Sermons written for a variety of occasions, mostly following the Revised Common Lectionary
Acts 11:1-18 The disciples in Jerusalem, James, John, Andrew, Philipp and more, are the leadership of the beginning-Church. They knew that certain things were meant to be a certain way. Some things are just the way they are intended to be. Even though they had had their world turned upside down, even though they had …
John 10:22-30 In the Temple, the Jews (as John calls them) come up to Jesus, as they do from time to time, with a question, more of a request really, they say:“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”There is group of people, a category, maybe, of …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (08/05/22): Faith and the “Might-Believe” Read More »
Revelation 5:11-14 There is an almost unavoidable impulse in human beings towards worship. There is something in us that leads us to worship. Our eyes are drawn to what is attractive, and our hearts are turned to admiration which leads to worship.If we do not worship God, we will invest our energy and resources for …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter (01/05/22): Worship of the Lamb Read More »
John 20:19-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book but these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah the Son of God.How does someone come to faith? How does anyone become a Christian? That would seem to …
A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Easter (24/04/22): Not just seeing that is believing. Read More »
Luke 24:1-12 The story of Easter begins in darkness. The women who, on Friday, and watched Jesus die, and who had seen him buried, travel to the tomb. They go with spices, and with a certain negative expectation based on an understanding of how life and the world and everything is. They expect to offer …
A Sermon for Easter Sunday (17/04/22): An Empty Tomb, The Sign of Resurrection Read More »
Luke 19:28-40 As Jesus takes the last few steps of the journey, which began some time ago, to Jerusalem, the crowd grasp what it is that he has being showing them all along. And they strike up the appropriate chant:Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and …
A Sermon for the Sixth Sunday in Lent, Palm Sunday (10/04/22): Jesus is in Command Read More »
John 12:1-8 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.This is a familiar scene. Time and again Jesus is the honoured guest at …
Luke 15:11-32 The other day I heard a talk by someone. And one of the things they said was: “If your preaching of grace isn’t giving offence, then you’re not preaching grace hard enough” Grace: the idea of God’s free, unconditional love for everyone, God’s welcome for absolutely anyone who will turn to him, Grace: …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (27/03/22): Offensive Grace Read More »
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 »