Sermons on secure footing:

The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Apr 21, 2018

Jesus said that He was the Good Shepherd, the kind of Shepherd that looks after and protects the sheep - Jesus not only preached this but lived up to it to the full, even to dying so as to protect the sheep.

The Good Shepherd John 10: 11-18 Today’s reading is part of a dialogue which culminates in one of the ‘I AM’ saying of Jesus. St John’s gospel is renowned for its I AM sayings as it gives a unique picture of Jesus and the characteristics of the Son of God. Those two words in themselves are very ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-18, Isaiah 40:10-11

What Is True Friendship?

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Apr 24, 2018

We might know a lot of people and some we might call our friends - what are the characteristics of a friend, what do we look for in a friend? Jesus calls us His friends - are we worthy of this wonderful relationship with our saviour?

WHAT IS TRUE FRIENDSHIP? JOHN 15:9-17. Jesus tells us that we are His friends. What are the basic elements of friendship? There is acceptance. A friendship is composed of two people who accept each other as they are. I may not understand everything I know about you; I may not even like some of ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

The Cross Is A Way Of Living

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 3, 2018

Jesus predicts His death and Peter doesn't want this to happen, but Jesus' reaction is quite nasty: 'Get behind me Satan'. This seems so out of character for Jesus - so what is going on here?

THE CROSS IS A WAY OF LIVING. MT. 16: 21-27; Mark 8: 31-38 Today’s gospel reading is quite a strange story in the life of Jesus – He is quite nasty, definitely out of character. But the important thing here is to read or hear this story in the context of Peter’s human nature. This is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-27, Mark 8:31-38, Luke 9:22-27

Transferable Gospel - Well Done My Son

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 3, 2018

The transfiguration of Jesus moves around in the liturgical calendar but always appears before a great trial ahead for Jesus.

Transferable gospel - Well done my Son Luke 9: 28-36 We have all heard of a transferable feast and the best example is Easter as it occurs at a different time each year. Naturally Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Good Friday also follow this pattern. Today’s gospel reading about the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36, Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, 2 Peter 1:17-18

Listen To Him

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 3, 2018

We stand as onlookers with Peter, James and John and see a very special experience - a mysterious experience and hear God say: "This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him"

Listen to Him Luke 9:28-36 Today we stand as onlookers with Peter, James and John and see a very special experience - a mysterious experience. His countenance, and even the robe Jesus is wearing, begins to glow until it is a dazzling white and with him we see two men - Moses the law-giver, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36, Mark 9:2-8, Matthew 17:1-8, 2 Peter 1:17-18

The Hymn Of Love

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 10, 2018

1 Corinthians 13 is a fantastic piece of NT scripture which we can all emanate in our daily lives. It is commonly called the Hymn of Love and if we turn the statements of love into questions for ourselves AND fulfil them we would be better Christians.

The Hymn of Love 1 Cor 13:1-8 Today we have a very well known passage from St Paul’s letter the Corinthian Church some times called the hymn of LOVE. And this hymn of love tells us so much about ourselves and the way we should live the Christian life, and if we are honest it shows us our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Mothering Sunday

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 10, 2018

Mothering Sunday, the 4th Sunday in Lent focuses on 3 mothers - Mary the mother of Jesus, Mother Church and our own mothers.

Mothering Sunday A 102 year old lady was asked if she had any worries. Her reply, 'No not now I have got my youngest son in an old people's home'. I guess parents never stop worrying about their children. However, sometimes it's the children that worry about their parents and the things they ...read more

The Beatitudes - You’re Blessed !

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Nov 4, 2017

Each Beatitudes is a proverb-like saying, cryptic, precise, and full of meaning which isn't always crystal clear and using the NRSV and the Message for 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven' reveals the importance of GRACE.

The Beatitudes - You’re Blessed (NRSV vs The Message) - Matt 5:3 Todays gospel for All saints day is known as the “Beatitudes” and is one of the best known and loved verses of the Gospel. It forms the beginning of what has come to be known as the “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus saw the crowds ...read more

Gods Power Is Shown In Mercy And Pity

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Sep 1, 2017

The Collect for Trinity 11 is quite profound and has something to teach us: O God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity THE COLLECT - God's power is shown in mercy and pity O God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-2, Luke 18:9-14

The Honour Of Second Place

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 17, 2017

In life there are those who seem to be born leaders but leaders need the essential support of others and appear to take 2nd place. The disciple of Jesus, Andrew shows us very clearly that there is Honour in taking Second Place.

I’m sure in the past you have either applied for a job or some position and you attended an interview panel or selection board. Well picture the disciples before such an examining board which was appointed to choose Jesus' closest associates. Peter stood there smelling of fish -- uncouth, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

St Peter And Hans Christian Andersen

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 31, 2017

The first letter of Peter takes your breath away as he relates to the wonderful gift God has given us in His Son that we are children of God and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven. Andersen relates how God in Christ gives us a totally new view on life.

St Peter and Hans Christian Andersen 1 Peter 1:3-12 There are few passages in the NT where more of the great fundamental Christian ideas come together than in this passage of St Peter. It begins with a doxology to God--but a doxology with a difference. For a Jew the commonest of all beginnings to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

The Best Is Yet To Come

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 31, 2017

Jesus keeps the vintage wine until everyone is drunk. This is the same for the vintage years of our lives - old age is viewed as something NOT to be thought of but Jesus shows us that our vintage year are the best yet to come.

The Best is Yet to Come Gospel reading: John 2:1-12 from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) The Wedding at Cana 1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-12

Resurrection Foundations

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Apr 4, 2017

Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." This is the foundation of the Christian faith and is full of hope for the future whateve

Resurrection foundations (John 11:17-44) The whole meaning of Easter is summed up in what Jesus said to Martha: I am ‘the resurrection and the life’ and because He is who He is, we pray that He will so raise us, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness’ When Jesus said that He was the ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-44, Romans 8:10-11, Job 19:25-27, Romans 8:35-39

Ambition

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Apr 4, 2017

James and John wanted to to sit at Christ's side in His kingdom - is this raw ambition? or is there something else here we can learn from?

Ambition Matthew 20:20 - 28 Today we see two of Jesus' closest disciple being ambitious, the request to sit at Christ's side in His kingdom. Ironically in Mark’s gospel it is James and John who actually come to Jesus with this request. In Matthew, today's gospel, it is their mother… ambition. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45

Easter Hymn - Thine Be The Glory

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Apr 24, 2017

One of the most popular Easter Hymns ever written based on the gospel accounts and so brings out the real meaning of Christ's glorious resurrection - a joy to sing and full of meaning.

Thine be the glory Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son is one of the best Easter hymns that we have and I have some very happy memories of singing it. I remember singing it at All Saints church Rhiwbina one Easter when we had a set of drums accompanying the organ and it was fantastic! The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55, Romans 8:37-39