St Matts Anglican Church Sermons

202606076PMp JB The Kingdom of God in your midst ReadingLuke 17: 20-37. When thePharisees ask Jesus, When will the kingdom come? What will be the signs of theSon of Man coming? he re-directs their attention, stating that the Kingdom ofGod is in their midst.   God’s Kingdom is God’s people under God’s ruleand God’s blessing.  We too may ask thequestion, when will all God’s promises be fulfilled. In...

202605316PMp CD Healed Cleansed and Saved Reading:Luke 17:11-19. Jesus is withhis disciples between Samaria and Galilee, on the way to Jerusalem when ten menwho had leprosy met him and asked Jesus to have pity on them.  Jesus tells them to go and show themselves toa priest and as they go they are healed. But one of them, a Samaritan, seeing he was healed, turns backand throws himself at Jesus’ fee...

2020524 6PMp JB Called to forgiveness. Reading: Luke 17:1-11. Corrie Ten Boom, author of the book, “The Hiding Place” told of an instance when she was confronted with the need for forgiveness in her heart, for prison officer from the prison camp she and members of her family were held in during the second world war.  “Forgiveness is about the greatness of your king, not about the greatness of your...

20260517 6PMp CD Rich and Poor in Mercy Reading: Luke 16:19-31  What comes to mind with the word Pharisee? The Pharisees wanted to stand out for God, but with time, they drifted from their original intent.  Jesus tells a parable about a rich man, and a beggar.  In contrast in life they both die, and in death their situation is also contrasted: In Abraham’s bosom, and in Hades. This parable is abou...

20260419 6PMp DT The Cost of Being a disciple. Reading Luke 14:25-34. Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem, where he will go to the cross.  Many were following him as a popular leader.  Jesus makes it clear that it requires costly commitment to be his disciple. Jesus must be number one priority – above our family members and even our own selves. He calls people to take up their cross and follow him. ...

20260412 DT On the Road, with Jesus: Living in God’s community. Reading: Luke 14:1-23. The Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day. They saw it as their role to protect the Religious  Law. They made many rules about the Law. Jesus was invited to a banquet, but he was being carefully watched.  They sought to catch Jesus out, but Jesus asked pointed questions, which they did not answer. Jesu...

20260405  6PMp DT Jesus is Risen, Peter (and disciples) restored Reading:  John 21:1,4,10,15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. After His resurrection Jesus meets his disciples, and Peter, when they had gone back to their earlier profession, fishing.  Jesus re commissions them to serve Him. Sociology can assess some of the impacts of Christianity on the Graeco-Roman world, and subsequently.  But sociolog...

20260403 6PMp CD Healing from Brokenness Reading:  Matthew 26:26-35, 69-75. What a painful story for Jesus and for the disciples … especially Peter. Why did Jesus tell them beforehand what would happen to them? It is a story of Peter’s, (and our) brokenness. By this, Jesus helps Peter, and us, to understand what Jesus is doing for Peter, … and us. For, by His stripes, we are healed. Speaker: Chris...

20260329 6PMp MA God prepares his workers for Mission Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 In a matching game, we learn that often, some quite “unlikely” people are the ones who excel in unexpected ways in their life work.  In the reading, we learn that God often uses unexpected people.  He used Paul, the one who had persecuted the Christians.  And He equipped him, through Jesus himself. And God may call an...

How would you describe what it is like when you feel guilty? What impact does it have on you when you know that you are forgiven? And what happens the next time? and the next? ...

20260111 6PMp CD Being a Christian in an AI World. Reading: Proverbs 2:1-6. How do we want AI to shape us? Remember: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning.” The good and the wise benefit other people. All people matter! Will AI shape you to care for other people more? Or less? God calls us to love people around us! How will AI change us?  How will AI cause us to: Shape our view and val...

20260104 6PMp DT Proverbs on Friendship Readings: Proverbs 27: 5-10 & 17 There is reportedly a growing epidemic of loneliness, and a true friend will often look out for the long-term welfare of a person rather than their immediate comfort.  Sometimes it is easier to be quiet than to speak the truth in love.  We need wise people to walk with.  Christian friends need to forgive one another. With...

20251214 6PMp DT Messiah The Everlasting Father Readings: Isaiah 9:6. John 14:1-14.  In Isaiah, one of the titles given to the Messiah is “The Everlasting Father”. Jesus, on the night before he died, told his disciples that he was going away to prepare a place in the Father’s house and would come again. And because his disciples knew and had seen him, they also knew and had seen the Father in him....

20251207 6PMp Readings: Isaiah 9:1-7.  John 4:1-26 First of A Series in Advent. We learn of the promised Messiah, the one who is to come.  The Wonderful Counsellor. The story unfolds at the well.  A Samaritan woman comes, at the heat of the day, avoiding others.  Jesus has a plan for this woman.  He breaks the conventions and speaks to her, and in so doing, brings out the truth about her.  This wo...

20251123 6PMp JB Romans 16 Co workers in the gospel Reading: Romans 16:1-27  Paul sends greetings to many persons who in various ways have supported the work of the Good News. He asks them to partner with him in further work beyond Rome.  This a list of people who share the solidarity of union in Christ. We too need others to partner with others to share the Really Good News. Speaker: John Batten.

20251116 6PMp CD Romans 14 Serving with Love for each other. Reading: Romans 14:1 to 15:13 Circumstances in the Early Church in Rome brought about a community of different backgrounds in the church at Rome.  This resulted in disagreements about practical matters in the community, such as what to eat or drink. Paul writes to them telling them to act in  love toward the weaker brother, reminding the...

20251109 6PMp IB Romans 13 Obeying the Authorities How to live as a Christian.  How to respond to Governments, living a different life. How to live in a loving way. And, are we ready for that (last) day? We take much for granted.  The governments provide many important things in our lives. God is sovereign. We have to think through, biblically.  Churches and governments historically have worked ei...

20251102 6PMp IB Good News in a Fallen World Reading: Romans 12   What is good news?  We get examples in the news media, but sometimes it is not good news for most people.  The world needs really good news.  What is Really Good News? The bible gives examples of practical Christian Living in a fallen world. This shows itself as the fruit of the Spirit, each with different gifts, serving one another...