Sermons based on readings from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
Isaiah 49:1-7 You are my servant . . . .and:I will give you as a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.One of the first questions that might ask of this, or for that matter many passages of scripture is: Who are these words addressed to? Who …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (22/01/23): You are my Servant Read More »
Light in Darkness Isaiah 9:2b-7 Perhaps our reading should have started a few verses earlier: They will look to the earth, but will see only distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be thrust into thick darkness. This is is the experience of the people of whom Isaiah speaks at the …
A Sermon for Christmas Eve (24/12/20): Light in Darkness Read More »
And Will Call His Name Immanuel Isaiah 7:10-17 As so often happens, Judah is in the midst of a crisis. The place where God’s people live is not only a land which has been promised to them, it is also a cross roads. Trade routes to the north and south, to east and west meet here. So the land …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (20/12/20): And Will Call His Name Immanuel Read More »
Rejoice! Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD says the prophet. In some traditions of the church the third Sunday in Advent (today) is referred to as “Gaudete Sunday ,”that is “Rejoice Sunday.” Which, I guess is why this passage from Isaiah is set for today. That is why in some advent rings one …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent (13/12/20): Rejoice! Read More »
Your God is Here! Isaiah 40:1-11 Isaiah is given access to the heavenly council. He is allowed to overhear a conversation between the heavenly beings. He doesn’t hear God speak directly, but what he does hear comes with the authority of God. After they have spoken one of the Heavenly beings turns to him and commands: “Cry out!” …
A Sermon fo the Second Sunday in Advent (06/12/20): Your God Is Here! Read More »
An Isaiah Advent Isaiah 64:1-9 The other day I was watching a webinar by my favourite contemporary theologians: Stanley Hauerwas and Will Willimon.They were discussing how preachers should approach Advent. In particular, in view of everything that has been happening in this last year, how preachers should approach this Advent. They said that in Advent we are …
A Sermon for the First Sunday in Advent (29/11/20): An Isaiah Advent Read More »