He started by saying the proof that God allows bad things to happen in the world is that he was allowing him to preach.
A remarkably accurate statement as it happens.
I certainly agree with the point about people taking from a sermon what God is saying to them rather than necessarily what the preacher thought the main point was. I know I often latch on to a particular phrase or idea within a sermon that rings a bell with what I feel God has been showing me, and then run with that, while probably giving little thought to the other 95% of the sermon! On the odd occasion I have been called upon to share a message, I have always felt that a large part of what I say will fall on stony ground, but some of it will come alive for different individuals - probably different bits for different people - and those will be the bits God put in there! I've also sometimes found I've catch myself throwing in an extra thought that hadn't occurred to me when planning what to say - and that is precisely the bit that someone later says 'I really liked what you said about....'.
He started by saying the proof that God allows bad things to happen in the world is that he was allowing him to preach.
A remarkably accurate statement as it happens.
Our Palm Sunday gospel reading was Matthew's account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, leading to the sermon topic of Your King Comes.
I found the talk (not our usual minister) was rather rambling and disjointed, with lots of references back to Old Testament prophets and psalms which the preacher identified as references to Jesus. I thought some of these rather stretched the point, particularly a link between the Hebrew for "Nazareth" and "branch" - at which point I think he lost most of the congregation.
An explanation of how, according to Matthew, Jesus managed to ride both a donkey and a colt into Jerusalem at the same time would have been far more entertaining.
We got Mark 14-15 read with brief explanatory notes. The preacher didn't feel there was much he could add that would do better than the actual text, and wisely IMHO didn't try.
The palms we hold may be in imitation of those who took part in "welcoming the King," but they point toward the events at the center of our faith: the Cross and Resurrection.
At our Tenebrae Communion Service on Maundy Thursday evening our minister led a reflection, rather than give a sermon, on what happened at Gethsemane. Peter drew his sword to fight for Jesus, but he chose the wrong battle. We all face various battles in our lives, but we need to choose which are the ones we should fight
What was the sermon about at your place this week @Zappa ?
Actually you asked that last Septemeber but I just saw it today, and, as Kuruman read from the closure of The Last Battle - which we've used elsewhere before - but which says more of resurrection hope and the New Heavens and the New Earth than certainly I could ever say, I thought I'd reply, belatedly.
As a believer who struggles to believe in suprarationality (despite having written a book on the Book of Revelation) I find that passage inspirational (alongside Carroll's "impossible things before breakfast") and it keeps my faith and hope stumbling along.
The Easter Sunday gospel reading was Mark's account of the empty tomb
We were invited to put ourselves in the place of the women as our preacher narrated the various emotions they must have experienced. She went on to discuss the different views that commentators have on the abrupt ending of Mark's gospel, saying it is up to us to continue Mark's story as we share the "good news of Jesus Christ" (Mark 1: 1) with others.
The story of Jesus healing the paralysed man lowered through the roof by his friends in Mark 2: 1-12.
Interesting that nothing is said about the faith (or lack of faith) of the man himself. It appears to be the faith and persistence of the four friends that impressed Jesus.
The story of Jesus healing the paralysed man lowered through the roof by his friends in Mark 2: 1-12.
Interesting that nothing is said about the faith (or lack of faith) of the man himself. It appears to be the faith and persistence of the four friends that impressed Jesus.
Yes, very interesting. Though it must have taken some faith for the man to agree to be lowered that way. I doubt i could have done it! Scary, that.
Jesus offers an invitation to everlasting life - but it is time limited
All nations will be invited to the heavenly banquet: they will come because God's words won't fail
Go and make disciples. The imperative is not so much in the word "Go" as in the phrase "Make disciples". A better word for "disciples" is "apprentices."
The reading from Acts 4:32 - 5:11 told of the early believers sharing their possessions, and the consequences for Ananias & Sapphira when they lied about this.
Our minister said this is a difficult passage to deal with, but proposed two (not three!) points that could be relevant to us today:
* Embrace self-sacrificial generosity
* Avoid self-serving hypocrisy
He failed to mention the context that the early Christians expected Christ's return (ushering in "the end times") to be very soon, so would not need to hold on to their wealth & possessions or plan finances for the long term.
Today is (clerical) vocations Sunday across the RC world.
Our supply priest from India told us about his childhood as a Christian family in a part of India where Christians were a tiny minority. Sunday seemed to involve Church in some way from 6.30am to 10.30pm.
"I am the good shepherd."
Apart from thoughts about the nature of sheep and shepherding, the point was made that Jesus horrified his listeners by saying I am, using the forbidden-to-be-uttered name of God.
Not being a student of ancient languages, would this have applied in Aramaic? or NT Greek?
Singing. We sing to God, God sings over us. The speaker was a member of the worship team and was clearly passionate about the subject which really brought it to life.
The importance of names in the Bible, with particular reference to "the only name by which we can be saved" and the duality between Jesus being both an utterly ordinary name in the NT period while also being entirely fitting in its literal meaning.
It was Shepherd Sunday so we got the usual stuff about The Good Shepherd. I zoned out after a couple of minutes - we had the same chap for the same Sunday last year and I'm pretty sure we got the same sermon.
We are citizens of both earth and heaven.
We should fulfil our responsibilities here in line with the privileges we have in heaven
Vote early, vote often.
I read that lesson, but the sermon was on “I am the true vine.”
Apart from a personal anecdote about making wine from uncle’s grapes each year, nothing else stuck.
Something about love. The visiting priest seemed to be in a hurry. He rattled through Mass, but preached a longer than usual homily.
Personally I would rather he kept his priceless insights brief and took a bit of time over the liturgy.
I’m not sure whether I would do this with the text, but I think you could argue that Ruth’s commitment is more than just a personal commitment to Naomi, but also a willingness to put her trust in Naomi’s God and become part of his people — rather in the teeth of the evidence at that point in the tale*. And that since the coming of Jesus Christ, the equivalent is to place your trust in him.
(*Echoes of Job (13.15) ‘Though he kill me, yet I will trust in him.’)
We're on a journey of change and it can be positive and help us grow. Change is a curve: from Denial (this is not happening to me), through Anger (this shouldn't happen to me), Resistance (I'm going to make this as difficult as possible) and Acceptance (hey, it's not too bad) to Growing (I'm rather enjoying this). The (I think slightly tenuous) link to the Bible passage was that following Jesus means change, but it will be ok.
Lifted from Elisabeth Kubler-Ross “ on Death and Dying”.
Oh, really? I don't think the speaker accredited her, but my attention might have drifted at that point.
Today continued the new series on being Stirred Not Shaken: humanly stirred but divinely unshaken. Paul describes in Philippians 3:4-14 his journey from being driven by rules to being drawn by God's presence. It sounds a tenuous link between subject and passage but it kind of made sense at the time.
God works out his plans and purposes in the ordinary, mundane events of life.
There is no divide between sacred and secular.
Jesus is our great kinsman-redeemer.
Bell Sunday.( No, I didn’t know either).
The history of bells, church bells and that particular church’s bells.
Finally some comment about our commitment to each other ( all pulling together?)
OK it 's Pentecost. So the reading was most of Acts 2. But it wasn't really preached on.
Just some bollocks about baptism in the Holy Spirt offensively and incompetently delivered.
OK it 's Pentecost. So the reading was most of Acts 2. But it wasn't really preached on.
Just some bollocks about baptism in the Holy Spirt offensively and incompetently delivered.
I always look forward to your sermon reports. I admire your ability to cope.
OK it 's Pentecost. So the reading was most of Acts 2. But it wasn't really preached on.
Just some bollocks about baptism in the Holy Spirt offensively and incompetently delivered.
Fair enough (sadly!). What do you look for in a good sermon?
OK it 's Pentecost. So the reading was most of Acts 2. But it wasn't really preached on.
Just some bollocks about baptism in the Holy Spirt offensively and incompetently delivered.
Fair enough (sadly!). What do you look for in a good sermon?
No bollocks, presumably. Which takes us back to 28 April and Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch.
Comments
A remarkably accurate statement as it happens.
🤣
Matthew's account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, leading to the sermon topic of Your King Comes.
I found the talk (not our usual minister) was rather rambling and disjointed, with lots of references back to Old Testament prophets and psalms which the preacher identified as references to Jesus. I thought some of these rather stretched the point, particularly a link between the Hebrew for "Nazareth" and "branch" - at which point I think he lost most of the congregation.
An explanation of how, according to Matthew, Jesus managed to ride both a donkey and a colt into Jerusalem at the same time would have been far more entertaining.
A consignment of geriatric shoemakers about how Jesus met this prophecy and this was amazing.
Also "Hosanna" means "Save us" and we all need to be saved.
.
Actually you asked that last Septemeber but I just saw it today, and, as Kuruman read from the closure of The Last Battle - which we've used elsewhere before - but which says more of resurrection hope and the New Heavens and the New Earth than certainly I could ever say, I thought I'd reply, belatedly.
As a believer who struggles to believe in suprarationality (despite having written a book on the Book of Revelation) I find that passage inspirational (alongside Carroll's "impossible things before breakfast") and it keeps my faith and hope stumbling along.
We were invited to put ourselves in the place of the women as our preacher narrated the various emotions they must have experienced. She went on to discuss the different views that commentators have on the abrupt ending of Mark's gospel, saying it is up to us to continue Mark's story as we share the "good news of Jesus Christ" (Mark 1: 1) with others.
Interesting that nothing is said about the faith (or lack of faith) of the man himself. It appears to be the faith and persistence of the four friends that impressed Jesus.
Jesus is our Prophet, Priest and King. We are seated with him in the heavenly places. Let's be grateful to him.
Yes, very interesting. Though it must have taken some faith for the man to agree to be lowered that way. I doubt i could have done it! Scary, that.
Jesus offers an invitation to everlasting life - but it is time limited
All nations will be invited to the heavenly banquet: they will come because God's words won't fail
The reading from Acts 4:32 - 5:11 told of the early believers sharing their possessions, and the consequences for Ananias & Sapphira when they lied about this.
Our minister said this is a difficult passage to deal with, but proposed two (not three!) points that could be relevant to us today:
* Embrace self-sacrificial generosity
* Avoid self-serving hypocrisy
He failed to mention the context that the early Christians expected Christ's return (ushering in "the end times") to be very soon, so would not need to hold on to their wealth & possessions or plan finances for the long term.
Our supply priest from India told us about his childhood as a Christian family in a part of India where Christians were a tiny minority. Sunday seemed to involve Church in some way from 6.30am to 10.30pm.
Apart from thoughts about the nature of sheep and shepherding, the point was made that Jesus horrified his listeners by saying I am, using the forbidden-to-be-uttered name of God.
Not being a student of ancient languages, would this have applied in Aramaic? or NT Greek?
Jesus is the Greatest prophet
We should listen to him
And act on what he says
We are citizens of both earth and heaven.
We should fulfil our responsibilities here in line with the privileges we have in heaven
Vote early, vote often.
Apart from a personal anecdote about making wine from uncle’s grapes each year, nothing else stuck.
Personally I would rather he kept his priceless insights brief and took a bit of time over the liturgy.
Even in the darkest times there is hope in God.
We should trust Jesus and become part of his family.
(*Echoes of Job (13.15) ‘Though he kill me, yet I will trust in him.’)
We're on a journey of change and it can be positive and help us grow. Change is a curve: from Denial (this is not happening to me), through Anger (this shouldn't happen to me), Resistance (I'm going to make this as difficult as possible) and Acceptance (hey, it's not too bad) to Growing (I'm rather enjoying this). The (I think slightly tenuous) link to the Bible passage was that following Jesus means change, but it will be ok.
Oh, really? I don't think the speaker accredited her, but my attention might have drifted at that point.
Today continued the new series on being Stirred Not Shaken: humanly stirred but divinely unshaken. Paul describes in Philippians 3:4-14 his journey from being driven by rules to being drawn by God's presence. It sounds a tenuous link between subject and passage but it kind of made sense at the time.
God works out his plans and purposes in the ordinary, mundane events of life.
There is no divide between sacred and secular.
Jesus is our great kinsman-redeemer.
The history of bells, church bells and that particular church’s bells.
Finally some comment about our commitment to each other ( all pulling together?)
Just some bollocks about baptism in the Holy Spirt offensively and incompetently delivered.
I always look forward to your sermon reports. I admire your ability to cope.
Fair enough (sadly!). What do you look for in a good sermon?
No bollocks, presumably. Which takes us back to 28 April and Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch.