Sermons by Garry Worete Deverell

The Revd Dr Garry Worete Deverell is a Trawloolway Pairrebeenener man from Trouwerna (Tasmania) who served as an associate pastor of this church from 2002 – 2008. He is now an Anglican priest and serves as the vicar of St Agnes’ Anglican Parish in Black Rock and as the Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow in Indigenous Theologies at the University of Divinity.

He is the author of two books: Gondwana Theology: a trawloolway man reflects on Christian faith (Melbourne: Morning Star, 2018) and The Bonds of Freedom: vows, sacraments and the formation of the Christian self (Milton Keynes: Paternoster, 2008). You can read more of his thoughts and prayers on his blog.

Not the Messiah, People!

13 December 2020
Garry Worete Deverell
Church, Grace, Humility, Jesus, Leadership
Isaiah, John
2 Comments

If you’re looking for wisdom, healing, practical solutions, look to Jesus, because church leaders constantly fail when they do any more than point to Jesus.

‘The words I have spoken are spirit and life’

23 August 2015
Garry Worete Deverell
Discernment, Evil, Jesus, Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians, John
0 Comments

We only reliably recognise and combat evil by listening to Jesus and taking his wisdom into our hearts.

“I Am Myself”

19 April 2015
Garry Worete Deverell
Baptism, Discipleship, Identity, Jesus, Resurrection
1 2 & 3 John, Luke
0 Comments

We shall be ourselves when we are able to surrender ourselves to Christ and say ‘not my will, but yours’.

Taking Pride in the Cross of Jesus Christ

In order for God to come to us as the healer and the liberator of souls, we must be prepared to let go of every religious pretension, every cultural certainty, every economic doctrine, every aspirational rule.

When the Truth Ain’t the Truth

16 May 2010
Garry Worete Deverell
Culture, Empire, Exploitation, Liberation, Love
Acts, John
0 Comments

We are called to privilege the God of love and liberation over the economic realities of dog-eat-dog capitalism, and prevent that ‘reality’ colonising the truth of love with its divide-and-conquer business plan.

What About Me? The Tale of the Two Prodigals

The story of the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son is a crucial part of the message of grace.

Hidden With Christ in God

1 August 2004
Garry Worete Deverell
Conversion, Formation, Spiritual Disciplines, Spirituality, Wisdom
Colossians, Luke
0 Comments

When we detach from things, God comes to fill or possess us by God’s Spirit, and suddenly the world is full of life once more.

The Vindication of the Martyrs

2 May 2004
Garry Worete Deverell
Identity, Jesus, Martyrdom, Resurrection
John, Psalms, Revelation
0 Comments

Jesus’s resurrection was a sign which declared that Jesus’ cause was God’s cause, that Jesus’ values were God’s values, that Jesus’ people were God’s people.

Transformed by Love

God’s love is like a refuge from the storm, like the hospitality of a generous host, like the continuing delight of a bridegroom for his bride, and like the alchemical power of the miracle-worker transforming even our fear and inconstancy into the power to love, forgive, and cherish.

Luke’s Baptism of Jesus

In baptism Jesus submits himself to his God-given destiny and vocation, and it is by a similar submission to God, allowing Christ to live out his baptismal life in us and for us, that we have life and hope.

Rejoice! A Study in Faith’s Absurdity

Advent faith believes in the possibility of surprise, and that our tragic and repetitive history has a punch-line which will overturn everything that we have been taught to expect.

God’s Revolution

Jesus promises that if we will face our deepest fear – the loss of our very souls – and if we will trust in his love, then we shall live, even though we die.

Grace, or the Power of Possibility

Grace is the opposite of karma, that most ancient and persistent of human laws which proclaims that we get what we deserve. We do not get what we deserve, and thank Christ we don’t!

The Liturgy of The Dance

13 July 2003
Garry Worete Deverell
Commitment, Fullness of Life, Gratitude, Jesus, Worship
1 & 2 Samuel, Mark
0 Comments

If we can lose ourselves in the worship of Christ, then Christ will come to fill our emptied egos with his own self which now dances in the freedom of God.

When the New Wine Arrives

8 June 2003
Garry Worete Deverell
Depression, Fullness of Life, Holy Spirit, Salvation
Acts, Ezekiel, Psalms
0 Comments

The day of Pentecost is the day when the Spirit comes to interrupt and call into question the inevitability of our despair.

Abiding in God’s Love

God has promised that if we stay connected to him, then he will give us the energy and the love to go out from our comfort-zones into the alien territory of those who need God’s love most of all.

The Dark Light of Crucifixion

6 April 2003
Garry Worete Deverell
Culture, Discernment, Faithfulness, Grace, Hope, Incarnation, Suffering, Weakness
John
0 Comments

God invites us to be immersed in another possible reality, to look at the world with the dark and contrary light that comes from the cross of Jesus.

Ministering Angels

9 March 2003
Garry Worete Deverell
Conversion, Discipleship, Grief, Healing, Lent, Suffering
Mark
0 Comments

Lent can be a dark night filled with tears and mourning and loss, but it is worth it, for God’s joy comes in the morning.

The Pilgrimage of Prayer – Luke’s Transfiguration Story

22 February 2003
Garry Worete Deverell
Discipleship, Prayer, Resurrection, Vocation
2 Corinthians, Luke
0 Comments

By preparing ourselves to die with Christ, we are raised and transfigured, new people with a new vocation.

Jesus the Exorcist

9 February 2003
Garry Worete Deverell
Culture, Demons, Evil, Healing, Liberation
Mark
0 Comments

The demonic forces of our culture and time colonise our lives but if we turn to Christ, he will drive away the demons and fill us with his Spirit. His truth will set us free.