Sermons on John Newton:

What Will We Wear?

Contributed by John Newton on Jan 15, 2022

Paul tells us about the spiritual wardrobe that the Holy Spirit provides for us

“What will we wear?” Back when I was first ordained, that was a question that many people asked themselves on a Sunday morning. In those days, people used to dress up for church. Tie straight, pants pressed, shoes polished… People would talk about putting on their Sunday best. By and large, that ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:11-17

Denomination: Episcopal

In The Mean Time...

Contributed by John Newton on Jan 15, 2022

God has promised us a new creation and empowers us to live it in the here and now, as it has already been purchased for us through Jesus’ death on the cross.

Years ago (in fact it was the first summer after we were married), Karen and I decided that we would spend our summer vacation visiting her relatives and my birthplace here in Nova Scotia. We didn’t have a large salary between us, and we were young and adventuresome, so we decided that it would be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-21

Denomination: Episcopal

No Condemnation!

Contributed by John Newton on Jan 15, 2022

Through his Son Jesus Christ God has rescued us from both the penalty and the power of sin

Allow me to begin by saying what tremendous joy it gives me to be worshiping with you “at” Messiah once again. Even though we can’t be with one another physically, it has been a joy for Karen and me to be able to join with you virtually for your online services. At the same time, I have to say ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal

"The Wind Blows Where It Wills”

Contributed by John Newton on May 24, 2021

The wind that blew through the upper room at Pentecost still blows today

It’s probably been a long time since you were in a room with a hundred and twenty people. But I want you to do your best to imagine it anyway. You might even need to close your eyes for a moment—as long as you promise not to fall asleep! The scene I want you to form in your minds is, of course, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Episcopal

The Real Miracle Of Pentecost

Contributed by John Newton on May 24, 2021

A focus on what happened after the events in the Upper Room

I wonder how many people had their TV sets switched on yesterday morning at 5 o’clock. That’s when the CBC coverage of the royal wedding began and for the next five hours I can only imagine that millions of viewers were glued to their screens, trying to catch a glimpse of this or that celebrity ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Episcopal

He Will Speak Peace

Contributed by John Newton on Dec 10, 2024

We focus on peace in the Second Sunday of Advent, in Psalm 85.

I wonder how many of you, when you’re reading a book, take time to examine the copyright page or read through the backflap or the author’s bio. I have to admit that as often as not I am one of those people. When I’m reading a book I can often find it helpful to know a little bit about who wrote it ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal

Good News For All

Contributed by John Newton on Feb 3, 2025

The Galatians wanted to put restrictions on the new Gentile converts in their church. But Paul put his foot down...

The little churches in Galatia were facing a serious issue—and they didn’t know what to do about it. It may seem surprising, but their problem revolved around the fact that they were growing. And the new people (there seemed to be more and more of them all the time!) just weren’t fitting in. It ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal

Law And Grace

Contributed by John Newton on Mar 2, 2025

Paul is calling the church members in Galatia to genuine spiritual maturity

One of the great things about being a follower of Jesus is that you quickly discover that you are a member of a vast international family that encircles the entire world. I am not a huge traveller, but it has been my privilege to worship with other believers in such faraway places as Australia, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-29

Denomination: Episcopal

Great Grace Was Upon Them All

Contributed by John Newton on Nov 22, 2021

Three characteristics of the first Christian congregation

I want to begin by saying what a privilege I consider it, to be invited into this pulpit on the occasion of your anniversary. Karen and I have just been attending over the last five weeks and it are clear to both of us that God is doing great things in and through this church. Thirty-three years! ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37

Denomination: Episcopal

Hosanna To The Lamb!

Contributed by John Newton on Nov 22, 2021

A call to worship with the saints

It was a dark, stormy and very windy night when disaster struck the cemetery. As a cold rain hammered against the sodden earth, a howling gale overturned tombstones, blew down branches and sent cobwebs flying into the dank night air. Lying in bed, Paul Hopkins heard the savage roar outside and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Episcopal

It Didn’t Just Happen

Contributed by John Newton on Jun 4, 2023

The crucifixion of Jesus was not a random incident: it was part of God’s plan from eternity

It was a journey of some two thousand kilometers—from Jerusalem all the way back to what is modern-day Sudan. The lone traveler had come to worship at the Temple. And I can only imagine that it was for him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As his horse plodded along, he occupied his time by ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Episcopal

"Open Your Mouth Wide” Series

Contributed by John Newton on Nov 16, 2022

One of the joys that my wife and I share is that our house backs onto miles of forest. The result is that our back yard is almost constantly being visited by wildlife—even including a bear! But our most frequent visitors are the birds...

One of the joys that my wife and I share is not only that we live within a few minutes’ drive from three of our grandchildren, but that our house backs onto miles of forest. The result is that our back yard is almost constantly being visited by wildlife—even including a bear! But our most frequent ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal

Remember Your Leaders Series

Contributed by John Newton on Nov 16, 2022

It seems to me that this concluding chapter is something of a catch-all. I can imagine that the author’s hand might be aching after all this writing. So now he is packing as much as he can into his concluding words.

Wow! We’ve been reading and making our way through Hebrews for a long time. It was way back in January that we started. Now it seems almost as though that is shrouded in the mists of history. And I want to express my gratitude to Pastor Marvin, who has steadfastly and faithfully been leading us ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7-16

Denomination: Episcopal

An Everlasting Love

Contributed by John Newton on Dec 19, 2022

About a third of the way through the letter “J” in my dictionary you will come across the word “jeremiad”..

About a third of the way through the letter “J” in my dictionary you will come across the word “jeremiad”. And what, you ask, is a jeremiad? Well, a jeremiad is defined as (and I quote) “a long literary work, in which the author bitterly laments the state of society and its morals in a serious tone ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:2-6

Denomination: Episcopal

The Original International Man Of Mystery Series

Contributed by John Newton on May 1, 2022

Who was Melchizedek? And how does he relate to Jesus?

I wonder if anyone can tell me what is the Old Testament passage most frequently quoted in the New Testament… You might think it’s something like Leviticus 19:18, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” If you’re really into the writings of the minor prophets, you might come up with an ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-3

Denomination: Episcopal