Faith Speaks — Reverend Neil Taylor — Sermon Podcast

Our Words

Read Proverbs 18:12

We want a big change and we want it now. But maybe taking your life in a new direction has a lot more to do with the little things. Join me, as we learn how to embrace the small things that make a big difference.

One Thought

Read Proverbs 23:7

We want a big change and we want it now. But maybe taking your life in a new direction has a lot more to do with the little things. Join me, as we learn how to embrace the small things that make a big difference.

One Thing

Read Zechariah 4:6-10

We want a big change and we want it now. But maybe taking your life in a new direction has a lot more to do with the little things. Join me, as we learn how to embrace the small things that make a big difference.

Read Matthew 13:1-23

Pentecost +6

The “Word of God” is an abstract and complicated topic. When you hear the phrase “Word of God” what comes to your mind? What do you picture? What do you envision?

Join me as we look at what Matthew suggests, that the Word of God is an experience, and listening is the key to that experience.

Read John 4:1-15

Wednesday | Pentecost +5

John has a way of teaching us who Jesus is, and what faith looks like. John does this by giving us a glimpse into Jesus' encounters with various people. We saw it with John the Baptist. We saw it with Nicodemus. And now, surprisingly, this encounter with a Samaritan woman, who is shunned by her own townspeople for her immoral behaviour.

Join me as we encounter what faith in Jesus looks like.

Read Matthew 11:15-30

Pentecost +5

We’re still often out of step and blind to the wisdom of the moment. We fear violence, so we go to war, instead of dancing for peace. We have poor and abused people all around us, but we don’t weep, because we’re preoccupied with balancing the budget. We miss the midpoint of wisdom, because we’re so rusted onto our left agendas or our right agendas, and so, we obscure the face of wisdom. 

Read Amos 5:14-15; Matthew 8:28-34

Wednesday | Pentecost +4

We have two very interesting texts before us the deal with the issue of evil. One presents itself supernaturally -- in people and pigs. While the other is embedded in our human condition -- the people we are without God.

Join me as we wrestle with the perennial question: Are so concerned with our own livelihoods, that we overlook the need of others?

 

Read Genesis 22:1-19; Matthew 10:40-42

Pentecost +4

One phrase that jumps out when reading Jesus' words in our Gospel text, is the last line:

“...and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple - truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

It's such a little thing to give a cup of cold water, and Jesus even emphasizes the modesty of the act by his use of the word “even.”

Join me, as we discover that there are no small gestures is service to the Lord.

Read Matthew 10:24-39

Pentecost +3

In this well known Gospel text from Matthew, Jesus is telling us that fear is the opposite of faith. And yet, fear, unlike faith hangs on us like humidity on a hot summer’s night. Fear coats us from front and back and attracts all kinds of grunge and stains. So that even when it dries it’s still sticky. Fear has a terrible effect on the heart, spirit and soul.

Join me, as we discover together how Jesus’ words about fear and faith can speak into our lives today.

Read Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Wednesday | Week of Pentecost +2

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

As modern believers, we might express or perceive the above verse differently. For example, our treasures are expressions of our hearts rather than our hearts expressing our treasure. But Jesus tells a more challenging truth for us, and that’s as obvious as the nose on our faces. Join me, as we look at how our hearts are so easily swayed by treasure, whether that be money or the lack of it, or the reward of being noticed and honoured by our peers. Our hearts are so easily swayed by earthly treasure.

Read Matthew 9:35-10:11

Pentecost +2

Mission will always take us into unchartered territory. As humans we don’t like the phrase "unchartered territory" it makes us nervous, but as disciples of Christ, that’s our calling. Join me as we discover together that we called into "unchartered territory" for the sake of the Gospel. 

Part Seven - What God Starts, He Finishes

Read Romans 8:31

No one knows what the future holds. We live somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow. Egypt is far behind us; the kingdom is yet to come. Therefore it is so important that we live in the light of biblical truths as we journey through this life.

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Part Six - No gain, without pain

Read James 1:2-4

No one knows what the future holds. We live somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow. Egypt is far behind us; the kingdom is yet to come. Therefore it is so important that we live in the light of biblical truths as we journey through this life.

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Part Five - Active Faith Releases God's Power

Read Hebrews 11

No one knows what the future holds. We live somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow. Egypt is far behind us; the kingdom is yet to come. Therefore it is so important that we live in the light of biblical truths as we journey through this life.

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Part Four - What You Seek, You Find

Read Matthew 6:33

No one knows what the future holds. We live somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow. Egypt is far behind us; the kingdom is yet to come. Therefore it is so important that we live in the light of biblical truths as we journey through this life.

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Part Three - What God Requires, He Supplies

Read Genesis 22

No one knows what the future holds. We live somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow. Egypt is far behind us; the kingdom is yet to come. Therefore it is so important that we live in the light of biblical truths as we journey through this life.

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Part Two - God's Transcendence

Read John 15:5

No one knows what the future holds. We live somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow. Egypt is far behind us; the kingdom is yet to come. Therefore it is so important that we live in the light of biblical truths as we journey through this life.

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Part One - God is God, and you're not

Read Psalm 115:3

No one knows what the future holds. We live somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow. Egypt is far behind us; the kingdom is yet to come. Therefore it is so important that we live in the light of biblical truths as we journey through this life.

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Read Matthew 28:16-20

Trinity Sunday is a perfect time to talk about what a Trinitarian congregation might look like, here's my short definition:

A group of people who see themselves called and sent by the Holy Spirit to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ, in word and deed, for the sake of the world God created and loves so much.

Join me as I look at, in essence, how a congregation must see itself called and on a mission by the Trinitarian God that the congregation confesses.

Read Mark 12:18-27

Ember Week | Wednesday 

Jesus schools a group of Sadducees; who were priests with great power and prestige. However, they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead or an afterlife. They did not believe in angels, and they only believed the Torah to be true. Jesus is basically asking these so-called priests, who have great power and prestige, along with some very poor theology; Who is your God? Because they do not seem to know. Join me as I look at what it means to know the power of God and the true meaning of the Torah (the basis for most of Jesus' teaching).

 

Read Psalm 104:26-36 & Acts 2:1-21

Pentecost Sunday

We are Easter people, that is, we live in the light of a post-Easter experience. We have the Word of God. We have the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus has risen, and we live our lives in that knowledge. Therefore, in the same sense, we are also Pentecostal people. We live in the age of the Spirit, which is the age of the church, which is the Christian age.

Read John 17:1-11

Seventh Sunday of Easter

As Christ-followers, we are called to live eternity NOW. Not some “pie in the sky” when you die, we are called to partake in - to consume - the heavenly pie in the thick and thin of this life. Join me as we discover that our lives, here and now, are to be shaped and directed by the gift of eternal life.

Read John 16:12-15

Sixth Wednesday of Easter

In the final section of his Farewell Discourse to the disciples, Jesus focuses further on the role of the Holy Spirit. Most of what is said in this section repeats themes that have already appeared. The gift of the Spirit to the disciples (or more specifically the church). The Spirit’s relation to Jesus. The Spirit being the continuing presence of Jesus. The Spirit of truth reminding the disciples of all Jesus had taught. Now we hear these themes again, but with tones that take us deeper into their meaning. What might Jesus mean by the phrase “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now”? 

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.

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".

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.

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".

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.

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.”

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!”

 

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.

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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

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

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 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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

 

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.

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.

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.

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.