Sermons
- 2 Corinthians 1:18-20 Say Yes! (London)
God's "Yes!" cannot be earned. God's "Yes!" can only be received with thankfulness and joy. Like a Christmas present wrapped in rainbow paper, God's "Yes!" is given to us without preconditions. But once received, what do we do with God's "Yes!"? Do we lock it away in the closet? Or, do we unwrap it like a small child opens Christmas gifts with?
- 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Mark 2:1-12 Always Yes (Hyde)
We live in a "No" kind of world. No, you can’t do this. No, you can’t do that. No, you can’t worship here because you aren’t one of us. No, no, no. Some things never change... that is, unless forgiveness takes place. We are often willing to forgive others, but don’t think we have done anything for which we need to be forgiven.
- 2 Corinthians 3:12 – 4:6 20/20 Vision (Wagner)
In the movie, "O God" there is a scene where John Denver is in the shower. When he steps out he sees Burns, who is dressed as an old man wearing a fishing hat. Denver says, "So this is what God looks like?" But Burns responds by saying, "If I appeared as I really am, you couldn't handle it."
- 2 Corinthians 3:12 – 4:6 20/20 Vision (Wagner)
In the movie, "O God" there is a scene where John Denver is in the shower. When he steps out he sees Burns, who is dressed as an old man wearing a fishing hat. Denver says, "So this is what God looks like?" But Burns responds by saying, "If I appeared as I really am, you couldn't handle it."
- 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 Down But Never Out (Bowen)
Do you remember the best-seller of some years ago called Looking Out For Number One? Did you know that after the book was published, the author's wife divorced him and is now receiving thousands of dollars in alimony. When asked why she did this, she is reported to have said, "I read his book."
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Life by the Invisible (Bowen)
Moses on Mount Sinai, begs to see God. "Please give me just one good look." Woody Allen says, "If only God would give me one solid clue like depositing fifty thousand in my bank account." Skeptics ask, "Where's the evidence?" But God can't be known that way, precisely because he transcends the material and mundane and visible.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Secularism: Subtle Enemy (Bowen)
We need to stop and ask ourselves again and again, not ‘Do I believe in God?' but rather how do I take him in to account in my daily life? Is my relationship to him anywhere near as driving a concern or passion as the success of my business or the health of my children, or my ambitions for next year?
- 2 Corinthians 5:6-17 By Faith or By Sight (Anders)
Paul says, "We walk by faith and not by sight." Most people advocate walking by sight. With our eyes, we see the path before us. Our eyes keep us from stumbling and falling. We live by sight. Many conclude that only what we see and touch is real. In the church, however, we believe that there is more to this world than what meets the eyes.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 No One Is Too Young (Gerhardy)
Salvation comes to us in baptism as a free gift without any qualifications on our part. And so as Lily/Natalie was baptised this morning, as small as she is, we witnessed the pure grace of God at work as God created a new relationship with her and made a covenant with her to always be her Saviour and Helper.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Where Were You on 9-11 (McLarty)
On September 11, 2001, we got a refresher course in the reality of evil. Before 9/11, we regarded terrorists as being an opposing army. After 9/11, we saw a difference: An opposing army is guided by allegiance to a country and its ideologies, however misguided. Unlike enemy soldiers, terrorists are loyal to no one.
- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Put Humpty-Dumpty Together Again (Anders)
We can all identify with Humpty Dumpty as he sat on the wall--a better time. Can you remember such an idyllic time? How far back do you have to go? Back before the Fall. Back before you made a mess of life. Back when relationships were right. After the Fall, we look back with envy at the simple times of sitting on a wall.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 What Time Is It? (Stevenson)
Does anyone know what time it is? The Bible says, "Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2) Not yesterday, not tomorrow, not when you feel more like it. Now is the acceptable time. Now is the time to respond to God's grace.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 What Time Is It? (McLarty)
In the fullness of time Christ came to redeem us from our fallen state. He died for our sins and rose to usher in a New Creation – the Kingdom of God – that we might live together in peace. That New Creation is not realized by government decree, but as individuals like us humble ourselves and turn to the Lord--and invite others to join us.
- 2 Corinthians 9.7 We Seek Not Yours But You (Anders)
I would be embarrassed to tell you the times I have spent money foolishly. Most of the time, we spend our money on things that really aren't that important. That's because most of the time we spend it on our own appetites. We spend our money foolishly on our appetites instead of spending it wisely on the Kingdom of God.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 A Theology of Offering (McLarty)
A theology of offering arises out of a simple premise: WHY you give is every bit as important as WHAT you give. Let me hasten to say that what we have to offer God is a lot more than money. We have time and talent and energy and the creative gift of imagination. In many ways, giving money is the easiest part.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Thanks Be to God (Wagner)
By expressing our thankfulness like Eleanor and Susie, we are living witnesses to the grace of God. Giving is a way of worship in which thanksgiving and glory to God is expressed. Verse 13 also reminds us that our giving is related to confession of the gospel of Christ. People of faith are grateful and live lives of thankfulness.
- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 The Weakest Link (Wagner)
Rather than boast of his achievements, Paul "boasted in his weaknesses." Paul, like any of us, had appealed to God to be free of his hardships, but God responded to Paul by saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." Power in weakness? You got to be kidding.
- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Strength in Weakness (Kegel)
St Paul said that our "weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities" are opportunities to show God's grace and God's glory. As we are weak, we come to know that Christ is strong. As we suffer, we come to understand the fellowship of Christ's sufferings. As we triumph over our adversities, we are empowered by God working in us.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Faith in the Dark (Bowen)
In the winter of our pain and trouble we find ourselves, we find the means to help others and we find our God ... and so learn the true and deeper joy of real life. On the night before Jesus was to die, he said, "In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world."
- 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 The Order of Faith (Hyde)
If there is one thing the cantankerous Corinthian church cannot do, it is to put things in order. They can't agree with one another either. Definitely not their strong suit. Live in peace? Forget about it! And they're not too good at listening to Paul's appeal, either.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 Glory to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Gerhardy)
Today, on this Trinity Sunday, all we need is just to be quiet. Lie back. Stare at the stars and be totally filled with amazement. The creator of all that—loves the world. Loves you. Loves me. Loves the young people who will be baptised and confirmed today. He is our God. He made us. He saved us. He calls us into his family.