Sermons on Firm Footing:

Do Not Be Afraid

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 1, 2018

The message of Christmas is sometimes lost in the business of buying presents and getting ready for the big day. So the message of the angels announcing the birth of Jesus is reassuring, 'Do not be afraid' - Peace message.

“Do not be afraid.” – said the angel Those words are right in the middle of the gospel reading we hear at Christmas - in fact the very first words that are spoken. “Do not be afraid.” And then it gets even better. “Behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Epiphany O Godhead Hid

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 1, 2018

The Wise Men seek the child Jesus and travel a long way from the East following a star, they even have to seek advice from King Herod to find Him. Its a little like a children's game of Hide and Seek.

O GODHEAD HID. MATT. 2:1-12. One of the most popular games among children has to be hide-and-seek - the rules are very simple. One child closes their eyes and counts to a hundred, while all the others hide - "Are you ready? Here I come." And one by one they are sought out from their hiding places ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

God For All

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 1, 2018

Jesus was born into a Jewish family as God's chosen Messiah for the Jews. The feast of the Epiphany when we celebrate to revealing of Jesus to the gentiles clearly shows that Jesus was born for everyone and is reaching out to YOU.

God for ALL Matt 2:1-12 Today we have the readings for the feast of the Epiphany and from the early days of the Church, this feast has been considered in some ways more important than Christmas. Epiphany recalls the arrival of the magi to Bethlehem in search of the King of the Jews and 'epiphany' ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

We Three Kings

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 1, 2018

We all know the hymn, 'We three kings of orient are..' but do we know the gospel facts underpinning this hymn and the significance of that visit to the child Jesus?

We 3 kings Matt 2:1-12 When you think of Christmas carols that are appropriate with Epiphany I’m sure you will come up with: “We Three Kings of Orient are. ...” But ironically in just that 1st line of 5 words there are 3 very slight errors but that does NOT subtract from the importance of this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Abide With Me O Lord

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 18, 2021

In life we all go through troubled times some of which can easily overwhelm us but we are reassured that we are never alone a promise encapsulated in the hymn, 'Abide with me.'

Abide with Me Hymns play a very important part in our worship, by singing we in a sense give ourselves in praise and adoration to Almighty God. For this to work there are a number of essential components, ingredients: • The words, ideally based on Scripture and full of meaning • The music which ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9, Hebrews 11:1, Matthew 28:18-20, Isaiah 40:25-31

God's Amazing Grace

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 22, 2021

God’s Grace is the most fantastic gift God has given us. Grace changes lives, gives a new perspective of what life is all about and we can learn so much from each other's experience, for example John Newton.

AMAZING GRACE God’s Grace is the most fantastic gift God has given us. In fact its unbelievable but its there for all of us and its proof is revealed in His Son Jesus Christ. That God in His divine Grace gave His only Son to die on the cross for us – and Jesus did this willingly for each one of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Romans 6:1-14, Isaiah 53:4-5

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

Mothering Sunday At Gaddesby

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 13, 2018

There is nothing more tender than the love of a mother for her child and there are many example where this love has been shown and Mary the mother of Jesus is an excellent example. This sermon is based on one written by Martin Dale.

Mothering Sunday at Gaddesby Martin Dale Luke 2:33-35 There is a true stories about the Holocaust of the 2nd World War which illustrates a Mother’s love. Solomon Rosenberg, his wife and their 2 sons were arrested, together with his mother and father for the crime of being Jews. They were placed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:34-35

Judas Iscariot

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 13, 2018

Why did Judas Iscariot betray Jesus - was there an ulterior motive? Did Judas Iscariot see something in Jesus that the other disciples missed? Was Judas Iscariot trying to kick-start Jesus into action as the real and promised Messiah, the expected Messiah

Judas Iscariot John 12: 1-8 Today’s gospel from John is set in holy week, the anointing of Jesus with precious ointment – a poignant scene; but Judas reacted that it was a terrible waste, the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor. John's comment is that Judas said this, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 26:47-50, John 12:1-8

Mary And The Passion Of Jesus

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 13, 2018

Simeons prediction that, 'A sword will pierce your own soul too' to Mary was to come true time and time again and how it must of hurt. Mary was there and watch the happy, the terrible and horrific moments of her Son ministry but could do nothing.

Mary and the Passion of Jesus The words of Simeon spoken in the temple to Mary: "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel....and a sword will pierce your own soul too." I wonder what Mary made of this, did she expected it to lead to death on a cross? There she ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:29-35

Jesus And The Temple

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 13, 2018

Why did Jesus lose His temper in the Temple when He saw the traders and money changers there? The context explains everything - they were on the take! Jesus was a danger to their profits and had to go.

The temple John 2:13-25 The reading we have just heard from John's gospel might seem rather strange especially as it is at the start of his gospel; but ironically the synoptic gospels have this incident in the temple at the start of His last week just after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem - ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25, Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46