Surely the Lord is in This Place
- Emmanuel
- Jul 20
- 1 min read
Sermon by Deacon Richard Cole | July 19th 2026
How do we recognize God's presence in our everyday lives?
In this sermon for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Deacon Richard Cole reflects on the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds, St. Paul's teaching in Romans, and Jacob's encounter with God at Bethel. Together, these readings invite us to look beyond fear and judgment and instead live as people led by the Holy Spirit.
Rather than focusing on separating the righteous from the unrighteous, this message challenges us to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit through the choices we make each day. Drawing on Scripture, modern examples, and Rowan Williams' image of God's "slipstream," Deacon Richard reminds us that the Kingdom of Heaven begins here and now whenever we allow ourselves to be carried by God's Spirit.
Even in life's valleys, deserts, and swamps, God's presence remains with us. As Jacob discovered after his dream:
"Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it."
May we grow in prayer, immerse ourselves in Scripture, and become more attentive to the ways God is already at work around us, until we too can say with confidence:
"Surely the Lord is in this place—and I know it."
Readings: Genesis 28:10–19a | Psalm 139:1–11, 22–23 | Romans 8:12–25 | Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
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