Monthly Archives: August 2024
Living the Word: Reflection on James 1:17-27
Over the next few weeks James is going to give us lots of advice. Scholars say that in the 108 verses and five chapters of this letter there are at least fifty commands. Some we will find easy; some difficult. I, for instance, am good at sharing what I have with the poor and dreadful at keeping my tongue still. You will have your own strengths and weaknesses. But James is absolutely certain that we can be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive ourselves, because our generous God has given us every perfect gift. Continue reading
Ephesians 6:10-20: The Armour of God and the Gospel of Peace
It is in its resistance to the forces of evil, its working for peace, its prayer for the community, that the church lives out its calling as the body of Christ. So, put on your military equipment, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Continue reading
Sermon: Ephesians 5:15-20 on being wisely drunk
I seldom sing in church because I cannot sing in tune, and I am afraid of putting the rest of you off. The only worship I have experienced where people have sung joyfully out of tune was at the World Council of Churches’ ecumenical institute in Switzerland. My African colleagues reminded me that the Psalms tell us to make a ‘joyful noise’ to the Lord, (Psalms 66:1, 95:1, 98:4, 100:1) not necessarily a tuneful noise. But, as I said earlier, my heritage is Scottish Presbyterian, not African, and I save singing lustily for the car or the shower. Continue reading
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