Faith Speaks — Reverend Neil Taylor — Sermon Podcast

Read Isaiah 53.1-3

Palm Sunday

Jesus was indeed the misunderstood Messiah. His own people misread him completely; they had him in a box labelled “Insignificant Rabbi from Nazareth”; the more he proved he didn’t belong in that box, the more they hated him, counted him a nobody and ultimately despised him. No wonder they were so rabid to kill him in the end. Jesus is still misunderstood today. The greatest mistake is to ignore him as if he doesn’t matter or to think that you can postpone a decision.

Read John 12.1-8

Fifth Sunday in Lent

What a beautiful story and a lovely thing when the worth of Jesus and his followers' love match — when the value of his perfections and the intensity of our affections correspond. Let's take a slow walk through these eight verses and ponder what they mean to us.

Read Revelation 2.1-7

Seventh Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

In one or two words I’d like you to think how can you describe a love that has vitality. In contrast, maybe also think about how you’d describe a love that is tired. Tired doesn’t mean old; in the same way as vital doesn’t mean young. Although sometimes it can seem that way.

Therefore, what do we believe about love? We know that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. This is a great introduction for many to the Christian story, that God is love, and in, and through that love, God gave us Jesus our Redeemer.

So I want to challenge you if you are a follower of Jesus because this great redeeming love is reciprocal.

Read Luke 5.1-11

Fifth Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

I heard a story once about an old Methodist preacher who every time he preached, someone would give their life to Jesus. But when his young assistant would preach, no one would come forward and give their life to Jesus. After a year, the young minister went to him for some clarity and some coaching. The wise old minister asked his young protégé, "When you preach, what do you expect to happen?" She thought about it and said, "I expect to tell the Good News. I expect to be eloquent and to enlighten people." He said, "You are doing those things. But when I preach, I expect to win people to Jesus Christ, that's all."

Read Jeremiah 1.4-10; Psalm 71.1-6; 1 Corinthians 13.1-13; Luke 4.21-30

Fourth Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

These texts are rich with power and images that tell God’s continuous story in the world. And that is, we all share a call to be God’s prophets in the world, even though that can be a terrifying thing at times.

There is a God-given invitation before us:

• To join together to embody Paul’s prophetic words more fully

Read Luke 4.14-21

Third Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

When you hear the word “power”, what comes to mind? Is it significant influence or wealth as one who strides down the “corridors of power”? Or is it great physical strength? 

Let’s think about the line that introduces our gospel passage, “Then Jesus, filled by the power of the Holy Spirit…”. According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus does what he does and says what he says precisely because he is filled with power great power the power of the Holy Spirit.

Read John 2.1-11

Second Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

John’s Gospel reminds us that grace isn’t just a religious ideology, that grace isn’t only about making up for something we lack; it is not transactional. God’s grace, and only God’s grace, provides more than we’d ever imagine or deserve.

Read Luke 3.15-22

First Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

Though conducted only once, baptism was never intended to be a one-and-done event. Our baptism is something we remember and renew daily, baptism like marriage may be a one-off event, but it is lived out daily.

Read Luke 2.1-20

Christmas Day

For years I have wondered whether the Christmas Day sermon is of any consequence. I’ve wondered if we’re better off reading or telling Luke’s account of the Nativity of our Lord well, and allowing the carols, the candles, and Christ incarnate in bread and wine to proclaim what Luke 2:10-11 says:

[the] “good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”  

Quite frankly, that would be enough.

Read Luke 1.67-79

Christmas Eve

Zechariah saw a significant purpose in his son’s life. People wondered, “What then will this child be?” John grew to be the voice in the wilderness that cried out, “Prepare the way of the Lord.”

As we reflect this Christmas Eve on Zechariah’s song of praise, what then will you be? For what purpose have you been created?