Sermons by Rev Phil Swain
Thanksgiving Sunday
Preached Sunday 22nd September, 2019 at Turramurra Uniting Church Preacher: Rev Phil SwainBible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 Our bible reading, we are encouraged to “give thanks in all circumstances” or as Paul says in 1 Corinthians, “always give thanks.” But if Thanksgiving is something we should do all the time, why are we setting aside one Sunday to be Thanksgiving Sunday? Good question. Part of the answer is that we are honouring the history of the harvest festival when rural Read more
“How Long” – A Cry for Justice
Preached Sunday 15th September, 2019 at Turramurra Uniting Church Preacher: Rev Phil SwainBible Reading: Psalm 79:1-9 When I was in third grade, I was confronted with an issue and I still remember vividly. Our class were having the dreaded “nit check” where the teacher checked all the kids heads on the way into class and for those who had already been checked we were supposed to sit quietly at our desk. As we sat there, one boy started teasing this Read more
Philemon
Sunday 8th September, 2019Theme: PhilemonPreacher: Rev Phil SwainBible Reading: Philemon 1-21 Last Week in the Father’s Day classic I shared a story about me mucking up the washing and tied it into the idea of forgiveness. The reading last week was that amazing promise from 1 John that when we confess our sins God is faithful and just and WILL forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Today, our reading is looking at the same issue by from a Read more
Father’s Day – Classic
Sunday 1st September, 2019Theme: Classic Father’s Day StoryPreacher: Rev Phil SwainBible Reading: 1 John 1:5-9 Today I want to talk about a word – Forgiveness. The idea that sometimes we, sometimes on purpose but more often accidently, do something or say something (or not do something) that hurts another person. And this hurt can cause a fracture in the relationship that can only be restored through forgiveness. As a father, husband and … well, a bloke … I have had Read more
Giving out of Gratitude
Sunday 25th August, 2019Theme: Imagining Hope Week #3Preacher: Rev Phil SwainBible Reading: Deut 24:19-22 / Romans 12:1-12 Sermon Text Today I want to talk about giving … the way we give our time and the way that we give our money. I want us to think about the values that drive us to financially give or volunteer to help or support the causes or programs that we care about. I know we don’t normally talk about giving too much in Read more
Values for Living
Sunday 18th August, 2019Theme: Imagining Hope Week #2Preacher: Rev Phil SwainBible Reading: 1 John 4:7-12,19 Sermon Text Last Sunday we pondered at our values and how they played out in what we thought about, where we spent our time and where we invested our money. I mentioned it the weekly email that I found it a personally challenging sermon as I realised that I am so busy that there is so little room in my life for God to work. Read more
What do you Value?
Sunday 11th August, 2019Theme: Imagining Hope Week #1Preacher: Rev Phil SwainBible Reading: Luke 4:38-44 Sermon Text Can you believe that it is August already? This year just seems to be racing through at a frantic pace. Maybe it is not time that is racing at a frantic pace, maybe the problem is that many of us race through life at a frantic pace. Maybe we have packed so many things into our weeks, that we are so busy with our Read more
HOPE – Combined Worship
Sunday 28st July, 2019Theme: Combined WorshipPreacher: Rev Phil SwainBible Reading: Jeremiah 29:4-14 Sermon I once stumbled across this written prayer which I found challenging, it went… “Lord, let me make a difference which is utterly disproportionate to who I am.” What do you think of that? “Lord, let me make a difference which is utterly disproportionate to who I am.” Do you have that desire? Do you want to make a difference in your life, in this church, in your Read more
My Father’s Business
Sunday 21st July, 2019Night ChurchPreacher: Rev Phil SwainBible Reading: Luke 2:41-52 Who here does the same job as their parents … or thinks that when they start working they might do the same job as your parents … sort of be “following in their father’s footsteps” so to speak. Anyone? Do you know what my dad is? Yep, he is a minister … but you gotta believe me, him being a minister is not the reason I became one as Read more
I AM … the Vine
Sunday 21st July, 2019Series: I AMTheme: I AM the Vine and you are the BranchesPreacher: Rev Phil SwainBible Reading: John 15:1-17 Sermon I once stumbled across this written prayer which I found challenging, it went… “Lord, let me make a difference which is utterly disproportionate to who I am.” What do you think of that? “Lord, let me make a difference which is utterly disproportionate to who I am.” Do you have that desire? Do you want to make a Read more