Sermons from All Souls Church

Richard, on the first Sunday since the announcement of his leaving All Souls (on March 22nd) to become Archdeacon of Middlesex, speaks about change, faith and God's gift of prayer. He does this through the lens of the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 - a prayer that reminds us that we are invited to be part of God's agenda (rather than 'enlisting Him on to ours'), that we are to bring everything to God...

Rachel breezes through the different cultural context of the Colossians and focuses on the consistent principle of being 24/7 mindful of doing all for God. She reflects on how our trivial chores can all be seen as creating order and beauty to help others... a reason to be passionate about what we do in everyday places.

Do you have a "holy place"? Somewhere the gap between us and ultimate reality seems thinner... Richard considers the moments when we are aware of the God who is all around us - in waking life and in dreams. From personal experiences (including one featuring a giant spider(!)) he helps us understand how to appreciate God's continual presence and consistency.

Richard introduces the topic of everyday faith and what persistent difference it makes. Comparing to temporary trends he talks about how being known, loved, forgiven and transformed is more than a "that's nice, dear" phase in anybody's life - rather we are blessed to be a blessing and scattered throughout the World to make a difference to those around us.

In the first sermon of the new decade Donna encourages us all to resolve to reconnect in 2020. Comparing Jesus to chocolate(!) she explains how by listening and learning, we will want more and our courage will rise as we realise the peace, purpose and joy ahead of us.

Rachel ponders this enigmatic passage and draws out its implications for us now. She explains how Jesus is all over the Old Testament and points out his presence in today's reading - highlighting his qualifications (the spirit), performance (justice) and results (security).

Nathan contends that the bible promotes healthy scepticism. With references ranging from Samwise Gamgee to Nietzsche he considers the helpfulness of hope - does it orientate our optimism or prolong a failure to grasp reality? Isaiah's vision highlights the difference between what we yearn for and what we experience and Nathan encourages us to be now what we are becoming - "walk in the light of the...

Richard highlights the surprise ending to this letter and how John, were he among us today, would probably exhort us similarly. We all have our own "true north" that we orientate our life around - but is it the right one?

"Whoever tells the story defines the culture" announces Fi as she focuses on the importance of telling the right stories. She begins with Minecraft and a surge of popularity for the game following one influencer's online post. Fi explains how John wanted his readers to refind their bearings in who Jesus is and encourages us to tell the right stories through our actions and online as well as in our...

Richard ponders the worth of every individual and the circle of love at the heart of this passage. Having let this warm wave of scripture wash over us he recalls a powerful interview with a war veteran, Harry, and his recognition of the waste of life war entails. As imperfect as we may seem or feel Richard encourages us to see each other through God's eyes.

Recalling being dazed by butter choices at 3am in Tesco 20 years ago Richard unpacks the choice at the heart of this passage and its relevance to our deepest desires and longings - to be loved, known and forgiven.

Rachel considers how we are to live like children of God knowing how great is the love the Father has lavished on us. In the same way we tend to reflect our earthly parents, she encourages us to become more like our heavenly parent, as our new nature inclines us to do.

Starting with an unexpected yet memorable act of honour and service on a goose farm in the great plains of Hungaria, Richard considers how similarly bamboozling Christianity may appear to be. Following a baptism, he unpacks the gift, invitation and response at the heart of John's letter that is the opposite of many people's expectations of religion.

Richard unpicks the confusion of whether it is works (it isn't) or grace (it is) that puts us in God's family. He talks about the sufficiency of grace and examines how John challenges us to tell the truth about who we are, whose family we now belong to, through our behaviour - loving across differences.

Richard considers life, leaning ladders and the wall in this sermon on 1 John. Will the ladder bear your weight? Is it leaning against the right wall? Could you make it up every rung? He invites us to reflect on which ladder we're climbing and who is at the centre of our universe.

Bishop Graham delivers the first of a new sermon series on 1 John. Having contemplated the life that pulses through us all whilst on holiday in Portugal he shares his key reflections: true life is eternal, relational and personal - and leads to joy.

"Prayer is a mystery not a vending machine." David looks at how Hannah's faith at a time of deep anguish enabled God's purpose to be fulfilled. Despite the provocation of another household member she turned to God rather than retaliate. Hannah received peace initially and afterwards children, the firstborn of whom, Samuel, she gave back to God.

Fi introduces us to the book of Ruth likening it to an oasis in the midst of the strife of the time of judges. With references ranging from Spiderman to agape love, Psalm 23 and Liverpool F.C. Fi highlights the comfort, strength and companionship Naomi and Ruth provide each other and how God provides for them, even though at times he felt far away.

Richard considers the allegiance of two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to the God who has made them and loves them. In a simple act of integrity, goodness and civil disobedience they enabled God's purposes to be fulfilled. Richard challenges us to reflect on the choices we make and encourages "little acts of rebellion" where priorities clash so we remain true to our faith.

Rachel opens a new sermon series by introducing Sarah as "the mother of our faith". With references to Lazarus and laughter she draws out the lessons we can all learn from Sarah's experiences - is anything too hard for God?

What happens when God makes you his home? Concluding this series, Richard parallels the loss one feels when a friend leaves with the disciples "loss" of Jesus (in bodily form) and their subsequent experience of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit we, like the disciples, learn to live like him and learn to listen to him day by day.

Richard grapples with questions about healing - why does it happen, why does it happen and how then should we pray? He encourages us to be open, honest and raw with God, trusting that he is with us and will one day restore all things.

With references to colour-changing minions and Total Wipeout as well as Act 15 and Romans 13 Fi reacquaints us with this familiar passage and the contrasting views it includes of "Despicable me" led by self and the fruit-filled community that is led by the Spirit.

With reference to Rachel's companion sermon from December 2018 (https://soundcloud.com/allsoulschurch/get-connected-rom-8-15-27), the narrow streets of Seville and the scent of gravy Richard explores this familiar passage afresh. Reflecting on the slave's longing for freedom, the joy at the end of childbirth, the welcome of adoption and the first fruits of harvest he points to the real and actual...

Richard wishes us "Happy Pentecost" and takes us right back to Genesis, Ezekiel, Joel and Jeremiah to understand the anticipation of the first disciples. Whizzing through to a most modern tendency to "externalise problems" and "internalise solutions" ("search for the hero inside yourself") he shows how God did the opposite at Pentecost, reaching out to touch each one individually, and encourages u...