Sermons preached at Jubilee United Church in Toronto, Ontario.
On the Sunday after Easter, Rev. Seli engages with both of the "endings" in John's Gospel: The appearance of Jesus to the disciples in the locked room (John 20) and the apparent "second ending" in which Jesus appears to Peter and the others while they are fishing in the early morning (John 21). Norm wonders why the seond ending and what it might be offering us...
Rev. Norm Seli starts in John's Gospel with a simple request of two Greeks, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus" and wonders if we, too wish to see Jesus and if it is possible to see Jesus; to see God in the world today. He wonders about Jeremiah's promise that God's Covenant would be written on our hearts and what that might have to do with seeing Jesus; seeing God.
Rev. Norm Seli wonders about the peculiar story of Moses and The Snake on Stick from Numbers 21:4-9 and what it could have meant back then and what it might mean now... Along the way he rubs up against Paul's letter to the Ephesians (2:1-10), Psalm 107 and John 3:14-21 and wonders about Grace.
Rev. Norm Seli engages with the story of Jesus cleansing the Temple (John 2:13-22) and wonders why Jesus was so angry? He reflects on the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and wonders if maybe Jesus was concerned about the Spirit of the Law getting last in the Letter... If we believe that Faith and "The Law" are meant to bring us to God and not shame us, then how might we understand these passages in 2018?
Starting with Pual's letter to the Hebrews, Rev. Norm Seli wonders about the meaning and nature of "Faith". This recording includes the scriptures, as Rev. Seli looks at some of the "Foot notes" to Paul's letter and some of the people known for their faith. Wondering what Faith might be? See if you agree with Norm...
On this first Sunday of Lent, Rev. Seli engages with the story of Jesus' baptism as told in Mark's Gospel (Mark 1:9-15) and wonders why Jesus had to be driven into the wilderness. He also re-imagines the Noah and the Flood story from Genesis and finds hope and strength as we brave the wilderness(es) of 2018.
Rev. Anne Dionisio engages with the story of the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-9) and wonders about how we see Jesus and how we might see him in a new way.
Rev. Norm Seli wonders about the wisdom of Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 9:16-23) when compared to the practice of Jesus in Mark (Mark 1:29-31). He reflects on ministry, faithful living and even (a little bit) about being the church.
Rev. Norm Seli engages with the story of a man possessed by a demon in Mark 1:21ff and wonders if we mght all benefit from an exorcism. He imagines what might happen if Jesus visited church and asked any of us "What's important to you?"
Rev. Seli engages the complete story of Jonah - from running away, through whale to Ninevah and Tree and wonders what such a silly story might mean to us in 2018. The sermon/story was told in 4 parts throughout the service, intersperced with singing and a choir anthem - these have been edited out, so there may be brief silences in the recording and moments when Rev. Seli's voice comes in a little strong (ahead of the sound tech's adjustment). Apologies for the "rough" cut... we hope that it's still worth your time to listen.
