Sermon 21st June 2026 – 4th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Romans 6:1-11 – Dead to sin, alive to Christ

Sermon 21^st June 2026 – 4^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Romans 6:1-11 – Dead to sin, alive to Christ

 

The beginning verses of Romans 6 has Paul addressing the power of grace and the believer's new identity through our Baptism into Christ.  He presents a powerful argument that challenges our understanding of sin, grace, and the new life we are called to live. He begins by tackling a misconception that might arise from his teachings on grace. He poses a rhetorical question: “Shall we continue to sin so that God’s grace may increase?”

 

Basically what he is asking is a logical question: If God gives his grace to us when we sin – does that mean we should sin more so that God will send more grace? With this understanding some might interpret grace as a free pass to sin— a license to live however we please because God’s grace is always going to come each time we sin. But Paul emphatically answers, “By no means!” And that’s because every sin causes spiritual harm to us even though God forgives us.

 

Grace is not an excuse for sin but a divine intervention of God to protect us from the harm that sin can do.  We must recognize that the essence of grace is not about freedom to sin but freedom from sin and its damaging effect to our faith.

When we understand the depths of God’s grace, we can also realize it empowers us to say no to the very sin that once held us captive. Paul reminds us of an extraordinary truth: in baptism, we are united with Christ.  When we were baptized into Christ Jesus, we were baptized into His death.  This means that our old selves—the sinful nature—were crucified with Him.

Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too have the promise of new life.

 

What does this mean for us?  It means that our identity is no longer defined by our past sins but by our relationship with Christ. We are not merely forgiven; we are made new. So Paul’s argument is not giving us permission to sin but rather – why would you want to sin when sin is what damages our relationship with God.This is a radical transformation, moving from death to life.  It’s like a person who has recovered from an addiction who feels they can now control that addiction.

But one relapse sends them back and probably worse than what they escaped from.

 

Jesus once told a parable about this in Matthew’s Gospel : When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

 

As Baptised children of God we are called to no longer walk in the ways of the world; our lives are now a reflection of Christ’s resurrection power. As believers, we must grasp the reality that our old self is crucified with Christ.  We must grasp the reality of how harmful sin is. There is no small sin. All sin leads us away from God. But through Christ, the power of sin has been broken.  Sin's dominion over us has been shattered, and we no longer have to submit to its authority. That’s why Paul makes a distinction between being “slaves to righteousness” rather than “slaves to sin”. Paul emphasizes that Christ, having died, no longer dies.  The power of sin is defeated, and death has lost its hold over Him.

 

This truth calls us to a new way of living.  We are to consider ourselves “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (v. 11).  So, what does it look like to live as those who are alive in Christ?  It means we consciously choose to reflect His goodness in our decisions, actions, and attitudes.  It means actively rejecting sin and pursuing righteousness.  I know it sounds simplistic at times but to Jesus there is nothing simple about sin. Not at all.

 

Jesus earlier in Matthew chapter 5 in his sermon on the mount says: If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

 

We don’t like the topic of hell. We try to avoid talking about it. But Jesus makes us fully aware in our Gospel reading about it. He says: Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  But thankfully, through Jesus, we don’t have to worry about that as he says: Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; As he reminds us just how precious we are to God:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

 

Paul’s call to action is to “consider” ourselves dead to sin and alive to God through our Baptism.  Our Baptism invites us into a daily practice of recognizing our identity in Christ and living accordingly.  Luther also explains that in his explanation of Baptism in the Small Catechism: He says: that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new self should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. And he then goes on to quote todays reading from Romans. And God helps us through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word—by allowing God’s truth and the waters of our Baptism to saturate our lives. As we immerse ourselves in His presence, we find transformative power to live out our new identity.

 

In conclusion, Romans 6:1-11 presents us with a powerful reality: we are dead to sin and alive to God.  As we reflect on this incredible truth, let us allow the grace of God to lead us away from sin and toward deeper fellowship with Him.

 

Sermon 14th June 2026 – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 9:35-10:23 – Suffering for the faith

 Sermon 14^th June 2026 – 3^rd Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 9:35-10:23 – Suffering for the faith

 

I was listening to a speaker recently who said that he is so confident that the Christian faith is true – not because of physical evidence that he had researched but because nobody in their right might would create such a belief system thinking people would be attracted to it. In our Gospel reading we have the calling of the 12 Disciples – they were not coerced to follow Jesus but willingly followed because they believed in Jesus. They their jobs – their family – their security – in much the same way Abraham left everything behind to follow God. But look what Jesus sold them as to what to expect: See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles.

 

In our Gospel reading Jesus says the world will hate you because of me – that your enemies will be members of your own household – that he has not come to bring peace but a sword. Is this how you would promote something that you wanted people to join? So what is the selling point?

 

A while ago one of our readings had many of Jesus’ disciples turning away from him because they found the going too tough. So when Jesus asks his 12 Disciples if they too would like to leave, Peter stands up and answers on their behalf. Lord – to whom shall we go? YOU have the words of eternal life. That’s the sales pitch – eternal life. St Paul found a similar situation in his life when he went from a highly respected Pharisee with a huge future ahead of him to becoming a prisoner in chains because he had become a Christian.  And yet Paul never complained. In fact he said - whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ - Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. And it is that faith that means so much for us that the enemies of God do not want us to have – the enemy being Satan and his legion of demons.

 

But no matter what happens to us they cannot take away what we have in Christ which Paul tells us in our second reading: Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand. And it is this peace with God – this justification by faith – this assurance we have of eternal life that makes our Christian faith so precious despite the hostilities aimed at us because of our faith. And Jesus himself promises us in John’s Gospel -  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

 

Suffering for the faith is challenging so we must keep our eye on the prize, as the saying goes – and remember what we are giving up if we reject Christ as our Lord. That’s what kept St Paul strengthened to keep going on when he tells the Philippian church: I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. So the suffering was not an issue for him – in fact he says - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. And so Paul not only tolerates his suffering but he rejoices in them because he knows that he is on the right path which is the reason there is so much opposition to the path he is on. And in fact he says it strengthens his faith as he says: We  boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

 

It is really sad seeing the decline of the Christian faith. We have a census this year so it will be interesting to see how many people declare themselves to be Christian. The last census fell below 50% for the first time. But this decline should not worry us about our salvation but it does worry us about how many have given up the free gift of God. You may have experienced hostility because of your faith. Some even experience hostility from those closest to them. Jesus said this would happen in today’s Gospel reading:

Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But it’s the promise that keeps us going as Jesus says: But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

 

It is easy to become disheartened when we look at the physical state of the church. Declining numbers – budgets getting harder to meet – divisions. But again, this is all part of what the Bible says will happen and has been happening since the very first church. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians states in the very first chapter:  I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. Divisions in the church are not new!

 

The writer to the Hebrews also faced the challenge of believers deserting the church: In Chapter 10 the writer says: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The encouragement behind this urging – the Day approaching – specifically the Day of Judgement.

 

We have a real battle before us but again the bible reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. So as my opening reference stated – the speaker was not discouraged by what he saw happening in the church but encouraged because it affirms everything that the bible says would happen. The Golden Age to come is not in this world but in the world to come which John saw in his Revelation: Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

 

It’s those last words – “these words are trustworthy and true” that you can rely on as the book of Acts states in Chapter 4: There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among us by which we must be saved. That name – Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

Sermon 7th June 2026 – 2nd Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 – The power of Christ’s healing touch.

 Sermon 7^th June 2026 – 2^nd Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 – The power of Christ’s healing touch.

 

Have you ever reached desperation point and you just don’t know what to do? You’ve tried everything and nothing has worked. Well, that’s the situation we see today with a woman who has experienced a bleeding condition for the past 12 years. In fact, in Mark’s version of this situation he says - She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.  This account of the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years teaches us profound lessons about faith, desperation, and the power of Jesus’ touch. Can you imagine what she has been through?

 

For twelve long years, she suffered from a condition that not only caused her physical pain but also rendered her socially and spiritually unclean according to Jewish law. She endured the anguish of isolation and embarrassment, spending all she had on remedies that ultimately failed. We may not have experienced her exact suffering, but maybe you have experienced times of hopelessness and desperation in your own life.  The text tells us that she had heard about Jesus.  Perhaps she had witnessed others being healed or heard stories of his compassion and miracles. In her state of desperation, she mustered all her courage to step into the crowd, despite the risks associated with her condition.  This leads us to an important insight - desperation can lead us to a place of radical faith.  But it also challenges us to let people know that Jesus is there for us.

 

She knew about Jesus but how many don’t know about Jesus or don’t know the truth about who Jesus really is. Sometimes in life, it’s our lowest moments that awaken a deep faith within us. When we realize that we cannot rely on our own strength, we become open to the extraordinary possibilities of God’s intervention. That’s what St Paul means when he says “when I am weak then I am strong” because it is in those times of weakness we become aware of our need for God and also God’s love for us – in much the same way a parent’s love for a child is deepened when their child suffers.

 

In her heart, the woman believed that if she could just touch Jesus’ cloak, she would be healed.  Her faith was both humble and bold.  She didn’t need a judgement for her uncleanness; she needed a touch, a connection with the source of healing.  Like this woman, there are many who know their failings and where they fall short. But then again, the bible says that we all fall short in the glory of God. Grand gestures and public displays are often expected when important events take place. But God reminds us that it is often in the quiet whispers of faith that we find His greatest miracles. Like Elijah who didn’t find God in the fire, the earthquake or great wind – but in the sound of sheer silence. The woman’s touch was not just physical; it was a profound declaration of faith.  This wasn’t a last option but an option she should have taken first. She says - If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well. She knows that Jesus can heal her – why didn’t she go there first. We are the same.

 

We know that God has all the answers and hope we need – but why do we only go there as a last resort? Why do we try all our own efforts first and then pray when everything else fails? She truly believed that Jesus could heal her, and this belief opened the door to her healing. When the woman touched his cloak, immediately her bleeding stopped, and she felt the change in her body. She didn’t have to finish the course of anti-biotics or refill a prescriptions. Immediately she was healed.

Mark’s version is interesting. Mark says:  At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. What we learn here is that this is Jesus own power that goes into her to heal her. It’s the same mystery that St Paul says in his strength in weakness statement.  St Paul says - I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. What’s interesting here is the Greek word for “power”. The word in ‘dunamis’ from which we get the English word “dynamite” Christ’s power in us is explosive.

 

It’s nothing that the world can offer. This moment is a beautiful reminder that Jesus is always aware of our struggles. He is not just a distant healer;  He desires a personal relationship with us.  When we reach out to Him in faith, He meets us with grace and intimacy. The woman, trembling, comes forward and confesses what she has done. In that moment, Jesus declares, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” And he doesn’t dismiss us in the way that the crowds would have dismissed this ‘unclean’ woman.

Jesus sees in us what the world dismisses just as Jesus shows in calling the tax collector Matthew to be one of his disciples. Tax collectors were despised by the Jews. They were seen as traitors – as thieves – and so Jesus is criticised when he goes to eat at Matthew’s house. “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” Jesus doesn’t dismiss us because of our failings. No – he embraces us because of our failings. Jesus has come to us because of our failings. He died for our failings.

 

This woman's healing was not solely about physical restoration just as Jesus choosing of Matthew wasn’t because Jesus couldn’t find anyone else.  Jesus addressed her as "Daughter," reaffirming her identity and worth.  In that moment, Jesus restored not only her health but also her place in society and her relationship with God.  Likewise we are told that in John chapter one - to all who receive Jesus, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. Sometimes our greatest wounds are not physical but emotional and spiritual.  Jesus desires to heal every part of our being.

 

When we come to Him with our burdens, He welcomes us, heals us, and calls us beloved. Just as God called Jesus his beloved in his baptism so too in our Baptism we are declared to be beloved children of God. As we reflect on the story of the bleeding woman, let us ask ourselves: What desperation are we facing today? What are the barriers that keep us from reaching out and touching the hem of His garment? Jesus is still waiting for us to come to Him, to lay our struggles at His feet, and trust that His power can transform our lives. The challenge for us today is to step forward in faith, as this brave woman did.  May we touch Jesus, not just with our hands but with our hearts, believing that He can heal, restore, and transform us so we carry her story in our hearts and seek to share the healing touch of Christ with others.