Aim/Theme: To explore what discipleship might mean for us today. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. Ordinary 2B. Introduction Watching lots of religious TV lately, ‘Around the World in 80 Faiths’ is good and ‘History of Christianity’ Part 1 was not so good! On ‘The One Show’, Carol Thatcher is doing a series on people who’ve dropped out …
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Stick to Jesus Like Glue!
A sermon on the authority of Jesus, based on Colossians 2: 6-15 Introduction A friend once said to us ‘Stick to me like glue’ = (I will guide you and look after you). Today’s gospel reading is Luke 11: 1-13 (the Lord’s Prayer), such a well-known passage, but let’s look at what Paul says. Colossians …
The Temptation to Weed
Message: The Church will always contain more than its fair share of nastiness, but weeding it out is a temptation to abandon the way of Christ and make things worse. This message is based on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (Year A, Proper 11). Please note that this sermon is not advocating turning a blind eye to abuse or …
Finding Meaning in the Story of Ruth
A sermon on finding meaning in the Book of Ruth, based on Ruth 3:1-9 (Proper 27B). Introduction The Book of Ruth is story about the harvest. A fortnight ago, we heard about Naomi’s husband taking them away during difficult times: ‘the grass is always greener somewhere else’. Last week, we heard that Naomi, embittered by …
While you Wait…
Message: While we wait between chapters, we grow closer to God, a sermon based on Acts 1:6-14 & John 17:1-11 (Easter 7A). Introduction Today we begin the last week of Pascha, the fifty-day celebration of Christ’s resurrection. The fifty days ends next Sunday with the Day of Pentecost. On Thursday was Ascension Day: after walking …
Strength and Authority
A message contrasting God’s pure, unblemished strength & authority with the way humans corrupt these blessings, based on Matthew 23:1-12 (Proper 26A). Introduction After the Pharisees had finished arguing with Jesus he was able to teach the disciples/people. The key to understanding the Pharisees is that they were politicians! Many people justifiably fear human power and …
A Christian’s Duty
A sermon on a Christian’s duty, based on Romans 13:7-14 (Proper 18A). Scripture: Romans 13:7-14 ‘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 the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves …
Following Christ’s Example
A message exploring the true aim of life, no less, following Christ’s example in Philippians 2:5-11 (Palm Sunday, Years A, B or C). Introduction Today is Palm/Passion Sunday. We have had five Sundays in Lent and now we turn to Christ’s final week before Easter. Philippians 2:5-11 is not from that time/place, but it captures …
Godless Foreigners!
A message about seeing with a fresh, Godly perspective (just like those Godless Foreigners), based on Matthew 17:1-9 (Epiphany, Year A). Today we have a well-known passage that describes the wise men coming to see Jesus – now a toddler. But there’s more to it than that! This is satire, a set of jokes at …
The Game Changer
A message about Jesus, the game changer: Matthew 11:2-11 reminds God’s people which side of history we are on (Advent 3A). Introduction Matthew, the most Jewish of Gospel writers, has a lesson for impatient followers of Jesus. John the Baptist asks about Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect …
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