We we allow God’s word to work in us, it lifts the burden of oppressive teaching from us.
An Open Table where Love knows no borders
An Open Table where Love knows no borders
Sermons on 1 & 2 Thessalonians
If we keep imitating one another, paying back violence with vengeance, the world will be consumed in an escalating fury, but Jesus rescues us and gives us a life-giving example to follow.
Those who have too strong a belief in their own goodness to engage in the real, flesh and blood work of building community in the here and now, can end up struggling to accept God’s grace.
As God’s people, we celebrate life in the face of death, because we know that the victory of life has been secured.
Modelling ourselves on those who model themselves on Jesus is a healthy pathway to fulfilling the image of God within us.
Preparing ourselves for the coming Lord is not a matter of rigorous rule keeping, but rules can help us learn the appropriate new way of being.
Our readiness to welcome and celebrate Christ is integral to his becoming present and active among us.
God’s mission is much bigger than us, and to play our part in it, we need to live freely and fearlessly and maintain a humble and faithful connection with the traditions and wisdom of the wider Church.
Our anticipation of new life in Christ, though not removing all grief, allows us to find hope in the mercy and love of God.
As creatures made in the image of God, imitation of God is the pathway to fullness of life.
Growth in faith and love come as we work through tough times together for God.
To those for whom the griefs of yesterday or the fear of tomorrow is just too much, come Lord Jesus.
We are given gifts from God – faith, love and hope – to help us cope with all that is less than God – especially when ‘principalities and powers’ overwhelm us.
In the pain of discouragement, God keeps whispering to us: I am still with you, and the future has possibilities you have not dreamed of. So take courage, keep at it, hold on, don’t give up.
Our faith is about grace – that God comes to meet us in the truth of who we are. God is far less threatened by the darkness in our lives than we are!
We are called to proclaim and celebrate the advent of God’s justice, and doing so is ultimately more radical than simply fighting injustice.