Date Posted: 2025-11-06 21:07:18 | Video Duration: 00:19:54
At Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, the message of community and love resonates deeply through the gathering of its congregation. This past Sunday’s sermon drew inspiration from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, emphasizing the profound and encompassing love of Christ. The pastor opened with the evocative scripture, “I pray that you may have the power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and the length and the height and the depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19). This passage served as a cornerstone for a sermon that sought to redefine the concept of sainthood.
The pastor shared a personal anecdote about being perceived as someone who transforms everyone into saints, even recalling a memorial service where a congregant humorously accused him of painting an overly saintly picture of the deceased. This story set the stage for a deeper exploration of what it truly means to be a saint. Contrary to the common belief that saints are flawless individuals, the sermon emphasized that sainthood is about God’s choice to work through everyone, imperfections and all.
The pastor quoted Frederick Buechner, who noted that even notable saints like Mary Magdalene and Augustine had their flaws, reminding us that God’s grace can flow through anyone, making them a vessel of life. “Saints are essentially lifegivers,” Buechner’s words echoed throughout the sermon, highlighting the idea that to be with a saint is to be more alive. This perspective aligns with Eugene Peterson’s translation of Paul’s prayer, which invites believers to experience the “extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love” and live full lives in God’s fullness.
Illustrating this concept of ‘ordinary sainthood,’ the pastor shared heartfelt stories of individuals from his own life who embodied this quiet grace. These individuals, from Sunday school teachers who showed unwavering patience to community members who stood for justice and kindness, were described as lifegivers. They were ordinary saints who radiated Christ through simple acts of love and support, often without realizing the impact they had.
In a touching reflection, the pastor acknowledged the ordinary saints within the Preston Hollow community, particularly noting the outpouring of support his family received after a personal loss. This community’s acts of kindness, though considered routine by those who performed them, became beacons of light in dark times. “Each one is a visible sign of love and support of the light of Christ,” he emphasized, encouraging the congregation to see these everyday actions as manifestations of God’s presence.
The sermon closed with a call to action, inviting the congregation to reflect on the ordinary saints in their own lives. Whether through a memory of someone who has passed or recognizing a present-day lifegiver, the pastor urged everyone to acknowledge and appreciate these individuals. The practice of sending a note of gratitude to these saints was suggested as a way to nurture this spiritual discipline, reinforcing the message that every small act of kindness matters.
“You don’t have to be perfect or eloquent,” the pastor reminded the congregation. “You just need to show up with love.” Through this message, the sermon at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church encouraged everyone to embrace their role as saints, allowing God’s love to work through them in their everyday lives.
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