Tag Archives: William Barclay

Lectionary Sermon for Epiphany One: January 5 2020 on Matthew 2: 1-12

Posted on January 3, 2020 by peddiebill

Returning Home by a Different Path Some parts of the Christmas story are so much part of our culture that they seem embedded in very dubious un-Christian customs. This year in one Christmas cracker, I encountered the following “joke”. ” … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Christmas, Progressive Sermons, Sermons | Tagged Astrologers, Crossan, Gold frankincense and Myrrh, Matthew vs Luke, Moira Laidlaw, Ponifex, the Magi, William Barclay, Wise men | Leave a comment

Lectionary Sermon for Christmas 1 (29 December 2019) on Matthew 2:13-23

Posted on December 23, 2019 by peddiebill

No flight of Fancy You have to hand it to Matthew in the way he follows a sense of wonder for the coming of Jesus with the grimmer bits. First we had the angels, a Virgin Birth and even the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Progressive Sermons, Sermons | Tagged Augustus, Herod, hyos, hys, Matthew, Moses, Nazareth, the Magi, William Barclay | 5 Comments

Lectionary Sermon for 27 October 2019 on Luke 18: 9-14 (Proper 25C / Ordinary 30C / Pentecost +23

Posted on October 23, 2019 by peddiebill

A Bit of the Pharisee in Me? I guess the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is a familiar story to many. Here is this self-obsessed Pharisee placing himself in a prominent position in front of the crowd … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Progressive Sermons, Sermons | Tagged Pharisee, Pistis.St Augustine, Pros Heaton, tax collector, William Barclay | Leave a comment

Lectionary sermon for 23 June 2019 Year C on Luke 8: 26 -39 (Pr 7 C, Ord 12C, Pentecost + 2)

Posted on June 18, 2019 by peddiebill

Demons For Moderns For the modern sceptical generation, this story of Jesus healing the man possessed with demons must seem troubling at several different levels. First, and perhaps most obviously, aren’t we supposed to have moved past a belief in … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Progressive Sermons, Sermons | Tagged demonaic, demons, diamon, Gadara, Gerasa, James Hillman, William Barclay, William of Occam | Leave a comment

Lectionary Sermon 23 September 2018 on James 3:13-4:3, 7,8a

Posted on September 20, 2018 by peddiebill

Lectionary Sermon for 23 September 2018 on James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a The other day I was reading a Listener at my favourite coffee shop and I came across a quote that said: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. No-one is entitled … Continue reading →

Posted in Progressive Sermons, Sermons | Tagged Crossan, false wisdom, Francis of Assisi, James, John Wesley, Lincoln, William Barclay | Leave a comment

Lectionary Sermon for March 11 2018 Lent 4b on John 3: 14-21

Posted on March 2, 2018 by peddiebill

THE STRUGGLE FOR TRUTH Sorting out real truth has always been more difficult than quoting a few key Bible verses. The Nicodemus story reminds us that truth typically only begins to take shape when an individual goes out of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Progressive Sermons, Sermons | Tagged Catholics, Hugenots, Nicodemus, Protestants, truth, William Barclay | Leave a comment

A lectionary sermon for Christmas 1 A (New Year’s Day) 2017 on Matthew 2:13-23

Posted on December 26, 2016 by peddiebill

You have to hand it to Matthew in the way he balances a sense of wonder for the coming of Jesus with the grimmer bits. Admittedly it is an otherworldly story of angels, the shepherds the wise men and of … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Progressive Sermons, Religion | Tagged Augustus, Flight to Egypt, Herod, refugees, The stump of Jesse, William Barclay | Leave a comment

Lectionary Sermon for March 15 2015 Lent 4 Year B on John 3: 14-21

Posted on March 8, 2015 by peddiebill

Truth by Night The gospel excerpt today leaves out the verses giving its setting. Yet that setting reminds us that that for each of us truth only begins to take shape when we go out of our way to seek … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Budapest, Democritus, John 3:16, Nicodemus, William Barclay | Leave a comment

A lectionary sermon for 29 December Christmas 1 A 2013 on Matthew 2:13-23

Posted on December 16, 2013 by peddiebill

No flight of Fancy You have to hand it to Matthew in the way he balances a sense of wonder for the coming of Jesus with the grimmer bits. First we have the angels, the shepherds and even the wise … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons | Tagged Egypt, Herod, Matthew, Moses, Netser, Nezer, prophecy, refugees, Syrian refugees, the dark side of Christmas, the massacre of the innocents., the Nazarene, the stock of Jesse, William Barclay | Comments Off

Lectionary Sermon for 27 October 2013 on Luke 18: 9-14 (Proper 25C / Ordinary 30C / Pentecost +23

Posted on October 8, 2013 by peddiebill

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is a familiar story to many. Here is this self obsessed Pharisee placing himself in a prominent position in front of the crowd and praying … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons | Tagged Bill Long, collaborator, faith, humility, Pharisee, Pistis, Pros Heaton, Sarah Wiles, St Augustine, tax collector, William Barclay | 3 Comments