I Praise You Because I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (N.B. 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20); 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; and John 1:43-51 – Second Sunday After Epiphany Year B) Sermon on Psalm 139 Song Psalms, this is my favourite. Introduction to the Psalm. With respect to an individual person: Verses 1-6 describe the insight that God has; Verses 7-12 describe the oversight that God has; Verses …

Cleansing the Temple

Scripture: John 2:13-22 (N.B. Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25- also on Year B Lent 3) Aim: To preach the message John intended by putting this passage at the start of his gospel. 1. This Scripture Poses Questions (e.g. Is it ever acceptable to use violence?) Why is this passage here?   Matthew, Luke and …

Maturity in Christ: Commitment not Consumption

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16 and John 6:24-35 (N.B. 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a; Psalm 51:1-12; Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15; and Psalm 78:23-29 – also on this day Year B Ordinary 18) Introduction We live in a western consumer society.  Our society consumes 80% of the world’s resources, even though we are only 20% of its population.  We usually define ourselves by …

Trinity: Doctrine and Scripture

Scripture: John 3:1-17 (N.B. Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29; and Romans 8:12-17- also on Trinity Sunday Year B) Aim:  To demystify the Doctrine of the Trinity – as far as I understand it! Introduction: Trinity Today is Trinity Sunday.  This is the day when traditionally we think about God as three persons in one: God the Father, Jesus …

The Nature of Faith: Gift or Possession?

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 …

We Belong to Jesus, Not the World

Note: I wrote another sermon that I posted on the same passage that is the basis for this one called ‘In the World but Not of the World’. ‘We Belong to Jesus, Not the World’ has a different message to the other post, so please continue to read this one even if it does seem …

Balancing the Trinity

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, and John 3:1-17 (N.B. Psalm 29 also on this day- Trinity Sunday Year B) Trinity Sunday.  Think about God as three persons in one: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.  Picture one person in 3 roles – son, husband and father for me.  What would you be?      Doctrine and Trinity.   Said that Doctrine of the …

In the World but not of the World

Scripture: John 17:6-9 (N.B. Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Pslam 1; 1 John 5:9-13 also this day- Easter 7 Year B) Introduction In John 17:6-19 Jesus prays for his disciples reminding them that: Jesus has connected them with God; they know that Jesus’ connection with God is real; Jesus would leave them to return to his Holy …

Doubt and Thomas

Scripture: John 20:19-31 (N.B. Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Pslam 16; and 1 Peter 1:3-9 also this day- Easter 2 Year B.) Introduction.   Labelling him ‘Doubting Thomas’ is unfair.  Thomas was the one who spoke up and said that the disciples should go to Jerusalem to die with Jesus.  Thomas missed Jesus because he was out while the other …

Judgement and Grace

Scripture: John 3:14-21 (N.B. Numbers 21:4-9; Pslam 104:1-3, 17-22; and Ephesians 2:1-10 also this day- Lent 4 Year B) Exegesis Verses 14-15: Christ’s salvation is like the bronze snake that saved people from their mutiny (vv14-15). Christ being lifted up refers to his crucifixion but also his glory in heaven.  Verses 16-21: Verse 16a is …

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