Sermons from Christ the King, Poway: Recent Episodes
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The Rev. Kevin Portillo preaching on Jonah, chapter 2, at Christ the King Anglican Church in Poway, California, on August 9, 2026.
Sunday Sermon from Christ the King Anglican Church in Poway, California, on August 2, 2026. Ms. Leah Cullen preaching on Romans 8:35-39.
The Rev. Dcn. Gail Duffey preaches on Romans 8:26-34, on the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost at Christ the King Anglican Church in Poway, California.
The Rev. Kevin Portillo preaching at Christ the King Anglican Church in Poway, California, on Romans 8:18-25.
Mr. Kevin Stepp preaching at Christ the King Anglican Church in Poway, California, on July 12, 2026. From Matthew's gospel, chapter 13, verses 1-9 and 18-23.
The Rev. Kevin Portillo at Christ the King Anglican Church in Poway, California, preaching on Zechariah 9.
The Rev. Cn. Eric Zolner preaching on Matthew 10:34-42, on Sunday, June 28, 2026 (the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost), on how proper priorities preserve peace, even when the scriptures superficially look contradictory.
The Rev. Cn. Eric Zolner preaches on The Danger of Discipleship, from Matthew 10:16-33. At Christ The King Anglican Church in Poway, California - June 21, 2026.
The Rev. Kevin Portillo preaches on Romans 5:1-11 (specifically verse 8), God's Masterpiece, from Christ the King Anglican Church in Poway, California. June 14, 2026 - the Third Sunday after Pentecost.
Sermon from Christ the King Anglican Church, June 7, 2026, by the Rev. Cn. Eric Zolner
Have you ever felt far from God? The message of Hosea reminds us that when distance exists between us and the Lord, God isn't the one who moved.
In this sermon on Hosea 5:15-6:6, Father Eric explores the remarkable story of the prophet Hosea and his unfaithful wife Gomer, a living illustration of God's steadfast love for a wandering people. Through this powerful Old Testament object lesson, we see both the incredible faithfulness of a God who never stops pursuing His children.
Hosea's message challenges us to examine the idols that compete for our hearts, whether they are success, family priorities, comfort, or even religious activity itself. God declares, "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice," reminding us that He wants more than outward religion. He wants our hearts.
No matter how far you have wandered, the good news of the Gospel is that God remains faithful. Like the father of the Prodigal Son, He stands ready to welcome us home through Jesus Christ.
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Rev. Cn. Eric Zolner preaching on the Trinity, on Trinity Sunday (May 31, 2026) at Christ the King Anglican Church in Poway, California.
Sermon from Christ the King Anglican Church in Poway, CA, on PENTECOST SUNDAY, May 24, 2026. Ms. Leah Cullen preaching.
Rev. Cn. Eric Zolner preaching on John 17:1-11 and asking "What is Eternal Life?"
From Christ the King Anglican Church, Poway, CA, on May 17, 2026
In this powerful sermon, Fr. Kevin Portillo reflects on John 10 and the striking image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Drawing from a vivid real-life account of a shepherd sacrificing a lamb, he unpacks the deep connection between leadership and sacrifice in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus doesn’t just give life—He becomes life (“Zoe”) by pouring Himself out for others. In contrast to false shepherds who take and destroy, Christ gives, protects, and stands in the gap. This sacrificial love is not only the model for clergy, but the calling for every Christian.
Through personal stories of vocation and surrender, Fr. Kevin challenges believers to embrace a life of self-giving love—laying down time, comfort, ambition, and even dreams for the sake of others. Nourished by Christ in the Eucharist, we are then sent out to become “life” for the world.
Because in the Kingdom of Jesus, real leadership—and real life—comes through sacrifice.
In this engaging and practical sermon, Fr. Matt Shepard uses the nostalgia of old TV public service announcements to introduce “Stir Up Sunday,” the Anglican Church’s own annual spiritual PSA. As the liturgical year comes to a close and Advent approaches, Christians are called to reset, refocus, and stir up their devotion to God.
Drawing from the prophet Malachi, Fr. Matt explains how ancient Israel, disillusioned and disappointed after returning from exile, had drifted into empty, performative religion. Their frustration mirrors our own temptations to blame God, culture, or circumstances rather than examining our own hearts. Through Malachi, God calls His people back—back to reverence, repentance, and relationship.
Fr. Matt outlines three ways Scripture stirs us up:
- Fear the Lord — cultivating reverence, humility, confession, and a posture that says, “I’m the problem, Lord—restore me.”
- Esteem His Name — remembering the power and character of Jesus, whose name carries authority, mercy, and victory.
- Speak with One Another — returning to community, where we encourage one another and grow together in Christ.
God responds to faithful hearts with deep assurance: He sees us, hears us, values us, remembers us, and calls us His own. As we enter Advent, Fr. Matt urges us to rekindle devotion, renew our covenant to Christ, and re-engage fully with the community of faith.
Stir up your heart. Reset your focus. Step into the new liturgical year in rhythm with the Holy Spirit.
In this sermon, guest preacher Kevin Stepp invites us to look “behind the curtain” — to see that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Drawing from Luke’s Gospel, the Sadducees’ challenge, and timeless works of sacred art, he reminds us that Christ is reigning now, and that the resurrection is not only a future hope but a present reality.
Through worship, art, and faith in the midst of life’s storms, we glimpse heaven’s light breaking into our everyday lives.
➡️ Discover how to see the unseen, live in resurrection hope, and stand firm in the promise that our Redeemer lives.
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What is heaven really like? Beyond the clouds and harps of popular imagination, Scripture gives us a breathtaking glimpse of a heavenly reality where Jesus Himself protects, provides for, and shepherds His saints.
In this All Saints Sunday message from Revelation 7:9-17, Fr. Eric reminds us that the saints in glory are not a special few, but all who have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. Even now, we can experience glimpses of heaven whenever we live out Christ’s love on earth — offering protection, provision, and care for others in His name.
Key Points:
- Heaven Revealed: John’s vision shows a great multitude from every nation worshipping before God’s throne.
- Jesus Protects His Saints: God “spreads His tent” over His people, covering them with His presence.
- Jesus Provides for His Saints: In heaven, there is no hunger, thirst, or suffering — only perfect satisfaction in God’s care.
- Jesus Shepherds His Saints: The Lamb becomes the Shepherd, guiding His people to springs of living water and wiping away every tear.
- Heaven on Earth: When we serve others — through ministries like the San Diego Rescue Mission — we mirror the realities of heaven here and now.
- The Call to Sainthood: Sainthood isn’t earned but received through Christ’s sacrifice. Live as saints today by serving and loving others.
Takeaway:
Heaven is not a distant fantasy — it is the eternal reality where Christ reigns as our Protector, Provider, and Shepherd, and we can begin to live in that reality right now.
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When life feels unfair and God seems silent, don’t lose heart — He is still faithful, still listening, and still at work.
In Luke 18:1–8, Jesus tells the story of a persistent widow and an unjust judge — a parable that challenges us to pray continually and trust that God will vindicate His people.
In this sermon, Fr. Eric explores what it really means to “pray and not lose heart.” This isn’t about pestering God until He gives us what we want — it’s about learning to trust His righteousness even when the world seems unjust.
Through a personal story about a cranky but dependable church organist, we see how faith grows when we trust God to do His part so we can focus on doing ours.
In an anxious and divided world, we’re called to live faithfully — to reflect God’s justice, mercy, and love — knowing that He will set things right in His time.
📖 “Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?” (Luke 18:7)
🙏 Don’t give up. Keep praying. Trust that God is faithful — even when it feels like He’s silent.
🔑 Keywords:Luke 18:1–8, Parable of the Persistent Widow, unjust judge, faith and prayer, don’t lose heart, trusting God, Christian perseverance, Anglican sermon, prayer life, faith under pressure, Fr. Eric Zolner, Christ the King Anglican Church
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In this powerful sermon, we’re reminded that our calling as Christians—and especially as Anglicans—is to contend for the faith once received. Drawing from St. Jude 1:3 and 2 Timothy 2:1–10, this message challenges us to remember, guard, and share the Gospel that has been faithfully handed down through 65 generations of believers.
Fr. Matt reminds us that to contend for the faith doesn’t mean fighting with aggression—but standing firm in active, courageous defense of the truth of Jesus Christ. We are called to be faithful stewards: to remember the Gospel’s impact in our lives, to pass it on to others, and to live it out with grace, generosity, and power.
Through Scripture, liturgy, daily devotion, and the giving of our time, talents, and treasure, we continue the mission that began with the apostles. The Word of God is not bound, and its success is guaranteed. Now, it’s our generation’s turn to carry the torch forward—to protect, preserve, and proclaim the faith once received.
✝️ Key Themes:* Contending for the faith once received * Remembering and sharing the Gospel * Living as faithful stewards of God’s grace * The power of the unbound Word of God * Passing the torch to future generations * Giving freely—time, talents, and treasure * Confidence rooted in Christ, not ourselves
🔑 Scripture References:* Jude 1:3 – “Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” * 2 Timothy 2:1–10 – “Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” * John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
📢 Keywords & Hashtags:Faith once received, Contend for the faith, Gospel stewardship, 2 Timothy 2, St. Jude 1:3, Passing the faith, Anglican tradition, Word of God is not bound, Christ the King Anglican Church, Living the Gospel, Daily office, Christian discipleship, Fr. Matt's sermon
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www.ctksd.org
In Luke 17:5–10, the disciples cry out to Jesus, “Increase our faith!” But Jesus reminds them that even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains—or, in this case, mulberry trees.
In this powerful message, Fr. Eric explores what real faith looks like: not just belief, but trust and action. Using the story of the famous tightrope walker Charles Blondin, he shows how true faith means getting into the wheelbarrow—not just cheering from the sidelines.
Fr. Eric also shares how his own church, Christ the King Anglican, has lived out this mustard seed faith—stepping out in trust, taking risks for the Gospel, and now seeing God do extraordinary things. As the congregation looks toward planting a new church, this sermon is both a testimony and a challenge: to trust in a God who is far bigger than our fears, our budgets, or our limitations.
If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your faith—or if you feel like your faith is too small—this message will encourage you to take the next step, to act, and to trust that God will take care of the rest.
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📣 Hashtags#MustardSeedFaith #FaithInAction #TrustInGod #FrEricSermon #Luke17 #ChristTheKingAnglican #AnglicanChurch #ChristianFaith #FaithOverFear #StepOutInFaith #SmallFaithBigGod #ChurchGrowth #ChurchPlanting #FaithSermon #GetInTheWheelbarrow
This week’s sermon (September 28, 2025) focuses on Paul’s charge to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:11–19. Timothy was young, timid, and often sick, yet Paul sent him into a spiritual battlefield against powerful false teachers. Instead of using worldly tactics, Timothy was called to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness—the true tools of Gospel ministry.
We’ll explore what each of these virtues means for us today, and how character rooted in Christ is far more powerful than talent or charisma. No matter who we are, the Holy Spirit equips us to live and minister faithfully when our lives are grounded in the righteousness of Christ.
📖 Key Text: 1 Timothy 6:11–19
🙏 Theme: Building a Christ-centered character for ministry
🎥 Join us as we learn how Paul’s words to Timothy still speak powerfully into our lives today.
Keywords: 1 Timothy 6 sermon, Timothy and Paul, Christian character, righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness, false teachers, Gospel ministry, spiritual battle, following Jesus, Christian virtues
Hashtags:
Sermon #1Timothy6 #ChristianLiving #Faith #Righteousness #Gospel #JesusChrist #BibleTeaching #ChurchOnline
Sermon for July 27, 2025
Colossians 2:6-15
Christ the King Anglican Church, Poway, CA
The Rev. Eric Zolner
7th Sunday after Pentecost
www.ctksd.org
Sermon for June 29, 2025
2 Timothy 4:1-8
Christ the King Anglican Church, Poway, CA
The Rev. Matt Shepard
www.ctksd.org