St James' Church of Scotland, Lossiemouth

For Christ, For You

Lossiemouth Church of Scotland

Prospect Terrace, Lossiemouth, Moray IV31 6JS.

The Union of the former Parishes of St. Gerardine's High Church and St. James' Church

Minister: Rev. Geoff McKee.

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You are here: Home / Sermons / Why Christianity’s radical calling discourages us from the easy path

Why Christianity’s radical calling discourages us from the easy path

April 23, 2023 by 2

Sunday 23 April 2023 is the Third Sunday of Easter.

The main Scripture in today’s sermon is 1 Peter 1:17-23.

Peter did not use the word ‘refugee’ for the Christians he was addressing in this – his first epistle – but he used a very similar word. He used the term ‘exiles’ in the opening sentence of his letter and in verse 17 here in our passage today he referred to ‘the time of your exile’.

Rev. Geoff McKee discusses what this means for the way Christians should relate to God, to one another, and to the world in general.

Today’s main scriptural reading

1 Peter 1:17-25 (from The Message Bible translation)
17 You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.

18-21 Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

22-25 Now that you’ve cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God’s living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! That’s why the prophet said,

The old life is a grass life,
its beauty as short-lived as wildflowers;
Grass dries up, flowers wilt,
God’s Word goes on and on forever.

This is the Word that conceived the new life in you.

Rainbow over Prospect Terrace and St. James’ Church, Lossiemouth – 10 April 2023 – Photo Credit: Kirsty Colquhoun

Video recording of today’s service

We must continue to be people of the exile. We are living under the rule of Jesus Christ and not the rule of the kingdoms of this world. Now whilst that can be recognised and spoken of, it is a different matter altogether to be able to live in the place of exile without succumbing to the desire to just give up and seek a more comfortable place.

REV. GEOFF MCKEE
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Rev. Geoff McKee retires

October 5, 2025 By 2

Geoff McKee is retiring as Minister of Lossiemouth Church of Scotland.

His last day of ministry is 31 October 2025.

He conducted worship for the last time (as its minister) at Lossiemouth Church of Scotland on Sunday 28 September 2025.

There was a “thank you” concert held for Geoff and his wife, Annie, in the Church on Saturday 27 September 2025 at 2pm.

We wish Geoff and Annie a long, happy and healthy retirement. We will miss them terribly but we are grateful for the time we have had together and for their ministry and faithful service in Lossiemouth. Your retirement is well-earned!

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Our Minister is Rev. Geoff McKee.

Lossiemouth Church of Scotland is a registered Charity No. SC000880.

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