Sermons for the Season of Lent
Luke 13:1-9 In answer to his own question about whether some deserve to suffer more than others Jesus replies:No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did. Part of the crowd has come to Jesus with a bad news story. Jesus responds to their tale of state sponsored …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent (20/03/22): God’s Judgement – God’s Forbearance Read More »
Luke 13:31-35 Preaching the Gospel has its own agenda, and it creates its own relevance. This is true whether the Gospel is being preached from a pulpit, or being preached with the lives that are being lived by Christians. The announcement of the Kingdom of God, and living into that kingdom has its own timetable …
A Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent (13/03/22):The Gospel Has Its Own Agenda Read More »
Luke 4:1-13 Jesus was led by the Spirit in the wilderness where for forty days he was tempted by the devilThe most important thing to remember about the devil, in all circumstances, is that the devil is a liar. Albeit at times he is a very subtle one. The lies which the devil tells often …
A Sermon for the First Sunday in Lent (06/03/22):The Devil’s Lies Read More »
The Proclamation of the Cross John 18:16b-30 Executions are outside of our experience. There hasn’t been in an execution in this country for over 50 years. And for almost 100 years before that they had been done out of sight. So a public execution is something we can have no real knowledge of. But …
A Sermon for Good Friday (02/04/21): Proclamation of the Cross Read More »
A Triumphal Approach Leads to an Anti-climax Mark 11:1-11 Time and again throughout his ministry Jesus has demonstrated insight that others do not and even cannot possess. Often he knows what others are thinking without them speaking those thoughts out loud. All the way along he has recognised where his mission leads and what the conclusion of …
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 …