Sermons for Ordinary Times
A Trick Answer to a Trick Question Matthew 22:15-22 Jesus’ answers the question which the Pharisees put to him: “Give therefore to the emperor the things that the emperor’s and to God the things that are God.” There is a fundamental question which God’s people must always answer, how does God’s people live in the …
Accepting the Invitation and Going Properly Dressed Matthew 22:1-14 There is a picture which is repeated all the way through the Bible of what God is offering people. It is the picture of a banquet. Jesus says – on more than one occasion: The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave …
By what authority? Matthew 21:23-33 It has been a dramatic couple of days! Yesterday! Yesterday Jesus rode into Jerusalem in triumph. The crowd welcomed him like some kind of conquering hero, waving palm branches, laying their coats in his way and singing patriotic songs. No sooner had arrived in town than he went up to the Temple. For a …
A Sermon for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (27/09/20): By What Authority Read More »
The Stone that the Builders Rejected Matthew 21:33-46 Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; This was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”?’ The builders have been incompetent, because they have rejected as useless the stone that …
I’m taking another break from the lectionary this week, to celebrate Harvest Festival. Even in those congregations whose connection with rural life is very remote this seems to remain one of the more important occasions which we celebrate. I once attempted to lead a Harvest Festival in which I failed to include the “We plough …
A Sermon for Harvest Festival: What to do with an abundant harvest Read More »
The Kingdom of Heaven is not Fair!Matthew 20:1-16 The kingdom of heaven is not fair! “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” The complaint of the labourers who have worked all day is that it is …
Forgive without limit as you have been forgiven Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came to him and said, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? . . .” Peter is actually asking for some clarification. He wants to more clearly understand the boundaries of the practical instructions which …
After five months of being unable to meet in church, this is the first sermon which I have published on this blog that will actually be preached live with a congregation. Where Two or Three are Gathered Matthew 18:15-20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am among them. Powerfully over …
Must Matthew 16:21-28 From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and the scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised When reading the Bible, and especially when thinking about preaching …
A Sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (30/08/20): Must Read More »
Peter’s Confession Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus has a question and he takes his disciples out of earshot of the crowd, to Caesarea Philippi, to ask it. He says: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” That’s an easy one! Voices speak up from various places within the group of disciples “Some say John …
A Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (23/08/20): Peter’s Confession Read More »