Sunday, 30 September 2018
John 3:16 is probably the most well known passage in the Bible, but what is the context in which it comes? As Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus He reminds him of when God instructed the Israelites to look in faith to the bronze serpent in order to be saved from physical death. He then compares it to His own death and resurrection and the eternal life that comes through looking to Him. Charles Spurgeon was one man who was confronted to look to Jesus and it changed his life forever.
Sunday, 23 September 2018
Duration: 28 mins 56 secs
In Ephesians 4 Paul begins by identifying the commonality we all share as Christians - one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father of all (v4). This gives us a basis for natural connection with the Church, both locally and globally. In this morning's passage Paul then goes on to describe how we differ in areas of gifting, but that these are given with the common goal of building up the body of Christ and giving glory to Jesus. How are we using these gifts and abilities to love the Church?
Sunday, 16 September 2018
Duration: 26 mins 23 secs
We know that God loves our community, but does our community know that God loves them? In today's passage we find the disciples hiding behind locked doors for fear of the Jewish leaders when they have an encounter with the risen Jesus, who then blesses them with His peace before commissioning them to go out and love the world as He has done. If Jesus showed up in our community today, where would He go? Who would He help? What would He do? We can't do everything, but we can do something.
Sunday, 09 September 2018
Duration: 21 mins 54 secs
Who are the most difficult people in your life to love? In today's message we are reminded of the love that God has shown to us, and that if our actions are not underpinned by that same love then they cease to have any value. Try inserting your name in verses 4-7. Do these things hold true for you? God's love never fails and if we claim to be those who follow Him, then ours cannot either, no matter how difficult it might be.
Sunday, 02 September 2018
Duration: 35 mins 42 secs
Sometimes those closest to us can be the most difficult people to love. The more we know someone, the more vulnerable we are and more likely to both cause and feel hurt. Today's message looks to the way Jesus responded to the failings of His friends (the disciples) to give us practical ways we can love those who are close. After all, "we love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
Sunday, 26 August 2018
Duration: 34 mins 48 secs
What does it look like to love God with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength? Theology that is not lived is theology that is not believed. Today's message encourages us to live out in practical ways each of these four aspects of loving God.
Sunday, 19 August 2018
Duration: 14 mins 59 secs
We live in a world of separation and conflict. As Christians, we know that God is for us in all things, no matter what we do. Paul reminds us earlier in Romans that we are adopted childen of God, making us co-heirs with Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ despite how we might feel through any of our sufferings - even death cannot separate us. We need to hold onto the promise of this as we serve Him.
Sunday, 12 August 2018
Duration: 24 mins 34 secs
What do we need in life? In this passage, Paul prays for the Ephesians, which is still applicable for us today. We need to be strengthened in having Christ living in us. We need to be rooted and established in love. We are to love God and know His love that turns our lives around as we love and serve Him and others.
Sunday, 05 August 2018
Duration: 26 mins 51 secs
All of us need love and we notice it when it is missing. We need to be accepted and be able to love others. In this passage, John talks about the love that comes from God and that He gives us freely when we follow Him. God showed His love through sending His son, Jesus Christ, into this world. True love is about what we can give to others and not about what we receive, and this true love only comes from God.
