Sermons based on readings from the Gospel of John
Friendship with GodJohn 15:9-17 Jesus says:As the Father has loved me, so I have love you; abide in my love.And a moment or two later he says:This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Jesus gives us a single idea about what being his follower amounts to: loving one …
A Sermon for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (09/05/21): Friendship with God 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 »
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 »
Believing Thomas John 20:19-31 The first Easter day ends with the disciples gathered together. They are back in their usual meeting place. They are with one another in the house where just three nights ago they had shared a final meal with Jesus. So much has happened since then. Fear had scattered them and has …
A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Easter (19/04/20): Believing Thomas Read More »
The Son of Man and the Glory of God John 12:20-33 The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. This is the high-point of Jesus’ earthly ministry The moment when his popularity among the people was at its greatest. If there had been opinion polls in the 1st century,Jesus would have …
A Sermon for Holy Week (3): The Son of Man and the Glory of God Read More »
The Fragrance of what Mary did John 12:1-8 The final stage of Jesus’ journey starts here . Between the days of frantic activity Jesus rests in Bethany, the place called House of affliction. There are now just six days until the Passover. Which makes this Saturday night. The day of sanctified rest, the Sabbath, has come to an …
A Sermon for Holy Week (2): The Fragrance of What Mary Did Read More »
If you had been here John 11:1-44 Both Martha and Mary say the same thing to Jesus when he arrives in Bethany a few days after their brother’s death: “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died.” Their response is a natural human one in the face of tragedy and heartache. Perhaps …
A Sermon for the 5th Sunday in Lent (29/03/20): If you had been here Read More »
Since we are, for the moment, unable to meet together and listen to a sermon, here is a sermon for you to read. It is for the 4th Sunday in Lent and is based on the set Gospel reading. Please read the gospel passage before reading the sermon and feel free to comment. I hope …
A Sermon for the 4th Sunday in Lent (22/03/20): Sign and Judgement Read More »