was: a pointer to the One who is greater.In this message, you’ll hear how John’s self-forgetfulness is a model for our own Christian witness. You’ll be reminded that ministry isn’t about building a platform—it’s about lowering ourselves so others might lift their eyes to Jesus. With rich theological insight and warm pastoral care, this sermon calls us to re-center our lives on the One who gave His life for ours, and to be content with simply saying: “Look to Him.”

In this opening sermon of our new series in the Gospel of John, Pastor Thomas guides us from the very first words of Genesis to the poetic prologue of John’s Gospel, showing us how the story of creation finds its fulfillment in Christ.Fresh off our time in Genesis 1–11, we now turn to John 1:1–18—not as a new story, but as the next chapter in the same divine drama. The themes of Word, Light, Incarnation, Adoption, and Glory take center stage as we meet Jesus, the eternal Son of God, the promised Head-Crusher, and the Light that darkness cannot overcome.This isn’t just a theological introduction—it’s a poetic unveiling of who Jesus is:• The Word who was with God and was God, through whom all things were made.• The Light who shines into the darkness, echoing God’s first words of creation and breaking the curse of sin.• The Incarnate God, who took on flesh to dwell among us—God made visible and approachable.• The Giver of the Right, who makes rebels into children of God.• The Glory we were made to reflect, now revealed in the face of Christ, full of grace upon grace.From Eden to exile, from Babel to Bethlehem, God has come near.This sermon traces the poetic brilliance of John’s prologue and its deep ties to Genesis, reminding us that the Bible tells one unified story—one that finds its crescendo in Jesus.

In this sermon, Pastor Josh reflects on Philippians 3:12-16, emphasizing the process of spiritual growth and the pursuit of perfection in Christ. Through an analysis of Paul's letter to the Philippians, Pastor Josh encourages the congregation to focus on their faith journey, abandon confidence in their own works, and strive towards righteousness. This sermon underscores the collective effort of the church community in seeking doctrinal truth and spiritual maturity, urging believers to rely on Christ's completed work for salvation while persistently pursuing a Christ-centered life.

In this sermon series on Genesis 1–11, Pastor Thomas Terry examines the foundational truths of creation, sin, judgment, and redemption. In this Sermon, he dives into the story of Noah and the Flood—not as a simple children’s tale, but as a powerful narrative of divine judgment, mercy, and salvation. Through the themes of Creation, De-Creation, Re-Creation, and New Creation, we uncover how the flood foreshadows the coming judgment and how Christ is our true and better Ark—the only refuge from the wrath of God.

How do we raise wise children in a world that often pulls them away from godliness? In this episode of the Trinity Church Podcast, Guest Preacher; Senior Pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church, Juan Sanchez unpacks the biblical foundation for faithful spiritual parenting. Rooted in Proverbs 3:1-12, this sermon explores how all Christians—whether parents, mentors, or spiritual disciplers—are called to shepherd the next generation with biblical instruction and corrective discipline.Through Scripture, Pastor Juan highlights:• God’s original mission—to raise godly offspring (Genesis 1:28, Malachi 2:15).• The goal of spiritual parenting—shepherding the heart, not just modifying behavior.• Practical wisdom from Proverbs—how positive instruction and loving correction work together.• The role of the gospel—why true heart obedience comes only through Christ’s transforming power.Parenting is challenging, but we are not alone. Listen in as we seek to raise wise children for the glory of God and rely on His grace in every step.

In this Sermon, Thomas walks us through Colossians 2:1–5, highlighting Paul’s deep pastoral struggle for believers he had never met face to face. He explores how Paul’s own transformation drives his passion for unity, encouragement, and anchoring our faith in Christ’s wisdom—while warning us to stay on guard against deceptive teachings. It’s a brief but powerful look at the heart of a pastor longing for the church to flourish.

In this sermon, we continue our journey through Genesis, moving from the creation and fall into the tragic consequences of sin. Genesis 4-5 shows us what life looks like outside the Garden, where sin quickly takes hold—culminating in Cain’s murder of his brother, Abel. Yet, even as human sinfulness spirals, God’s grace remains steadfast.We explore two central themes:1. The Sinfulness of Sin (Genesis 4:1-16) – Sin is described as a plague that corrupts hearts and relationships. Cain’s half-hearted worship, envy, and unchecked anger lead to destruction, but God, in His mercy, warns and even protects him.2. The Goodness of God (Genesis 4:17-5:32) – Amidst human rebellion, God remains faithful, preserving a lineage of hope through Seth and eventually Noah. Even in the genealogies, we see glimpses of redemption, pointing us to Christ, whose blood speaks a better word than Abel’s.This passage reminds us that sin must be dealt with honestly—it cannot be ignored or allowed to grow. But it also points us to our need for God’s redeeming work, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

This week, we dive into the pivotal moment of humanity’s fall in Genesis 3, where deception and disobedience fracture the harmony of creation. We examine how sin distorts our relationship with God, each other, and the world—introducing shame, suffering, and separation. Yet even in judgment, we see the glimmers of redemption as God offers the first gospel promise. As we reflect on the consequences of the fall, we also look forward to Christ, the true and better Adam, who restores what was lost and leads us back to communion with God.