preview

Named and Claimed

Share to

12 January, 2025Pastor John Strelan

Juliet:

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? . . . ‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy; thou art thyself, though not a Montague.

What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name!

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

“That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”. There’s truth there, isn’t there? But,not the whole truth. If only it were that simple, Juliet! What’s in a name? Lots! For us human beings our names are primarily about relationship. They are part of the complex web of interactions that make us who we are . . . not objects, but living, breathing, hoping, hurting, thinking, feeling beings. Names are about identity. (Now, that’s a trendy word: identity.) And, identity is much about who does the naming.

So, I wonder, who are you?

 

Isaiah 43:1-7

43 But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, “Give them up!” and to the south, “Do not hold them back.” Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.’

More From 'Sermons'

God in a Box

14 June, 2026 Pastor John Strelan

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Click here for a link to our new spotify podcast containing the latest sermon recordings.

If you are unable to access spotify, 2026 sermon recordings can be found here

View

Love Actually

14 June, 2026 Pastor John Strelan

Two pairs of glasses:

Weak, suffering, ungodly, sinful, enemies = Despised.

Weak, suffering, ungodly, sinful, enemies = Loved.

Which pair of glasses do you think God wears?

~ Pastor John Strelan

Please note this sermon does not include recorded audio. It is written only. To listen to all other sermons from 2026, click here. If you are unable to access spotify, 2026 sermon recordings can be found here

View

Behold

7 June, 2026 Pastor John Strelan

Last week I had surgery to remove a cataract in my right eye. A cataract is when the normally clear lens in the eye becomes cloudy. Often this happens so gradually that people don’t notice the deterioration until it’s really bad. They may not even know they have a vision problem until diagnosed by a professional! But, once the lens is replaced they are amazed at what they can see.

The text from Matthew’s Gospel this week acts as a kind of spiritual ophthalmologist for us, diagnosing, treating and repairing our vision impairments.

Thankfully, my cataract surgery went well, and while I wasn’t ‘amazed’ by what I could see afterwards, I can certainly see more clearly. As you come on Sunday for your appointment with the Great Physician, may it be so for you too.

~ Pastor John Strelan

Click here for a link to our new spotify podcast containing the latest sermon recordings.

If you are unable to access spotify, 2026 sermon recordings can be found here

View