prepared by Dave Chuck – 25th January 2026
Introit – Psalm 27- Of David.-
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?
Hymn Verse 1 only – In heavenly love abiding (StF 736)
1 In heav’nly love abiding,
no change my heart shall fear;
and safe is such confiding,
for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
my heart may low be laid,
but God is round about me,
and can I be dismayed?
Anna Laetitia Waring (1823 – 1910)
Reading:
OT Isaiah 9:1-4 New International Version – UK
9 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan–
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Prayers of Intercession – “Circle Us, Lord”
Circle us, Lord, with the light of your presence.
Strengthen us against fear and despair,
and shape us into the people you call us to be.
Lord of creation, Lord of salvation,
circle us with your light.
Circle our families and friends with your protection and peace.
Guard their lives, their homes, and their relationships.
Circle this nation and our world with justice, compassion, and hope.
In your presence we pray for those who suffer,
for the lonely, and for all who face the year ahead with uncertainty.
Where there is sickness, bring healing.
Where there is hunger and despair, bring hope.
Where there is darkness, bring your light and love.
You spoke light into our darkness, and we chose your way.
Now we stand as your people, loved and not alone.
We pray in silence.
Lord Jesus, Son of God, Saviour of the world,
be the centre of all that we are and all that we do.
Amen.
And now we will say the family prayer together that Jesus taught us
Lords Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name…
NT Reading Matthew 4:12-23 New International Version –Jesus Begins to Preach
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—14 to fulfil what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus Heals the Sick
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Reflection
In today’s reading, Matthew tells us how Jesus began His public ministry after John the Baptist was imprisoned. With John’s voice silenced, Jesus stepped forward to continue proclaiming God’s message. As one writer observed, evil may silence a messenger, but it cannot stop the Word of God.
Jesus left Judea and travelled north to Galilee, making His home in Capernaum by the Sea. This move fulfilled the prophecy spoken by Isaiah, that a great light would shine in the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali – “Galilee of the Gentiles.” It was a region known for its mixed population and spiritual darkness, yet it became the place where God’s light would first shine through Christ.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
This was the same message John had preached, but now the Kingdom was no longer only promised – it was present in Jesus. To repent means to turn around, to leave the old way of life and turn toward God, because His rule had drawn near.
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He called Simon Peter and Andrew while they were fishing. A little further on, He called James and John as they worked with their father repairing their nets. Though they had met Jesus before, this was the moment He called them to leave their work and follow Him fully.
He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets, their boats, and even their father, and followed Him. Their response shows the cost and the power of Jesus’ call. To follow Him often means leaving behind security and familiarity, but it also means receiving a new purpose in God’s work.
Matthew ends by showing the breadth of Jesus’ ministry. He travelled throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of sickness and disease. His fame spread far beyond Galilee, and people brought the sick and suffering to Him. Great crowds followed Him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
In this passage we see light breaking into darkness, God’s Kingdom drawing near, ordinary lives transformed, and a Saviour bringing healing to a broken world. It is not only how Jesus’ ministry began, but a picture of what He still does today: calling people to follow Him and sending them to share His light.
Conclusion
The passage challenges believers to move beyond easy faith into a life of constant transformation, questioning worldly comforts and priorities.
You may well have heard the common saying regarding complacency
“Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive” (says Andy Grove), “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is the slogan of the complacent
The passage challenges any complacency.
Light in Darkness: Jesus’ arrival illuminates spiritual darkness, offering hope and a new path for those lost in sin and despair.
Many of us may have read the famous quotes on this
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that,” (Martin Luther King Jr.),
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness” (Desmond Tutu),
“Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light” (Madeline L’Engle).
And finally we read about the Cost of Discipleship: Following Jesus involves leaving behind old nets (habits, fears, securities) and boats (comfort zones) to embrace His mission.
Detriech Bonhoeffer quotes
“Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.”
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.
Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.
It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.
It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son, costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
The Cost paid by Jesus the Messiah to take the sin of the world on himself and give us eternal life.
In Fishers in people its written …..
- “Fishers of People,”David Lose,
- “My theme in a nutshell:
- Jesus called ordinary people right in the middle of their ordinary lives to do extraordinary things … and he still does.”
That’s you and me?
From this there is only one hymn we can sing to follow this….
Hymn Amazing grace – how sweet the sound (StF 440)
| 1 Amazing grace (how sweet the sound) that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. 2 ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! 3 Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come: ’tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. | 4 The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. 5 Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease: I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace. 6 The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine; but God, who called me here below, will be forever mine. Ancient & Modern, 2013 |
Benediction
May the blessing of light be on you – light without and light within.
And may Warmth and light shine like candles set in the window of your home, bidding all to come be safely joined with you and the presence of Our Loving Father God, His Spirit and Son.
Now and Always”
Amen
