Sermons on Being Church
Being Presbyterian
What makes us Presbyterian? Introduction to reformation history, and discussion on Continuity and Disruption.
1 Timothy 4: 6-16
‘Know the story you are part of’ ... the early origins of the church in Scotland, and defining features of the church today.
What makes us Presbyterian? Introduction to reformation history, and discussion on Continuity and Disruption.
1 Timothy 4: 6-16
‘Know the story you are part of’ ... the early origins of the church in Scotland, and defining features of the church today.
Wealth and the Presbyterian church
1 Timothy 6: 6-16
Luke 16:10-15
At the crack of dawn on the 29th of May 1546 a group of Lairds and reformers entered St Andrews Palace, pretending to be stone masons on a renovation job. They pulled Archbishop David Beaton from his bed and killed him. For one year St Andrews Palace was Reformation HQ. Reformers and their families moved in and lived among the gold and finery of the palace. ...
I want to focus this morning on one aspect of our church history, which this story throws vividly into focus – the power of wealth. Through all the other battles runs the theme of money. When those early reformers looked at the vast system that was the Roman Catholic church they saw a inequalities of wealth that were deeply offensive to the gospel.
1 Timothy 6: 6-16
Luke 16:10-15
At the crack of dawn on the 29th of May 1546 a group of Lairds and reformers entered St Andrews Palace, pretending to be stone masons on a renovation job. They pulled Archbishop David Beaton from his bed and killed him. For one year St Andrews Palace was Reformation HQ. Reformers and their families moved in and lived among the gold and finery of the palace. ...
I want to focus this morning on one aspect of our church history, which this story throws vividly into focus – the power of wealth. Through all the other battles runs the theme of money. When those early reformers looked at the vast system that was the Roman Catholic church they saw a inequalities of wealth that were deeply offensive to the gospel.
Grace and the Westminster Confession
Luke 17:11-19
Romans 5:15-21
This deep and abiding debate threads its way through Christian history and theology.
On one side stands the stark, even harsh words of the Westminster Confession,
declaring our utter depravity, our utter helplessness to do good or to win our own salvation.
On the other side stands the call to see all people as wonderful, priceless, loved by God, accepted and acceptable.
Luke 17:11-19
Romans 5:15-21
This deep and abiding debate threads its way through Christian history and theology.
On one side stands the stark, even harsh words of the Westminster Confession,
declaring our utter depravity, our utter helplessness to do good or to win our own salvation.
On the other side stands the call to see all people as wonderful, priceless, loved by God, accepted and acceptable.
Welcoming Children
“Whoever welcomes a little child, in my name, welcomes me."
a personal reflection, and implications for church life.
“Whoever welcomes a little child, in my name, welcomes me."
a personal reflection, and implications for church life.
Inclusiveness
Reading: Acts 11: 1-18, Peter at the Roman officer's house
A personal journey and challenge around being inclusive community, but it's not all about that.
It’s only human that we feel comfortable with people who look like us. We like our home tribe. ...
Thankfully for us the Spirit of Jesus was not at all concerned about categories, as it turned out, as Peter discovered much to his amazement. What’s extraordinary about the impact of that day in Cornelius’s house is that the Christians recognised the Spirit of Jesus at work in recognisable ways, even in people who dressed different, spoke different and ate different, people who did not share the bonds of faith story and ancestry with Jesus experienced the power and presence of Jesus.
Reading: Acts 11: 1-18, Peter at the Roman officer's house
A personal journey and challenge around being inclusive community, but it's not all about that.
It’s only human that we feel comfortable with people who look like us. We like our home tribe. ...
Thankfully for us the Spirit of Jesus was not at all concerned about categories, as it turned out, as Peter discovered much to his amazement. What’s extraordinary about the impact of that day in Cornelius’s house is that the Christians recognised the Spirit of Jesus at work in recognisable ways, even in people who dressed different, spoke different and ate different, people who did not share the bonds of faith story and ancestry with Jesus experienced the power and presence of Jesus.
Our BICULTURAL heritage
A deeply personal journey through my own experience of Maoritanga. Connected with Amos.
Whenua Tiaki Whanau
These are my three words for you today, ways in which I have experienced the power of the gospel of Jesus in and through Maori culture, ways in which I believe we need to stand together as Maori and Pakeha, as brother and sisters in Christ, at home in this land, caring for our earth, caring for the poor, caring for each other.
A deeply personal journey through my own experience of Maoritanga. Connected with Amos.
Whenua Tiaki Whanau
These are my three words for you today, ways in which I have experienced the power of the gospel of Jesus in and through Maori culture, ways in which I believe we need to stand together as Maori and Pakeha, as brother and sisters in Christ, at home in this land, caring for our earth, caring for the poor, caring for each other.
Worship with a KIWI accent
This morning I want to briefly set out for you my personal convictions about worship, in particular in relation to the readings from Amos and Colossians, and I want to tell you a little about some of the worship experiences that have most profoundly shaped me.
Living Lord, speak again your Word to us
in the words we speak and hear
in the stirrings we strain to hear
and in truth beyond sound or tongue. Amen.
This morning I want to briefly set out for you my personal convictions about worship, in particular in relation to the readings from Amos and Colossians, and I want to tell you a little about some of the worship experiences that have most profoundly shaped me.
Living Lord, speak again your Word to us
in the words we speak and hear
in the stirrings we strain to hear
and in truth beyond sound or tongue. Amen.
The importance of GRANDPARENTS
and a discussion of 2 Timothy.
This is the gift that you give to the children in your life. For your grandchildren and any other kids you come into contact with, you are the link with where they come from, you help lay the foundation of who they are and what matters in their lives. Never underestimate your importance.
And it matters that you speak words of faith to them.
and a discussion of 2 Timothy.
This is the gift that you give to the children in your life. For your grandchildren and any other kids you come into contact with, you are the link with where they come from, you help lay the foundation of who they are and what matters in their lives. Never underestimate your importance.
And it matters that you speak words of faith to them.
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'What I hope you heard'
Well, I've finished as Minister at Milson Combined Church in Palmerston North. Here is my final sermon, from Sunday 6 December 2015. It explores 4 big ideas. Here's the first: Idea 1: May no one feel unappreciated Whenever I go to a funeral I always come away asking myself ‘What do I want to be remembered for?’ – don’t you? I wonder what you would like to be remembered for. For myself, I have decided that if I had to pick just one thing it would be this – when people remember me I want them to know that they were appreciated by me. |
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Our Methodist Heritage
Part 1 of a personal journey exploring the three denominations that together formed the Milson Combined Church. My Methodist background includes the best and worst of church life. This sermon explores the origins of Methodism and highlights two major issues facing the church: the real danger of being content with 'old embers' and 'faded glory', and the problem with the "Do all the good you can" Methodist emphasis on 'good works'.
Part 1 of a personal journey exploring the three denominations that together formed the Milson Combined Church. My Methodist background includes the best and worst of church life. This sermon explores the origins of Methodism and highlights two major issues facing the church: the real danger of being content with 'old embers' and 'faded glory', and the problem with the "Do all the good you can" Methodist emphasis on 'good works'.
Our Anglican Heritage
Mark 6: 1-13
1 Kings 8:1-13
Part 2: The treasures and struggles of the Church of England and how is it grappling with the challenges of being relevant in the 21st century.
Mark 6: 1-13
1 Kings 8:1-13
Part 2: The treasures and struggles of the Church of England and how is it grappling with the challenges of being relevant in the 21st century.
Our Presbyterian Heritage
Part 3: The Church of Scotland, and how it has become the Presbyerian Church of Aotearoa NZ, with its diversity of cultures and convictions.
This sermon focuses in particular on the development of 'Contemporary Worship', which has become the standard style of worship in most churches in NZ, including our larger Presbyterian churches ... a critique and a personal reflection.
Part 3: The Church of Scotland, and how it has become the Presbyerian Church of Aotearoa NZ, with its diversity of cultures and convictions.
This sermon focuses in particular on the development of 'Contemporary Worship', which has become the standard style of worship in most churches in NZ, including our larger Presbyterian churches ... a critique and a personal reflection.
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Malcolm wrote this song for the Presbyterian national Assembly last year (2014). It expresses in music and visual image our identity, heritage, diversity and faith as a denomination.
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Church and Ecclesia
Deuteronomy 4: 9-20
Nehemiah 13:1-3
1 Corinthians 1:1-10
I would like to tell the story of ‘the church’ right from it’s very beginnings, and focus particularly on two words – the word used for ‘church’ in the Bible, and the actual word ‘church’. And along the way we will open up some of the hottest arguments through church history. I think it’s a fascinating story, I hope you do too.
(sermon cames with a 'Time Machine' Powerpoint)
Deuteronomy 4: 9-20
Nehemiah 13:1-3
1 Corinthians 1:1-10
I would like to tell the story of ‘the church’ right from it’s very beginnings, and focus particularly on two words – the word used for ‘church’ in the Bible, and the actual word ‘church’. And along the way we will open up some of the hottest arguments through church history. I think it’s a fascinating story, I hope you do too.
(sermon cames with a 'Time Machine' Powerpoint)
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Darning Spirit
A poem and prayer for the church 
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Private Women, Public Meals, by Kathleen Corley
An intriguing piece from a book called "Public meals about the role of women in the early church as expressed in the Synoptic Gospel's depiction of the involvement of women in the meals described in the Gospels.
An intriguing piece from a book called "Public meals about the role of women in the early church as expressed in the Synoptic Gospel's depiction of the involvement of women in the meals described in the Gospels.
