Sermons on Anthony Hopkins:

Four Weddings And A Funeral

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Nov 3, 2008

1 Corinthians 13’s message about Christian community

In the film Four weddings and a funeral, during the first wedding, the reader begins the well-worn reading of 1 Corinthians 13, saying, "if I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal". As the reader pauses for breath, someone ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Remembrance And Holy Communion

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Nov 11, 2008

A sermon linking themes of Remembrance Sunday and Holy Communion - an uncommon combination in English Free churches

This evening is something rather unusual in our church. Very rarely has our calendar so fallen that we celebrate Holy Communion on Remembrance Sunday. At first sight it seems very odd to mix something so religious, Holy Communion, with something with so many secular overtones, Remembrance Sunday. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reformation Sunday

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Oct 22, 2009

A Sermon for Reformation Sunday - the last Sunday in October

At St. Columba’s United Reformed Church in Oxford, where I spent many happy years, the premises are a little bit old and rambling. In a far away corner, not often visited was a hidden away toilet. This was always known as the Calvinist toilet, because it was very dark and gloomy. It’s a sure ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Mystery Of The Incarnation Made Real

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Jan 4, 2013

A short sermon contrasting a new born baby with the depth of the wonder of God's nature.

As some of you know, my wife and I had our first baby in August - Joanna. She’s such a little thing: defenceless, can’t move very far on her own, can’t feed, drink or clothe herself, can’t talk, and doesn’t know the Christmas story. But she has got out attention, not ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Was Was Hidden Has Been Reveled

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Jan 7, 2013

A sermon for the epiphany

A man was once eating fish and chips at the bus stop, and a lady with a small dog came along to wait for her bus. The dog clearly liked the smell of the fish and chips, and kept jumping up around the man’s legs to try and get at them. In the end the man smiled at the lady and asked, “do you mind ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Keep Calm And Carry On - A Sermon For Ash Wednesday

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Feb 17, 2013

A sermon for Ash Wednesday - for a UK congregation

Joel 2:1-2 & 12-17 John 8:1-11 I’m beginning, totally unsuitably for Lent, with an expression of pride. I’m very proud of my collection of the complete set of Carry On films - it’s the earthy British humour of the 1960s and 1970s at its best (or worst, depending upon your point ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Calling In The Wilderness

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Feb 17, 2013

A sermon for the first Sunday of Lent

Luke 4:1-13 Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Romans 10:9-13 I’m told that it’s impossible to be hungry in the desert because of the sand which is everywhere. Today our readings take us into the desert, or the wilderness if you prefer (the words are the same in the Greek and Hebrew). Why is this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

King David And His Relevance For Today

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Aug 25, 2011

A look at the life of King David, and what that might have to say to Christians today.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed that some of the MPs criticising the Murdochs and News International have a dubious track record in terms of expenses, and might therefore not be in a position to criticise the morals of others. Likewise, Stephen Fry remarked on the inappropriateness of any ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:18-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Paradox Of The Gospel

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Aug 28, 2011

The inherent paradox in scripture and Christian life

Exodus 3:1-15 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28 Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This is probably the best known paradox of all time. Here are some more light-hearted paradoxes are that you might like to consider: Computer security Political science Tight slacks Definite maybe Pretty ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Are There Limits?

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Oct 8, 2010

The scripture reading show that God has no limits in the way that humans perceive them, and challenges listeners to consider their own limits.

2 Kings 5.1-15 2 Timothy 2.8-15 Luke 17.11-19 I wonder if you’ve ever watched I’m a celebrity…get me out of here? Selected celebrities are expected to face things most of us would rather avoid, like putting one’s arm into a tank full of writhing snakes, or handling a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don't Assume

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Oct 14, 2010

A sermon for a school service of teenagers, not necessarily believers.

I want to begin this morning thinking about assumptions. If I asked you what is about six inches long and produces a white, frothy substance when rubbed back and forth and in and out, I’m sure you’d all make an assumption, when the answer is in fact a toothbrush. Assumptions cause all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Being And Becoming

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Feb 2, 2009

A sermon on the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (also called Candlemas)

I wonder if you’re familiar with fresh lychees? The fresh fruit is much more pleasant than the tinned variety. They are small fruit about the size of a walnut. On the outside is rough and robust skin, which might lead you think it wasn’t worth opening, but when one peels it, inside is a soft, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Taking A Leap

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Jan 26, 2020

A challenge to take leap of faith - a risk - for God

Genesis 12:1-9 Hebrews 11:1-3 & 8-12 Psalm 91 Mark 1:16-20 This year is a leap year. 29 February is a special day which comes round only once every four years. 29 February is considered by some as a day to do something out of the usual, such as women proposing marriage to men. Radio 4’s PM ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Who?

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on May 26, 2013

Use of Jeremiah, John, and Luke, to bring out three persons of the Trinity, and an analogy with TV programme Dr Who - different faces and mystery.

Luke 19:1-10 Jeremiah 32:21-25 John 20:19-23 As a child, I always enjoyed Dr Who on a Saturday teatime. For me, Tom Baker was the doctor - the others who came after weren’t quite the same. Perhaps, for you it was Jon Pertwee who was the doctor, or Patrick Troughton, or William Hartnell; or ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:21-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Psalm 1

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Sep 7, 2021

A short sermon exploring Psalm 1

Psalm 1 Charles Wesley wrote the hymn O for a thousand tongues in 1739 on the anniversary of his conversion experience. It was published in the first collection of Methodist hymns in 1780 where it was number one, and for two centuries it was number one in every Methodist hymnbook since then until ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed