Sermons And Gubbins

This story was given in lieu of a sermon on Sunday 11th October. The gospel reading was Matthew 22:1-14 , which is (in my mind at least) quite a troublesome passage. This is my response to Jesus' prompting of us to compare the kingdom of heaven to the banquet he talks about in his parable. I hope you enjoy my own version!      O nce there was a great and powerful king. He lived in a most magnificent palace in a land called Ekklesia. The palace was built high up on a hill, and gleamed with golden domes and silver spires that glittered in the sunlight. All the citizens of Ekklesia wondered at the marvels that must exist within that palace, given the opulence displayed so evidently in its building work. They stared up as they went about their business, carrying trade of fine silks, heady spices and precious metals from the great merchant ships in the harbour to the rich city centre. One of those who marvelled at this palace every day was a fellow called Lazarus. Lazarus ...

This sermon was preached on our Sunday morning service on 14th June 2026. The Gospel was Matthew 9:35-10:8 .     Did you ever – at Sunday school maybe – have to learn the names of the twelve disciples? I think, for me, it was one of the things we had to do when I was a member of the Boys’ Brigade in Scotland. To be honest, even now, I’m not sure I could do it from memory…   Let’s start with the easy ones: Simon (also called Peter), James, John, Judas Iscariot, Doubting Thomas – ok, that’s five. Seven more then – feel free to shout out! ·          Matthew the tax collector – sometimes called Levi ·          Philip ·          Andrew! (Simon’s brother) ·          Another James (son of Alphaeus, rather than Zebedee) ·          Another Simon as well – Simon the Zea...