All Sermons
The reflection below was written by the Rev. Roger Douglas as part of the introduction to his book An Audience of One. It expresses the spirit behind all of his preaching and offers a helpful way to approach the sermons preserved in this archive.
As you read these sermons, you may find they help you make sense of the world, or invite you into your own conversation with God. Roger often said that he sought meaning in a world of death and suffering, beginnings and retirements, successes and failures, sense and nonsense.
His experience as a preacher taught him that most sermons first speak back to the one who writes them; the real dialogue is between the preacher and God. If anyone in the congregation hears a word that touches them, it is because God has chosen to let them in on that conversation.
Roger believed that preaching is deeply personal work — a struggle to make sense of Scripture, an openness about doubts, and a willingness to share the journey. The more honestly he engaged that struggle, the better others were able to identify with it.
He described this kind of work as “confessional” preaching, not in the sense of offering anecdotes, but in speaking truthfully from within one’s own life while pointing people toward Jesus. It frees the preacher from having to solve every problem and reminds us that we are not steering the ship, but contributing our part to the dialogue.
May these sermons draw you into that same conversation of faith — one marked by mystery, humility, and the grace of God at work in all things.
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“Is This What You Were Born To Be?”
“Is This What You Were Born To Be?” December 4, 1994 We begin this morning with some thoughts from a poet named Kenneth Fearing. Several years ago, he wrote a poem called “American Rhapsody.” It was about some people like us who live in a humdrum way – in a fairly predictable routine in an…
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“Giving – A Blessing Or A Curse?”
“Giving – A Blessing Or A Curse?” Acts 4: 32 – 5: 11, Luke 16-21 October 16, 1994 Today is the official beginning of our canvass. Actually, the clock started ticking last night. The time for St. Philip’s is now. But I will let you in on a clerical secret. This is the worst time…
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“Measuring One’s Spiritual Temperature”
“Measuring One’s Spiritual Temperature” John 1:35-39, 43-50 October 2, 1994 A friend tells the story about his wife, who was a member of her local school board. The board voted to have a silent auction. They wanted to raise funds for a library. Members of the board began volunteering various services which were to be…
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Homecoming 1994
Homecoming 1994 Hebrews 11: 13-16 Luke 15: 1-10 September 11, 1994 Today, we celebrate ‘homecoming Sunday.” I really appreciate the committee’s (changing the name from ‘Welcome Back.” Every year, with the old name, I would be stopped by the more regular church-goers asking why they were being welcomed back when they had never been away.…
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St. Philips Day Celebration
St. Philips Day Celebration Isaiah 30: 18-21 May 3, 1992 I trust I speak for many of you this evening when I say I am deeply troubled. The happenings this past week in Los Angeles and in our nation as a whole have reverberated in my soul. Where to go with this, what to say…
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“St. Philip’s Day Celebration”
“St. Philip’s Day Celebration” John 14: 6-14 May 1, 1994 I have a confession to make – I am a “computer illiterate.” Each year as summer approaches, I promise myself that I shall turn over a new leaf. Finally, I will buckle down and study all the technologies that go along with being a “computer…
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Easter Vigil
Easter Vigil April 2, 1994 This is a service of lights and darknesses – of beginnings and endings – of truths and lies. We start with our ancestors’ picture language of how it used to be. The mythic language of the Old Testament assures us that there has never been a time when people didn’t…
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What Kind of God Do You Believe In
What Kind of God Do You Believe In March 27, 1994 I seem to be into Rabbi stories this year. They often combine the wit and wisdom of the ages. You may have heard this one: “There once was a Rabbi who complained to his tailor about the inordinate amount of time (six weeks) that…
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“Believing Without Belonging”
“Believing Without Belonging” Ephesians 2: 11-22, Matthew 11: 1-6, 16-19 March 6, 1994 Several months ago, the clergy met with our Bishop. At one point, the Bishop said to us he felt there were only three fears in contemporary life: the fear of mutilation, or being cut up; the fear of separation, or being cut…
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Belonging Without Believing
Belonging Without Believing Mark 1: 9-13 February 20, 1994 The young man stood at the bank of the river. He was in his early 30s and wearing a clean white robe. It was a beautiful morning. The sun shone brightly. And there in the middle of the river, surrounded by members of the community, was…