Lectionary readings
Philippians 2:5–11
Luke 22.14-end of Ch 23
Sam’s sermon workshop for Holy Week and Easter
Maundy Thursday Sermon Topic Discussion
Holy Week: focus on Maundy Thursday.
Sam highlighted the paradox of the day being about the Last Supper, yet the conventional readings do not include it. He suggested that the choice of sermon topic could be the Last Supper or the foot washing, which is often performed during the service. Possible of sermons for Maundy Thursday : Passover and its connection to the Lord’s Supper.
Eucharist, Foot Washing, and Baptism
Discussion on the themes and significance of the Eucharist, foot washing, and baptism in Christianity.
Sam shared his experiences with these practices, including his inauguration sermon at Duke Chapel in 2005, where he washed the feet of 12 community members. Touched on the importance of the Passover in the Exodus 12 narrative and the role of Mary in John 12. The conversation highlighted the need to balance the frequency of foot washing with the significance of baptism as a one-time event.
Cricket Incident and Latin Criticism
Samuel and Maddie discussed a past incident involving Australian cricket players caught for ball tampering. Samuel compared the disintegration of the disciples to the incident, highlighting the theme of remembering. He also shared a personal experience where a retired classics professor criticised his use of Latin verbs in a thought for the day. Despite the criticism, Samuel maintained his original interpretation.
Exploring Good Friday Sermon Approaches
Sam discussed the varying approaches to Good Friday sermons across different parishes, highlighting the importance of considering the congregation’s beliefs and traditions. He suggested that preachers could explore different aspects of the Passion narrative, such as the trial of Jesus, and emphasised the significance of understanding the true meaning of the cross. Sam also recommended his books, “Cross in the Heart of God” and “Hanging by a Thread,” as potential resources for Good Friday sermon ideas.
Storytelling
and Incarnational Theology in Sermons
Sam discussed various ways to preach at Christmas and Easter, emphasising the importance of storytelling and the transformation from despair to hope. He shared his personal journey of shifting from triumphalist sermons to an incarnational theology, and how he incorporated this in his sermons, particularly during the first lockdown. Samuel also mentioned his use of monosyllabic words and the concept of the “Magnificent 7” in his sermons, highlighting the significance of the resurrection day.
Addressing Resurrection and Sin in Sermon
Discussed the importance of addressing certain questions in an Easter sermon. He emphasised the need to consider the connection between Jesus’ resurrection and the possibility of individual resurrection, as well as the implications of Jesus’ victory over sin, evil, and death on the current state of the world. Samuel suggested that these questions should be addressed in the sermon, even if not both, to provide meaningful context and relevance to the message.
Addressing Congregation’s Questions and Concerns
Sam discussed the importance of addressing the questions and concerns of the congregation, particularly during Easter. He emphasized the need to balance the needs of regular attendees and those who attend only for festivals. Sam also highlighted the significance of planning and structuring a sermon effectively, using a compelling illustration or story to answer the questions asked at the beginning. He encouraged preachers to delve deep into their beliefs and the significance of the event they are preaching about.
Précis
of The Cross in the Heart of God by Sam Wells
Reflections on the Death of Jesus, Sam Wells offers a deeply theological and pastoral meditation on the significance of the crucifixion, placing the cross at the very centre of the Christian understanding of God. Rather than viewing the cross merely as a solution to sin or a transaction to appease divine justice, Wells argues that the cross reveals the nature of God’s love—a love that chooses to be with humanity, even in its most broken, painful, and forsaken moments.
Wells draws on a rich tapestry of scripture, theology, and liturgical reflection to reframe the death of Jesus not as divine punishment but as divine solidarity. He insists that Good Friday is not about God turning against the Son, but about God choosing to enter fully into human suffering. In doing so, God transforms that suffering from within. The cross, for Wells, is not the interruption of God’s love but its most profound expression.
Throughout the book, Wells returns to the theme of presence—God with us, even unto death. He challenges traditional atonement theories that rely heavily on sacrifice and substitution, suggesting instead that the cross is best understood as God’s definitive act of being with us, not doing to us or for us. This “with” theology lies at the heart of his wider body of work and is powerfully expressed here.
Ultimately, The Cross in the Heart of God is both a theological reorientation and a pastoral invitation. It offers a vision of a God whose power is not displayed in domination or rescue, but in accompaniment, vulnerability, and faithful love—right to the end. It is a book for Lent, Holy Week, and for anyone seeking to understand the mystery of God’s love in a wounded world.
