The grace and care of God for humanity, and the call for us to care for one another shines through all of the readings this week. In the continuous Old Testament reading, David grieves for Saul, even though the dead king had been his enemy and persecutor. He also grieves for Jonathan whom he had...
Archives: <span>Sermons</span>
MESSAGE – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Year B – Sunday 23 June 2024
The question of authority speaks through all of the readings this week, including both the Gospel and its related readings and the continuous Old Testament passage. The journey of David continues in the continuous Old Testament narrative. After last weeks’ account of his anointing, this week we read of how the young shepherd calls on...
MESSAGE – Fourth Sunday after Pentecost – Year B – Sunday 16 June 2024
Both the Gospel, and its related readings, and the continuous Old Testament reading present two main thoughts this week. The main theme is that of small things which grow to have significant impact and influence. In Samuel, the arrogant Saul is replaced by David, the youngest son of an insignificant family in an unimportant village....
MESSAGE – Third Sunday after Pentecost – Year B – Sunday 9 June 2024
The common themes between the passages from 1 Samuel 8, 2 Corinthians 4 and 5, and Mark 3 include leadership, authority, and the contrast between human weakness and divine power. So, how do we apply this to our lives in 2024? Leadership and Authority: In 1 Samuel 8, the Israelites demand a king to lead them, rejecting God’s...
MESSAGE – Second Sunday after Pentecost – Year B – Sunday 2 June 2024
Welcome to the season of bringing about God’s Kingdom Growth! The Lectionary begins the journey of challenging us again to live out the message and mission of Jesus that we have been remembering through the events of the Church Calendar so far. We hear themes of: the voice of God, the light of Christ, and...
MESSAGE – Trinity Sunday – Year B – Sunday 26 May 2024
When I think of the Triune God, I think of community and the invitation into radical transformation. What do you think of? Isaiah’s vision, with the triple “holy” of the seraphs, reveals how powerfully transforming a true encounter with the triune God can be. The psalm supports this with its celebration of God as king...
MESSAGE – Day of Pentecost – Year B – Sunday 19 May 2024
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Here it is, the Day of Pentecost, where the spirit descends and fills us with courage, clarity and purpose. But before we get into the nitty gritty, can we, for a...
MESSAGE – Seventh Sunday of Easter – Year B – Sunday 12 May 2024
As the Easter season draws to a close, the final challenge of this part of the readings, before turning to Pentecost, is for us to commit to Christlike holiness – which, as it turns out, is also a call to unity and community. Two themes: Holiness and Unity 1. Holiness: In Acts, the apostles seek...
MESSAGE – Sixth Sunday of Easter – Year B – Sunday 5 May 2024
The theme of love continues in the Lectionary this week, but the “one another” that we are called to love expands radically. In the Psalm all creation is called to praise God for the righteousness and justice that God brings to all people. In the Acts reading, Peter preaches to a group of Gentiles, with...
MESSAGE – Fifth Sunday of Easter – Year B – Sunday 28 April 2024
The heart of this week’s Lectionary is Jesus’ exhortation to “bear fruit”. There are two emphases in this call. The first is to “remain in” Christ – dwelling in deep, life-giving connection with Christ. The experiences of Philip, who is guided by God’s Spirit, and of the eunuch who comes to faith through Philip’s work are...