Tag Archives: Apostle Paul

Sermon: Salvation and Liberation

Posted on May 28, 2022 by Avril Hannah-Jones

God’s love does not save us from suffering. God’s love does, however, accompany us as we suffer. God suffers with us. Continue reading →

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Sermon: The Unexpected Lydia

Posted on May 21, 2022 by Avril Hannah-Jones

One of the reasons for declining church membership is simply that in twenty-first century Australia there is declining membership of everything. But unlike unions, sports clubs, and political parties, churches believe that we have God on our side, which leaves us with Judas’ question: ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Continue reading →

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Sermon: Thank goodness for Peter

Posted on April 30, 2022 by Avril Hannah-Jones

There is a lovely line in a poem called A Vision of Piers Plowman, written in about 1400 by a man called William Langland: ‘And all the wickedness in this world that man might work or think/Is no more to the mercy of God than a live coal in the sea.’ That is what this epilogue to the Gospel according to John tells us; no human crime, sin or failing can outweigh the graciousness of God. Continue reading →

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Sermon: Is the poor widow a good example or an awful warning?

Posted on November 6, 2021 by Avril Hannah-Jones

If we read the story this way, then Jesus’ attitude to the widow’s gift is disapproval rather than admiration. The story is not about the difference between arrogant scribes and poor widows, or about the relative value of the gifts of the rich and the poor. Instead, it is an example of the ways that the official religion of the time was oppressing the poorest members of society. Continue reading →

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Sermon: Freedom, love, covid19 … and Margaret Court

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Commentators from outside Melbourne were appalled that we were willing to follow such draconian rules and accused us of having Stockholm Syndrome. It was not Stockholm Syndrome. It was love. Continue reading →

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Reflection: What is that ‘wedding robe’ all about?

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Avril Hannah-Jones

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 →

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Reflection: Matthew versus Paul?

Posted on October 3, 2020 by Avril Hannah-Jones

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 →

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Reflection: From prison comes joy

Posted on September 26, 2020 by Avril Hannah-Jones

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 →

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Reflection: To argue or not to argue?

Posted on September 12, 2020 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Reading this passage, we might think that we are left with a church in which nothing is to be condemned. However, compare today’s reading with Paul’s response to another question about food, the question of whether Jews and Gentiles can eat together. Continue reading →

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Reflection: Wrestling with God

Posted on August 1, 2020 by Avril Hannah-Jones

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 →

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