Tagged with: Jesus
Wednesday (Matthew 26:10-13)
| Wed Mar 28 '18
As Jesus continued to teach in the Temple, some of the religious leaders decided to take action. They plotted to arrest and kill him, but being afraid of the crowds, they sought to do it in secret. Then on Wednesday,...
Tuesday (Mark 12:1-12)
| Tue Mar 27 '18
It was the Tuesday of Passover week. Thousands of worshippers continued to flock to the Temple to offer their sacrifices. But today there was an unusual sense of tension in the air. Just yesterday, Jesus had brought the Temple to...
Monday (Mark 11:15-18)
| Mon Mar 26 '18
The streets of Jerusalem were filled with celebration, as crowds arrived to celebrate the Passover. Thousands of people trekked up the steep hill towards the Temple. It was a sight to behold. This Temple was the pride of Israel. It...
Acts of the Spirit: The Spirit of Boldness
| Sun Oct 22 '17
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would fill the disciples with boldness. In this talk, Jo looks at the story of Philip, who unexpectedly found himself sharing the good news about Jesus through a divine encounter.
Acts of the Spirit: The Spirit of Power
| Tue Sep 26 '17
A small band of disciples gathered in Jerusalem, waiting as Jesus had told them to, for the promised Holy Spirit. And when Pentecost came, everything changed. In the first talk of our new series, Liam looks at what it means...
David: The Man After God’s Heart - 2 Sam 22-23
| Sun Sep 17 '17
The end of 2 Samuel consists of flashbacks and reflections on the life and legacy of David. It is a mixed bag. In this final talk of the series, Lars considers David’s faithfulness, but also how his failings point to...
David: The Rejected King - 2 Sam 13-19
| Sun Sep 10 '17
David was promised a Son who would be a wonderful, anointed King. But his son Absalom was anything but. In this talk, we look at David’s experience of rejection, and our need for a Saviour.
David: The Flawed King - 2 Sam 11-12
| Sun Sep 3 '17
David’s encounter with Bathsheba demonstrates that he was far from being the perfect king! But God extends a surprising amount of grace to him, offering forgiveness, in a way that points to our need for a Saviour.
David: The Gracious King - 2 Samuel 9
| Sun Aug 27 '17
Saul’s Kingdom has come to an end. But instead of gloating and vanquishing his enemies, David extends mercy to Mephibosheth. In this talk, Adnan Khan looks at the theme of grace.
David: The Anointed King - 2 Sam 7
| Sun Aug 20 '17
Following the death of Saul, David is finally crowned as King. And when David pledges to build a house for God, God makes a surprising promise; that He will build a house for David! In this talk, Tim looks at...
David: The Worshipper - 2 Sam 6
| Sun Aug 13 '17
The Ark of the Covenant arrives in Jerusalem, and King David leads the people in singing and dancing. In this talk Elizabeth Oldfield looks at David’s passion for worship, considering what it can teach us about our own worship of...
David: The Giant Killer - 1 Sam 17
| Sun Jul 30 '17
David quickly faces an enormous challenge, in the form of the giant Goliath. In this talk, Lars looks at how we can face challenges in our lives, knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord.
David: The Chosen One
| Sun Jul 23 '17
The people of God have asked for a king, expecting someone who is strong, powerful and wealthy. But God seems to have different ideas. In the first talk of our new series, Liam looks at the choosing of David, and...
Fully Alive: The Kingdom - Luke 4:14-22
| Sun Jul 9 '17
As we turn to the New Testament, we read of Jesus, the true image bearer, who announces the arrival of God’s Kingdom. In this talk, Jo looks at how the message of the Kingdom results in freedom and renewal.
Encounters with Jesus: Mary Magdalene - John 20:1–18
| Sun May 28 '17
Death is the enemy we all long to avoid. It brings with it such pain, loss, grief, and separation. But what if it isn’t the final word? In the final talk of this series, we look at Jesus’ encounter with...
Encounters with Jesus: Encounters With Jesus: Mary Magdalene - John 20:1–18
| Sun May 28 '17
Death is the enemy we all long to avoid. It brings with it such pain, loss, grief, and separation. But what if it isn’t the final word? In the final talk of this series, we look at Jesus’ encounter with...
Encounters with Jesus: Mary Magdalene - John 20:1–18
| Sun May 28 '17
Death is the enemy we all long to avoid. It brings with it such pain, loss, grief, and separation. But what if it isn’t the final word? In the final talk of this series, we look at Jesus’ encounter with...
Encounters with Jesus: Pontius Pilate - John 18:28-19:42
| Sun May 21 '17
In a post-truth age, full of fake news and alternative facts, Pontius Pilate’s question seems strangely pertinent: “what is truth?” In this talk, Andy considers how Jesus fulfils our longing for coherence.
Encounters with Jesus: Peter - John 13:1-17
| Sun May 7 '17
As Jesus shares a final meal with his disciples, he surprises them by washing their feet. In this talk, Liam considers our need to be made clean, and shows how God subverts our expectations and lowers himself to raise us up.
Encounters with Jesus: Mary and Judas
| Sun Apr 30 '17
A feast is held in Jesus’ honour, and Mary marks the occasion with a costly act of worship. In this talk, we reflect on the different responses of Mary and Judas, and consider how Jesus offers us a cause worth...
Encounters with Jesus: Mary and Judas - John 12:1-11
| Sun Apr 30 '17
A feast is held in Jesus’ honour, and Mary marks the occasion with a costly act of worship. In this talk, we reflect on the different responses of Mary and Judas, and consider how Jesus offers us a cause worth...
Encounters with Jesus: Mary - John 12:1-11
| Sun Apr 30 '17
A feast is held in Jesus’ honour, and Mary marks the occasion with a costly act of worship. In this talk, Hannah looks at the example of Mary and we consider how Jesus offers us a cause worth living for...
Encounters with Jesus: The Healing at Bethesda - John 5:1-15
| Sun Apr 23 '17
Jesus meets a man who has been ill for many years, but the healing he offers is far deeper than purely physical. In this talk, Lars shows how Jesus is able to restore us from all our brokenness and offer...
Encounters with Jesus: The Woman Caught in Adultery - John 8:1-11
| Sun Apr 9 '17
The religious leaders try to trap Jesus, by presenting a ‘sinner’ for him to condemn. But Jesus’ response turns the tables back on them in a surprising way. In this talk, Liam looks at how Jesus exposes ‘bad religion’ and...
Encounters with Jesus: The Samaritan Woman - John 4:1-42
| Sun Apr 2 '17
All of us long for fulfilment, but too often the places we look for it fail to satisfy. In this talk, David looks at Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan Woman, and considers how Jesus meets our thirst for fulfilment.
Encounters with Jesus: Nicodemus
| Wed Mar 29 '17
A religious leader comes to Jesus in the dead of night, with a bunch of questions. But Jesus’ response is far deeper than he’d imagined. In this talk, Jo looks at the story of Nicodemus and shows how Jesus offers...
Encounters with Jesus: Nathanael - John 1:43-51
| Sun Mar 19 '17
All of us have big questions – about life, about meaning, about God. But how can we explore these questions in a healthy way, which leads to answers? In the first talk of our new series, Andy looks at Jesus’...
Hungry Hearts
| Fri Mar 17 '17
Bruce Springsteen famously sang: ‘Everybody needs a place to rest; Everybody wants to have a home. Don’t make no difference what nobody says, Ain’t nobody like to be alone. Everybody’s got a hungry heart.’ He’s right. All of us are...
Theology Matters: The Trinity
| Fri Mar 3 '17
A.W. Tozer wrote: ‘What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.’ It was with this in mind that we decided to spend a day recently thinking about the Trinity. To many...
Theology Matters: The Trinity: Session 4: The Trinity and the Christian Life
| Wed Mar 1 '17
This final session considers what practical differences the Trinity makes to the Christian life, and how having an accurate view of the Trinity can enrich our prayer and our worship. Download the handouts.
Theology Matters: The Trinity: Session 3: Creation and Salvation
| Wed Mar 1 '17
What does the Trinity achieve? And what can we learn from looking at the activity of God in the world? This session considers the role of the Trinity in creation and salvation, and the difference it makes knowing we are...
Pockets of Peace
| Fri Jan 13 '17
There I am, stood on the edge of a cliff, feeling the gentle hug of the wind and watching the crystal blue sea crash against the rocks. As I take in the beauty of the scene unfolding before me I’m...
The Lord's Prayers: Our Father
| Tue Jan 10 '17
What we believe about God affects how we approach Him, and Jesus taught his disciples to begin prayer saying, “Our Father…” (Matthew 6:9). In the first talk of our series, Jo considers how knowing God as Father is the foundation...
What’s My Life All About?
| Mon Oct 3 '16
This is the question that used to haunt me – like Private Ryan wondering if his life was good enough. I’m clearly not alone in this, having just been invited to speak at a central London event on ‘The Quarter...
Summer of Love: Love Overcomes (1 John 5:1-12)
| Sun Sep 18 '16
As John brings his letter to a close he shows how faith in Jesus gives us the motivation and the means to overcome the world’s divisions and love all of God’s children. Tim uses this as an opportunity to talk...
Summer of Love: Love Made Visible - 1 John 4:7–21
| Sun Sep 11 '16
John argues that ‘God is love’ and yet he also says that ‘nobody has seen God’. In a world so in need of love, where can we find it? And how can we see love if we cannot see God?...
Summer of Love: Love Does - 1 John 3:11-24
| Sun Sep 4 '16
Love is not just a sentiment – a nice feeling that we possess towards others. Love results in action. Love does. In this talk Chris looks at how we should lay down our lives in love for one another.
Summer of Love: Love Does - 1 John 3:11-24
| Sun Sep 4 '16
Love is not just a sentiment – a nice feeling that we possess towards others. Love results in action. Love does. In this talk Vicki looks at how we should lay down our lives in love for one another.
Summer of Love: Love Does - 1 John 3:11-24
| Sun Sep 4 '16
Love is not just a sentiment – a nice feeling that we possess towards others. Love results in action. Love does. In this talk Adam looks at how we should lay down our lives in love for one another.
Summer of Love: Family Resemblance - 1 John 2:28-3:10
| Sun Aug 28 '16
What difference does the love of God make to our lives? In this talk, Marc looks at the theme of adoption, and considers how God’s love transforms us to look more and more like Him.
Summer of Love: Family Resemblance - 1 John 2:28-3:10
| Sun Aug 28 '16
What difference does the love of God make to our lives? In this talk, Joel looks at the theme of adoption, and considers how God’s love transforms us to look more and more like Him.
Jesus’ Heart for Refugees
| Fri Aug 26 '16
I was reminded recently, in the most unlikely situation, of Jesus’ immeasurable love for people. I was staring in horror at an anti-immigration poster which showed a photograph of hundreds and hundreds of people walking across Croatia into Slovenia, fleeing...
Summer of Love: A New Old Commandment - 1 John 2:3-14
| Sun Aug 21 '16
John writes a new commandment to his readers. And yet, the new commandment looks surprisingly like an old one! In this talk Alicia looks at John’s instructions to live in love.
Summer of Love: A New Old Commandment - 1 John 2:3-14
| Sun Aug 21 '16
John writes a new commandment to his readers. And yet, the new commandment looks surprisingly like an old one! In this talk Joseph looks at John’s instructions to live in love.
A-Level Results Day
| Thu Aug 18 '16
I remember the moment I opened my A-level results. The nerves, the excitement, the expectation. The fear. My hopes and dreams seemed to be contained within one small white paper pocket. As I slowly opened the envelope I was opening...
Summer of Love: Life, Love and Light - 1 John 1:1-2:2; 5:13
| Sun Aug 14 '16
What is God like and how can we know Him? In the first talk of this new series, Liam looks at the opening of John’s letter and considers what it means for God to be life, love and light.
Summer of Love: 1 John
| Mon Aug 8 '16
Summer of Love: 1 John If you’ve been with us over the past few months, you’ll know that we’ve been preaching a series entitled The Heart of the Matter. It’s been a rollercoaster ride through various subjects to do with...
International Justice Mission
| Fri Aug 5 '16
This last Sunday we remembered the life of William Wilberforce, someone who spent his life working alongside people around the world to see slavery and the slave trade abolished throughout the British Empire. We then announced that we have made...
Oh Joy!
| Fri Jul 29 '16
Repetition is a common literary device used by poets and authors to draw emphasis to something in particular. I’ll say that again… When a writer uses a word or phrase more than once, especially in close proximity to each other,...
Mama Bear
| Fri Jul 22 '16
My Mum is one of my closest friends. She is friendly, funny and kind. At first, however, my Mum can seem retiring and shy. She isn’t someone who asserts herself, with one noticeable exception: if someone hurt or threatened her...
Clever Cloggs
| Fri Jul 8 '16
I believe that when children receive a solid education, they have the opportunity to achieve their potential in later life. There seems to be so much inequality in education at the moment and often children from refugee families or from...
Week of Prayer, Friday: The Nations
| Fri Jul 8 '16
As we finish our week of prayer in this city, let’s pray for the cities of nations around the world that are experiencing extreme loss, pain, confusion or fear at this time. Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you that you...
Week of Prayer, Thursday: New Vision
| Thu Jul 7 '16
After the results of the EU referendum, Justin Welby and John Sentamu released a statement, part of which said: ‘The vote to withdraw from the European Union means that now we must all re-imagine both what it means to be...
Week of Prayer, Wednesday: Government & Leading Institutions
| Wed Jul 6 '16
Our nation is shaped by many people from different sectors of society. Today let’s pray for all those who have influence, not only as they seek to work out the best way forward in their own sector, but also the...
Week of Prayer, Monday: Peace
| Mon Jul 4 '16
Today we pray for peace. If you were with us in church yesterday, we prayed the ancient prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. Today we continue to pray for peace; for ourselves, our communities and our nations. Peace is a...
What Should The Church Say About Brexit?
| Fri Jul 1 '16
Judging by the fear, anger and insecurity across the United Kingdom right now, it’s a brave person who writes about Brexit. Passions are running high amongst everyone I come across, and there is no place for the disgusting racism that’s...
God is in Charge: A Prayer for our Nation
| Mon Jun 27 '16
Last week saw the UK voting in favour of leaving the European Union. For many this has been a difficult decision. Whilst some consider it to be a great new opportunity for us, others have expressed fear, disappointment and anger...
Friendships & Vulnerability
| Fri Jun 10 '16
What does the word ‘friend’ mean to you? Would you call the 200… 500… 1000 people you have on Facebook your friends? It seems that in this technology-obsessed world we have lost the meaning of friendship; true companionship. Last September,...
What’s the Point in Morning Devotionals?
| Fri Jun 3 '16
I opened my eyes and it had happened again. My morning devotional turned into an extra 45 minutes sleep, which left me frantically running around trying to get ready for work. And so the cycle of guilt continued. Morning “quiet...
The Heart of the Matter
| Fri May 20 '16
I brush my teeth at least twice a day. I shower daily. I wash my hands countless times. I use the odd hair product and skin product – thanks for noticing! I don’t do as much exercise as I probably...
Submission
| Thu Apr 21 '16
A few weeks ago I gave a talk at a university Christian Union society on 1 Peter 2:11-3:7. It seemed to be well received but I came away from it dissatisfied. For while I had successfully taught through the structure...
The Power of a Whisper: The Divine Whisperer
| Sun Apr 3 '16
Does God whisper today? In the first talk of this new series, Liam looks at Hebrews 1 and considers what it can teach us about the kind of world in which we live, and the role God’s whispers have in sustaining and...
Saturday: God in the Grave
| Sat Mar 26 '16
‘He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence,...
Friday: Pierced for our Transgressions
| Fri Mar 25 '16
‘Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us...
Thursday: The Sheep and the Shepherd
| Thu Mar 24 '16
‘He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and...
Guest Speakers: Palm Sunday
| Sun Mar 20 '16
As we celebrate Palm Sunday, Andy Crouch looks at four snapshots from Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Through the stories of the king, the image, the pennies and the jar, we learn lessons about worship, power, and what it means to...
Joshua: The New Covenant
| Sun Mar 13 '16
The book of Joshua ends with a poignant ceremony in Shechem, a place with a rich history. Yet there is an elephant in the room! Even as the covenant is renewed, Joshua knows the people will be unable to keep it. This...
Joshua: Rahab and the Spies
| Sun Feb 14 '16
The spies cross over into the Promised Land and encounter a lady named Rahab, who offered them help in order for protection. In this talk, Andy looks at how the church should be a place of refuge, where people can experience the...
Joshua: Crossing the Jordan - Joshua 3-4
| Sun Jan 24 '16
The people prepare to cross the Jordan, and as with Moses before, the water parts to let them through. In this talk, Liam considers how the story of Joshua points to our need for a New Exodus.
My Experience of Alpha
| Mon Jan 18 '16
I live in London and have worked in a range of areas from teaching, to working in a bank, to now working in education policy. I was brought up in a Christian family, but over time drifted away from Christianity...
Stand Alone Talks: Launch Sunday
| Sun Jan 17 '16
As ChristChurch London launches new services, David Stroud considers why we should have confidence that the church has an important contribution to make to London life.
O Come, Emmanuel
| Mon Dec 14 '15
At our Carol Services on Sunday we reflected on the name of Jesus – Emmanuel: God with us. And we took a moment to pray for our city, our nation and our world, asking that we would know Jesus as God...
Stand Alone Talks: Let the little children come to me
| Sun Nov 29 '15
Is it possible to find happiness and meaning in life? Where should we be looking for it? In this talk from our dedication and baptism service, Amy Howard looks at Jesus’ invitation for the little children to approach him.
The refugee crisis, the church and the coming Christmas time
| Wed Nov 18 '15
Over the last three years I have met families who have fled conflicts, in Lebanon, South Sudan, Congo, the Central African Republic, Burundi and Mali. I have spent time with parents who have had to leave their children behind as...
Theology Matters: The Gospels: Session 12: Why did Jesus Rise?
| Sun Nov 15 '15
Easter Sunday is the climax of the story of the gospels. But its meaning can be just as perplexing to us as it was to the original disciples! What does the resurrection mean, and how does it change the way...
Theology Matters: The Gospels: Session 11: Why Did Jesus Die?
| Sun Nov 8 '15
What are the historical reasons for the crucifixion of Jesus? And what did Jesus make of his own impending death? In this session we consider the Jewish charge, the Roman charge, and Jesus’ own understanding of the significance of his...
Theology Matters: The Gospels: Session 10: The Coming of the Son of Man
| Sun Nov 1 '15
What is the ‘coming of the Son of Man’? When and how will it happen? And what should we make of Jesus’ end-of-the-world language in Mark 13? This session will use lessons we’ve learnt throughout the series as tools to help...
Moses: The Bronze Serpent - Numbers 21:4-9
| Sun Sep 13 '15
The Israelites complain against God again and are afflicted with poisonous snakes. But God provides a miraculous way out, which is a beautiful foreshadowing of the gospel.
Moses: The 10 Commandments - Exodus 20
| Sun Aug 16 '15
How can we live a life that pleases God? And what lasting relevance do the 10 Commandments have for us today? In this talk, Tim Frisby looks at the giving of the law and considers what it can teach us about the...
Moses: The Passover - Exodus 12
| Sun Jul 12 '15
After a series of gruelling plagues, God tells His people to get ready to leave Egypt for good. In this talk, Liam looks at the symbolism of Passover, and the promise of freedom.
Theology Matters: The Gospels: Session 6 – The Little Stories
| Sun Jun 14 '15
Why did Jesus spend so much time telling confusing little stories? Why are they often so hard to understand? And what do they have to teach us about the main themes of Jesus’ ministry? In this session Liam looks at how...
Stand Alone Talks: Who is this man?
| Sun Jun 14 '15
If you were to fold history, where would you put the crease?” In this talk from our Baby Dedication Service, Andy Tilsley looks at the person of Jesus and considers why his life is so unique, and why he continues...
Theology Matters: The Gospels: Session 5 – The Big Story
| Fri Jun 12 '15
How do the gospels fit into the grand story of Scripture? How should we understand Jesus’ life, teaching, ministry, death and resurrection as a continuation of the biblical story? This session will help us to understand Jesus’ ministry in its wider...
Theology Matters: The Gospels
| Thu May 14 '15
If Jesus wanted people to understand his message, why did he speak in cryptic little parables? What did he mean when he spoke about the Kingdom of God, and why did it excite some people and annoy others? What did...
Simplify: Simplify your Finances
| Sun Apr 26 '15
In an expensive city like London, how should we handle money? And how does knowing what our priorities are help us to use our money wisely? In this talk, Andy Tilsley looks at some principles for how we can master...
Simplify: Simplify Your Diary - Mark 1:29-39
| Tue Apr 21 '15
Busyness is an epidemic. For many of us, we feel our schedules are out of control and we spend our lives apologising for our busyness. In this talk, Liam considers how Jesus managed his time, and some basic principles for...
Simplify: Simplify your Life - Luke 10:38-4
| Sun Apr 12 '15
Life is busy. There are always things vying for our time and attention and many of us feel like ‘stressed and busy’ is our default state of mind. This first talk in our new series looks at Jesus’ instructions to...
Saturday: Crying out for Rescue
| Sat Apr 4 '15
Easter Saturday: a day of many questions and few answers. It sits in the silence, suspended between the despair of Good Friday and the hope of Easter Sunday. Psalm 88 is a cry of anguish, which sums up the pain...
Tuesday: Taking up your Cross
| Tue Mar 31 '15
If you sit down and read Mark’s Gospel through there’s a watershed moment that it’s difficult to miss. The first eight chapters of Mark’s Gospel focus on Jesus’ ministry in and around Galilee in northern Israel. They’re filled with healings...
Monday: The Devil and the Details
| Mon Mar 30 '15
Right at the start of his ministry; before he’d begun preaching about the Kingdom (Matthew 4:12-17), calling people to follow him (v18-22) or healing the sick (v23-24); before news about him had spread through the nearby towns (v25); before Jesus...
The Gospels: Recommended Reading
| Wed Jan 28 '15
This week we kicked off a series of seminars called Theology Matters: The Gospels. Each term in 2015 we will spend four weeks looking in depth at the stories of Jesus’ life, examining the major themes and unpacking some of...
Theology Matters: The Gospels: Session 1 – Context
| Sun Jan 25 '15
What was first century Israel like? Who were the main players of the day? And into what kind of world was Jesus born? This first session of Theology Matters will help us to understand the historical background of the gospels...
Stand Alone Talks: The Promise of Christmas
| Sun Dec 21 '14
At the heart of the Christmas story is a powerful promise, that God wants to be with us. In this talk, Tim Frisby looks at the promise of Christmas, and the invitation to bring Jesus into the very centre of...
Stand Alone Talks: Hope and Disappointment
| Sun Dec 14 '14
In this talk from our 2014 Christmas Carol Service, Andy Tilsley looks at the subjects of hope and disappointment, and how the story of Christmas offers a message of hope for all of us.
Holidays are coming…
| Thu Nov 27 '14
Christmas can be a bewildering time of year, where everything we think we know gets turned on its head. Trees are uprooted from forests and planted indoors; Starbucks swaps their customary white cups for a festive shade of red; and...
Philippians: Finding joy in all of life: Philippians 2:1-11
| Sun Jul 27 '14
Philippians 2 opens with an ancient hymn, beautifully expressing how the humiliation of Jesus led to his exaltation. In the third week of our series, Liam looks at this well-known passage and considers how the humility of Jesus should function as a...
Thursday: Who Killed Jesus?
| Thu Apr 17 '14
Who was responsible for Jesus’ arrest, his trial, and eventually his death? It’s not an easy question to answer, and its one that the gospels approach in various different ways. In one sense, it seems that the Romans had a...
Stand Alone Talks: Unto Us…
| Sun Dec 22 '13
Why do we still celebrate the birth of a baby thousands of years ago? What is the lasting significance of the Christmas message? In this talk, Joel Kendall looks at Isaiah 9 and the promise of a child who will...
Unto us… A child is born
| Tue Dec 17 '13
Donning my reindeer hide and caribou boots, with my husky harness in hand, I recently boarded a plane bound to Helsinki. Was I starting a journey to visit Santa? Or to discover the northern lights? Was I even wearing the...
Nehemiah: Nehemiah 13
| Sun Dec 8 '13
The book of Nehemiah ends with a heart-breaking passage. Many of the trusted officials have failed, and the reforms that have been instituted have fallen apart. Nehemiah returns to the city to straighten out the problems. In the final week...
No Rope in the Way: Building Community in Central London
| Thu Sep 19 '13
One of the highlights of my summer was a week in France with my son, Ed. On the way back to London we stopped for 24 hours in Paris where we decided to go to a service at Notre Dame....
Faith Conversations: What is the Gospel?
| Sun Jun 23 '13
Christians talk about the death of Jesus as ‘good news.’ But how is the violent death of one man 2,000 years ago good news for us here and now? In the penultimate talk of our Faith Conversations series, Liam will...
Friday: The Seed and the Serpent
| Fri Mar 29 '13
The Russian playwright Anton Chekov famously wrote: “If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it’s not going to be...
Thursday: A Tale of Two Fires
| Thu Mar 28 '13
On the evening Jesus was betrayed, he shared a meal with his disciples, and Peter declared his total allegiance to Jesus. Jesus replied ‘truly I tell you, before the rooster crows you will deny me three times’ (John 13:38). After...
Monday: Preparing for Departure
| Mon Mar 25 '13
At various points throughout Jesus’ life, he spoke in hushed tones, and swore people to secrecy about his true identity. But in today’s passage, as Jesus’ ministry comes towards its climax, he takes just a few of his closest disciples...
Cross Roads: Luke 19:7-23
| Sun Mar 24 '13
In the final few days of his life, Jesus celebrated a meal with his closest disciples. It was no normal meal, but one with a long history and deep symbolism. This week David Stroud looks at the Last Supper and...
Cross Roads: Luke 14:25-33
| Sun Mar 17 '13
Following Jesus is a difficult decision, not to be taken lightly. It’s like building a tower, fighting a war and taking up your cross. This week, Liam looks at Jesus’ challenging words about what it takes to follow him.
Cross Roads: Luke 9:10-17
| Sun Mar 10 '13
Jesus sets his disciples a seemingly impossible challenge; to feed 5,000 people with a kid’s packed lunch! David considers what this passage teaches us about training and raising up leaders.
Cross Roads: Luke 10:38-11:13
| Sun Mar 3 '13
Jesus’ disciples observe him praying and ask him to teach them how to do it. This week, Andy Tilsley looks at the Lord’s Prayer, and a parable Jesus offers to encourage his followers to pray with faith.
Cross Roads: Luke 8:19-21
| Sun Feb 24 '13
When he heard that his family had come to see him, Jesus declared ‘my mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.’ This week David looks at the themes of community and relationship.
Cross Roads: Luke 7:18-28
| Sun Feb 10 '13
John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, sends his disciples to find out if Jesus is the real deal. This week, Liam looks at the theme of disappointment in discipleship and considers how Jesus offers hope to those facing struggles.
Cross Roads: Luke 6:27-42
| Sun Jan 20 '13
What does it look like for the church to be an inclusive community in a pluralistic world? This week, David Stroud looks at Jesus’ challenging teaching on loving enemies, speaking well of others, and resisting the temptation to be judgmental.
Cross Roads: Luke 5:1-11
| Sun Jan 13 '13
After an unsuccessful night of fishing, Peter has an encounter with Jesus, which changes the trajectory of his life. This week, Andy Tilsley looks at what it means to take a step of faith and become a disciple of Jesus.
Cross Roads: Luke 3:1-18
| Sun Jan 6 '13
After centuries of silence, a new prophet arrives on the scene, with an invitation to a new form of discipleship. In this, the first talk of our Cross Roads series, David looks at the preaching of John the Baptist in...
Advent: A Light to the Nations - Luke 2:22-38
| Sun Dec 30 '12
In the final week of our series, Joel looks at the story of Simeon and Anna and their joy at meeting the baby Jesus. We see that this child’s birth is the answer to ancient promises, and the hope for...
Advent: Peace on Earth
| Sun Dec 9 '12
Many details of the Christmas story are well known: no room at the inn, the child born in a stable and laid in a manger. But is it possible that we’ve become so familiar with the Christmas Card portrayal that...
Advent: The Son of David - Matthew 1:1-21
| Sun Nov 25 '12
A young carpenter from a royal line hears some puzzling news about his virgin fiancée. This week Andy Tilsley looks at the story of Joseph, and how he would become the father to the promised Son of David.
Advent: A King of Justice
| Sun Nov 18 '12
First century Israel was a complex place, with corrupt rulers, national oppression and a seemingly-silent God. In the first week of this new series, David Stroud looks at the political and religious setting of the first Christmas and how this...
Theology_Matters_Revelation: New Creation - Revelation 21-22
| Sun Jul 29 '12
What is God’s final plan for creation? This week we come to the end of our series on Revelation by looking at John’s incredible description of the New Creation, full of rich imagery and incredible hope. We will see what...
Theology_Matters_Revelation: The Millennium - Revelation 20
| Sun Jul 15 '12
As the story draws towards a close, we read that Christ will reign for 1,000 years. Little in Scripture has caused more debate than these chapters. What is the millennium, when will it happen and how is it relevant for...
Theology_Matters_Revelation: Seals, Trumpets and Bowls - Revelation 6-11; 16
| Sun Jul 1 '12
John describes a series of shocking events: natural disasters, plagues and catastrophes falling upon the Earth. How should we interpret these? Are they literal predictions of a bleak future? How and when might they happen? And what do they tell...
Theology_Matters_Revelation: The Lamb and the Throne - Revelation 4-5
| Sun Jun 24 '12
John’s first glimpse into heaven is a dazzling picture: strange creatures, precious jewels, and a dramatic scene with thousands of worshippers. Here we look at the Lamb on the Throne in Revelation 4 and 5, learn to interpret the symbols...
Theology_Matters_Revelation: Apocalypse Now? - Revelation 1
| Sun Jun 17 '12
Confusing symbols, mysterious imagery, and sometimes unpleasant descriptions make Revelation daunting to read and difficult to understand. How much is it a prediction of the future? How is it relevant today? And how should we go about interpreting it? In...
Saturday: Waiting in the Silence
| Sat Apr 7 '12
Why do bad things happen and bad people get away with it? Where is God in times of darkness, silence and pain? The story of Easter Saturday explores some of these questions: ‘Do not fret because of those who are...
Friday: Adding Insult to Injury
| Fri Apr 6 '12
Betrayed, tried and wrongly condemned to death, Jesus is handed over to the soldiers to be brutally tortured and crucified. ‘The soldiers stripped Jesus and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set...
Monday: Return of the King
| Mon Apr 2 '12
Is Jesus King of your life? Are you fully submitted to him? The Easter story begins with a dramatic entry to Jerusalem, which proclaims Jesus as king and demands our allegiance: ‘As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and...
I Am: The True Vine - John 15:1-17
| Sun Apr 1 '12
We all want to prosper in life; to know success and security, but so much of the advice on offer ultimately fails and disappoints. In this talk, David will explore how Jesus’ claim to be the true vine enables us...
I Am: The Way, The Truth and The Life - John 14:1-14
| Sun Mar 25 '12
In a world where many people claim to know the way to happiness, doubt the existence of truth, and just want to live their own lives however they want, what should we make of Jesus’ exclusive claim that he is...
I Am: The Resurrection and the Life - John 11:1-44
| Sun Mar 11 '12
We live in a broken world, full of sickness, suffering and death; and where is God? Is He indifferent, or simply impotent to do anything about it? In this talk, David will explore Jesus’ claim to be the resurrection and...
I Am: The Gate and the Shepherd - John 10:1-21
| Sun Mar 4 '12
What kind of a leader was Jesus, and what was unique about his mission? In this talk, Tim will explore how Jesus mixes his metaphors to present a challenging and revolutionary model of servant leadership.
I Am: The Light of the World - John 8:12
| Sun Feb 26 '12
Jesus stood up at the Feast of Tabernacles and made the bold claim ‘I am the light of the world!’ In this talk we explore what he meant, and how light is both a threat to those who love darkness,...
I Am: The Bread of Life - John 6:1-15; 25-69
| Sun Feb 19 '12
Jesus miraculously feeds 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish, and then continues to explain that he is the bread of life. In this talk, Andy Tilsley explores what Jesus meant, and why it was such a controversial claim...
I Am: The Word Become Flesh - John 1:1-5
| Sun Feb 12 '12
Who is Jesus? What is so unique about him? And how is his message relevant to life in the twenty first century? Liam Thatcher opens our new series looking at the claims of Jesus in the Gospel of John, and...
Stand Alone Talks: Immanuel – God With Us - Isaiah 7:14
| Sun Dec 11 '11
In this talk from our Christmas Carol Service, David Stroud looks at the promise of a child who would change the course of history, and considers how the festivities of Christmas are hints of a time when the world will...
Guest Speakers: Five Cries from Calvary - Mark 15:1-39
| Sun Jul 31 '11
Guest speaker Andrew Wilson looks at the five cries of Calvary. He inspires us to consider afresh the cross of Christ, marvelling at the silence of Jesus, the savagery of his death, and his substitution on our behalf.
Stand Alone Talks: Tassels, Touches, and Transformed Lives - Mark 5:21-43
| Sun Jun 12 '11
Tim uses the story of the woman being healed by touching the tassels on Jesus’ robe to show that where faith in Him exists, one touch from Jesus can redeem our past and transform our future. Believe and be Baptised:...
Stand Alone Talks: A Little Girl and a Poor Frail Lady - Mark 5:21-43
| Sun Jun 12 '11
Tim takes us through the story of how a father’s faith is stretched to the limit by Jesus’ insistence on doing things at His Father’s pace. Believe and be Baptised: Interview with a recently baptised Christian.
LittleBig Church: The Wisdom of God - Ephesians 3:1-13
| Sun Jun 5 '11
If you were to ask around, what do people think of the church, I wonder what answers you would hear? Boring? Irrelevant? Out of date? God’s view of the church is altogether more positive. In this talk, we see that...
LittleBig Church: Dead Men Walking - Ephesians 2:1-10
| Sun May 22 '11
Ephesians two opens with three vivid pictures of man’s predicament without God, and three ways in which the good news of Jesus meets our deepest needs.
LittleBig Church: Blessed Beyond Belief - Ephesians 1:1-14
| Sun May 8 '11
Today we launch into a series on the book of Ephesians, with a breathtaking look at the enormous string of blessings that are available for disciples of Jesus.
Teach Us To Pray: Cry, Wait, Hope - Psalm 130
| Sun Mar 20 '11
Isn’t the church full of hypocrites? Why is life just so busy? Why hasn’t God answered that prayer? What is there in life to look forward to? And what on earth does any of that have to do with prayer?...
Teach Us To Pray: The Lord’s Prayer - Matthew 6:7-13
| Sun Mar 13 '11
The disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray…” In this, the second talk of our series, we will look at Jesus’ response, and how the Lord’s Prayer serves as a great model for how to pray.
Teach Us To Pray: Wicked Man, Willing God - Luke 18:1-8
| Sun Mar 6 '11
This week we launched a new series on prayer by looking at the parable of the widow and the wicked judge in Luke 18, considering how the character of God motivates us to pray.
