“For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” ~ Matthew 25:29 Now I don’t know about you, but if I weren’t in church and heard that verse quoted out of context, I might just think it was something that came out of the mouth of some giant of Wall Street or Bay Street. It sounds like something wealthy western business people might say, as they benefit from the capitalist system at the … [Read more...]
Invited to the Feast – Sermon for October 11th 2020
Later in the service after communion we will say together: Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen We say this doxology, together every Sunday at the close of our service of Holy Communion, and what a way to end our services it is. In it we collectively affirm, celebrate and proclaim God’s glory and power working in us, through the … [Read more...]
Don’t Judge a Book – Sermon for September 27th 2020
“Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.” ~ Matthew 21:31 Don’t judge a book by its cover. This piece of timeless wisdom is about as clichéd as you can get, but it’s clichéd because we were all probably taught it in some variation as a child and more often than not it rings true. While making snap judgements can be important in intense situations, often we need to look beyond the surface and first … [Read more...]
Kingdom Come – Sermon for August 11th
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” – Luke 12:32 When I was in high school I was pretty convinced I was about as smart as you could get for a kid my age – I mean I knew I wasn’t a genius savant, but the next best thing. I did exceedingly well in school without too much effort – I didn’t study much, I waited to the last minute to get my assignments done, even when I hadn’t read something I was able to offer valuable insights on … [Read more...]
Invited Series Week 6 – Acts 10:1-36
Over the last few weeks we have been looking at Inviting. Today, as we conclude this deep exploration of invitation, I want us to contemplate where our triune God is inviting Christians. Where the church is being invited. In the story of Peter and Cornelius, we see a lot of inviting going on. Cornelius sends messengers to invite Peter, Peter invites the messengers to stay the night, Peter stays at Cornelius' house for several days... it's just one big invitation fest. But I want to push … [Read more...]
The King Will Come – Sermon for Nov. 26
Today we celebrate the feast of the Reign of Christ, or for those traditionalists among you, Christ the King Sunday. So with that being the case, what’s the first image in your mind when you hear the words King or Queen? Perhaps you’re a good staunch royalist and you picture Queen Elizabeth II in all her dignified regality. Or perhaps you’re more of the history buff (I know I am!) and the first image that comes to mind is one of the great warrior Kings, like Richard the Lionheart, riding to … [Read more...]
If Love Was Fair – Sermon on Matthew 20:1-16
“And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner.”– Matthew 20:16 “It’s not fair! It’s just not fair!” If you had siblings, or children or have kept abreast of popular culture you probably have heard this refrain before – maybe you have even said it once or twice in your life. It is usually uttered when the person saying it, feels that they have been unfairly treated, or when someone else has received something that the person believes they deserve, or when things just don’t … [Read more...]
‘Til Kingdom Come
Today we continue our four-week series, as part of the Story series, exploring the Lord's Prayer. Today we look at the clause "Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." … [Read more...]
A Great Day for Freedom
A Sermon exploring the Ten Commandments, or Ten Words of God, as God's declarations of liberation, as God's promises of what life is like in his Kingdom. May you be challenged, uplifted and may you know that you are free in Christ Jesus from all that enslaves you. … [Read more...]