Reverend Neil Taylor - Podcast

We’re not Orphaned!

Read John 14:15-21

Sixth Sunday of Easter

According to John’s Gospel Jesus will continue to be with his disciples forever. So how will Jesus continue to be with them (us) as they continue their earthly journeys? That’s a good question, and John’s Gospel tells us. Jesus will continue to be with them by way of the Advocate -- the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they needn’t worry about being left orphaned.

On Being Pruned

Read John 15:1-8

Fifth Wednesday in Easter

Interestingly, within the synoptic parables of the vineyard (Matthew, Mark and Luke) are stories of violence and greed; but not so in John’s Gospel. In John, the vineyard is an image of fruitfulness, intimacy and love. Join me as we explore what it means to be "pruned".

I Am the Way

Read John 14:1-14

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Philip makes a reasonable request on behalf of the group: "Show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus chastises him in front of the whole group: "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?" (14:9). Is Jesus being blunt, and if so, why? Join me in this devotion as we explore Jesus' "I am the Way" monologue.

Abundant Life Now

Read John 10:1-10

Fourth Sunday of Easter

When I read these passages I’m struck that the active language is not always sin and forgiveness, but the active language is life and light and love and abundance. Which leads me to wonder, have we narrowed how we understand and talk about the salvation Jesus brings? “All who enter by me,” Jesus says, "will be saved.” Have we adopted a largely negative view of salvation? Salvation is often understood as the removal or deletion of our sin and failure. But here Jesus tells us salvation is the creation of new life and possibility. Join me in this short devotion as we explore "abundant life now".

Bread of Life

Read John 6:30-35

Third Wednesday in Easter

In chapter 4 of Matthew’s Gospel after his baptism, Jesus went out into the wilderness and fasted for forty days and nights. By the time the fast ended Jesus was famished. Then the tempter came and said to him: “If you are the Son of God command these stones to become loaves of bread.” Though Jesus was very hungry, he told the tempter that “one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:1-4). However, in the Gospel of John, we find Jesus facing another temptation concerning bread.

"But we had hoped"

Read Luke 24:13-35

Third Sunday of Easter

We find ourselves travelling an uncomfortably familiar road. Every one of us, regardless of identity or circumstance, knows this road. We’ve walked it. We’ve lost our way on it. We’ve left it behind and then returned to it again, and that road is the road to Emmaus, and we recognise it every time by the words we speak “But we had hoped.”

"Idle Talk"

Read Luke 24:1-12

Wednesday in Second Week of Easter

One of the common elements of the resurrection stories across the gospels is that no one expects the resurrection. Even though Jesus predicted his death and resurrection several times across his ministry not one of his disciples greeted the news that God has raised Jesus from the grave and defeated death and the devil by saying “Praise God!” Not one. No one shouts “Hallelujah” when they hear that their friend and Lord has been raised to life. And absolutely no one when hearing the news that death itself could not hold the Lord of Glory captive says “I knew it – just like he said!”

 

Values to Virtues

Integrity (Part 4)

Values to Virtues

We live in a time where words and their meanings are changing. Join me as we recapture the true representation of the word “virtue.” As Jesus followers, we are called to live by a different standard, a higher way of life. We are called to filter every difficult decision through the Word of God and choose to do the right thing based on those standards.

Click here for further study notes

Values to Virtues

Purity (Part 3)

Values to Virtues

We live in a time where words and their meanings are changing. Join me as we recapture the true representation of the word “virtue.” As Jesus followers, we are called to live by a different standard, a higher way of life. We are called to filter every difficult decision through the Word of God and choose to do the right thing based on those standards.

Click here for further study notes

Click here for further study notes

Values to Virtues

Loyalty (Part 2)

Values to Virtues

We live in a time where words and their meanings are changing. Join me as we recapture the true representation of the word “virtue.” As Jesus followers, we are called to live by a different standard, a higher way of life. We are called to filter every difficult decision through the Word of God and choose to do the right thing based on those standards.

Click here for further study notes

Values to Virtues

Honour (Part 1)

 

Values to Virtues

We live in a time where words and their meanings are changing. Join me as we recapture the true representation of the word “virtue.” As Jesus followers, we are called to live by a different standard, a higher way of life. We are called to filter every difficult decision through the Word of God and choose to do the right thing based on those standards.

Click here for further study notes

Li(f)e

Li(f)e without faith is just a lie

Part Two: The Power of Faith - Matthew 8:5-10, 13

Join me as we explore one of the fundamental truths for understanding "the meaning of life"; and how without faith, we are instead living a lie.

Click here for further study notes 

Li(f)e

Li(f)e without faith is just a lie

Part One: The Heart of Faith - 2 Kings 20_1-6

Join me as we explore one of the fundamental truths for understanding "the meaning of life"; and how without faith, we are instead living a lie.

Click here for further study notes

Resurrection is Relationship

Read John 20:19-31

Second Sunday of Easter

To live in Jesus’ name I need to know Jesus and walk in his presence. I believe Jesus was resurrected and lives among us. I believe Jesus presence is alive with us now. And I believe he did not leave us orphaned, that Jesus is alive and in relationship - in resurrection relationship - with us. Amen.

Do you love Me?

Read John 21:1-19

Wednesday in Easter Week

Just as Peter returned to his true self by deciding to follow Jesus, we, by deciding to follow Jesus, return to our true selves, beloved of God. Our lives imitate Christ’s life, our joys Christ’s joy, our heartaches Christ’s heartache.

Don't Be Afraid

Matthew 28:1-10

Easter 2020 Devotion

In the Gospel of Matthew, the good news from an angel is only ever preceded by one short and preliminary sentence, "Don't be afraid." Join me in this Easter devotion and discover why we should never be afraid again.

Of Love and Hate

Read Mark 14:1-11

A Maundy Thursday Devotion, April 9, 2020

What a contrast between hate and love; Judas, the named disciple, one of the twelve, hates Jesus and sells Him out for money. The unnamed woman loves Jesus and spends a whole year's wages in a demonstration of her love.

The Widow's Might

Read Mark 12:35-13:2

Wednesday of Holy Week, April 8, 2020

We have historically assumed Jesus is commending the widow’s example to us. Before we can jump to a personal application, we need to make sure we understand Jesus’ original meaning. Is the point of Jesus’ observation to praise the sacrificial heart and actions of the widow? Join me as we explore, is it the widow's mite or might?

 

The Storms of Life: Fear (Part Two)

John 6:16-21 & Romans 8:15

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, so the storms we face can bring us to a deeper knowledge of God. “Who is this,” the disciples pondered, “even the wind and the waves obey him!” However, through our trials, we can learn that no storm is big enough to prevent God from accomplishing His will.

The Storms of Life: Obedience (Part One)

John 6:16-21 & 2 Corinthians 10:5-6

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, so the storms we face can bring us to a deeper knowledge of God. “Who is this,” the disciples pondered, “even the wind and the waves obey him!” However, through our trials, we can learn that no storm is big enough to prevent God from accomplishing His will.

Passion Sunday (April 5, 2020)

Why are we celebrating both Jesus’ praise-filled entrance into Jerusalem on that donkey with all those palm fronds, and then quickly we turn to his murder? It is a good question. The answer is the most central truth about our Christian faith, and that is, both winning and losing always happen together, and it is in that complex journey where we find Jesus.

Set Your Mind on the Spirit

Text: Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45

We can either set our minds on “the flesh”, or we can set our minds on “the Spirit.” To take the first path, he warns, is to propel ourselves toward the endpoint of uselessness and death.