Are you looking for fresh insights into Bible readings that will stimulate your thinking, warm your heart and support your spiritual journey? These engaging sermons by New Zealand Methodist lay preacher, and progressive Christian, Philip Garside will get you going.

Philip says, “I’m fascinated with how the Bible readings for the Sunday arose: who wrote them, what political or religious situation they sprang from, and what did the writer intend as the message to readers and listeners in their day? I then add in related material from our lives today, from our world, and suggest ways we can interpret the Bible readings. What Good News do they contain for us here and now? I usually draw out a sermon’s spiritual or devotional lessons as part of a short recap at the end. Head stuff first, then hands, then heart.”

He follows the approach of “taking the Bible seriously, but not literally,” and writes sermons the way he speaks. This informal approach works well with congregations.

The 62 sermons in this book are arranged in the order they were preached over 12 years and follow the three-year cycle of readings in the Revised Common Lectionary. There are indexes of Scripture readings and of People / Themes, and a Bibliography of key books, recordings and other sources referred to in the sermons.

The book is supported by free online PowerPoints, images & photos, video clips, and audio recordings of many of the sermons.

Quotes

“He turned ‘Thou shalt not...’ into, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’” From the sermon: The Tipping Point

“This evolution of the story of Jesus death over a 30 to 35 year period was a deliberate choice by the gospel writers in each case.” From: Head, Heart and Hands

“If you can learn to love your enemy, can they still be your enemy? No, because of your change of heart, they are now your neighbour.” From: Who is my enemy?

“Jesus was a back to basics sort of guy. He put people before rules.” From: Good things come in threes…

“This is a hopeful story. No matter how troubled we are by what we have done or not done, no matter how distant we feel from God or each other, no matter who we are, there is always a way back to redemption and wholeness.” From: Have mercy on us…

Praise for Let Your Light Shine Through

“Every Methodist preacher in Aotearoa-New Zealand should have this sermon collection by Philip Garside… Philip joins a short list of the old-style Methodists who found within themselves, the flame, the fire, to preach and publish and be damned – and some of them were! …all power to PGPL and to Philip for this book which gets the evangel into the marketplace. I like it.” Rev Dr David Bell, former principal of Trinity Theological College, Auckland

“I am impressed. I see this as an excellent collection of role-model sermons. Each is well researched, well-structured and thoughtfully spiritual. You display an innovative range of creative presentations. Every reflection delivers a meaningful and meaty message for our times. Thank you for sharing it with me.” Rosalie Sugrue, Author and Lay Preacher