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- Sermon: We have no reason to ever feel insecure
- Sermon: The futility of war and the peace of Christ
- Sermon: The God of Israel? The God of the USA? The Father of Jesus Christ is the God of the whole world and all creation.
- Sermon: Jesus’ advantage over Genghis Khan
- Sermon: Was Jesus a violent or a peaceful protester?
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Category Archives: Sermons
Reflection: When the things of God and the Emperor conflict
As Christians, we too need to refuse to give our obedience and loyalty to ‘the emperor’ if the emperor is defacing the image of God by mistreating human beings. In such cases it is only by resisting the emperor that we can give to God the things that are God’s. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged civil disobedience, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Calvin, law, Martin Luther, Matthew 22:15-22, Reformation, Year of Matthew
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Reflection: What is that ‘wedding robe’ all about?
I hope that I have made it clear that while Matthew and Paul might disagree on the route of the journey, they are in full agreement about the destination. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Apostle Paul, feasting, good works, Joy, kingdom of heaven, Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Salvation, Year of Matthew
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Reflection: Matthew versus Paul?
Matthew and Paul might have vehemently disagreed about whether we need to obey the Torah, whether we had freedom from the Law, but when it comes to how we should live they are in complete agreement. We are to love one another. Continue reading
Reflection: From prison comes joy
Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church27th of September, 2020 Matthew 21:23-32Philippians 2:1-13 Between last week’s reading from the Gospel according to Matthew, when Jesus told those around him the parable of merciful employer, and this week’s reading, in which there … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Apostle Paul, humility, imprisonment, Joy, Letter to the Philippians, lockdown, Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13
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Reflection: At sea in a storm
Reflection for Western Heights Uniting Church August 9, 2020 Matthew 14:22-33 The church has from its very beginning been considered metaphorically to be a boat. This is unsurprising when we consider that Jesus’ first followers were fishermen and that the … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Apostle Peter, boats, covid19, Fear, Matthew 14:22-33, Saint Augustine, sea, ships
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Reflection: Wrestling with God
Reflection for Western Heights Uniting Church 2nd of August, 2020 Genesis 32:22-31 I am writing this reflection on the day when the Victorian government announced that more than 723 Victorians had tested positive for Covid19, the highest daily count since … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Apostle Paul, Genesis 32:22-31, Jacob, Jurgen Moltmann, wrestling with God
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Reflection: Comfort during Covid19
Contrary to the theology of the wackier fringe churches we do not believe that our faith will keep us safe from the Covid19 dangers faced by others, any more than their faith in God protected Jesus or Paul from execution by the Romans. Continue reading
Reflection: The children of God
We are not just children of God; we are co-heirs with Christ. Everything that is his is ours. We could not be more important or have a higher status in the world than this. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Apostle Paul, creation, Letter to the Romans, new creation, prosperity gospel, Romans 8:12-25, suffering
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Reflection: THIS is who we are
when we make mistakes, when the evil we do not want is what we do, we are still, always, no matter what, God’s children Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Apostle Paul, Brene Brown, identity, Letter to the Romans, love, Romans 8:1-11, Year of Matthew
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