Sermons on National Reflections:

The Solemnity Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King Of The Universe, Year C: A Reflection Or Meditation.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 28, 2019

“heart speaks to heart” (Cor ad cor loquitur).

A writer arrived at the monastery to write a book about the Master. "People say you are a genius. Are you?" he asked. "You might say so." said the Master, none too modestly. "And what makes one a genius?" "The ability to recognize." "Recognize ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:35-43

Denomination: Catholic

Reflection A.4 / Coronavirus - First Response / We’re All Lepers Now

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 9, 2020

Jesus was amazingly sensitive to a leper. It's a great example of how we need to be, because, in a sense, we're all lepers now.

Early on in the coronavirus outbreak in the UK Boris Johnson sent a letter to every household in Britain. The fact that he did this, and the content of the letter, highlighted the gravity of our situation. Boris Johnson’s key instruction was: stay home. We stay home in order not to pass on, or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection B.1 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / How To Approach The Question

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

We should ask whether God has a purpose in coronavirus. It's a logical and reasonable question to ask. But we first need to think about how to even approach the question.

In my second Reflection I wrote: “Some Christians are asking why we’re experiencing this pandemic. Is coronavirus a judgement from God? Are we living in end times?” In my fifth Reflection I noted that the Daily Express [an English newspaper] had asked another question: “What does the Bible say ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection B.9 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / The Siege Of Jerusalem By Rome

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

The story of the siege of Jerusalem by Rome reminds us that God judges. But it also tells us that in a time of judgement, God protects his people.

In an earlier 'Reflection' I mentioned that I would include a few Reflections on notable events in Christian history, mainly to give us a bit of variety. Today we’re going to have the first of those. The event is the siege of Jerusalem. In 66 A.D. a Roman prefect attempted to seize money ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection D.1 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Starting To Look At Revelation

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 3, 2020

If we think coronavirus might be God's judgement or a part of 'End Times' then we need to know what God's judgement and 'End Times' look like. We now turn to Revelation. This Reflection provides an introduction.

Today we start on Revelation. However, before diving in I’d like to do a quick introduction. When we start to talk about Revelation we quickly find that there are a lot of different views. The main views are ‘preterist’, ‘historicist’, ‘idealist’ and ‘futurist’. Preterists believe that most of ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel 7:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection D.5 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Revelation. The Four Horsemen.

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 12, 2020

When did the four horsemen in Revelation 6 set out? After Christ's ascension? In the future? Or, conceivably, in our time? Our view on this question makes a big difference to how we view 'End Times'.

At this point I feel as though I’m at a fork-in-the-road moment. We’re in Revelation 6. I have to keep reminding myself of why I am doing these Reflections. My goal is to ‘diagnose’ coronavirus. I am considering two possible ‘diagnoses.’ The first ‘diagnosis’ is that coronavirus is a random ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:8

Denomination: Baptist

Title: The Power Of Jesus's Christmas Story: Reflecting On Hope, Love, And Redemption

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 11, 2023

Beyond the familiar nativity scenes and carols, the narrative of Jesus's arrival has incredible significance, touching hearts and transforming lives. The power of Jesus's Christmas story can be seen through its profound themes of hope, love, and redemption.

Introduction: The Christmas season is a time of joy and celebration, but amidst the glittering lights and festive cheer lies a profound story of power and meaning—the story of Jesus's birth. Beyond the familiar nativity scenes and carols, the narrative of Jesus's arrival has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

The Transforming Mirror: Reflecting God's Glory 2 Corinthians 3:18 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 28, 2024

In the corridors of 2 Corinthians 3:18, the Apostle Paul unveils a profound truth—the transformative power of beholding God's glory. Today, let's journey into this passage and explore how, as believers, we are continually transformed by the truth we behold.

The Transforming Mirror: Reflecting God's Glory 2 Corinthians 3:18 Introduction: In the corridors of 2 Corinthians 3:18, the Apostle Paul unveils a profound truth—the transformative power of beholding God's glory. Today, let's journey into this passage and explore how, as believers, we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 12:2, James 1:23-25, Psalm 119:105, 2 Corinthians 3:16-17, Galatians 5:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Optimism In The Face Of Tragedy

Contributed by Sean Smuts on Jan 15, 2003

A reflection on 9/11/01

Optimism In The Face of Tragedy 10/30/01 “We all face tragedy. What’s more, we’ve all received the symbols of tragedy. Yours might be a telegram from the war department, an ID bracelet from the hospital, a scar, or a court subpoena. We don’t like these symbols, nor do we want these symbols. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9, 2 Samuel 12:1-23

Denomination: Mennonite

Mirroring Jesus-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on May 25, 2020

2 of ? Peter calls his audience to mirror/reflect/emulate Christ Jesus. God’s people will strive to intentionally mirror/reflect Christ Jesus. But What of Christ Jesus are God’s people to reflect/mirror? Mirroring Jesus reflects...

MIRRORING/Emulating JESUS-II—1Peter 3:18--4:6 Attention: Trusting Grandma: Johnny was at his first day of school. The teacher starts the day with the pledge of allegiance, & instructs them to put their right hands over their hearts & repeat after her. She looks around the room as she ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Righteousness Of God Preserves A Sinful People

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Feb 7, 2025

A Nation on the Edge

Introduction: A Nation on the Edge My brothers and sisters, We stand at a crossroads, much like Judah in the days of the prophet Jeremiah. A nation filled with promise yet drowning in rebellion, a people chosen yet blind to their calling, a land meant for righteousness, now polluted by ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:3-9

Denomination: Methodist

Reflection D.4 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Revelation. The Rider On The White Horse.

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 12, 2020

Could the rider on the white horse be 'a spirit of conquest' which has been with us for the past 2000 years? The correspondence between Matthew 24 and Revelation 6:1-8 might lead us to think so.

I started this enquiry in response to the question, could God be behind coronavirus? Could coronavirus be some form of judgement from God or a sign of ‘End Times’? To answer that in relation to ‘End Times’ we want to know what ‘End Times’ will look like. A decision we make at this point will ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Comfort Received, Comfort Shared: Living Out Compassion Together

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 11, 2025

This is a reflection for an inner city mission for the mid-level leadership team. The reflection focuses on compassion

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Paul calls God “the Father of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

On A Donkey, You Must Be Kidding!!

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Apr 11, 2003

Reflections on the Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem

Brinton/Thornage 13-04-03-02 “On a donkey, you must be kidding!” John 12:12-19 Often there’s more to a story than meets the human eye. And our gospel reading in Jn 12 is no exception The story is known as Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. To the Jewish readers ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Anglican

The Root Of Immorality

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 18, 2021

A redraft of a message that was never preached due to Covid Lockdowns. The message is a call for Christians to reassess their relationship with the Lord God.

The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity. And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. They shall eat, ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:7-19

Denomination: Baptist