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 …
Category Archives: Jesus
What It Means To Trust God
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 …
Freedom, Power and Truth
Scripture: Luke 19:28-40 and Philippians 2:5-11 (N.B Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; and Luke 22:14-23:56- also on Year C Liturgy of Psalms/Liturgy of Passion) Aim: Contrast Jesus’ attitude to freedom, power and truth with ours (c.f. Abolition 200). 1. In Luke 19:28-40 Jesus commits himself to taking the blame and guilt of others and …
Balancing the Demands of Our Faith and the World
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 …
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The Story, the True Story
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 and 2 Samuel 7:1-11, and v16 (N.B. Luke 1:46b-55; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; and Romans 16:25-27- also on Year B Advent 4) Scripture: David & Mary’s Relationship with God David’s intentions appear good, but God’s reaction suggests the King has got it wrong. David has underestimated God, despite knowing Him better than anyone …
The Son of Man is Now Christ the King
Scripture: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 and Matthew 25:31-46 (N.B. Psalm 100; Psalm 95:1-7a; and Ephesians 1:15-23 – also on Year A Ordinary 34/Proper 29) Introduction. The ‘Credit Crunch’ worrying everyone, but terrible things happening to poor people in the Congo put our worries in perspective. It’s a good time to think about helping the poor: but …
Remembrance for the Future
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 and Matthew 25:1-13 (N.B. Joshua 24:1-3a; Psalm 78:1-7; Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16; Amos 5:18-24; Wisdom of Solomon 6:17-20; and Psalm 70 – also on Year A Ordinary 32/Proper 27) Scripture Thessalonians: Probably Paul’s earliest letter, Sent in haste to deal with a specific issue. Paul is eager to help and …
God’s Judgement on Those Who Forget His Commandment
Scripture: Ezekiel 21 We’ve just heard from Ezekiel in about 590BC, prophesying that Babylon would destroy Judah and Jerusalem – all that was left of the 12 tribes of Israel. It’s easy to think of such apocalyptic OT writings as a bit literary and not literal, but before Ezekiel was a refugee and prophet, he was …
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Christian Leadership
Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 (N.B. Joshua 3:7-17; Pslam 107:1-7, 33-37; Micah 3:5-12; and Pslam 43 – also on this day) Jesus words on Leadership Jesus acknowledges that the Pharisees have authority but says not to follow their example. He lambasts them for 4 crimes. First, they failed to practice what they preached. …
Abundant Encouragement
Scripture: Romans 8:26-39 (N.B. Genesis 29:15-28; Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128; 1 Kings 3:5-12; Psalm 119:129-136; and Matthew 12:31-33, 44-52- also on this day, Proper 12 Year A) Introduction God knew that we would face difficulties and weakness, the Christian life would not always be an easy one lived with strength. Scripture In Romans, …
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