Sermons at St Aidan's

Here we come to the climax of the book of Exodus. God's rescued people now build the tabernacle, and God makes his dwelling among them. As we reflect on this, we see how God dwells with us as his people today, and we look forward to the time when God's glory will fill the whole earth.

Continuing in this series in Exodus, we see Israel break their covenant with the Lord as they create and worship a golden calf, jeopardizing their relationship with God. In response to Moses' intercession, God graciously forgives and restores. This reveals to us much about our idolatrous hearts as well as God's heart to show mercy.

Continuing in Exodus, we hear the instructions the Lord gives to his people about his dwelling place among them. These chapters are filled with imagery that reveals the grace and mercy of God who comes to make his home with us.

This week we see how God brings his rescued people to Mt Sinai to worship him just as he promised. At this mountain God gives his people the Law, instructing them how to live as his rescued people, his treasured possession.

On the journey from the Red Sea to Mt. Sinai, God's people complain about the lack of food and water, and they cry out as they are attacked from enemies. In response to Israel's grumbling and cries for help, God, time after time graciously provides. May we learn from their examples to resist grumbling and instead to trust in the God who always provides abundantly and graciously for his people.

In Exodus today we see how God fulfills his promise to rescue his people. God brings his final plague against the Egyptians while passing over the Israelites who are covered by the blood of the Passover Lamb. God then leads Israel out of Egypt by parting the sea Israel is called to remember and celebrate these events which are to shape their identity as God's rescued people.

This week we see God's supremacy as he shows his power over the Egyptians while protecting Israel from the destruction effects of the plagues. In this we also see the grace of God in salvation and the goal of God to see his name honoured in all the earth.

Having heard of the slavery of Israel in Egypt, and being reminded of God's promises to his people, we now begin to see God's salvation plans unfold beginning with the call of Moses. Although God sovereignly rescues, reveals, raises up, and reassures, Moses struggles with reluctance and disbelief. As God has graciously saved us for his service, how can we boldly get on with his mission today?

Exodus recounts God's great act of redemption for his people, bringing them from slavery to the promised land. As we begin this book, we see the need for God's redemption and his faithfulness to the people of his promises.

At the end of Mathew's gospel, Jesus gives his final instructions to his followers and to us. He tells us what he wants us to do. Has there ever been a more important question to have answered? Jesus has set out a plan for our lives where we must consider what it means to doubt, and think about some of the other aspects of The Great Commission.

While we rightly celebrate the momentous events of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, what is the significance of Jesus laying in the tomb over three days. What dose that mean for us as we await the final resurrection?

We see the moment when Jesus' long walk to the cross reaches its end as he is crucified, revealing that Jesus really is king, not in the way we might expect, but in a way that demands a response.

As we continue to watch Jesus on the way to the cross in Matthew's gospel, we are told of the trial before Pontius Pilate, and we see more of the sacrifice that Jesus makes for us.

Here, we see Jesus continue his walk to the cross. He is betrayed, falsely accused, and abandoned, and he does not fight back or retaliate. Instead he continues on the path where he will lay down his life. As we observe the way of Jesus on his journey to the cross, what can we learn about following his way today?

Christ died for us not because we are worthy, but because we are unworthy, and because there was no other way for us to be made worthy before God.

The death of Jesus hangs over every aspect of the story as some plot to betray and kill him. Some swear their allegiance and one demonstrates her love in costly devotion.

There are strong words of warning about lazy servants and judgement coming on the nations. What does all this mean for us living as disciples of Jesus today?

Today, Jesus reminds us that the imminence and totality of the kingdom of heaven requires an urgency and exhaustiveness of preparation.

We continue to listen to Jesus teach his disciples, and we come to a much-debated passage about the end of the age. These words have been the cause of much speculation and confusion, so how should we understand these things so that we are ready and not alarmed as Jesus intends?

Jesus has stern warnings about hypocritical leaders, and he dishes out "the woes" on the Scribes and Pharisees in a big way. But as Jesus goes after those who should have known and taught the way of God, is he angry, or is he broken hearted ....or is it both?

Today we listen to the teaching of Jesus as he easily answers questions put to him by the religious leaders to trap him. While we see that Jesus is a far superior teacher, we also hear profound teaching about our life now and the life to come, and we would do well to listen closely.

In Matthew 22, Jesus speaks about the invitation for all to come and join in the great celebration of his wedding banquet. His words are a challenge to accept the gracious invitation ourselves as well as to extend the invitation to those around us.

Today we conclude the investigation into the good news of Christmas according to the four different gospel writers by hearing from Jesus' close friend and disciple John. We discover that, for him, the good news of Christmas is all about the arrival of God with us - Immanuel.

In his second letter, the Apostle Peter reminds believers of the certainty of God's promises, as well as God's great mercy and patience in giving time for people to hear and respond to the gospel of salvation.

As we begin a new year, we are reminded of the overflowing blessings that God has showered on us in the Gospel. We have peace with God and a sure hope, and all of this comes to us because of the demonstration of God's love in the sacrifice that Christ made for us.