Faith Unfiltered

Doubting Thomas | Sermon | John 20:19–31 What if doubt isn't the opposite of faith—but part of the journey toward it? In this sermon on the story of Thomas in John 20:19–31, we look again at a disciple often remembered only for his doubt. But Thomas isn't asking for anything the others didn't receive—he's asking a deeper question about trust. We are often taught to think of belief and doubt as opposites. But in reality, both are shaped by uncertainty, and both require something more: trust. And trust, by its very nature, makes us vulnerable. In this message, we explore: The relationship between belief, doubt, and trust Why doubt can be a faithful and necessary response What Thomas was really asking when he said, "Show me the wounds" How the wounds of Christ reveal a God who fully enters human suffering What it means to trust a God who meets us in our deepest pain Rather than rebuking Thomas, Jesus meets him with gentleness and grace—offering not certainty, but presence. "Look at my hands… see my side… you are not alone." This is the kind of God we are invited to trust. Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on April 12, 2026.

Life Before Us | Easter Sermon | Matthew 28:1–10 What if the resurrection is not only about what happens after we die—but about the life set before us right now? In this Easter sermon, Life Before Us, Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on the story of the women at the empty tomb, who arrive expecting death but are met with something entirely different. Their assumptions are shattered as they hear the words: "He is not here… he has been raised." This message invites us to consider how our own assumptions—about what is possible, about how life turns out, and about what God will or won't do—can quietly shape the way we live. In this sermon, we explore: How assumptions can limit hope, faith, and imagination Why we often settle for cautious, diminished lives What it means for the resurrection to disrupt what we think is final How Jesus meets us not just in extraordinary moments, but in the ordinary places of our daily lives—our own "Galilee" Easter is not simply the end of the story. It is an invitation to see differently, to live differently, and to trust that God's life is already at work in the world around us. Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.

Shaking the City | Palm Sunday Sermon | Matthew 21:1–10 What happens when Jesus enters a city—and everything begins to shift? In this Palm Sunday sermon, Shaking the City, Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where celebration and expectation quickly give way to something deeper. The crowds shout "Hosanna!", but beneath the surface, the whole city is stirred—unsettled, even shaken. This message invites us to consider what it means for Jesus to enter not just a city, but our lives. In this sermon, we explore: The difference between celebration and true transformation The temptation to settle for comfortable or convenient faith What it means to live fully rather than "partly living" How following Jesus may disrupt our routines and assumptions Why Christ becomes the only unshakable foundation in our lives As we begin Holy Week, we are invited not just to observe the story—but to step into it. To follow Jesus in a way that may stretch us, challenge us, and ultimately reshape how we live. Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on March 29, 2026.

In today's video devotional, Rev. Anna Dickson reflects on the quiet, surprising ending to Jesus' triumphal entry: after the fanfare and palm branches, he simply returns to Bethany for the night. Rather than claiming power, Jesus chooses presence — resting, sharing meals, and tending to his companions before facing what lies ahead. Today's devotional invites us to do the same, remembering that before we confront difficult work, we, too, must be grounded in grace, relationship, and the steady care of God. Subscribe to daily devotionals sent to your inbox every morning in Lent at fpc.tiny.us/news.

Set Free for This? | A Sermon on Wilderness, Thirst, and Honest Faith What do you do when faith doesn't feel like it's working anymore? In this sermon, Set Free for This?, Rev. Anna Dickson reflects on Exodus 17:1–7, where the Israelites, newly freed from Egypt, find themselves in the wilderness—thirsty, frustrated, and wondering, "Is the Lord among us or not?" Rather than dismissing their complaints, this message invites us to see them for what they are: not shallow grumbling, but honest cries from people in real need. Because this isn't about small inconveniences—it's about thirst. It's about the deep human longing for something more than we can provide for ourselves. In this sermon, we reflect on: Why wilderness seasons are part of the life of faith The difference between surface complaints and deeper spiritual longing How Lent invites us into honesty rather than performance What it means to trust God when familiar signs of God's presence disappear The good news that God meets us even in the wilderness In a culture of quick answers and easy spirituality, this message invites us to something deeper: to tell the truth about our lives, to acknowledge our thirst, and to trust that even in the most barren places, God is still at work—bringing living water from unexpected places. Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on March 22, 2026.