Sermons written for occasions other than days appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Few things which Methodists do are unique. Methodism as a rule tries to be nothing more than expression of mainstream Christianity, with an emphasis on active discipleship. One of the few things which Methodists do which we and others regard as distinctive is the Covenant Service. This is an annual service held, usually …
A Sermon for a Covenant Service (08/01/23): Covenant, Form and Content Read More »
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 G.K.Chesterton is supposed to have said: “The worst moment for an atheist is when he feels a profound sense of gratitude and has no one to thank.” Now, I’m not absolutely convinced that that is the worst possible moment for an atheist, but it is an interesting thought. The thought here is, …
A Sermon for a Harvest Festival (09/10/22): Seeds and Harvests and Generosity Read More »
Romans 12:1-2 [This sermon was preached by me at my farewell service on leaving the Middlesbrough and Eston Methodist Circuit, at Normanby Methodist Church on 31 July 2022] I think these two verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans might be my favourite verses of scripture. Though if you were to ask me on another …
II Peter 1:1-11 [Aldersgate Sunday is the Sunday before 24 May, the anniversary of John Wesley’s conversion experience, which Methodists recall as the starting point of our tradition] Peter reminds his friends, and through them he reminds us:His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness.This is literally the first thing which …
A Sermon for Aldersgate Sunday (22/05/22): Make Every Effort to Support Your Faith Read More »
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 The passage we have just read from Ecclesiastes ends:A time for war and a time for peace.It ends the sequence of opposites which, for the author of Ecclesiastes, sums up the state of the world. This is probably the best known passage from the Bible’s least known book. I guess most of us …
A Sermon for Remembrance Day (14/11/21): A Time for War and a Time for Peace Read More »
By Grace through FaithRomans 5:1-11 “In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter to nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through Faith in Christ, I felt my heart …
A Sermon for Wesley Day (24/05/21): By Grace Through Faith Read More »
White in the Blood of the Lamb Revelation 7:9-17 These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. On All Saints Day we might ask: “Who are the saints?” Perhaps a slightly facetious answer might be: “Someone …
A Sermon for All Saints Day (01/11/20): White in the Blood of the Lamb Read More »