In this talk Allen summarises the authority of Jesus as expressed in Mark chapters 1 and 2 goes on to explain Sabbath and Jesus authority over that. He explains that the fourth commandment is about us and God’s gift of a day of rest as we are created in God’s image. The religious leaders at […]
Dipping our toes into Romans. Romans 5:1-11 The place of undeserved privilege is the position in which we stand when we are ‘in Christ’. This passage can be seen as looking at the past, the present and the future. In the past we are declared “not guilty” in Christ; in the present we are continually being […]
Dipping our toes in Romans. The Gospel Truth. Romans 1:18-23; 2:1-4; 3:10-20, Unrighteousness.
The passage in the lectionary today, Mark 9:2-9, comes in the context of Jesus’ question to the disciples; ‘Who do you think I am?’, and his preparation of the disciples for the coming crucifixion. The disciples hear God speak about his Son. The transfiguration shows them God ‘glorifying’ his Son – the ‘metamorphosed’ Jesus reveals […]
In this last of the series of Frontline Sundays we read from Hebrews 10:19-25. Motivating one another and gathering together was all the more poignant on the Sunday before a second ‘lockdown’ was to begin. Allen Foster reviewed the series reminding us that we are God’s elect, scattered and exiled. We hold hope together with […]
Seeing work as part of our vision is key. Nehemiah 2:17 – 3:5 Allen Foster speaks about people from all walks of life coming together as 42 teams working to side-by-side to build the walls, gate and towers of Jerusalem; emphasising that this is God’s work through Nehemiah’s plan. Psalm 127:1 1. God’s work, our […]
Allen takes the Feast of Tabernacles on our ‘Harvest and Giving Sunday’ and links this with 1 John 3:16-18. He links Israel’s story and the Feast of Tabernacles with our lived experience of harvest time 60 years ago, encouraging an attitude of thanks-giving, reflecting on what we take for granted in the West today, in […]
The second in a short series of Christian Living, Allen Foster explores Philippians 1:1-11. During the talk he refers to “Nathan”. This is Bishop Nathan Amooti who was paying an unplanned visit to St James having arrived in the UK the night before. Bishop Amooti (from Rwanda) has been a mission partner with St James’ […]
Allen speaks of Luke’s account of the resurrection and the apostle Peter’s words and actions. Luke 24:1-12
Allen sets the context for Jesus’ parable(s) of the wedding banquet exploring the meaning of the parable and asking questions from the congregation (some of these are hard to hear but Allen’s replies make clear their questions. He draws us to understand that all are invited bad and good, that the wedding dress of ‘righteousness’ […]