Michael Toy

Michael Toy is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington studying digital religion in New Zealand. He also serves as public theologian for the Student Christian Movement Aotearoa.
Sermons and Bible Studies
The God of Time, The Presentation – February 2, 2025
[RCL] Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 84 or Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 God is the God of time. The readings appointed for this week in the lectionary each give a powerful reminder that God is not an aloof entity who stands above and outside of our world. We worship a God who has actually entered […]
Another Way, Easter 3 (B) – April 14, 2024
[RCL] Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48 “Many are saying, ‘Oh, that we might see better times!’” The Psalmist’s words ring just as true now as they have throughout the centuries since they were written. The news is full of war, climate crisis, political polarization, violence, and suffering. It often feels impossible […]
Incomprehension, Last Sunday in Epiphany (B) – February 11, 2024
[RCL] 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9 “Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” These words from the creation story are recalled in the reading today from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. The apostle writes, “For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of […]
Bearing Witness, Advent 1 (B) – December 3, 2023
This sermon is also available as part of a compilation of all the sermons for Advent and Christmas this year. Within that document, which you can find at sermonsthatwork.org, you’ll find some study questions that you can use by yourself, with your small group, or with your congregation. [RCL]: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; 1 […]
A Bunch of Sheep, Easter 4 (A) – 2023
[RCL] Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 You’re a bunch of sheep! Today, those words are hardly a compliment. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened political polarization, and anxiety about war and climate change, the insult of “sheeple” is hurled against pretty much every group, no matter their position. The accusation […]
Gifts, Lent 2 (A) – 2023
[RCL] Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17 In 2015 two psychologists reviewed six studies on gift-giving, looking in particular at the kinds of gifts chosen. They divided the gifts into two categories: those based on the interests of the recipient versus those that reflect the giver’s personality or interest. It is probably […]
Divine Unity, Easter 7 (C) – 2022
[RCL] Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26 Today’s gospel reading contains the climax and culmination of what is known as the “Farewell Discourse” or “High Priestly Prayer”. In this scene, John has Jesus and the disciples (minus Judas Iscariot) in the room after the washing of the feet and the last […]
Wisdom and Understanding, Epiphany 6 (C) – 2022
[RCL] Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26 There’s a piece of folk wisdom passed down each generation from violin teachers to violin students that when a string instrument is played well, the instrument itself improves. This bit of lore extends not just to violins, but to all string instruments, including the cello, […]
Bible Study: Advent 1 (C) – 2021
RCL: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36 During Advent and Christmas, we will be using study prompts and other activities tied to the sermon for the week. Read the sermon aloud and follow up with spoken responses to the two questions at the end. Find our full sermon compilation for individual, small […]
Waiting, Advent 1 (C) – 2021
[RCL] Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-26; Psalm 25:1-9 It’s Advent again! It is that season where we are oriented—in everyday life as well as liturgically—toward Christmas. And yet, there are some stops we must make along the way. In today’s waypoint, our readings look forward to Jesus’ triumphant return. Today, we look to […]
The Wilderness, Lent 1 (B) – 2021
[RCL] Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15 Wilderness, we have arrived. On this first Sunday of Lent, the texts thrust us quite suddenly into the wilderness. To start, there’s the story of God’s promise to Noah after the great flood. This is a beautiful passage of hope and promise, and what church […]
Strange and Wonderful, Last Sunday in Epiphany (B) – 2021
[RCL] 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9 What a beautifully strange and wonderful story we find in Mark today. Our gospel reading tells of Jesus’ transfiguration, an event recounted by all three of the synoptic gospels. There’s a lot to unpack here. There’s the presence of Elijah and Moses. There’s the […]
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Sermons That Work podcast to hear this sermon and more on your favorite podcasting app! Recordings are released the Thursday before each liturgical date.
Receive Free Weekly Sermons That Work Resources!