Gavin McGrath

Who is this? And do I know him? (Luke 8:40-56)

Preached on Sunday 25th May 2025 by Gavin McGrath, a member of our congregation. A one-off sermon.

  1. Jesus reveals astonishing authority

    • over frightening nature (vv. 22-25)

    • Over demonic powers (vv. 26-29)

    • Over a tragic death - Jairus’ daughter

    • Over a debilitating illness - the bleeding woman

      Reflection: But who is this? Do I know his authority?

    2.Jesus shows a wonderful willingness

    • Willing to tolerate indifference (v. 37)

    • Willing to be interrupted by need (vv. 41, 43-46, 49)

    • Willing to embrace human limitation (v. 45)

    • Willing to be mocked and derided (v. 53)

      Reflection: But who is this? Do I know his willingness?

      3. Jesus displays compassionate care

    • He responds to urgent need (v. 42)

    • He calls the woman “daughter” (v. 48)

    • He protects from shame (v. 47)

    • He brings healing and peace (v. 48)

    • He replaces fear with faith v(v. 49-50)

    • He avoids public spectacle (v. 51)

    • He gently takes her by the hand (v. 54)

    • He affectionately calls her “my child” (v. 54)

    • He cares completely (vv. 55-56)

      Reflection: But who is this? Do I know his care?

The rejected by many yet received by others Messiah (John 1:10-13)

Preached on Sunday 17th December 2023 by Gavin McGrath, a member of our congregation.

The third sermon in a four sermon advent series.

Why Christmas?

1. Because he came into the world (v.10a)

• Who he is

• Who he is to the world

2. The world in which he was and is rejected (vv.10b-11)

• The world which will not know him but should

• Even those who should know him but didn’t

3. Yet in the world he was and is received by some (v.12)

• Reception is believing in his name

• Reception is through nothing less than a new creation

4. Because we are in this world

• Who he is to us

• What he offers us

He is why Christmas

3. Rome (Acts 28:11-31)

Preached on Sunday 29th October 2023 by Gavin McGrath, a member of our congregation.

The third of a three sermon series: The Church in Acts: what, who and why?

1. The storms of human events cannot stop the Lord Jesus growing his church!

i. Storms of every kind (vv.11-13)

ii. Yet there are ‘brothers and sisters’ already (vv.14-16)

iii. Rejection by some, acceptance by others (vv.17-29)

2. The church of Jesus both subverts and answers the longings of Rome

i. A welcome (v.30)

ii. A message (v.31)

3. The church of Jesus has not stopped with Rome

iii. Luke’s brevity and Luke’s point

iv. The ongoing story…including us