I have very few religious books for children at home, but one of my favourites is a book for lower primary school readers by Steph Williams, titled Little Me, Big God: Stories About Jesus.[1] I thought about that title as I prepared this sermon. The third Beatitude in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:5) is often …
Foundations for human flourishing
This weekend is notable for two things: first, it’s the start of Daylight Saving in the enlightened states of Australia, a truth that will dawn painfully on those who arrive for church about thirty minutes from now. Second, it’s footy Grand Final weekend in two of the three major codes, which this year is a …
Knowing a majestic God
This is the last of five sermons on selected Old Testament psalms, focusing on the nature and character of God, what it means to know God, and how that knowledge of God draws responses from our hearts and minds, changing our attitudes and actions. Reflecting on Psalm 15, we saw that the God we have …
On contrition and compassion
Alasdair MacIntyre, one of the world’s great twentieth-century philosophers, died on Wednesday. He is best known for reintroducing virtue ethics as a viable alternative to consequentialism. He also saw his faith and his philosophy as mutually enriching. Reading the obituaries, I was reminded of this quotation from one of MacIntyre’s twenty books: Man is in …
What’s in a benediction?
At the close of many services of worship, a leader stands and, often with one hand raised, palm facing the congregation, he or she speaks words of “benediction.” What’s in a benediction, and why are they important? The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious …
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