A childlike spirit is the litmus test for spiritual maturity and against spiritual disorder. Not all spiritual growth is healthy. The Chinese has a term “Zouhuo Rumo 走火入魔,” which is equivalent to Kundalini Syndrome, a condition when a spiritual pactice gets derailed or melfunctioned that leads to mental and emotional disorders. In Christianity, I would call it Pharisee Syndrome. Pharisees are very spiritual people. They are very "faithful" to the scriptures, but according to Jesus, they are not "fruitful" because they got stuck in their egos and arrogance that caused the spiritual disorder.

5th December 2010. Advent 2. St Tim’s 10.15 only. A CITY UNDER SIEGE Imagine a city surrounded by armies. Cut off from supplies except a treacherous route through the mountains. For 4 long years no way in or out of the city except a series of underground tunnels. 10,000 people killed in the siege, including…

This sermon is on the difference in the seasons of Advent and Christmas and in the joy of Advent and Christmas. Most churches and pastors collapse the season as if they were one and the same. This is a mistake Biblically and reflects a misunderstanding of the ecclesiastical calendar and pastors' use of the Common Lectionary. (In regard to the latter, see the introduction to Horace T. Allen's "Handbook of the Common Lectionary.")

The Holy Spirit used ordinary people to burst the church from Jerusalem. We should also ensure that we are receptive to the Holy Spirit and its work in and through us.

I am a fan of the Revised Common Lectionary for worship. It is a three-year cycle in which a great deal of the Scripture gets read in worship and preached on. However, there are times when what is omitted is a head scratcher. For instance in the book of 1 Peter part of the passage we are looking at is…

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B: Season of Christmas: Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) II God has given us ‘a new Name’. It is ‘the Name which is above every name’, the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 62:2; Philippians 2:9-11). Christ loves us. He has given Himself for us. He…

<<The demands of the Gospel are urgent; but not so urgent that we shouldn't stop and listen.>> Science. The exceptional result deserved particular attention. Series of experiments – one result seems not to fit pattern. Either didn't take enough care – sneezed wrong moment. Or challenge our understanding…

If you could only come to Church 5 days in the Christian year, which 5 should you come on? 5 most important days in the C of E Year: Christmas Day Good Friday Easter Day Ascension Day TODAY: Pentecost Why so important?: All days when we celebrate something decisive that GOD DID IN THE WORLD. His Mission…

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B: Season of Christmas: Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) I Glory to God in the highest – our Saviour has come. The prophecy has been spoken - ‘To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given...’. The prophecy has been fulfilled - ‘Today in the town of David a Saviour…

Prayers on the Daily Lectionary

In love, the Lord draws us to Himself. ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness’ (Jeremiah 31:3). So often, we have been like ‘the prodigal son’ (Luke 15:11-24). We have walked away from our Father’s House. We have wandered off into ‘the far country’. We feel…

Candlemass sermon. Luke 2:22-40 !! Introduction What are you looking forward to most at the moment? 6 nations Marathon A break: Holiday – chance to get away from everything, relax But life-changing things? Marriage – everything centred around it. Preparation. Everything changes. Baby Retirement Significance…

Easter Day Toft Methodist Church, 12th April 2009, Mark 16:1-8; Acts 10:34-43 <<The empty tomb is just the beginning. Despite our weaknesses and fears the world is changed forever.>> “They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid” - so ends Marks Gospel. Our second reading Peter speaking to a Roman…

Sermon Comberton / Toft 11th Feb 2007. Lk8:22-25 <<Storms can shape our lives as much as Sunshine>> INTRO Whilst Jacqui and I were in NZ… catching up with friends and family. photos, what’s been important in our lives PHOTOS we take / albums / show only show one side think how many wedding photos you…

After a discussion of why we’ve chosen to begin using a lectionary to guide our worship, we dive into the invitation that Jesus gives us to follow him, looking at the first disciples in Matthew 4.

Sermon Harlton 14th September 2008 Matt 18:21-35 At the end of last month, we witnessed one of the most harrowing news stories of the summer. You'll remember the TV pictures. Deep in the idyllic Shropshire countryside, a blaze was demolishing a dream family home. Horses and dogs were found dead in the…

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B: Season of Christmas: Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) III Good News ‘Good News’ - Let us ‘shout for joy’. ‘Good News’- Let us sing ‘songs of joy’. There is the Good News of God’s reign - ‘Your God reigns’. There is the Good News of our redemption - ‘The Lord has…

Sermon St Mary's Comberton 10th February 2008 Romans 5:12-21; Matt 4:1-11 << Christ is the Second Adam who has broken the chain of sin and death by offering us the free gift of life >> THE BERLIN WALL On the morning of Sunday 13th August 1961, residents of Berlin woke up to discover that their city had…

Prayers on the Daily Lectionary

Sermon St Mary's Comberton, 10/8/08 Matt 14:22-33 <<When we recognise Jesus as the Son of God, all we can do is worship him.>> This passage:- Ghost Master / Lord Son of God. (1) GHOST (v26) Saw him from a distance – scared, spooked. Battling through the night, shadowy shape in the morning mist coming…