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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

215 N. 7th, Terre Haute, Indiana

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A Word: on doubt and faith

Sermons · August 13, 2023

It’s easy to read this gospel and think it is about Peter’s lack of faith. But that is reading it completely backwards.


Why we secretly love doubt more than faith

Claiming a mustard seed faith
Proper 14A  | Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Matthew 14:22-33

So which do we go with: attempted murder or walking on water? We have two fascinating stories to wrestle with today. And both of them need room to stretch, I think. 

The question, however, is always: What do we need to hear? 

In the story of Jacob’s sons who first seek to murder their brother, then tamp it down to indirectly murder their brother, before finally deciding to sell him into slavery—this is a story often drenched with providence. In that one, we ask where God is in it.

Compared to that, the gospel story is less juicy, isn’t it? And somehow, strangely forgettable. It doesn’t feel as important. Which probably means we’re missing something. And more than that, we’re prone to completely misunderstand “the point.”

So let’s go for a walk on the water.

The full text may be found here.

For a limited time, you may find the audio here.

Filed Under: Sermons Tagged With: doubt, faith, Matthew 14:22-33, Proper 14A

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CONTACT

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
215 N. 7th St
Terre Haute, IN 47807

812-232-5165

officeadmin@ststephensth.org

ABOUT

St. Stephen’s is a sacramental community following Jesus’s Way of Love.

We worship on Sundays at 8 & 10.

AFFILIATIONS

St. Stephen’s is a member of The Episcopal Church and congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis.

St. Stephen’s is a member of the Homeless Council of the Wabash Valley

PARKING

St. Stephen’s is across from Indiana State University. Nearby parking lots are run by ISU and are free after 5pm weekdays and are free all weekend long. 

Five marked spots in the lot directly behind the church are available during the week.

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