Put on the Suit: Cola, Christ, and the Santa-Verse

I wonder what you’ve made of this year’s flurry of Christmas adverts? Between John Lewis going all Little Shop of Horrors, M&S taking a flamethrower to family festivities, and Aldi giving us thinly-veiled euphemisms from a talking carrot, it’s been an odd bunch! For what its worth, my favourite offering for 2023 is Apple’s short…

The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5)

On Sunday I spoke at Oxford Community Church, as part of our series on Galatians, and I talked about the Fruit of the Spirit. We looked at Paul’s instructions in Galatians 5, and I considered the questions: You can catch up on the audio or video here. (On the video, the talk starts at about…

Jesus the Healer (Matthew 8)

On Sunday I had the privilege of speaking at Christ Church Manchester’s CCM Day, where they gathered all their services together for a joint celebration. It was so much fun. We sang in English and Spanish, ate a lot of cake, and I got to speak on the subject of healing, and pray for people….

A change of heart for James the Just

I wrote yesterday about the lure of celebrity, and Jesus’ response to his brothers’ advice that:  ‘No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.’ (John 7.4) Not only was the brothers’ advice worldly and built on unhealthy motives; it was…

Tempted in every way: Jesus and the lure of celebrity.

‘Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”’ (John 7.3–4) I’ve read this chapter of John countless times,…

The Lord’s Supper (Luke 22.7–20)

What is your most vivid food memory? What is the taste or aroma that you experience and it’s like “ah, that takes me back…” Food has an amazing ability to transport us across lands and through time, evoking memories that take us back to a particular place; a holiday; specific meal; a moment in time….

The Walk of Faith (Matthew 14.22-33)

On Sunday I spoke at our old church, Christ Church London, at their Mile End Services. It was great fun to see old friends, make new ones, and preach on the subject of faith. We looked at the story of Jesus (and then Peter) walking on water, and drew out three principles for living a…

Fellowship with Focus (Acts 2.42–47)

Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking at Witney Community Church, continuing their series on the book of Acts. We looked at the picture of the early church in Acts 2.42-47 (a passage I think I’ve heard more sermons on than any other, but had never preached on until this week!) We considered some of…

The Host. (A very short story).

His lips turned an icy blue. A shocking contrast against the crimson rising around his neck and cheeks. His whole body screamed in silent convulsions. At first unnoticed. Then slowly awareness began to spread among the other guests. Is he…?Should we…? One hand clutched his throat. The other shot out and began flailing around, seeking…

The Spirit of Truth (1 John 4.1–6)

On Sunday I had the privilege of speaking at Gloucester Community Church, continuing their series on 1 John, Life in Community. In chapter 4 of his letter, John addresses the subject of false teaching that has arisen in Ephesus. So in this sermon we consider how to spot truth from falsehood, and how to ensure…