Celebrating the contribution that Christian organisations make to society and the world!
Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16 (N.B. Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Jonah 3:10 – 4:11; Psalm 145: 1-8; and Philippians 1:21-30- Proper 20 Year A) Introduction. We’ve heard ‘The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard’. In Matthew’s Gospel it comes right after Jesus meeting the rich young man, and just before Jesus reminding his followers that he …
Continue reading “And Now for Something Completely Different”
Scripture: Romans 13:7-14 (N.B. Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149; Ezekiel 33:7-11; Psalm 119: 33-40; and Matthew 18:15-20- Proper 18 Year A) Scripture Romans 13:7-14 [NIV] ‘Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour. Let no debt remain outstanding, except …
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20 (N.B. Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 138; and Romans 12:1-8 – Proper 16 Year A) Introduction. Private worship, evangelism or service? Scripture (Matthew 16:13-20). ‘Who do people say I am?’; they say a precursor of the Christ. ‘Who do you say I am?’; Peter says ‘You are the Christ’. Meaning at the Time: Jesus tells Peter that …
Scripture: Luke 23:33-43 and Colossians 1:11-20 (N.B. Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79; and Psalm 46 -also on Year C Proper 29/Reign of Christ) Introduction I spoke to the kids about the Northern Lights book by Phillip Pullman. Pullman is an atheist and despises organised religion. When I started reading his books, I was puzzled by his criticisms – …
Scripture: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, and Song of Solomon 2:8-13 (N.B. Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9; Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9; Psalm 15; and James 1:17-27 -also on Year B Proper 17) Introduction Today we have heard from Jesus of our need to be pious: ‘1. having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest …
Scripture: Luke 12:49-56 and Hebrews 11:29-12:2 (N.B. Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19; Jeremiah 23:23-29; and Psalm 82- also on Year C Proper 15) Aim: To ‘sell’ faith in Christ we need to tell the whole truth about the God of love and judgement. 1. Recently we’ve been hearing about the stock market jitters – why? “In the …
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16, (17-24); Psalm 146; Galatians 1:11-24; and Luke 7:11-17 (N.B. Psalm 30 -also on Year C Proper 5) Aim: To explore what it means to trust God. All four readings today are about trusting God. In the OT God asks Elijah to hide from his enemies in the heart of their land, and asks …
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35 and Philippians 3:17-4:1 (N.B. Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; and Psalm 27 – also on Second Sunday of Lent Year C). Aim: To look at the demands of our faith and the world – is there a balance? (VARK!) Introduction. We could look at the Bible readings for today simply as ‘us versus the …
Continue reading “Balancing the Demands of Our Faith and the World”
Scripture: Mark 6:1-13 and 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (N.B. 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; Ezekiel 2:1-5; and Psalm 123-also on this day Year B Ordinary 16) Introduction Sometimes we beat ourselves up “if only we really believed and really loved like Jesus we would transform the world.” No we wouldn’t! OK to confess and examine our performance, …
Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-15 and John 6:1-21 (N.B. Psalm 14; 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-18; and Ephesians 3:14-21- also on Year B Ordinary 17) Introduction We’ve heard two passages today, one about a fallible leader during a middle-eastern war, another about the hungry being fed. You might be expecting a modern political parable! Two Passages from …
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