Reverend Neil Taylor - Podcast

I Quit! Living in Fear (Week Three)

Week Three — I Quit! Living in Fear.

Fed up with the status quo? The way things are isn’t the way things have to be. Are you willing to see what happens when you’re ready to say, "I Quit!".

I Quit! Complaining (Week Two)

Week Two — I Quit! Complaining.

Fed up with the status quo? The way things are isn’t the way things have to be. Are you willing to see what happens when you’re ready to say, "I Quit!".

I Quit! Making Excuses (Week One)

Week One — I Quit! Making Excuses.

Fed up with the status quo? The way things are isn’t the way things have to be. Are you willing to see what happens when you’re ready to say, "I Quit!".

The audio of the first 4.30min is a bit rough — Mea culpa!

 

Feast of Saint Stephen Homily

Read Acts 6:8-7:2a,51-60 and Matthew 23:29-39

Christmas Day Homily | 2023

Christmas Eve Homily | Declare that the Dawn is Coming

Read Luke 1:67-69

Zechariah praised God when his son was born. He praised God for the promises that God made, the promises that God kept the promises that were in his son. Because he knew that his son was created for a purpose. He knew that his son John would be called a prophet and would “go before the Lord to prepare a way.” He knew that his son would “tell the people how to be saved through the forgiveness of their sins.” Zechariah was filled with joy at the birth of his son… so he praised God.

However, I want you all to know that God rejoices no less for you than did Zechariah for his son. Zechariah so loved his son that he got a glimpse of him through God’s eternal eyes. Therefore, God so loves you that he has laid out a path for you to follow.

Be the Moon!

Read John 1:19-34

John the Baptist appears at the beginning of John’s Gospel (and the other Gospels) and then falls into the background because he is a link or a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. He is prominent at the beginning of the Gospel because he is part of its roots. The roots of Jesus go back to eternity (John 1:1), and his roots go back to the Old Testament. John is like one of those great tree roots that protrude above the ground a few feet out from the tree trunk.

Over and over, we will see in this Gospel that John the writer explains Jesus in terms of the Old Testament. Jesus doesn’t appear on the scene of history without historical preparation. God had been at work in Israel for two thousand years, and even before that, putting in place a historical backdrop that would make Jesus’ life and ministry more intelligible.

John the Baptist is a root partly underground in the Old Testament and partially exposed in the New Testament. He has a foot in both worlds—a prophet something like Elijah (but not Elijah reincarnate 1:21) and a voice crying that the long-expected Messiah has come.

What Sort of People Ought We Be?

Read Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8; 2 Peter 3:8-18

To understand our New Testament reading from 2 Peter 3:10–14 and to understand the season of Advent and all things apocalyptic, we need to realize that there are false teachers that saturate their false teaching through the media, academia, and once-trusted institutions, and they all in lockstep say:

“Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4)

Therefore, the false teachers of this age reject the reality of the second coming. They deny that with the coming of the Lord, there will be a world-transforming upheaval. They reject it as unbelievable and unimaginable. Because for thousands and thousands of years, the world has gone on just the way it did from the beginning. They tell us that nature is steady and constant. And this thought of an inbreaking of the Son of God and a transformation of this created order is out of the question.

Stuck in the Clouds

Read Isaiah 64:1-9a, Psalm 80, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Mark 13:24.

As we come to the Advent worship season, it can be enjoyable to ride this wave of enthusiasm and expectation as we revel in the flourishes of the season like the advent candles and the steady influx of Christmas cards and gifts.

But in preparing for Advent, we miss something crucial if we overlook the fact that there is a deep wound at the heart of Advent; God’s groaning and limping creation still waits for its healer to appear in glory. As Christians, we still await the reality we only know by faith. To use the language of this week’s epistle:

1 Corinthians 1:7 “[That we] eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The word “revelation” is translated from the Greek word apokalypse. Advent is a time when we wait for the apocalypse.

Following the Lessons of St. Andrew’s Life

Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist — who was preparing the way for the Messiah—and as soon as John, the Precursor, pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, he who takes away the sins of the world!” Andrew immediately sought to follow Jesus along with another disciple of the Baptist who was almost certainly the man who would become St. John the Evangelist. The one who would write down the details of the encounter for us in the first chapter of his gospel.

The Real Difference Between Sheep and Goats

Read Matthew 25:31-46 

Jesus describes the final judgment of the world as a shepherd separating the righteous sheep from the unrighteous goats. The shepherd distinguishes between the two groups by examining their sacrificial love toward the “least of these, my brothers.”
There is nothing uglier than hypocrisy, is there? Especially Christian hypocrisy. There is nothing quite as disheartening, dishonest, and disorienting as a professing Christian who does not love others.

Entrusted

Read Matthew 25:14-30

5 Life Lessons from the Parable of the Talents

The Parable of the Talents teaches us valuable life lessons that can strengthen our relationship with God. In this parable, we learn the importance of using our gifts for His glory and God's varying expectations for His children based on their abilities. Here are five key lessons we can learn from this parable.

1. God has gifted and entrusted us with blessings.
2. He expects us to use our gifts wisely.
3. God judges us based on our abilities.
4. We will be held accountable.
5. We are called to grow in the Lord.

In applying these lessons from the Parable of the Talents, we can align our lives with God's expectations, grow in our faith, and use our gifts to bring Him glory. Let us strive to be faithful stewards of the blessings entrusted to us and fulfill our purpose as children of God.

Be Ready For Things To Come

Read Matthew 25:1-13

There have been a lot of predictions about the end of the world and if and when the Second Coming will happen. The scriptures teach us that Jesus Christ will return. However, the Savior taught, “You do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42).

Whether He comes today or years from now, Jesus told us to “Watch” and prepare ourselves. Through the parable of the Ten Virgins (Bridesmaids), He impressed the importance of unwavering diligence in preparation for His coming. Will you be ready? Are you like the wise or the foolish women in the story?

Who Do You Think You Are? — Week Five

Week Five — Disciple

Read Matthew 9:9

WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.

 

How do you see yourself? A masterpiece or a mess? Survivor or struggler? Advocate or critic? Getting perspective on how God sees you might give you a new view of yourself.

Who Do You Think You Are? — Week Four

Week Four — Salt & Light

Read Matthew 5:13-16

WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.

 

How do you see yourself? A masterpiece or a mess? Survivor or struggler? Advocate or critic? Getting perspective on how God sees you might give you a new view of yourself.

Feast Day of St Luke | October 18, 2023

Feast Day of St Luke

Today is the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, the physician and companion of Paul whose gospel contains the most extensive biography of Jesus.

 

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Who Do You Think You Are? — Week Three

Week Three — Overcomer

Read Romans 8:31-32, 35, 37

WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.

 

How do you see yourself? A masterpiece or a mess? Survivor or struggler? Advocate or critic? Getting perspective on how God sees you might give you a new view of yourself.

Who Do You Think You Are? — Week Two

Week Two — Masterpiece

Read Ephesians 2:1-10

WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.

 

How do you see yourself? A masterpiece or a mess? Survivor or struggler? Advocate or critic? Getting perspective on how God sees you might give you a new view of yourself.

Who Do You Think You Are? — Week One

Week One — Ambassador

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.

 

How do you see yourself? A masterpiece or a mess? Survivor or struggler? Advocate or critic? Getting perspective on how God sees you might give you a new view of yourself.

10—The Decalogue | Part Three: Family and Community

Read Exodus 20:1-17

Part Three: Family and Community

Did you know that God has given us a pretty important list?
It's called the 10 Commandments. Our God is more than just a name - it's someone we serve.
Please think of the commandments like traffic laws; they're not meant to feel restricted but to keep us safe.
The first four commandments are about our relationship with God, while the next six are about how we treat others.
These commandments help us understand what's right and wrong.
They're simple, direct, and still relevant today.
So remember, the 10 Commandments aren't outdated; they're rock-solid rules for life.

Feast of Saint Matthew | Homily

Feast of Saint Matthew | Homily

Read Matthew 9:9-13

ABOUT ST MATTHEW

Before Jesus called him, Matthew was a publican, i.e., a tax collector for the Romans based in Capharnaum. As such, he was viewed by most people as a great sinner: publicans were not allowed to trade, eat, or pray with other Jews.   In calling Matthew, Jesus showed that his message was for sinners and the righteous. Matthew's response demonstrates repentance.

He was originally called Levi, in Hebrew, meaning "Adhesion". Matthew's new name in Christ means "Gift of God."

After Jesus' death, Matthew wrote the first Gospel in Aramaic, the language that Jesus spoke. The purpose of this book was to convince the Jewish people that the Messiah, whom they anticipated, had come in the person of Jesus.

Tradition says that he preached in Palestine, Egypt, and in Ethiopia. Some sources say he lived until his nineties and died peacefully, while others hold that he was attacked and killed while leading prayer.

Matthew is symbolized by an angel (the winged man) taking the form of a man.

10—The Decalogue | Part Two: God’s Last Name is not Damn!

Read Exodus 20:1-17

Part Two: God's Last Name is Not Damn!

Did you know that God has given us a pretty important list?
It's called the 10 Commandments. Our God is more than just a name - it's someone we serve.
Please think of the commandments like traffic laws; they're not meant to feel restricted but rather to keep us safe.
The first four commandments are all about our relationship with God, while the next six are about how we treat others.
These commandments help us understand what's right and wrong.
They're simple, direct, and definitely still relevant today.
So remember, the 10 Commandments aren't outdated; they're rock-solid rules for life.

10—The Decalogue | Part One: Is God #1 In Your Life?

Read Exodus 20:1-17

Part One: Is God #1 In Your Life?

Did you know that God has given us a pretty important list?
It's called the 10 commandments. Our God is more than just a name - it's someone we serve.
Think of the commandments like traffic laws, they're not meant to feel restricting, but rather to keep us safe.
The first four commandments are all about our relationship with God, while the next six are about how we treat others.
These commandments help us understand what's right and wrong.
They're simple, direct, and definitely still relevant today.
So remember, the 10 commandments aren't outdated, they're rock-solid rules for life.

Baggage | Part Four: The Baggage of Depression

Part Four: The Baggage of Depression

Do you find yourself carrying burdens that weigh you down? Are you longing to find freedom from the things that hold you back? This sermon series will explore how God is ready to take hold of your baggage if you are willing to let it go. This is not just a temporary solution but a permanent release that will set you free. Discover how to leave pain, addiction, and torment behind and break free from the battles that keep you grounded.

Baggage | Part Three: Emotional Baggage

Part Three: Emotional Baggage

Do you find yourself carrying burdens that weigh you down? Are you longing to find freedom from the things that hold you back? This sermon series will explore how God is ready to take hold of your baggage if you are willing to let it go. This is not just a temporary solution but a permanent release that will set you free. Discover how you can leave pain, addiction, and torment behind and break free from the battles that keep you grounded.

For who is the greater, one who reclines at the table or the one who serves?

Read Luke 22:24-30

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle – Feast Day

Saint Bartholomew is one of the Twelve Apostles, mentioned sixth in the three Gospel lists (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14), and seventh in the list of Acts (1:13). The name (Bartholomaios) means "son of Talmai" which was an ancient Hebrew name.
According to Martyrology, Saint Bartholomew suffered martyrdom in the Roman province of Armenia. It is recorded that he was first skinned alive, crucified, and then put to death by decapitation.

Baggage | Part Two: The Baggage of Addiction

Read 2 Peter 2:1-22

Part Two: The Baggage of Addiction

Do you find yourself carrying burdens that weigh you down? Are you longing to find freedom from the things that hold you back? This sermon series will explore how God is ready to take hold of your baggage if you are willing to let it go. This is not just a temporary solution but a permanent release that will set you free. Discover how you can leave behind pain, addiction, and torment and break free from the battles that keep you grounded.

Baggage | Part One: Checking Your Baggage

Read Psalm 109

Part One: Checking Your Baggage

Do you find yourself carrying burdens that weigh you down? Are you longing to find freedom from the things that hold you back? This sermon series will explore how God is ready to take hold of your baggage if you are willing to let it go. This is not just a temporary solution but a permanent release that will set you free. Discover how you can leave behind pain, addiction, and torment and break free from the battles that keep you grounded.

The Unveiled Glory

Read Exodus 34:29-35 and Mark 9:2-12

The only reason we don’t have a God-like glow about us is we choose to veil his Glory by not being renewed in our minds, By not spending time daily in His Word, by not praying daily, by not allowing all of those things to transform us as we surrender to Him and His will. We are to be a reflection of the Lord Jesus, and unlike Peter, James, and John, we do not have a command of silence. We must trust God completely and allow Him to mold us into what He wants us to be even when we go through the peaks and valleys of life.

Who Am I, and What Am I Worth?

Read Matthew 13:44-46

Many years ago, I read a newspaper article entitled “Who am I, and What am I worth?” The article talked about what the human body is worth from a chemical or raw material point of view, and so we have enough iron in our bodies to make six nails; we have enough calcium in our bodies to paint one chicken coop; we have enough phosphorous in our bodies to tip 1000 match heads; we have enough potassium and sulfur in our bodies to blow up one toy car; we have enough fat to make 10 bars of soap; we have enough sugar to sweeten 1 cup of coffee. However, when you add all 39 chemical components together by weight, we are worth $1,985.77. That will buy a top-of-the-range laptop computer or 2,722 Snickers Bars, or if you can find seven friends willing to donate their bodies to you, you can buy an early-model Compact SUV. So who am I, and what am I worth?

Increase (At the end of the message, Bishop Mark Engel’s prophecy to Holy Spirit Anglican Church is included)

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-8 and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-44

"Wheat has a natural principle of increase, but the tare is reprobate or degenerate wheat. Tares look like wheat and have all the outward principles of wheat, but they are degenerate and baseless and bring forth no fruit." — Rev. Adam Clarke, Methodist Theological Scholar.

At the end of the message, Bishop Mark Engel's prophecy to Holy Spirit Anglican Church is included.

The Sower | How is Your Heart?

Read Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Good soil is out there, even though it’s not always easy to find. If we keep sowing the Word, we will reap a harvest in God’s time, by his grace and for his glory. Amen.

Rest For The Weary

Read Matthew 11:25-30

This message was preached at Holy Spirit Anglican Church's outdoor event—Church Without Walls—it was recorded on an iPhone, so apologies in advance for the sound quality.

Jesus talks about rest in our passage but not just physical rest or mental rest. He is talking about a rest, which is much more important. He’s talking about a deeper rest and spiritual rest – a rest for your soul.

We are restless people our lives are often filled with hurts, regrets, and guilt, and to top all that off, there are many distractions. Sometimes we try to tune it all out with music, television, or various activities. But none of that cures the restlessness in our souls; none of that can make us whole again.

Augustine once prayed, “O Lord, you have formed us for yourself, and our souls are restless until they find their rest in you.”

 

Are You Thankful? | Week 4 | A Grander Vision

Read Ezekiel 22:30

Week Four | A Grander Vision

I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one (Ezekiel 22:30).

 “Someone” (Hebrew) אישׁ – ‘eesh’ means a human, but in this context, it infers a certain person, a constant or a consistent person, a steward, a champion, a worthy person.

The Hebrew word “gap” פּרץ – ‘perets’ means space and emptiness between two places. God says I looked for someone to fill the gap to minimise the space, and there was no one to be found, not one man or woman who would stand in the gap.

A gap, by definition, represents a place of weakness a place of vulnerability and danger. So today, I am asking you to be the “eesh” of our text to be that certain person, that worthy person that champion that man or woman who recognises gap situations and trusts God to use them to make a difference even if it is the smallest difference.

So the question is, are you that person? Because, in reality, God is still looking for somebody to stand in the gap.

Are You Thankful? | Week Three | The Generous Life

Read Proverbs 11:24-25

Week Three | The Generous Life

The generous life remembers where our blessing comes from because generosity is the most natural response—in all of life—to a generous God. To a God who first gave toward us, generosity is a natural response.

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

 

Are You Thankful? | Week Two | How God Revealed the Ingratitude of My Own Heart

Read Romans 1:18-32

Week Two | How God Revealed the Ingratitude of My Own Heart

Thankfulness and Gratitude are, first and foremost, a matter of the heart. It’s not about what we do or don’t do; it’s the heart that must be changed. After all, we may do many good deeds, and yet we might do them in bitterness or reluctantly or resentfully or out of a sense of duty or to win God’s favour because we believe that mercy is earned and not given.

I have learned and am learning that thankfulness is a gift. First and foremost, if you want to exercise a spiritual gift, show some gratitude, be thankful and then you might, and we might see some fruit of the Spirit.

Thankfulness and Gratitude are a Gift of the Spirit and a matter of the heart, and it flows down to us, dropping like the gentle rain from heaven. Mercy and Gratitude always go together; what starts as mercy in heaven ends as Gratitude on earth.

Are You Thankful? | Week One | Defeating Discouragement

Read Jeremiah 29:4-6

Week One | Defeating Discouragement

So how should we apply the truth from this passage?

• Bloom where you are planted.
• Serve the Lord right where you are.
• Stop moping!
• Don’t let your emotional life live in the past or the future
• Let God define your life, not your earthly circumstances.
• Don’t expect change to make you happy.
• Never forget that you won’t be here forever.

Finally, that brings us to a fundamental spiritual truth; the only thing that matters is knowing Jesus and growing closer to God daily through him. Nothing else matters; if we know God in Christ, then we are the most blessed and highly favoured of all people on planet Earth.

We Cannot Fail

Read Matthew 28:16-20

Trinity Sunday

“He [Jesus] was a teacher and miracle worker who spent nearly all of his brief ministry in the tiny and obscure province of Galilee, often preaching to outdoor gatherings. A few listeners took up his invitation to follow him, and a dozen or so became his devoted followers, but when he was executed by the Romans, his followers probably numbered no more than several hundred. How was it possible for this obscure Jewish sect to become the largest religion in the world?” — Rodney Stark: The Triumph of Christianity: How the Jesus Movement Became the World’s Largest Religion.

 

 

Determining Your World

Read 2 Kings 6:8-17

Pentecost Sunday (Year A)

God has amazing plans for the life of the Holy Spirit Anglican Church, but you and I must come into His world, a spiritual world, with spiritual reality where the weight of the spiritual is where you and I rest our lives. What qualifies us as sons and daughters of God is living spiritually—being spiritual people. You are not designed to live by your wits and instincts. You were created to walk in the Spirit; you are a spiritual being. So no matter how much you achieve or accumulate, you will never be fulfilled as a spiritual person by the things of this world.

Mission: Unstoppable

Read Acts 1:6-11

Sunday After Ascension (Year A)

The gospels record 132 contacts Jesus had with people. Six of these interactions were in the Temple, four took place in synagogues, and 122 happened with people in the mainstream of life. Therefore, we must break from our holy huddles and “engage in the Lord’s business”. The effectiveness of our witness is in direct proportion to how much love we have for lost people.

Building Bridges Not Barricades

Read Acts 17:16-34

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year A)

As followers of Christ, we live in a foreign land; this world is not our home, we are aliens and strangers, but we’re also called to live on mission. God has given you neighbours to love and witness to. You live where you live by the design of God. He has put you in the place you’re in—on purpose—for His purposes. We must build bridges, not barricades.

 

The Scandal of Particularity: Is Jesus Really the Only Way to Heaven?

Read John 14:6

Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year A)

God’s heart is wide and the way to life is narrow, and both are true. There are many religions and many ideologies, and I’m sure there are many good things to be learned, but there is only one way to God. Jesus is the way.

I Am The Good Shepherd

Read Psalm 23 and John 10:1-11

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Like most people today, chances are you do not know any shepherds. For the first Christians, who were familiar with shepherds, the Good Shepherd was a favorite image to associate with Christ.

The shepherd has a rod to fend off wild animals that might harm the flock. Jesus saved us from evil.

Jesus restores our souls. Shepherds feed their flocks. Jesus feeds us with the excellent bread of the Eucharist and brings us to living waters: baptism and the Holy Spirit.

The image of shepherds is that they are kind, loving, patient, strong, and self-sacrificing. They are a good image for Jesus. And sheep, who can be rather stupid and foolish creatures, are a good symbol for us!

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want!

 

Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

GOOD FRIDAY/EASTER SERMON

Answering the question, "Why did Jesus have to die?"

The Storms of Life | Part 2

Read John 6.16-21, Romans 8.15

Part Two - Fear

No one is exempt from the storms of life. But just as the disciples who initially feared the storm later came to revere Christ more, the storms we face can bring us to a more profound knowledge of God. “Who is this,” the disciples pondered, “even the wind and the waves obey him!” Join me as we realise through our trials we can learn that no storm is big enough to prevent God from accomplishing His will.

The Storms of Life | Part 1

Read John 6.16-21, 2 Corinthians 10.5-6

Part One - Obedience

No one is exempt from the storms of life. But just as the disciples who initially feared the storm later came to revere Christ more, the storms we face can bring us to a more profound knowledge of God. “Who is this,” the disciples pondered, “even the wind and the waves obey him!” Join me as we realise through our trials we can learn that no storm is big enough to prevent God from accomplishing His will.

Revelation Knowledge

Read John 4.5-42

Third Sunday in Lent

You can’t change your heart, and God will not change your mind; but if you change your thoughts, God will change your heart.

We must understand the above so that God can move in our lives. It begins with us working inside our doubt and unbelief, the stuff that has infected our brain and how we think. Inside the condemnation, we agree with the scrapes and scares from our background. We must begin to work with the thoughts in our mind, and it’s a mystery how this happens, but then the Spirit of God can get into our hearts to access and begin change. Change about who we are and how we see life; this is revelation knowledge when God reveals to you who He is in your life and who you are in Him.

Just One More Verse

Read John 3.1-17

Second Sunday in Lent

In this week’s passage, we find a bold declaration that God loves us… and that God loves the whole world, and in that affirmation, we also find a calling to extend that love to everyone we encounter. Firstly by God’s powerful Spirit who will blow us places we’d never imagined. And secondly, God loves this whole world extravagantly and has promised that whatever may come, we all have God’s promise of redemption in and through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Identity Theft

Read: Genesis 2.15-17, 3.1-7; Matthew 4.1-11; Romans 5.12-21

First Sunday in Lent

We tend to think of our identity as highly personal; it’s something we developed, discovered, or even created ourselves. However, it turns out that our identity is firmly and unavoidably rooted in our relationships. As it turns out, pretty much everything I might say about myself involves others. What I call “my identity” ultimately emerges from the nexus of relationships I enjoy with countless others.

This idea of a relational identity is critical to understanding this week’s biblical readings, particularly those from Genesis, Matthew and Romans.

Lent, Self-denial and Living Life

Read Mark 8.34-38; Matthew 6.2-6, 16-21

Ash Wednesday

Lent is a great ancient Christian tradition and a favourite of any Christian who likes to dip into the monastic custom of "going without" for the sake of Christ. But as much as self-denial and abstinent commitment can be a good and worthy endeavour, they can quickly become just another way to puff oneself up; self-denial can be a way to proudly show the world just how much of a martyr we are as we give up certain pleasures in pursuit of Christ.