Let Your Light Shine Through: 2nd Edition - eBooks.

A dynamic collection of 62 engaging sermons that blend personal stories, biblical insights, and practical tools to inspire both new and seasoned preachers.

Read this book to:

• Gain fresh inspiration for your preaching with diverse sermon ideas.
• Connect with your congregation through relatable, real-life examples.
• Discover creative ways to incorporate physical objects and multimedia into worship.
• Engage children and adults alike with storytelling and thematic activities.
• Learn practical techniques to address doubt, encourage critical thinking, and foster faith.
• Embrace social justice and environmental responsibility within your sermons.
• Access free online resources, including PowerPoints, images, and sermon recordings.

Features

• 62 complete sermons arranged by the Revised Common Lectionary.
• Personal anecdotes and contemporary references for relatable sermons.
• Practical tips for interactive worship and engaging Time With Children sessions.
• Indexed by Scripture readings and themes for easy navigation.
• Includes access to free online sermon resources and multimedia content. Click here: https://admin.shopify.com/store/philipgarsidebooks/pages/108275892531

 

Podcast Interview

Click the link to listen to an engaging podcast interview (8 mins) where the hosts discuss the themes of the sermons in the book and Philip's approach to preaching and faith. (The interview was AI generated using Google's Notebook LM)
https://tinyurl.com/5y5ckyvj

 

Description

Let Your Light Shine Through by NZ Methodist Lay Preacher Philip Garside is a rich resource designed for both new and experienced preachers.

This collection of 62 creative sermons offers a blend of biblical insights, engaging personal stories, and practical suggestions to enhance your preaching.

Philip draws from his own experiences, including sailing and family life, and incorporates historical events, cultural references, and modern scientific discoveries to make the scripture come alive for today’s congregations.

This second edition provides updated content and a new cover, offering tools to captivate both adults and children in your congregation.

Philip encourages using physical objects and multimedia to create memorable worship experiences, while addressing themes of doubt, God’s inclusive love, social justice, and environmental responsibility.

With an informal, approachable style, the sermons foster critical thinking and help preachers develop their own authentic voice.

The sermons are based on the Revised Common Lectionary, and this book also features an index of scripture readings and themes, as well as access to free online resources such as PowerPoints and sermon recordings.

Whether you're seeking fresh ideas or deeper theological reflection, Let Your Light Shine Through will inspire you to connect with your congregation and deliver impactful sermons.

Key Themes & Quotes

The Power of Storytelling: Philip emphasises the importance of engaging narratives and real-life examples to connect with the congregation. He uses anecdotes from his personal life, such as his experience sailing, repairing his shower, or receiving a gift from his father, to illustrate theological points. He also draws upon historical events, cultural references, and scientific discoveries to make the scripture relevant to contemporary audiences.

“For me the hardest part of a service can be the Time With Children slot. I also label this time Introducing the Theme. I lead the children in a physical activity that relates to the main Bible reading and talk about it in language appropriate to them. If I have done my job well, the adults in the congregation will be wondering, ‘what is this all about?’ They then find out during the sermon.”

The Importance of Doubt: Philip encourages a questioning approach to faith, acknowledging that doubt can be a catalyst for growth and deeper understanding. He challenges traditional interpretations of scripture and encourages critical thinking.

“For me doubt isn’t static, it doesn’t let me stand still. It must go somewhere... Doubt keeps me on my toes, stops me being complacent about my religion, compels me to look for answers and think more deeply... Doubt calls to faith. The more I address my doubts and questions, the deeper and more relevant my personal faith becomes.”

God’s Everlasting Love: Throughout his sermons, Philip reiterates the message of God’s unconditional love for all people, regardless of their background, beliefs, or actions. He challenges notions of exclusivity and emphasises the inclusivity of God’s grace.

“God’s love is not limited to the people gathered here this morning, to our wider families, to the citizens of New Zealand, or even to all the people in the world. God loves the whole world, or in religious language, God loves the whole of creation. I find it easy to love some people and hard to love others. God doesn’t have any such issues. God’s love includes all.”

Social Justice and Environmental Responsibility: Philip links faith with action, urging Christians to respond to contemporary challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. He encourages his listeners to become active participants in creating a more just and sustainable world.

“We have the scientist’s warnings and we have the Bible’s warnings about what happens if we mistreat God’s good creation. Listen to whichever voice you prefer, but do something now.”

Praise for Let Your Light Shine Through

“Are you a preacher of long-standing, jaded, feeling your sermons no longer connect? Or a lay preacher, seeking innovative and fresh ways to tell the Jesus story? Then Let Your Light Shine Through, is for you.

A little book of 62 creative sermons, fresh ideas and resources, there’s much in it to stimulate congregational thought, or personal reflection and transformation. Wellingtonian, Philip Garside, is a man of many parts – a Methodist Lay Preacher of over 15 years, a New Zealand distributor and publisher of stimulating theological resources, a musician and singing group leader, a widely read thoughtful theologian, and a married father of three.

Philip invites you to share, his insights from scholars like N.T. Wright, Bart Ehrman, and Richard Rohr, Joy Cowley’s contemporary psalms, and use video clips from an Al-Jazeera documentary, musical CDs from his Festival Singers’ choral music, Bach, and Handel, and physical objects, to sheet home your points. I particularly warmed to some 2014 sermons where Philip unbundles the Trinity to make sense to modern ears, as: “Worship God – Follow Jesus – [Be] Spirit Filled.” And in, “Jesus, the Human Face of God,” his de-coupling of the Nativity story.

This is a preachers’ goldmine I highly commend.”