Sermons
Praying the Psalms. Psalm 43
Psalm 43 You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send me your light and your faithful care,… Read more
Luther and his artist mates. Reformation by pictures.
The artists Lucas Cranach Senior and Junior, lived round the corner from the Luthers. They ran a thriving art studio and workshop, doing royal portraits, scenes from classical mythology, and… Read more
Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Dealing with loaded questions.
Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? (Matthew 22: 17). That was certainly a loaded question asked of Jesus. If he said ‘Yes,’ he lost popular support…. Read more
The great pattern of life in Christ. Going down is the only way to go up.
Have this mind among yourselves. Christ did not grasp at equality with God, but humbled himself, even to death on the cross. Therefore God has lifted him up, and given… Read more
Jesus and the Canaanite Woman of Great Faith – Breaking Though Old Prejudices and Stereotypes.
This is such a confronting text. First, Jesus gives her the silent treatment, then he says she has no claim on him, then he calls her a dog. She does… Read more
‘Have Courage. I am.’ Jesus on the water.
‘If it’s really you, Lord, tell me to step out to you on the water.’ Peter, in the storm and in the dark, utterly exhausted. (Matthew 14:28). This isn’t about… Read more
Compassion and a well-fed crowd (five loaves and 2 fish). One way to pray.
Matthew 14:14 When he came ashore (expecting to be alone) there was a great crowd already waiting for him. When he saw them, his heart went out to them, and… Read more
The kingdom of heaven is like a woman adding yeast to some dough.
I love making bread. On Sunday at the beginning of worship, with the help of my Kenwood Chef, the children and I mixed 20 g of salt, 560 mls of… Read more
You Gotta Serve Somebody. Romans 6.
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:18 ‘You gotta serve somebody,’ sang Bob Dylan from his 1979 album, Slow Train Coming. ‘Well,… Read more
Jeremiah complains bitterly but faithfully (+ rom coms)
‘Lord, you took advantage of me. At first I liked being with you, but now it’s not so fun.’ (my paraphrase of Jeremiah 20: 7). Jeremiah had God’s Word burning… Read more