In Sermons:

A Fool For Christ

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Oct 20, 2012

2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10 It is in our weakness that we find the true strength of Christ - St Paul addresses those who considered themselves

SJE sermon series: 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10, 26 August 2012 This is our second last installment in our series through Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth. What we are hearing this week is Paul’s use of irony and the startling conclusion – it is in weakness that the ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Bread For Dogs

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Oct 20, 2012

Mark 7:24-37 expository sermon on the encounter between Jesus and the Syrophonecian woman, even the dogs eat the crumbs under the children's table.

Preaching in a different pulpit Sunday, filling in for a friend. This is a re-work of a sermon from earlier this year. Bread for dogs. 9 September 2012, Mark 7:24-37, Trinity 14 We are going to specifically look at a couple of the themes emphasized in this portion: bread, being filled completely ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Resilient Faith

Contributed by Egerton Gbonda on Sep 10, 2012

Resilient faith- waiting for your turn and not giving up

A RESILIENT FAITH INTRODUCTION Imagine you have an important appointment and so you left home pretty early to avoid the usual traffic hold ups. Perhaps you are in your own vehicle to travel to the place or a commercial transport e.g. a cab. The journey apparently looks smooth sailing. However half ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Being Should Equate To The Doing

Contributed by Egerton Gbonda on Sep 3, 2012

BE DOERS OF THE WORD

THE BEING SHOULD EQUATE TO THE DOING Our readings this morning i.e. the set of verses in Gospel of Mark chapter 7: 1-8, 14-15 and 21-23 coupled with the epistle reading of James chapter 1 verses 17 to 27 point to this fact (among others) that our outward doings should reflect our being. Therefore, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Challenging The Authority Of Jesus

Contributed by David Cain on Aug 4, 2012

The authority of Jesus was constantly challenged. We must avoid doing the same

Challenging the Authority of Jesus (Mark 3:20 to 35) Our reading this morning describes two challenges to the authority of Jesus. They are very different challenges; the first is from his family who we would expect to be on his side and the second comes from some teachers of the law who we would ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Light Of The World

Contributed by David Cain on May 2, 2012

A reminder that, just as Jesus is the light of the world, we are called to be his lights in the world

The Light of the World Our gospel reading this morning is Mark’s telling of the transfiguration of Jesus. It is a fascinating story, and quite unusual in the ministry of Jesus as Moses and Elijah are brought back to life in a scene witnessed by three of disciples. The heart of the story is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-13

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Talent For The Ridiculous! Series

Contributed by David Smith on Apr 30, 2012

We’ve reached a familiar story in the book of Matthew – the parable of the talents.

It’s a parable I’ve known since my youth - one I am quite familiar with – and having been in this parish almost 21 years now, it’s one that I am reaching for the 7th time even since I’ve been here, which is why it is all the more astounding that I’ve never ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Why I’m Not A Hospital Chaplain

Contributed by David Smith on Mar 9, 2012

My colleague, Father Elias, began his sermon on the Sunday I was in hospital by saying.

My colleague, Father Elias, began his sermon on the Sunday I was in hospital by saying, “I think if it had appeared in the paper that a priest had threatened to beat up a fellow patient in a Sydney Hospital, the most common response would have been, ‘I didn’t know Dave was in hospital!’” I’ve ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

I Do Not Box As One Punching The Air!

Contributed by David Smith on Mar 1, 2012

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

“before I Was A Muslim I Was A Christian”

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 27, 2012

I had the privilege last Friday night of being back amongst my friends at the Imam Husain Islamic Centre where we met to grieve the death of the father of my dear friend, Sheikh Mansour Leghaei.

I had the privilege last Friday night of being back amongst my friends at the Imam Husain Islamic Centre where we met to grieve the death of the father of my dear friend, Sheikh Mansour Leghaei. And it was good to be back amongst those lovely people, and it was good to a part of the live Skype ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Another Miracle (Mark 1:29-39)

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 5, 2012

After they left the synagogue, they went directly to the house of Simon and Andrew, along with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed, sick with a fever, so they promptly told Jesus about her. He went up to her, took her by the hand, a

In fact, the whole city gathered at the door. He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. However, he wouldn’t allow the demons to speak because they knew who he was. In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went to a deserted place and ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Tale Of Two Hero-Cowards

Contributed by Egerton Gbonda on Aug 23, 2011

REMEMBER GOD'S PROMISES/BLESSINGS AND TRUST HIM AMIDST YOUR CURRENT CHALLENGES

THE TALE OF TWO HERO-COWARDS Introduction: This morning, I want us to take a look at two great figures in the Bible- one is from the Old Testament, who was named ‘Jehovah is my God’- i.e. Elijah (and the meaning of his name is actually ‘Jehovah is my God’). The other is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Who Is Jesus?

Contributed by Egerton Gbonda on Aug 23, 2011

JESUS IS THE MESSIAH- THE SAVIOUR AND THE ANOINTED KING

WHO IS JESUS? As a partial fulfilment for their BA degree, a group of students at UoJ were given an extended essay to do a research paper on the topic: ‘Who is Jesus?’ As part of their research strategy, they used the participant observation methodology. Time came for their essays to be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Thanksgiving And Mission

Contributed by Egerton Gbonda on Jul 16, 2011

THANKSGIVING AND OUTREACH

THANKSGIVING AND MISSION Introduction This is a day of thanksgiving as we thank God for the birthday of the church. Birthdays are often times we spend to reflect- giving deep thoughts on the past; perhaps our achievements and challenges. It is also a time we may look at our future- the years ahead ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-32

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Why Did Jesus Have To Suffer?

Contributed by Eric Sellgren on Jul 1, 2011

The world cries why when terrible things happen. Here is God's answer

WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO SUFFER? Time after time I’ve heard people ask the question “WHY?”.When the tsunami happened, many people throughout the world asked “Why?” and came up with some very strange answers. When someone we love very much suffers greatly throughout a ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican