Revd Dr Joyce Popoola: ‘Extraordinary Love’ by Methodist Central Hall, Westminster

‘Every person in this world is loved by God unconditionally. Our Maker longs for us to turn towards his love. All who feel drawn to pray, I believe is experiencing the prevenient grace of God and the Holy Spirit is at work.’

‘Does God still bring people together at certain times and for certain purposes? I have no doubt in answering with complete conviction; “Yes, He does”…If Jesus Christ is the vine and we are the branches, then we are in a living and dynamic relationship with Him – and with each other! And it is God makes our relationships fruitful.’

‘If this morning you are feeling hopeless about any situation, you are in the right place. Put that situation into God’s hands in prayer. And hear the words of Jesus speaking to you this morning, saying, “trust me,” I am the Good Shepherd, and I am here to make all things new.’

‘If we want society to change, we need to SEE the need; FEEL the need and be MOVED to respond in some way. What’s more, those who we’re moved to help, must be open to receive it.’

The resurrection sometimes feels too good to be true; sometimes fear, doubt, and grief can overwhelm us; sometimes ‘hope’ and ‘promise’ are harder to bear than ‘fear’ and ‘despair’. Yet, if we look into the tomb, there’s nothing there, but if we sincerely look for the Jesus, We WILL find him risen!

'We see Jesus – whoever we are and whatever century of history we live in – we see Jesus most clearly when we come close to the cross, which is what we are invited to do as we move on through this Passiontide and into Holy Week.'

‘Let us recognise, and never underestimate, the power of love, prayer, nurture, faithfulness, and obedience in parenthood. Not only upon the life of the individual, but upon our families, communities and even the world.’

'It is my hope that this passage from the Gospel of John may inspire us to copy Jesus' example of cleansing our temple physically as well as our bodies, the living temple.'

'This Lent I pray that we will all choose to walk the path of discipleship, that we will choose to follow Jesus, even knowing that the way won’t be easy. We will have to carry our crosses. But as we walk, we do so with our eyes looking ahead to the cross, and beyond to a tomb that stands empty.'