Trinity Church of Portland - Sermons

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.

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.