Episodes
Thursday Dec 22, 2011
Luke 1,26-38 - contemplating the Incarnation
Thursday Dec 22, 2011
Thursday Dec 22, 2011
The Incarnation is the hinge of history - the point about which everything else pivots. It is a gracious royal visit from the King of Kings, the Creator of the Universe enfolding himself into time and space, wrapping himself in human DNA, cells, and organs, and becoming fragile and dependent. This sermon contemplates the Incarnation based on the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she would become the mother of the Son of God, as described in Luke 1:26-38. It was preached on Sunday December 18th (Advent 4), 2011, at St John's Southgate Lutheran Church. Enjoy!
Monday Dec 05, 2011
Let your face shine on us (Psalm 80)
Monday Dec 05, 2011
Monday Dec 05, 2011
The lament Psalms are a cry from deep within the heart of God's people - a cry for God to keep his promises, to hear the distress of his people, to be gracious. Many of us when we read these Psalms recoil in shock. They are so raw and honest - we piously think, 'You can't say that to God!' But God does have shoulders big enough to cry on, ears big enough to hear even our sorrow and pain. Psalm 80 expresses a longing for God's restoration - 'Restore us, O Lord God Almighty. Make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.' Its longing and yearning for restoration take us into the suffering of the world, and in the midst of Psalm 80 we meet Jesus himself. This sermon takes us into the depths of Psalm 80. It was preached on Sunday 27th November 2011 (Advent 1) at St John's Southgate Lutheran Church. Enjoy!
Monday Dec 05, 2011
New Beginnings (Mark 1:1-8)
Monday Dec 05, 2011
Monday Dec 05, 2011
The first word of Mark's Gospel (in Greek) is the word 'Beginning.' It is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We read in Mark 1:1-8 that John the Baptist inaugurates this new beginning through his proclamation to 'prepare the way for the Lord.' John points beyond himself, and beyond ourselves, to the one who is coming, Jesus. We aren't worthy for Jesus to come to us, but he comes graciously to begin something new: the coming of the Kingdom of God. This sermon was preached on Sunday 4th December 2011 (Advent 2) at St John's Southgate Lutheran Church. It can be used in conjunction with the downloadable Bible Study found at this link. Enjoy!