Take Up Your Cross!

‘Greater love hath no man than this.’ We hear these words on Remembrance Sunday, but what did Jesus mean when he first spoke them to his friends? In this sermon from St John’s, Paul reflects on the courage of William McFadzean and the quiet peacemakers of Belfast’s Ormeau Road. As we honour the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, what might the love of Jesus ask of us for the sake of peace today?

God speaks to us through creation, through the prophets, and supremely through Jesus Christ. But are we always willing to listen? Drawing on history, literature and Scripture, guest speaker David Livingstone explores our human tendency to silence the voices that challenge us, and invites us to consider what it might mean to hear—and heed—God’s word in a noisy and divided world.

What does it mean to follow Jesus in a world shaped by power, status and self-interest? As we conclude our journey through Mark's Gospel, we discover that Jesus doesn't simply show us a different way to live. Through his death and resurrection, he makes that new way of life possible. Reflecting on Mark 10:32–45, we explore what it means for the cross to be not only the source of our salvation, but also its shape—and what this might mean for the kind of people, and the kind of church, we are becoming together.

While the disciples argue about who is greatest, Jesus takes a child into his arms—and changes the conversation. In this sermon from The Way of the Servant, we explore how knowing we are loved by God frees us from the need to prove ourselves and helps us make room for those we might otherwise overlook.

What if we don’t need to have everything worked out before we come to God? In Part 7 of The Way of the Servant, Rev Paul Lutton reflects on Mark 9:14–29 and a worried father’s honest prayer: “I believe; help my unbelief.” Preached on Harvest Sunday at St John’s, We Cannot Do This Alone explores imperfect faith, the limits of our own strength, and prayer as an everyday expression of dependence on God. We can bring Jesus the faith we have—and ask for help with the faith we lack.

What happens when following Jesus challenges the future we had imagined? Peter recognises Jesus as the Christ, but struggles to accept where his journey will lead. In “Take Up Your Cross”, Paul explores Mark 8:27–35 and the call to costly love, humble service and trust. Following Jesus means entrusting our lives to the one who gave himself for us—and discovering that his way leads to life.

This Sunday, The Way of the Servant continues with the feeding of the five thousand. As we explore our shared calling to serve, we’ll discover that Jesus also notices our need for rest and care. And around the Communion table, we’ll remember that those who feed others need to be fed too.

Guest speaker Rev Dr Mark Gray preaches a visionary sermon from the prophet Isaiah.

Andy Hickford continues our series on The Way of the Servant with a sermon on Jesus washing his disciples' feet.  

In Gifts for the Body, the second part of our series The Way of the Servant, Paul reflects on 1 Peter 5 and Ephesians 4 and explores the humility at the heart of Christian leadership. Christ gives gifts to every member of his Church—and when leaders equip others and each person discovers that they are needed, the whole body grows together in love.