Sermons on gerard manley hopkins: showing 121-135 of 434

What Is Our Church For?

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Sep 9, 2010

How God seeks out the lost, through the only mediator - Jesus Christ.

Luke 15:1-10 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Exodus 32:7-14 There’s a story told about the boss of a big company who needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialled the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whispered, "Hello?" ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

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

God: Father, Son, And Holy Spirit

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Jun 10, 2009

A sermon on the doctrine of the Trinity

The story is told of a man feeling suicidal, who climbed from his office window onto the ledge outside. Naturally his colleagues were concerned, and one climbed out and sat next to him on the window ledge. After a few words the conversation went something like this: “I get a lot of strength from ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sowing Seeds Of God's Kingdom

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Jun 11, 2009

Mustard seed and the kingdom with practical examples

I’ll begin by saying that our second reading is a very complicated passage indeed. Indeed, it’s so complicated and obscure that I’ve decided to say nothing about this morning, and concentrate on our gospel reading, because it would be too long and involved to try and make sense of it now. So, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Significance Of Questions

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Jun 18, 2009

Lookign at questions in the context of Job 38, and Jesus stilling the storm in Mark 4

One of the most unhelpful ideas about Christianity, indeed about faith in general, is that doubt is the opposite of faith. It is not. Certainty is the opposite of faith. Doubt is an intrinsic part of faith, for by definition faith is about making a commitment and a decision about matters that ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-11

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

Father's Day 2012

Contributed by Tyler Hopkins on Aug 31, 2012

A Father's Day sermon where I focus on Noah and how he honored God as a father.

Now I am not a father so I can't speak from personal experience about father-type things. I have worked in children's ministries for a few years, so I like to think that counts for something. The best example for fathers is, of course, found in scripture. I'm going a little unorthodox with what ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Storms Of Life

Contributed by Tyler Hopkins on Aug 31, 2012

I talk about how Jesus is with us through our storms and what we need to do in our storms.

I want to open this sermon with the scripture from Mark 4:35-41,"35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: United Methodist

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

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