Sermons

First Sunday after Christmas – Colossians 3:12-17

Grace, peace and mercy to you from God our Father and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”

For better or for worse, 2009 rapidly draws to a close in the next few days and the arrival of a new year often leads to contemplation and resolutions. Whether you are one who makes new year resolutions and tries hard to keep them, I’ll leave that to you; but St. Paul gives us good words as we look to the upcoming year, and whatever the Lord has in mind for the Cairns Lutheran Parish – for His people here and everywhere as we await His return in glory.

Heavenly Father, sanctify us in the truth, your Word is truth. Amen.

  • Download and read the whole sermon as a pdf here

Christmas Day 2009 – Titus 3:4-7

Grace, peace and mercy to you from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Imagine a scene where there is brightly coloured paper strewn around the room, a tree sags in the corner and people are searching for batteries whilst others are heading off to prepare the Christmas lunch. At most times of the year we would think this is some form of chaos but at this time of the year we celebrate Christmas with our family and friends.

It won’t be long and Christmas 2009 will be over and sooner or later we will need to pick up the problems and challenges we have put to one side. They will be ready to resume their place as the centre of our attention. Bills will need to be paid, work will need to be done, school work will begin once again – until we prepare to do Christmas all again next year.

  • Download and read the whole sermon as a pdf here

Christmas Eve 2009 – Isaiah 7:10-14

Grace, peace and mercy to you from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The time of waiting draws to a close as this evening we remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Do you celebrate this evening when you return home, or do you wait in expectation for what tomorrow brings? Regardless of when we celebrate the coming of the Christ child, we remember two things: 1) It is the birth of our Saviour we celebrate; and 2) we still have to deal with the challenges we face each and everyday.

  • Download and read the whole sermon as a pdf here

Fourth Sunday of Advent – Luke 1:39-45

Grace, peace and mercy to you from God our Father and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Women in our culture, and increasingly men also, are all too often celebrated for what they look like, instead of who they are. Our televisions, movies and magazines are filled with advertising that promotes diet pills and plans, fitness programmes and any other gimmick to get people to look, smell and feel better. The yardstick that is put forward as being the ideal is that which magazines and Hollywood want you to believe. The problem with all of this superficiality that celebrates the lives of the young and beautiful is that it keeps us from recognizing true beauty.

In today’s gospel reading we meet two women. Luke never considers it necessary to describe what they look like. He pays no attention to their sense of fashion. Nevertheless, he shows them for what they are: truly beautiful women.

Heavenly Father, sanctify us in the truth, your Word is truth. Amen.

  • Download and read the whole sermon as a pdf here