-
What I’ve been reading …
-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
-
Join 281 other subscribers
Tag Archives: Jesus
Sermon: Was Jesus a violent or a peaceful protester?
The role of those buying and selling in the temple was necessary and natural. Worshippers needed to change money with the head of the Roman emperor on it for money without it to make offerings; the poor and lepers and women needed to buy doves to be sacrificed. More than that, the entire economy of Jerusalem depended on pilgrims coming to the temple at festivals and spending their money in the city. Modern politicians know that nothing can get the people offside faster than a cost-of-living crisis; that it is always ‘the economy, stupid,’ to quote Bill Clinton’s campaign. Jesus is challenging the religious and economic status quo. Within the week, those who found the status quo comfortable fought back. Continue reading
Posted in Political Activism, Sermons
Tagged Bible, Canon Eric James, Christianity, faith, ICCPR, Jesus, law, Palm Sunday, Palm Sunday March for Refugees, political protest, protest, protests, Year of Matthew
Leave a comment
Sermon: Pearls before swine?
Brendan Byrne puts it this way, ‘only a person who has come to genuine self-knowledge and appreciation of his or her own weakness is qualified to set about fraternal correction’. We must remember that with the judgement we make we will be judged, and the measure we give will be the measure we get, so our judgements must be truthful, loving, and without self-righteousness. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Bible, Christianity, faith, god, Jesus, judgement, judgment, kingdom of heaven, Leviticus 19:9-18, Matthew 7:1-12, pearls before swine, prayer, Sermon on the Mount, Year of Matthew
Leave a comment
Sermon: When warnings from history are being ignored
Despite all the world’s danger and chaos, we who follow the Lamb of God know that we live in communion with the Creator, whose intention for the creation is justice and peace. As we take comfort in that relationship, so we also join with God in working for the day when the heavens will sing for joy, the earth exult, and the mountains break forth into singing, because God’s will is finally done on earth as in heaven. This is our calling as it is our prayer, now as throughout history. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Bible, faith, Fall of Jerusalem, god, injustice, International humanitarian law, Isaiah, Isaiah 49:1-7, Jesus, Justice, law, New Jerusalem, plutocrats, Politics, Second Isaiah, Suffering Servant, Year of Matthew
Leave a comment
Christmas Day: Making room for Jesus
Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church Christmas Day 2025 Luke 2:1-20 A few weeks ago, I was at a service of Lessons and Carols where I heard a new Christmas Song. This does not often happen to me, at least … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Bible, Christmas Day, colonisation, Crusaders, Desmond Tutu, Eileen Berry, faith, forgiveness, god, Jesus, love, Luke 2:1-20, Molly James, Sermon on the Mount, Sermon on the Plain, The Crusades
Leave a comment
Apostles Creed 3 – Jesus Christ
What the Apostles Creed is concerned with is not the mechanics of salvation, or who might or might not go to hell, but the identity of Jesus Christ. This is what is at the heart of Christianity, not a theory or a theology, but a person. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Apostles Creed, God the Son, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Salvation
Leave a comment
Rev Doc Geek 