Sermons from All Souls Church

Joe talks dogs, cats and big risks as he draws from the story of Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego and their fiery furnance deliverance. He exhorts us to recognise God's faithfulness to us (endless) as we try to strengthen our (flaky) faithfulness to him. Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus - so believe and belong and be faithful to him.

Maf expounds Matt 11: 25-30 and highlights the hatred in the online world - harsh words on social media widening wounds. He links climate change and wildfires in the physical world to cultural change and inappropriate behaviour on the internet. Fuelling the flames of outburst and outrage online is the very opposite of gentleness; rather we are encouraged to look to and learn from Jesus - who invit...

Dan starts with pet peeves to intro the fruit of patience - the ability to endure without complaint. In a culture of convenience with an expectation of instantaneous gratification there is a risk of assumed entitlement. Mere toilet paper was the "must have" of not so long ago and some people's disregard for others then showed our ugly side. We are encouraged to each reflect on our own situations a...

We can search for peace in our moment of need, but this is also ‘fruit’ we can cultivate intentionally over time. Key aspects are ‘Getting to know God and understanding the bigger picture’ (e.g. through Scripture) and ‘facing up to our anxieties and being honest about our coping mechanisms’ (e.g - through journalling or chatting it over with a friend). Ultimately, looking for peace in the wrong pl...

Joe talks joy. Not momentary euphoria from fulfilled desires but the deep, bubbling well spring of certainty that comes from knowing what has been accomplished on the cross and the kingdom that is coming. The disciples' joy defied their circumstances - some suffering martydom - and this fruit of the spirit is grown in us, often through suffering, as we do life God's way.

In the first of a new sermon series Rachel talks about knowing the love of God ourselves and becoming more like our heavenly father as we lavishly demonstrate love for others - this is what will make the world sit up and look.

We finish our series looking at Jesus priorities in the early part of his ministry as we consider what unites us as his people.

Joe looks at the invitation in this passage to look back to help you look forward. What would be your dream invitation? For those on the road to Emmaus they were encouraged to recount what had happened, reflect on what it meant and realise who walked alongside them and the hope that was theirs. Jesus invites us to do the same and Joe gives practical "how to" guidance.

Joe starts with snowdays to ease us into today's reflections on the rhythm of work/life God intended - what is "sabbath" all about? Jesus starts with the heart; the religious leaders love laws - conflict is inevitable. Jesus poses the "what's lawful?" question and suggests "stretch" to challenge the moral basis for authority. Jesus was angry and deeply distressed by the (lack of) response. Would w...

Joe starts with the topic of a "ruthless elimination of hurry" as cause to pause - he takes us back to the "emergency stop" start of the pandemic and how we've been jolted to reflect on our priorities. What can we learn from the lifestyle of Jesus? Respect rest. Sleep enough. Reset your rhythms.

Maf starts by talking about crutches - we all need Jesus but not as an "add on" for our own lives but for new lives led by him. He pivots using an unleaded petrol parallel to convey the meaning of the risk associated with new wine and old wine skins - a warning for us to realise that if we're Christians we're not in charge any more.

Joe looks at how contagious diseases with no known cure are handled - 2,000 years ago as well as today. Joe zooms in on the affront to God of a leper's sickness and how Jesus turns around the situation - rather than being made unclean by touching another he cleanses the person before him. Know there is hope but we need to ask and listen.

Joe pulls us into the value of silence and solitude to connect with God. He considers this "blink and you've missed it" story in Mark and how Jesus deals with others' expectations - rather than being led by them he pivots based on God's leading. So, what happens in the wilderness? Jesus intentionally creates margin away from distractions to understand God's "what's next". For us, we need to deal w...

Joe takes us back to the basics in Mark 1 - who is Jesus? Who are we? What are we called to do today? We are not what we do, what we have or what others think of us - rather our identity is defined by our relationship to God. Before we return to our new normals we will do well to re-centre ourselves as Christians as being first and foremost God's children.

In his first sermon as vicar of All Souls, Joe (Reverend Sellers) goes to the first verse of Mark and looks at who Jesus is and how we (Christians) are now known by his name - followers of Christ. From pondering the past, present and future impact of the pandemic to fundamental questions of identity to a memorable key ring parallel Joe reminds us of whose we are once we've accepted Jesus for who h...

Tim looks back on the stories we have heard during this series and challenges us, as Jesus challenged his listeners, to make links between the stories and our experiences - who do we relate to? What is there for us to learn? He "just adds water" to the final tale to compare the experiences of two builders - one wise, one foolish - looking at our foundations, which are we?

Hannah unpacks the familiar tale of a wedding feast where those originally invited make their excuses whilst former outsiders suddenly find themselves honoured guests - everyone is welcome (just as they are), the downcast and diminished are honoured, and a feast (not just a morsel) awaits - we need to accept the invite, encourage others and linger longer together in his presence.

Dan takes a familiar tale and resets our understanding by explaining the historical and geological context - the land wasn't easy to read and the burdens on the farmer were many. As well as pondering what sort of soil we've been, and what seed we've seen he emphasises the message of hope and encourages those growing strongly to reflect on how we can be hope for others.

Miles relates the tale of the prodigal son, personally relating more to the argumentative, depressed and argumentative older brother than the wayward younger son. He highlights that the father went out to the older brother, absorbed his son's accusations, affirmed their relationship and promised proximity - "You are always with me". If you're also grumbling at God , don't stand outside - (re)join...

Jon draw us into a tale about a vineyard and ponders how we apply it to ourselves today. Did we choose where we born, when we were born, to whom we were born, with what we born? Clearly not yet so much of what we accomplish is dependent on what we have been gifted with. Jon challenges us to grasp the grace we have been given, show gratitude for it and, in turn, give!

Rachel "rings the doorbell" with prayer - unlayering the complexity by explaining how Jesus spoke about God as neighbour and father. She uses the modern parallel of egg-sharing during lockdown to highlight the "shameless audacity" in the bible story of waking a neighbour to help a friend. She then goes on to clarify that God is the never-sleeping, eager father cherishing his child not just a reluc...

Linz starts with a gutfelt reaction to the familiar good Samaritan tale - what would you do if you saw somebody battered and bleeding on the road? She references our hero's pro-activity, pity and generosity - with his time, his resources and his attention. He is an example of selflessness Jesus exhorts us to follow - attending to spiritual needs as well as physical.

Charles talks about how spectacular growth can suddenly emerge from seeming insignificance. The kingdom is God's kingdom and it grows without needing our attention - though we might feel less able to contribute during lockdown God's kingdom is growing anyway. Captain Tom's remarkable story is an example of how simply doing what we can can balloon into blessing - we are encouraged to keep eyes open...

Rachel prepares us for new things ahead. She separates imagination from fact and points out that faith leads to fact but is often based on fiction - what we believe not just what we know. She talks about the parable of the 99 sheep and how the shepherd rejoiced over the 1 lost sheep - a cause for celebration. "If reason changes our minds imagination changes our hearts" and such parallels help us a...

Maf starts with Lego and a cheeky grandson to introduce the topic of obstacles - for Nehemiah, this ranged from threats and scorn to the need to clear the ground - down before up. For us too, Maf talks about our rubble - the risks of nostalgia clouding our vision, traditions blinkering our openness to options and consumerism clogging our attention - and invites us to clean our ears, expect to be c...