Sermons at St Aidan's

Everywhere we go at the moment we see the celebration beginning, but what is it that we celebrate at this time of the year? Let's explore the good news according to the gospel writer Matthew. For him, the good news of Christmas is all about the arrival of God's promised King.

In 1 Chronicles 29, we see how God involves us in his Kingdom purposes. As we see the devotion of Israel in the days when the Temple was built, we are pointed to the confidence and commitment we can have in God;s Kingdom today. 

Chapter 17 describes the covenant made with David as God promises to build a kingdom which will last forever. Such grace leads to a response of prayer and praise for God's undeserved kindness to his people.

Hurts in life are many, which can cause us to question God's sovereignty and loving kindness. Psalm 22 not only apparently invites these questions, but helps us process our hurts, and to move through these life's difficulties as we see love, sacrifice, and redemption in God's Son.

Psalm 51 is a song of David where he confesses his horrible sin against Bathsheba, Uriah, and the whole nation of Israel, and through his confession and genuine repentance finds his freedom and joy restored. What extraordinary grace we experience from God as our sin is forgiven through the blood of Jesus.

Psalms 1 and 2 introduce us  to the entire Psalter. These Psalms together reveals to us that the only blessed life is discovered by finding refuge in the Blessed One, God's Messiah,: Jesus Christ.

Psalm 13 is a lament that helps us to cry out to God in the difficulties of life. Such Psalms are a grace to us as they give us words to express our deepest emotions in the context of faith and the safety of God's love.

Psalm 46 points us to where we should look to for strength.

Psalm 49 provides God's wisdom as it reveals to us a hope for the future that even death cannot take away. Though the world would call us to seek joy in earthly treasures, the wisdom that is from God urges us to weigh these things in light of eternity and to take hold of the treasures that will never perish, spoil, or fade.

Chapter 16 in 1 Chronicles describes the event of the Ark of the Covenant arriving in Jerusalem. This is a picture of God choosing to dwell with his people - such grace leads to an outpouring of praise for who God is and what he has done

As Paul draws his guidance on this practical matter in Romans to a close, we are reminded again that the issue of food and sacred days is a symptom of deeper divisions between Jew and Gentile. Paul rejoices that this division has been healed! For Christ endured his reconciling work for both Jew and Gentile, so that together they might endure in re conciliatory praise of God through Christ, our onl...

As we move from the weak Christian's judgement of the strong to consider how the strong should conduct themselves in the Kingdom of God, we see that the Gospel really does turn everything inside out. In fact, the inward transformation of Christ's work must be so outwardly expressed that our external freedoms in God's kingdom may need to be kept internally captive to our conscience in Christ.

In Romans 14, Paul shows us how and why Christian conscience must be undivided.

In Acts 12 the church encounters difficult days, one apostle is killed and another is imprisoned. Yet the believers respond in dependence on God who continues to be at work. Even in difficult days we can trust the goodness of God as he continues to make his gospel known.

The good news of what Jesus has done continues to spread! In Acts 11 we see the gospel being embraced by more people, and the start of a new church in Antioch. God's grace is evident among them as they hold fast to Jesus, reach out to others, and display Christlikeness

We have seen through Acts the good news of Jesus reaching new people, and this continues in a significant way in today’s passage as Gentiles are included in God’s family receiving the blessings of forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is a new stage for God’s people, and a reminder to us that God’s plans are for all who will come and find cleansing through the cross of Je...

This week we see God's amazing grace on display as he takes hold of Saul, changing him from a persecutor of Christians into a proclaimer of Christ to the nations.

We come to the final section in Song of Songs. The love between the young couple is more evident than ever before, but will their love be supported or scorned? Again we are reminded of the ups and downs of love in this world and ultimately we're pointed to God's great love for us - as strong as death, like a mighty flame.

We continue listening to the Song of Songs and we see that love in this world can often be a bumpy ride. The lovers in the story long to be together but they face threats to their relationship and circumstances that show us both the pleasures and pain of love.

Found in the middle of our Bibles is this beautiful poetic writing about love in all its intensity and passion. It is aptly named the Song of Songs, and this is a song we need to hear so that we will understand better the good gift of love that God has given to us.

This is another pivotal moment for the early church as we are told of the first Christian Martyr. Stephen speaks boldly about how we can know the true and living God through Jesus, and while those who opposed Stephen sought to stop his message, the result of his death was the gospel beginning to be scattered to the nations.

As the church multiplies, we see Satan attack the church as they struggle with internal conflict, distracting those whose primary call is to word ministry. We see however, that order is restored from Satan's chaos as faithful men are chosen to do the work of ministry among the church, allowing the Gospel to be proclaimed and lives continue to be changed.

Again we see that the apostles are arrested, and again warned to stay silent about Jesus. But despite threats and punishment the apostles continue to speak boldly about Jesus. Their boldness is a great encouragement and challenge to us as they not only endured but rejoiced at being counted worthy to suffer disgrace for  the name of Jesus.

In this reading today, we see the first episode of sin and deceit within the early Christian community. How will this impact the community? What will God do about it? We will see a warning as God still takes sin very seriously as well as an encouragement as he is able to overcome sin.

The early church had, through great threats of persecution, even greater gifts of God's grace at their disposal. They had been given direct access to their Lord through prayer and great power to preach the gospel. They were able to use their own possessions in service to God's Kingdom.