"Glorious Ruins"

Jul 6, 2025  •  Rev. Billy Cerveny

In this powerful sermon, The Rev. Billy Cerveny shares a heartfelt message about how the Holy Spirit calls us to see ourselves and others as “glorious ruins” — beautiful creations of God, yet broken by sin and hurt. Using a vivid story from his own childhood, Rev. Billy illustrates the truth that “hurt people hurt people,” and explores how our pride, shame, and fear twist our perceptions of conflict.

Drawing from Galatians 5–6, he challenges us to “keep in step with the Spirit” — to let the Spirit open our eyes to our own sin, to the stories behind others’ wounds, and to the original glory God placed in every person. Only then can we truly forgive, restore, and bear one another’s burdens with compassion and gentleness, just as Christ does for us.

Scripture: Galatians 5:25–6:2

Key Themes: Hurt people hurt people, walking by the Spirit, restoration, forgiveness, seeing others through God’s eyes, community healing

Delivered by: The Rev. Billy Cerveny at The River, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Sermon Transcript

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