Sermons by Rev Phil Swain
A Promise is more than a Prediction
Narrative Lectionary / Old Testament – THE GOD WHO PROMISES A Promise is more than a Prediction / The Story of Joseph Reading: Genesis 39:1-23. Preacher: Phil Swain We continue our series The God who promises with the story of Joseph. Joseph had been given extraordinary dreams about what his future might hold, but his life seemed to be heading in exactly the opposite direction. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison, Joseph’s story Read more
Living between Promise and Fulfilment
Narrative Lectionary / Old Testament – THE GOD WHO PROMISES Living between Promise and FulfilmentThe Story of Abram and Sarai Reading: Genesis 12:1-9. Preacher: Phil Swain God calls Abram and Sarai to leave what is familiar and travel towards a future they cannot yet see. God promises them a home, a family and a blessing that will reach far beyond their own lives. So they set out … but when they arrive, the land is already inhabited, they still have Read more
Can God be Trusted
Narrative Lectionary / Old Testament THE GOD WHO PROMISES Reading: Genesis 6:5–22; 8:6–12; 9:8–17. Preacher: Phil Swain We live in a world where promises are easily made and often broken. Political promises can be vague, qualified or quietly forgotten, while even our personal promises do not always hold. So why should we treat God’s promises differently? This Sunday we begin our Old Testament series, The God Who Promises, with the story of Noah. It is not an easy story, containing Read more
Reflecting Water (Season of Creation)
Season of Creation #3 – REFLECTING WATER Readings: Romans 8:14-28 and Psalm 148:1-13. Preacher: Phil Swain We conclude our Living Waters series with Reflecting Waters—an interactive journey of worship, reflection and prayer, as we encounter the wonder of creation and join in its praise. Instead of a sermon, there will be two short reflections based on Romans 8 and Psalm 148 … helping us to sit in the wonder of God’s creation and inviting us to respond with praise and Read more
Flowing Water (Season of Creation)
Season of Creation #2 – FLOWING WATER Reading: John 7:37–39 and Revelation 22:1–5. Preacher: Phil Swain We continue our Seasons of Creation series and hear Jesus’ invitation: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” In a world, and sometimes in lives, that can feel dry, weary or depleted, Jesus offers the renewing presence of God’s Spirit. Yet the living water Christ gives is not meant to remain within us: it flows through us, bringing life and hope Read more
Strengthen in our inner being
Sacred Texts: words to live byStrengthened in your inner being / What’s forming you? Readings: Ephesians 3:14-21, 1 Thess 5:11-18 Preacher: Rev Phil Swain In the final week of our Sacred Texts series, Phil will explore Paul’s prayer that we might be “strengthened in our inner being” and become rooted and grounded in Christ’s love. In a world where so many voices, pressures and experiences are continually shaping us, what does genuine inner strength look like—and what is forming us? Read more
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts
Sacred Texts: words to live bySo that Christ may dwell in your heartsReadings: Ephesians 3:14-21, Luke 10:38-42 Preacher: Rev Phil Swain This sermon we begin a new worship series exploring some of the “sacred texts” that people in our church identified as especially meaningful to them. We begin with a beautiful prayer from Ephesians 3, where Paul prays that Christ may dwell in our hearts and that we might know the love of Christ that goes beyond knowledge. It is Read more
Connected in Christ, Growing Together
Combined Worship Celebration – Connected to Christ, Growing TogetherReadings: John 15:1-17 Preacher: Phil Swain This recording comes from our Combined Worship Celebration as all three worshipping communities celebrate who we are as one church family. Our theme was Connected to Christ, Growing Together, and reflected on John 15 and Jesus’ image of the vine and the branches. It is a great passage for us as a church, because it reminds us that Jesus is at the centre of all we Read more
Living the Life that Matters
The Letters to Timothy – Live the Life that MattersReadings: 2 Tim 3:14 — 4:8. Preacher: Phil Swain We conclude our series through 1 and 2 Timothy as Phil returns from holidays in Fiji to ponder our passage from 2 Timothy 3 and 4. In Paul’s final words to Timothy, he encourages him to continue in the Scriptures and highlights the importance of God’s word—not as something simply to quote or defend, but as something we allow to shape us, Read more
The Way of Jesus made Visible
The Way of Jesus made VisibleSeries: Paul’s Letter to the Philippians Readings: Philippians 4:1-20. Preacher: Phil Swain We conclude our series on Philippians, Living the Way of Jesus, as Phil preaches on Philippians 4 and the theme “The Way of Jesus Made Visible.” Throughout this letter, Paul has been encouraging the Philippians not only to know about Jesus, but to know Christ deeply and to live in his way. In this final chapter, Paul shows what that can look like Read more