Category: Sermon

If two of us agree on something it has heavenly consequences. It’s meant to put us on notice. A community marked by love and restoration.

Perhaps there is a burning bush out there, waiting just for you? Let’s find out more from a God eager to talk about new directions.

There were 12 disciples – but only one felt inclined to get out of the boat and take a short walk. Perhaps you are that one person in 12?

What if you received an e-mail from ‘God’? Would you open it? Would it make a difference if ‘God’ was offering you a free gift but you had to press on a link?

The Bible is full of water stories. From Genesis when God moved over the water to Revelation and the river of the water of life. Water, water everywhere!

Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Rest. An easy yoke. A light burden. Sounds almost too good to be true, in today’s rapid-fire, high-pressure, no-excuses world.

Jesus had told his disciples: “go, make disciples of all nations, baptising them and teaching them”. Jesus was saying: “Tell everyone. It’s good to talk!”

It was 8pm and it was a Thursday. Jesus was stood outside the front door at the time, applauding the key workers…

Jesus says: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves”. When the going gets tough, you are going to have to dig-in. You must prepare to be different.

A long time ago when I was a Reader, I was gifted the privilege of speaking on Trinity Sunday to our Parade Service, which meant lots of children of all ages, including the adult children of our Church. It was chaos!

That’s what we need this Pentecost – power for the people of God. The power to glow and burst into flame! The power to mobilise us again. To break through the cosiness and comfort within the walls of our buildings and take the gospel out into the community around us!

“So, we got Jesus in there. How do we get him back out again?” It must have been a dilemma for God and his angelic extraction team as they figured out how to reunite Father and Son.

As I read and re-read today’s verses from John’s gospel, I found a song growing in my mind. A song which grew louder and stronger: Stuart Townend’s ‘How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure’.                   

My attention was drawn to a beautiful poem by Elizabeth, Countess of Craven, who lived in the late 18th and early 19th century. It’s entitled ‘I thank Thee God, that I have lived.’ She writes about all the beauties of life but also considers the sad times and difficulties and how we should also give thanks for those.

Psalm 23 is many people’s favourite passage of scripture. It gives great comfort at times of crisis, just like we’re in now. But it also speaks of God’s care in our ‘normal’ everyday living. There’s an even amount of light and shade here. Thankfulness during the good times – but recognition of God’s protection in the bad.