Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church

Passage: Matthew 5 Date: 15 June 2025 Speaker: David Montgomery Summary: In the last Faith Academy session for 2025, we explore the challenging teaching of Jesus on loving our enemies from Matthew 5. Through powerful stories and reflections, we learn that true love can break cycles of revenge and bitterness, offering a path to healing and reconciliation. Jesus invites us to respond with grace, rem...

Passage: Psalm 32:1-11 Date: 15 June 2025 Speaker: Stuart Balmer Summary: Honesty about our shortcomings and God’s goodness is at the heart of true happiness. Psalm 32 reveals that acknowledging our sins leads to God’s forgiveness, lifting our burdens and covering our faults entirely. Instead of hiding or delaying, we’re invited to come to God openly, allowing His grace to transform ou...

Passage: Matthew 5:27-30 Date: 8 June 2025 Speaker: Stuart Balmer Summary: Jesus challenges us to consider the deeper implications of lust, emphasizing that it’s not just our actions but our hearts that matter. In a world fractured by sin, he calls us to a radical response to our struggles with sexual sin, urging us to address it seriously and without hesitation. True healing and restoration come...

Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Philippians 4:4-7 Date: 8 June 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: Exploring our mission and values, today’s sermon focuses on participation and joy within the church. Using Paul’s metaphor of the body in 1 Corinthians, we’re reminded that everyone has a unique role to play—no one is unimportant. As we embrace our gifts and serve each other, we also discove...

Passage: Matthew 5:21-26 Date: 1 June 2025 Speaker: Tom Gourley Summary: In today’s message, Tom dives into Jesus’ challenging teachings on anger and judgment, emphasizing that our heart attitudes matter as much as our actions. Jesus equates unrighteous anger and contemptuous words to murder, urging us to reconsider how we view and treat others. This call to self-reflection highlights...

Passage: Joshua 1:1-9, Luke 19:11-27 Date: 1 June 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: Courage and creativity are essential qualities for anyone seeking to follow Jesus faithfully. Drawing from Joshua’s call to stand strong and move forward, we’re reminded that God is with us, empowering us to overcome fear. In addition, we are invited to creatively invest our unique gifts and l...

Passage: Psalm 46:1-11 Date: 25 May 2025 Speaker: Noble McNeely Summary: In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, Psalm 46 reminds us that God is our unwavering source of strength and refuge. As we navigate troubled times—whether in our personal lives, our communities, or on a global scale—this psalm calls us to be still and trust in His presence. We find assurance that even amidst turmoil, G...

Passage: Matthew 4:1-11 Date: 25 May 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: Integrity is more than just honesty; it’s about having a unified heart that seeks to do God’s will. As we look at Jesus’ example during his temptations, we see that true integrity involves resisting shortcuts and pressures, focusing solely on serving God. This week, explore how we can cultivate integrity i...

Passage: Matthew 5:17-21 Date: 18 May 2025 Speaker: David Montgomery Summary: Jesus challenges us with a daunting standard: our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees. This can feel impossible, but rather than discouragement, it’s an invitation to understand a deeper truth. True righteousness isn’t about strict rule-following; it’s about embracing grace and allowing Jesus to...

Passage: Philippians 2:1-11, 1 Peter 5:5-7 Date: 18 May 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: Exploring the call to humility, we reflect on how this foundational value shapes our journey as followers of Jesus. Drawing from 1 Peter and Philippians, we learn that true humility isn’t just a virtue; it mirrors the very nature of Christ. As we strive to love God, love others, and disciple the nat...

Passage: Matthew 5:13-16 Date: 11 May 2025 Speaker: Stuart Balmer Summary: Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, reminding us of our dual role as both indicators of God’s judgment and bearers of hope. As we navigate our daily lives, our distinctive actions and words should reflect Christ’s love and truth, shining brightly in a world often clouded by confusion...

Passage: Luke 24:36-49, Matthew 28:16-20 Date: 11 May 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: In this sermon, we explore Jesus’ final instruction to his disciples, often referred to as the Great Commission. Rooted in His authority, this command to make disciples of all nations isn’t just for a select few; it’s a call for all of us to go, share the gospel, and nurture each oth...

Passage: – Date: 4 May 2025 Speaker: David Montgomery Summary: The Sermon on the Mount, often viewed as a lofty ideal, is deeply relevant to our everyday lives. Jesus teaches us about humility, mercy, and living in a way that reflects His character. Instead of seeing it as just a set of rules, consider it wisdom for navigating life’s complexities, reminding us that true fulfillment comes fro...

Passage: Matthew 22:34-40, Luke 9:57-62 Date: 4 May 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: The quest for life’s meaning often leads us to various pursuits like success, money, or perfect homes. Yet, as Jesus reveals in Matthew 22, the essence of life is simpler and more profound: to love God and to love others. This teaching invites us to rethink our priorities and embrace a life characterize...

Passage: Luke 24:36-52 Date: 27 April 2025 Speaker: Stuart Balmer Summary: The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event; it fundamentally changes everything about our lives. As we reflect on the disciples’ astonishment, we’re reminded that our response should be one of worship, living each day with gratitude and proclaiming the good news to others. Knowing that Jesus is alive giv...

Passage: John 20:1-18 Date: 20 April 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: Mary Magdalene’s heart was shattered after losing Jesus, but her encounter at the empty tomb reveals a beautiful truth: Jesus shows up in our brokenness. He calls us by name, reminding us that we are not defined by our past but by His love. This Easter, consider how Jesus invites each of us into a renewed relati...

Passage: Matthew 27:11-66 Date: 18 April 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: Reflecting on the beauty and pain of our surroundings, we can see that abandonment is all around us—not just in empty buildings, but in relationships and our connection to God. In Matthew 27, Jesus experiences ultimate abandonment on the cross, crying out in despair. This heartbreaking moment reveals his profound...

Passage: Mark 11:1-11 Date: 13 April 2025 Speaker: Stuart Balmer Summary: As we reflect on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, we discover a King unlike any other. He embodies true power, not through dominance but through humility and sacrifice. In our chaotic lives, it’s comforting to know that Jesus is in control, ready to meet us at our point of need, and willing to lay down His life for o...

Passage: Judges 19:1-21:25 Date: 6 April 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: Judges 19 presents a stark portrayal of human depravity, illustrating what happens when society turns away from God. Amidst the darkness, we discover the profound truth of God’s relentless grace, which persists despite our failings. As we reflect on this unsettling narrative, we’re reminded that true c...

Passage: Matthew 18:15-35 Date: 6 April 2025 Speaker: Neil Stewart Summary: Navigating conflict is challenging, especially within a church community. In Matthew 18, Jesus outlines three responses: confronting sin, forgiveness, and ultimately, transformation. This sermon invites us to reflect on our own roles in conflict—whether we are the ones needing to forgive or seeking forgiveness—and challeng...

Passage: Judges 17:1-18:31 Date: 30 March 2025 Speaker: Noble McNeely Summary: As we reflect on Judges chapters 17 and 18, we see how Israel’s struggle with idolatry mirrors our own challenges today. Micah’s story highlights the dangers of creating a version of faith that suits our preferences rather than honoring God’s truth. Are there idols in our lives that distract us from true wor...

Passage: Matthew 18:1-14 Date: 30 March 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: Jesus challenges us to rethink our notions of greatness by inviting us to become like little children, embracing humility and simplicity. In a world obsessed with status, He reminds us that welcoming others is a profound expression of our faith. As we open our hearts and lives to those around us, we not only reflec...

Passage: Judges 14:1-16:31 Date: 23 March 2025 Speaker: Stuart Balmer Summary: Samson’s life is a powerful reminder of how easily we can be led astray by our desires, despite our strengths. As we explore his tragic choices, we learn the importance of being discerning about what influences our hearts and minds. Yet, even in his failure, we see that God remained sovereign, turning tragedy into...

Passage: Matthew 17:14-27 Date: 23 March 2025 Speaker: Christoph Ebbinghaus Summary: In today’s message, we explore the vital lessons from Matthew’s gospel about being disciples of Jesus. We learn that true followers are not limited by human traditions, but instead focus on growing their faith and keeping their eyes on the cross. As we face life’s challenges, it’s essential...

Passage: Matthew 9:35-37, Acts 8:26-35 Date: 16 March 2025 Speaker: Rev. Philip Poots Summary: On Home Mission Sunday, we’re invited to reflect on the challenges faced by the congregations in Inishoan, where a lack of resources and youth migration create a sense of urgency for discipleship. Yet, amidst these struggles, we witness the profound compassion of Christ, who calls us to engage with those...