Sermons
Our weekly sermonsReflection on the Feeding of the 5000 from Matthew 14:13-21
When I was little, this story fascinated me. How could Jesus feed so many people when he started with such a small quantity of food? Now I’m older and I look at this story in a different way. It’s not about the size of the crowd or even the multiplication of the food....
Philip Morris – Reflections on Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
Parable of the Sower Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. One of the things I enjoy about living in Queensland is seeing how quickly things grow. After a little rain and a few warm days, gardens seem to burst into life. Of course, it...
Gospel Reflections – Philip Morris
Christ Came for Sinners, the Suffering, and the Dying Text: Matthew 9:9–13; Matthew 9:18–26 In today's Gospel readings, Matthew presents three very different people: Matthew the tax collector, a woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years, and a synagogue ruler...
Jesus wept (John 11:35)
It’s the shortest Bible verse, and one of the most significant. The home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary was a safe refuge for Jesus, just outside Jerusalem. There was a deep love for him, and always a welcome. When Lazarus took seriously ill, Jesus did not rush back to...
Life after a miracle. Not always smooth sailing.
To this they replied, ‘You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!’ And they threw him out. Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ ‘Who is he, sir?’ the man asked. ‘Tell me so that...
The woman at the well – amazing change
“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10 I cringe inwardly, and give a wry smile, when I think how I used to understand this text in my self-assured, male,...
Going by a way we don’t know. Walking by faith, and not just sight.
“Go to the land I will show you.” God to Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 12:1) “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Jesus to Nicodemus (John 3: 3). Most of us are in the second half of life, and that requires different...
Strategic withdrawals – for safety, for ministry.
‘When Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.’ Matthew 4:12 There are significant withdrawals in the beginning of Matthew, and all connected to words of prophecy. The wise men withdraw from Bethlehem ‘another way’, so they...
‘No need to shout, I’m right here with you.’ Trusting that God has us.
Canadian Christian author Sarah Bessey tells how she and her very loud son found a way to a softer volume setting when he was little, and she didn’t want the new baby woken. He was watching Sesame Street, where Kermit was trying to tell Grover to be softer. Grover...
