Sermons at St Aidan's

Living in a broken world can be disorientating. Like David, in Psalm 23, we need a constant focus on the shepherd to pass through the darkest valleys of our lives.

Jesus was forsaken from his Father in the cross, which means that we are never truly alone.

Today we come to the end of our series exploring what it means to be on mission together, reflecting on how we promote the gospel through our public gatherings. The New Testament expectation is that as believers meet to praise and worship god that will be a powerful declaration of the gospel for all to see.

Today we reflect on how we can use the financial resources God has given us for the growth of his Kingdom. The New Testament describes financial giving as partnership in the gospel, and we are encouraged to remember the grace of the Lord Jesus in our generosity.

Today we reflect on how God has gifted his people and gives gifts of his people to the church. There are different kinds of service, but in all of them, and in every one, the same God is at work.

Today we reflect on the role of our good works or Christian behaviour. Living out our faith corporately as a church and individually as believers will impact how those around us perceive and hear the gospel message.

Today we consider what role each Christian is called to in speaking the gospel. All believers have the privilege and responsibility of speaking about their faith, What might that practically look like for you?

Today we consider the most basic gospel-promoting task - Prayer to the Lord of the harvest.

Today we ask, "What is the message that we promote?" If we are going to be part of God's great plan to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, we had better be clear about the message we are called to share.

Today we ask "What is the mindset of the ordinary Christian?" Not all are gifted evangelists, but all who know Jesus are to share his heart and to share an outlook on life that cares deeply about the salvation of others.

This is a new series where we will consider what it looks like to be a church on mission together. There are many ways that God has given us and gifted us to serve him in mission. We begin by asking "Why should we be involved in mission?" The answer, simply, is because there is one Lord whom all people are called to worship.

In the final section of his gospel, Luke records how Jesus appears to his disciples and sends them on mission before ascending to the Father as King over all. Having seen the risen Jesus, the disciples worship him with great joy. How will we respond as we see Jesus this Easter?

Following the events of Jesus' death and resurrection, Luke now tells us of the journey of two disciples on Easter Sunday afternoon. They are walking away from Jerusalem in despair, but they meet Jesus on the road, and that night rush back to the other disciples in Jerusalem with their hearts burning within them. Let us consider what led to their despair, what renewed their hope, and what it l...

A week before Jesus would be crucified, he enters Jerusalem to much fanfare, but leaves that evening in tears. Jesus is rejected by those who should have welcomed him as their King, and Jesus weeps for them. As we approach Easter, may we reflect on our response to Jesus and his reign in our lives.

As we come to the end of Peter's first letter, Peter urges all of us to follow Christ's example of humility in how we relate to one another and in the world. As God's elect exiles we follow him on the path of suffering before glory.

Suffering of all kinds have become badges of honour in our society. Enduring oppression on many fronts so you can live your truth is the narrative to partake in, even if we're not entirely sure what that means. Yet, according to 1 Peter, suffering for our faith is not so much our badge of honour, but an opportunity to honour God. How can we commend this strange suffering to a world that faces God'...

In light of the example of Christ's suffering, and the victory he has won for us that we saw last week, we see how Jesus' example shapes how we live for God in an unbelieving world that pushes back against us. We also see how Jesus' victory should give us an eternal mindset, and we see how Jesus' example shapes how we live in Christian community.

What happens when we are mistreated because of our good works? Peter takes up this question and points us to Christ who we are to follow as our example, and to fear as the Lord over all.

As we live as God's elect exiles in the world, what is the best strategy for making an impact on the world around us? In today's passage, Peter writes to those lacking power in the world, encouraging them to follow the example of Christ who did not sin, who did good to all, and who entrusted himself to God through all circumstances.

As we continue in 1 Peter, we are shown how God is building his church on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. As we come to Jesus we are given a new life and a new purpose to bring glory to God's name.

In the Christian life, knowing where you are going helps you to know what to be doing. As we began our series in 1 Peter last week we saw clearly that our destination is an imperishable inheritance, being kept for us by God in heaven. This week Peter spells out how we should live as God's elect exiles as we look toward our inheritance.

In 1 Peter, Peter writes to believers scattered in the world to remind them of their true home with God. Though we may often feel vulnerable or out of place in the culture around us, the status God has given us is chosen, secure, heirs of God's promises, and all of this is ours through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the last chapter of Thessalonians, we find a faithful fellowship of believers who will prayerfully support evangelism, obey the Apostles warnings to those who are idle and busybodies, and will not lose heart as they trust in the peace of Christ.

Today we continue in our series in 2 Thessalonians, knowing that the Thessalonians face trials from both outside the church and from within. Paul gives thanks to God for his great love, which has saved them, and urges them to stand firm in what they have so graciously received.

As we continue in our series in 2 Thessalonians, Paul addresses the believers' concern that they will miss out on the Day of the Lord. This is certainly a day not to be missed, and we hear how we can be certain about being there with the Lord.