Tag Archives: Martin Luther

The Importance of Faith in Action: Reflection on James 2:1-10, 14-17

In Greco-Roman culture honour was to be given to the rich and powerful. Our culture is the same. We too place praise and reward the rich, while ignoring the poor or blaming them for their poverty. There is a reason that the media recently reported on Gina Rinehart’s opinions about the curriculum taught in Australian schools and it is not because Ms Rinehart has any particular qualifications or expertise in education. Continue reading

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Sermon: On not being terrified of eating and drinking with Jesus

Each month we imitate these disciples on the road to Emmaus. We gather around the Table at which our Lord is the Host, knowing that we are welcome there, and then we leave the table to share God’s welcome with the world. Fed by both metaphorical and literal food, we go out to share both metaphorical and literal food. We receive what we are, and we become what we receive – the Body of Christ. We rejoice as we are regularly reminded that Christ is here: in our hearts; in our lives; and in our midst. Continue reading

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Sermon: Avril preaches to herself

James tells his readers: ‘the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy;’ and I confess that I am frequently not peaceable, gentle, and willing to yield. So in this Reflection I am preaching first to myself. Continue reading

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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

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Sermon: How is Jesus like a bronze serpent?

The cross turns our ways of seeing the world upside down. God becomes powerless to defeat death; human suffering is taken up into the life of God. Continue reading

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Sermon: Commemorating the Reformation

looking at the Orthodox and Catholic churches, which do not ordain women, I can only be glad that Luther nailed his arguments to the door of Wittenberg Cathedral. Or didn’t nail them, because that may be a myth. Either way, I think we’re a better church because of it.    Continue reading

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