Lossiemouth Church of Scotland

Matthew 17:1-9 is the Scripture for 26 February 2017 and Rev. Geoff McKee discusses the Transfiguration of Jesus – an encouragement to us on our journey of faith.

The Scripture is immediately below and then the sermon, which you can also download as a PDF (74kB), if you wish.

Matthew 17:1-9 (New International Version)

The Transfiguration
17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

I have often driven through Glencoe, on my way north from Glasgow over the years.

And, as many of you will know, it’s a spectacular drive; the mountains tower above the road on both sides and the waterfalls cascade right down to the road’s edge.

And I always enjoy driving that Glencoe stretch a wee bit slower than the rest of the journey, so that I can soak it all in.

But I remember one journey through Glencoe that was better than all the rest.

I was by myself in the car and the weather was bad. [Read more…]

Rev. Geoff McKee’s sermon for 19 February 2017 is based on another difficult, though familiar, passage in Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 5:38-48), from the Sermon on the Mount. Geoff explains why Jesus is the Word of God and how, to be relevant for our time, the Bible needs Jesus, as the living Word, to speak through it. When that happens, general statements in the Bible become particular, personal and relevant to us as individuals. The Scripture is immediately below and, after that, comes the sermon. You can also download the sermon in PDF format by clicking here.

Matthew 5:38-48 (New International Version)

Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Consider:

• If I give to everyone who begs, I will have nothing left for myself.
• If I turn the other cheek, I will get slapped again.
• If I get sued, I am hiring the best lawyer I can afford to find a loophole in my favour.
• If I love my enemies, I will be more persecuted or even killed.
• If I am too nice, I will be seen as weak, a pushover, a doormat.

Who wants to be perfect anyway?

[Read more…]

In his sermon from 12 February 2017, Rev. Geoff McKee covers another challenging passage from Scripture: Matthew 5:21-27. He discusses the example of the great Christian missionary, David Livingstone, who suffered many setbacks in his life and who, in many ways, was an imperfect human being. He suffered from same the relationship difficulties and petty squabbles in which we all tend to become embroiled – maybe even more so. With so much frustration and anger in our world, as Christians, how do we deal with those situations that we cannot change? The passage from Matthew’s Gospel follows immediately below and then the sermon, which you can also download as a pdf. [Read more…]

Rev. Geoff McKee’s sermon from 05 February 2017 discusses Matthew 5:13-20. Jesus – in this excerpt from the Sermon on the Mount – explains why Christians are needed more than ever to be Salt and Light in their communities.  Download a pdf copy of the sermon by clicking here.

Matthew 5:13-20 (New International Version)

Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfilment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

How do you feel about the Church in Scotland today?

Well, I would like to begin by quoting from a right-wing Christian organisation called Solas, who published the following last year: [Read more…]

In this week’s sermon (29 January 2017), Rev. Geoff McKee looks at Matthew’s Gospel (5:1-12). With just one week to consider this dense and famous passage (which could provide material for several sermons), he takes a step back and considers what principles underpin the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The Scripture follows immediately below and then the sermon. You can download the sermon transcript in PDF format if you wish, by clicking on this text.

Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV)

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes
He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

[Read more…]