Sermon 26th July 2026 – 9th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Romans 8:26-39 – God’s inseparable love

 Sermon 26^th July 2026 – 9^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Romans 8:26-39 – God’s inseparable love

 

There are many passages that speak of God love in the bible but none more important than what Paul has to say here. These verses describe God’s unfailing love and his plan for our lives, and the assurance that nothing can separate us from His love.  Paul begins with an important statement: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Here, we see the foundational truth that God is all powerful and all loving.  He watches over everything in our lives, even the trials and tribulations, to bring about good.

 

Don’t misunderstand what Paul is saying. He is not saying that God creates trials, tribulations and suffering to bring about good. No, these exist in the world because our world has fallen away from God. But God doesn’t abandon us – just as Joseph declared when his brothers committed evil against him. He said to them – what you intended for evil, God used for good. Through their evil God used Joseph to feed the world during a 7 year famine. Life presents us with challenges at times that often leave us questioning God’s goodness.  Illness, financial struggles, relationship issues—these can hide the goodness of God.  Yet, Paul assures us that God is at work.

 

We may not see the immediate results, but God’s purpose for us is eternal life.  We must understand that God’s definition of goodness may differ from ours.  God’s goodness is about us not losing our faith and reaching eternal life. God’s desire is for all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. The presence of suffering does NOT mean the absence of God’s love. But through faith we can experience, as Paul said earlier, the formation of character, deeper faith, and a hope that assures us of God’s love for us.  In everything, God’s love and eternal plan for us remains paramount. And that’s what Paul means when he says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”

 

What does predestined mean? It means that God’s plan is for all people to be saved. Does that mean everyone is saved?

No. Because of free will we can reject God’s gift but God doesn’t stop loving us and working to call us back to him. Each one of us is called to a distinct purpose.  God knows us intimately; He has a divine calling for our lives.  We are not accidents or mere byproducts of evolution; we are chosen and cherished. This is what Paul means in Ephesians 2 when he says - For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Notice 2 things – we are God’s masterpiece and he has planned good works for us long ago

 

So being predestined calls us to adoption as God’s children.  This identity confers not just privilege, but responsibility. As adopted heirs of Christ, we reflect His love and grace to the world. And despite all the opposition – despite all the ridicule – despite all the persecution it is comforting to hear Paul say - “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  When God is our advocate, when God is in our corner, the forces of darkness and discouragement are, in fact, powerless against us. When faced with trials— physical, emotional, or spiritual—we have no fear. As King David says in Psalm 23 – even though I walk through the valley of he shadow of death – I will not be afraid because you are with me. And because God is with us then we are reminded that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

 

This is our victory: not through our strength but through His love.  Our circumstances may be difficult at times, but with God’s love, we can endure! And God’s love, when it comes to God, is not negotiable. Paul says nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Nothing! Not tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword—none of it can sever our relationship with Him. This teaches us about the certainty of our salvation.  As Paul says earlier in Romans. There is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Regardless of what we face, we can rest in the assurance that God’s love remains steadfast and sure.

 

God invites us to walk in faith, trusting that even our darkest days cannot extinguish His light and love. And we are invited to respond to the overwhelming love of God by sharing it with others.  In a world filled with uncertainty, we are called to be beacons of hope. To speak words of encouragement, extend grace, and embody the love that we have received.

So while the road of life may be fraught with challenges, let us find comfort and assurance in the promises found in what Paul says about God’s love.  God is sovereign, our identity is secure, our victory is certain, and His love is inescapable.  May we walk in this truth, inviting the world to experience the eternal love of our Savior.

Sermon 19th July 2026 – 8th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Romans 8:12-25 – The awaiting glory

 Sermon 19^th July 2026 – 8^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Romans 8:12-25 – The awaiting glory

 

Today, we hear another powerful message from St Paul where he speaks about suffering. It’s a little bit different to an earlier message about suffering where he said that he rejoices in his suffering because it produces perseverance, character and hope. His message is still a message of hope. But this time the hope is about the promise of future comfort.

In fact it is more than comfort. He writes, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."  This statement brings hope of our Christian journey. It doesn’t deny our present suffering but it puts it in comparison to what God has in store for us in Heaven.

 

So he begins by acknowledging the reality of suffering in our lives.  Each of us, in some way, can relate to the burdens we carry—whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual.  And even the world around us, the creation we live in that God created lives in despair.  We see injustice, violence, and division.  And if we look at the very first violence written in the bible, the murder of Abel by his brother Cain, it was not just Abel who was dealt the injustice but all Creation. When God confronted Cain over the murder he said: “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. The groanings of creation are evident as we witness the effects of pollution, war, crime, poverty, and the multitude of challenges facing humanity today.

 

In the midst of these struggles, St. Paul invites us to look beyond our present circumstances—to see the "glory that is to be revealed to us."  It’s similar to what he says in Colossians chapter 3: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. What does this glory that Paul speaks about so often mean? It refers to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises to us. A reality that surpasses our understanding and experience. It is the glory of being united with Christ in His resurrection, where every tear will be wiped away and every pain will be healed.  This is not merely a future hope but a present reality that sustains us through our trials.

 

St. Paul emphasizes the groaning of creation, which waits in eager anticipation for the revelation of the children of God.  Creation, too, longs for this release from suffering.  And this release will come from God, not us. This is not about reaching net zero to reverse climate change. No – that is made made. Creation is waiting for God to relieve its present suffering.

This gives us a profound insight into our relationship with the world around us.  Remember, Adam was created from the dust of the ground by God. We are not just passive inhabitants of this earth; rather, we are stewards of God's creation.  

Remember what God said after he completed creation – he said to Adam and Eve - God blessed them and said to them,

“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Our actions, our care, and our love for one another as well as the environment reflect our understanding of this hope.

 

As we journey with our own struggles, we must remember that the waiting is not in vain.  St. Paul assures us that we are not alone in our waiting. The Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.  In times of suffering it can be hard to pray. Hard to find the words to speak. Whether it’s our own suffering or the suffering of a loved one – sometimes there are no words. When we don’t know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes.  The Spirit prays for us with words we can’t speak. When we don’t know what to hope for, the Spirit hopes within us.  When our strength fails, the Spirit carries us. Our groaning is not a sign of spiritual failure — it is the Spirit’s work in us, pulling us toward the fullness of God’s future. God Himself walks with us, bearing our burdens and supporting us as we carry our own.  This passage invites us to embrace a deeper understanding of hope—it is not a wishful yearning for a better tomorrow but a confident assurance rooted in faith.

 

Christian hope is active; it calls us to participate in God’s work and to be agents of change and love in a world that so desperately needs both. So, how can we embody this hope in our daily lives?  First, we can be examples of gratitude, recognizing the blessings we have even amidst our suffering.  We can reach out to those who are suffering, offering compassion and support.  We can become voices for the voiceless, advocates for justice, and agents of peace in our communities. Which is exactly what Jesus did in his earthly mission as he reached out to the marginalised. As we reflect on our own lives, let us mirror St. Paul’s understanding that our present sufferings are not our final destination. They are part of the journey toward the incredible inheritance waiting for us as children of God. Paul tells us that life in the Spirit is not an escape from struggle but a transformation of it.  We groan, creation groans, yet hope groans louder.  The Spirit meets us in our weakness, reminding us who we are and where we’re headed: toward the full redemption of God’s children.

 

 Let us hold fast to that hope and trust that, though we may experience difficulty today, we serve a God who transforms suffering into glory. Let us carry the message of hope in our lives and into the lives of those around us.  As we await the fullness of the true life that awaits, let us live in a way that reflects the love of Christ, embracing both our struggles and our triumphs—confident in the promise of the glory to come. Creation is groaning. We are groaning. But the Spirit is groaning too — and the Spirit’s groaning is the sound of resurrection being born.

Sermon 12th July 2026 – 7th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 – Keep sowing

 Sermon 12^th July 2026 – 7^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 –  Keep sowing

 

In this parable, a sower goes out to sow seeds.  Some seeds fall along the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and others on good soil.  It’s interesting that the sower doesn’t go looking for the good soil to plant the seed but plants seed wherever he goes. Some might call this irresponsible – a waste of seed. Some might call this ambition and sowing seed with faith knowing that the seed’s growth does not depend on him. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians: I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. Most see this text as self reflection asking what sort of soil are you – but Jesus doesn’t say that. Jesus is preparing his disciples for mission. And he has been preparing them for different types of soil – different types of reception including towns that would welcome them and those that would reject them.

 

In this parable there are 4 types of reception they can expect and likewise the message is for us also. The first seeds fall along the path and are quickly eaten by the birds.  There is no soil but that doesn’t stop the sower. Likewise we are sometimes challenged to do mission work in hostile areas. Where there is a hardness of hearts.. Think of some of the missionaries that have gone into hostile countries or countries that follow other religions. Jesus explains that this first path is still a place he wants his seed sown even though to us it might seem barren soil. But remember what St Paul says in Romans 10: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone telling them? How can they hear without someone sowing a seed? Even though they hear the word of the Kingdom they do not understand it.  

 

Which reminds me of Philip and the Ethiopian in Acts: Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”  And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” We need to be there for them before the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in their hearts. The problem is not the soil or lack thereof but the presence of Satan who follows our path to snatch away the work we do. So we should always embrace what we do in prayer. To make sure there is no room for Satan to act. Asking God to protect those who receive us because Satan will be working even harder to undo the work we do.

 

The good news is that the Holy Spirit can soften hearts through prayer, humility, especially where there is sincere desire to know Him. Knowing there was no soil didn’t stop the sower and we also should not be put off because the audience looks hostile or unaccepting.

 

Next, we see the seeds that fall on rocky ground.  There’s seemingly something to plant the seed in as they spring up quickly. But it’s shallow; They wither away when the sun comes out because they have no root.  Jesus says this speaks about those who receive the Word with joy but have no depth in their faith. When you think about it, what is the real value of faith? Faith is to take us through those difficult times. Like it did for Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. There he was in anguish – he sweat blood and begged for his Heavenly Father to remove the cup of suffering from him. But then, through faith, prays – Not my will be done but yours.

 

The rocky ground doesn’t provide that depth. And it’s easy, when difficult times come, to go into self-preservation mode.

To find your strongholds to get you through rather than your faith.When hardships and persecution arise, these young sprigs fall away. When we see that happen in the church we can become quite despondent. Where’s “such and such” – they used to be such regular members. They used to teach Sunday School – they used to serve on committees – they used to be here every week. What we need to do in those situations, like when we see a plant struggling – is to nurture them. To care for them. To water and feed them. To add fresh soil through God’s Word and encouragement.

 

Sometimes we put a lot of work into making people feel welcome. We go over and above and then suddenly we don’t see them again. And then WE become in danger of becoming the rocky ground where OUR faith is impacted by their response to the seeds we sow. We harden our hearts like the hard rocky ground. And it can be easy to stop sowing seeds and just think of ourselves.

So mission work is hard work. We need God’s help so we don’t become like the cold hard rocky places. Let us strive to root ourselves in Scripture, community, worship and prayer, allowing the Lord to nourish our faith as we sow his seed.

 

The third category is the seed that falls among thorns.  It’s similar to the rocky places as it does grow. The rocky places were ones who grew cold in their faith. Here it’s more worldly. The thorns choke it, preventing it from bearing fruit. Jesus explains that these thorns symbolize the worries of the world and the temptations of riches. It can be hard to spread the gospel when materialism is the soil. That’s why Jesus speaks about the cost of discipleship. Sometimes there can be a financial cost to faith. Putting God ahead of career. Putting God ahead of possessions. And this can affect us too. How often do we let the distractions of life—work, entertainment, and the pursuit of wealth—disagreemets in the church – these choke out our spiritual lives?

 

We live in a world filled with competing voices, and it is easy to become consumed by our worries and desires.  But Jesus invites us to cast our burdens upon Him and to seek first the Kingdom of God.  As we prioritize our relationship with Him over earthly pursuits, we can begin to experience the abundant life He promises. That’s why Jesus as our Good Shepherd makes a comparison between himself and temptations of the world: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 

Finally, here is what we are are all looking for. We arrive at the good soil.  Those who hear the Word and understand it, who then go on to bear fruit—some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  This is the heart that is ready and willing to receive God's Word, to be transformed, and to live out the Gospel in everyday life. Jesus once said, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. There is a world out there ready to hear what Jesus has to say. But we can’t always see where that harvest is ready. That’s why the sower threw seed wherever he went. He didn’t know where that seed was needed. He couldn’t determine the heart that was just waiting to hear the good news. This needs the Holy Spirit to work in us so we do not give up. That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!

 

We don’t know when a word we bring -an action we initiate will fall on a heart ready for the good news. That’s why we don’t determine where and when but simply go out being the light of the world. And as our Old Testament assures us: My word that goes out from my mouth shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; So may God give you joy as you go from here spreading God’s good news wherever he may send you.