Those Who Hate their Life Will Keep It John 12:20-31 There is a paradox, an unresolvable contradiction, which lies at the heart of the human condition. But it is a paradox which also lies at the heart of God’s answer to the human condition, the gospel. “Those who love their life lose it, and those who …
Nicodemus is Puzzled by Jesus John 3:14-22 The evening had not got at all how Nicodemus had expected or wanted. He had come to Jesus looking for clarity. He wanted to get from the pious Galilean, of whom the ordinary folk seem so enthused and excited, and whose words seemed to impress even a few of the …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (14/03/21): Nicodemus is Puzzled by Jesus Read More »
The Sign of Cleansing the Temple John 2:13-22 John’s Gospel is a book of signs. In it there is a series of miraculous occurrences which disclose just who Jesus is. The first of these signs is the Changing of Water into Wine. The series leads through the Raising of Lazarus and of course culminates …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent (07/03/21): The Sign of Cleansing the Temple Read More »
Take up your Cross Mark 8:31-38 Jesus has taken his disciples away from Galilee, into gentile territory. He has led them away from the press of the crowds and the busyness of his mission. You might almost call it a retreat, a time to take stock and reflect. He ask his disciples two questions: First: Who do people say that …
A Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent (28/02/21): Take Up Your Cross Read More »
God’s Hero in the Conflict between Good and Evil Mark 1:9-15 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. This is the beginning of the Gospel, the story that Mark has to tell. Up to this point what he has written has been prologue, introduction. The ministry …
The Mount of Transfiguration and Mount Calvary Mark 9:2-8 From the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the beloved, listen to him.” You could wonder, why wasn’t the transfiguration enough? All that is needed to be known about Jesus is put on display there. In a way everything is summed up right here. …
All Things to All People 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 I have become all things to all people. This is one of St. Paul’s most famous declarations about himself. Talking about his work as an apostle he famously declares that he has done all that he can to get close to the people he is trying to …
A Sermon for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (07/02/21): All Things to All People Read More »
Not What He Does But Who He Is Mark 1:21-28 “They were all amazed and kept asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching – with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” There is a profound irony in preaching. As a preacher I find my self doing the very …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany (31/01/21): Not What He Does But Who He Is Read More »
Follow Me and Fish for People Mark 1:14-20 One day Jesus appeared in Galilee. One day he wasn’t there. And the next he was. And not very long afterwards it seemed everyone had heard of him. Some tried to fit him into what was already happening, as if he were the outcome of a trend or a movement that was …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday after Epiphany (24/01/21): Follow Me and Fish for People Read More »
Christian Freedom, Christian Ethics 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Paul says: “All things are lawful to me.” Paul summarises the effect of his theology of grace in a single phrase. This is the outcome of God’s grace. What God has done in Jesus Christ has fundamentally changed the way things are. By sending Jesus God has transformed the relationship between …