CANCELLED | When the Carols Fell Silent
Four great threats to the joy of Christmas
Preached on 6th December 2020 by Rupert Hunt-Taylor
Sermon Notes:
On earth: a baby batters a beast (v1-6)
In heaven: a lamb conquers a liar (v7-12)
Three things to know when you pick a fight with a dragon:
The Devil is dying
The baby has bled
His people are fed
Preached on 29th November 2020, by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
Psalms | Book 1: Christ's battle for the kingdom
Sermon Notes:
1. The human heart: a well of death and deceit (v1-4)
2. The God of love: a fountain of life and light (v5-9)
3. From the depths of the well, drink from the fountain (v10-12)
Preached on 22nd November 2020, by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
Psalms | Book 1: Christ's battle for the kingdom
Sermon Notes:
The worst miscarriage of justice in history... which side were we on?
How do Jesus’ true people respond to the world’s hatred of him:
1. Rage against the wrong
2. Rouse the one who cares
3. Rejoice in the righteous God
Preached on 15th November 2020, by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
Psalms | Book 1: Christ's battle for the kingdom
Sermon Notes:
A humiliating story... What king would so delight in sharing it?
1. Sing with the king: and share in God’s worth to Him (1-7)
2. Hear how to fear: and share in God’s love for Him (8-22)
Preached on 8th November 2020 by Rupert Hunt-Taylor
A brief reflection for Remembrance Sunday
Readings: Deuteronomy 6:4–12, Luke 23:32-43
On memory...
We long for remembrance, because we are human
Memory values our past
Memory values our future
Our memories fail, because we are human
Memory is a wonderful but finite gift
God also gives us means to preserve our memory of himself
True hope lies in the one who remembers us
Preached on 1st November 2020 by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
The eleventh talk in the "How to win at Christianity" series.
Sermon Notes:
- A ring or a noose?
- Paul’s aim: pastoral wisdom, that frees us from anxiety
However you decide...
You are free
This world is dying
Life in it is difficult
So devote that life to Jesus
Preached on 25th October 2020 by Peter Dickson.
A one-off sermon on Jonah 1:1-17.
Sermon Notes
We can be very serious about getting away from The Lord
Our God is surprisingly resourceful
What greater sign could ever be given us?
Preached on 18th October 2020 by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
The tenth talk in the "How to win at Christianity" series.
Sermon Notes:
How do we find contentment, in a world of disposable things?
In a broken world, it’s enough...
1. …to fight for Jesus’ faithfulness (v10-11)
• so don’t dispose of your marriage!
2. …to live in Jesus’ peacefulness (v12-16)
• so don’t devalue your marriage!
3. …to belong to a better master (v17-24)
• so don’t despise your freedom!
Preached on 11th October 2020 by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
The ninth talk in the "How to win at Christianity" series.
Sermon Notes:
Good, better, best: a game of Spiritual Twister
A reassuringly complicated response
How do we “glorify God in our body”?
1. If God has given you marriage: make love, not prayers! (v1-7)
The command: a cross-shaped bedroom (v3-4)
The concession: a cautious exception (v5-6
Unwrap your own gift! (v7)
2. If God has given you independence: be wise about your weakness! (v8-9)
Preached on 4th October 2020 by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
The eight talk in the "How to win at Christianity" series.
Sermon Notes:
On the love of our bodies...
Christianity: an earthy, bodily religion.
1. What you’ve got wrong (12-14)
Your life is more significant than you realise.
2. What you don’t know (15-17)
Your relationships are more powerful than they feel.
3. What it means now (18-20)
Your body is ‘you’, but not ‘yours.’
So flee...
So glorify...
Preached on 27th September 2020 by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
The seventh talk in the "How to win at Christianity" series.
Sermon Notes:
A tragedy: Christians who don’t know where they’ve come from, or where they are going.
How might we become non-verbal heretics?
1. What we tell the world
– “We don’t believe in the last judgement”
church is a place full of squabbles (v1-6)
– “We don’t believe in the cross”
church is a place for the strong (v7-8)
2. What we tell ourselves
– “We don’t believe in the last judgement”
Jesus doesn’t care about wrong (v9-10)
– “We don’t believe in the cross”
Jesus doesn’t know how to wash (v11)
Preached on 20th September 2020 by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
The sixth talk in the "How to win at Christianity" series.
Sermon Notes:
The real scandal in Corinth:
One Corinthian disease, right through the letter
How do chapters 5 & 6 relate to it?
Dealing with sin in the church is hugely painful… so why bother?
1. Some real ‘judgement’: A loving heart (v1-5)
For his sake: your love for the sinner demands it
2. Some real ‘knowledge’: A fresh start (v6-8)
For your sake: the health of God’s temple demands it
3. Some real ‘spirituality’: A brotherly part (v9-13)
For the world’s sake: the mission you share demands it
Preached on 13th September 2020 by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
The fifth talk in the "How to win at Christianity" series.
Sermon Notes:
A paternity test…
1. When do we want our approval? (1-5)
– A true child of Paul…cares for Jesus’ ultimate verdict on his heart, not that of others now.
2. What do we think of as success? (6-18)
– A true child of Paul… boasts in nothing more or less than the message Paul was trusted with (6-7).
– A true child of Paul… is willing to “lose” now, knowing that everything they have, they received (8-13).
3. Where do we look for our examples? (14-21)
– A true child of Paul… follows his ways, not just his words.
Preached on September 6th 2020 by Rupert Hunt Taylor
Worth and Worship: Humanity Rediscovered
First Reading: Mark 7:5-8
Second Reading: Amos 5:21-24
Third Reading: Hebrews 12:28–13:16
Sermon Notes:
When does worship make the heavens stink?
- When we barge in, filthy and proud
Liturgy
Lives
When does worship make our Father smile?
- When the crucified one fills our lips and our love
Liturgy
Lives
Preached on August 30th 2020 by Rupert Hunt Taylor
Worth and Worship: Humanity Rediscovered
First Reading: Genesis 1:31-2:3
Second reading: Hebrews 3:12-4:11
Sermon Notes:
Human souls need rest
Jesus gives rest to the weary
We rest in him through worship
[Please enjoy the sound of authentic Scottish seagulls, added into the background of this sermon at no extra cost.]
Preached on August 23rd 2020 by Rupert Hunt Taylor
Worth and Worship: Humanity Rediscovered
Sermon Notes:
Stitching the fabric of creation back together…
A Joyful Gathering: At the heart of this universe is a joyful celebration.
An Aching Rift: That gathering is a dangerous place to be if you don’t belong.
A Spiritual Homecoming: God gives his lost children ways to come home.