Scripture: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19; and Matthew 21:33-46 (N.B. Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80: 7-15; and Philippians 3:4b-14 – Proper 22 Year A) Context. Today’s scripture is: The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20); Praise for how God has made Himself gloriously known in nature, in the word and in history (Psalm 19); and Jesus gives …
Category Archives: Paul
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 …
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Who Do I Think I Am? Who Do We Think We Are?
Scripture: Luke 2:42-52 and Colossians 3:12-17 (N.B. 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; and Psalm 148- also on the First Sunday After Christmas Year C) Aim. To ask: “Who do I think I am? Who do we think we are?” It’s the Christmas holidays, a ‘family time’ we are told. 1. Things in the news recently: Statistics show …
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Science, Theology and Faith
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 – …
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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Leadership in the Kingdom of God, 2.0
Scripture: Judges 4:1-7 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (N.B. Psalm 123; Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18; Psalm 90:1-8, [9-11], 12; and Matthew 25:14-30 – also on Year A Proper 28/Ordinary 33) Introduction Topical to think about who can lead in the Kingdom, (I don’t do topical, I do Biblical, but it’s the scripture for today). Judges 4:1-7: Deborah …
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 …
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. …
Preacher & Veteran 