Category: Sermon

Nowhere else in Scripture is that affirmation, those words of witness, made. And they were drawn from the mouth of the much maligned, Thomas. Courageous Thomas, questioning Thomas. But doubting? I doubt it.

What kind of donkey do you prefer? A limo-style donkey or a get-away donkey? Do we lean towards confrontation or modesty?

You and I need to trust that God knows what’s best for us. That God’s playing a long game for our benefit. We can be flawed and imperfect too but God’s still there for us.

Who are you and what kind of person are you? And do you ever take the time to think about it?

So, God makes a human from red clay. Like Michaelangelo with his red wax model – I wonder if God’s fingerprints were left somewhere on Adam too.

Are you a tree by a stream of living water? We may grow at different rates and in myriad of ways. We each bear distinctive leaves, flowers and fruit.

Despite ourselves, we may just hear ourselves say: ‘Send me’. And then we may just hear a voice in reply saying: ‘What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you. Now go.’

I wonder how Simeon felt when he woke up the day after meeting Jesus and seeing the truth of what his future would hold. I wonder if he woke up thinking, “today might be the day!” before he remembered that yesterday had been the day and that he would have to find something else to do today.

For his first miracle, Jesus doesn’t heal anyone, or do an exorcism or feed a hungry crowd. Instead, he picks up the tab and makes sure that everyone has enough wine!

In Luke, God confirms the relationship with his Son. In Isaiah, God confirms the relationship with his people. Jesus is called ‘beloved’ by his Father. In Isaiah, God says to his people: ‘You are precious in my sight, and I love you. Do not fear I am with you’.

Welcome, hospitality, acceptance isn’t compromise – it stretches our own horizons. It brings its own reward. It allows you and me to hold and provide sanctuary for the weary, the frightened and those dusty from travel.

If you think about the words of the Advent Carol, ‘O come, O come, Emmanuel’, we’re asked to rejoice whilst Israel is mourning in lonely exile; to rejoice whilst in the gloomy clouds of night; to rejoice whilst in death’s dark shadow. These are tough things to ask.

Rather than a sudden burning-bush-type-moment, it appears that the word of God comes to John as a slow-burn over a number of years until he was ready to share it.

A king who comes to usher in his kingdom – but needs us, implores us, to recognise the kingdom already around us – and by our minds, wills, hearts and bodies to make him and his kingdom more visible for the world.

Today is Remembrance Sunday and so we remember. Kitchener pointed his finger and said: ‘your country needs you’.