10 Minute Message

Key texts Zephaniah 3:14–20; Luke 3:7–18 One of the key things about God coming to be one of us at Christmas, and the promise of his return to be with us again in the future is that in choosing our life, our death and in giving us new life and a future, God gives you and me and every human being dignity. God’s presence amongst us in Christ on the first Christmas and now through the Holy Spirit...

1. Readings a. First Reading Amos 7: 7 - 8 b. Second Reading Matt. 23:23 c. Third Reading Deut.16: 18 -20 d. Gospel Luke 13: 10 - 17 2. Sermon Go God’s love going way The people of Israel were suffering in Egypt, forced to labour, building cities temples and tombs. They cry out against this injustice and God hears their cries and rescues them giving them a leader called Moses. God rescues them...

Heb 11:29-12:2 Sermon Jesus Carries us across the line The Story of Derek Redman See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V93-mOwkw3I Derek Redman was a contender to win a medal in the 400m sprint at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. He had easily made the semi-finals winning both his heats, but in that semi-final https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_JUKNfYNpc150 metres from the end, his hamstring tore....

Key Bible passages: Proverbs 8:1–4, 22-31, Romans 5:1–5, John 16:12–15 The experience of God (Trinity) Today is Trinity Sunday. From our tradition and in our history the church has usually named God as Trinity. God is One but at the same time God is Three - Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Today, I’m going to talk about how God is experienced and how in that experience, as God is revealed to us, we...

A narrative sermon based on Genesis 32: 25-32 and Matthew 26: 36-46 My name is Jacob. I’m a twin. They say that even when I was in my mother’s womb I struggled with my brother. I came out holding onto his heal so they gave me the name grasper or grabber. The name sort of fits because for the first part of my life that’s just what I was like. I knew that the only way to get ahead in life was to...

Focus Readings: Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17 In Douglas Adam's Science Fiction series, the Hitch Hikers' Guide to the Galaxy there is a fish called the Babel fish which can be inserted into the ear and which translates whatever is being said in any language instantly to your own. He writes "by effectively removing all barriers to communication between different races and cultures,...

Focus reading John 17:20-26 Some of you may remember Tim Shaw from Demtel. If you don’t you may be familiar with the Shopping network. A presenter tells you about an amazing product you must have. Then she or he will say “but wait there’s more” and will offer another amazing product, then they might say “Not only that you also get...” and perhaps they add “and if you call right now we’ll also...

Focus reading: Luke 19:28-40 On Palm Sunday Jesus enters Jerusalem as the King. In Luke’s Gospel the crowd are there but it is all his followers who hail him as king. Jesus doesn’t stop them, even saying that the rocks would praise him if his followers were silent. He knew he was a king, but a king of peace and that he was riding to death and not to a glorious throne. The Pharisees want the crowd...

Focus reading John 12:1-8 Apologies this is a 20 minute message and not 10. I’ve grown up in a church and learnt my theology in a way which has always stressed God’s love to us rather than my love to God. And I’ve grown up in a culture, where men especially are uncomfortable about publically showing their love to others. A culture where even another person showing open and public affection can...

This is a repeat from 2019 Focus passage: Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32 Whoever you are, whether we are the shameful sinner, the lost son, in the far away country caught in the drought, or the self righteous, judgmental sinner (older brother) refusing to come into the house, the message is the same. The Father comes out to us and invites us into the party and Jesus goes before us into the wilderness and...