Revelation 1:1-6
Carl Billington kicks off our 5 week series through the book of Revelation. Carl helps us to open the pages of this beautiful book to see the blessings and hope this encouraging letter brings to Christ's Church!
Carl Billington kicks off our 5 week series through the book of Revelation. Carl helps us to open the pages of this beautiful book to see the blessings and hope this encouraging letter brings to Christ's Church!
Revelation 1:7-20
Patronal Festival - Saint Mary
Kath helped us see that God used Mary to work out His purposes - insignificant, ordinary Mary. Arnie Billington then shared how she's not a superhero - or a villian - just an ordinary 16 year old saying yes to Jesus' call on her life. God will use us! Ordinary, insignificant us - to work our His purposes. Will we, like Mary, respond ... "I am the Lord's servant".
Kath helped us see that God used Mary to work out His purposes - insignificant, ordinary Mary. Arnie Billington then shared how she's not a superhero - or a villian - just an ordinary 16 year old saying yes to Jesus' call on her life. God will use us! Ordinary, insignificant us - to work our His purposes. Will we, like Mary, respond ... "I am the Lord's servant".
Ephesians Week 1
David Wells begins our series through Ephesians, giving us Paul's backstory and how this particular letter came to be. And he draws our attention to Paul's incredible statement - that we have been “blessed with every spiritual blessing”. David encouraged us to look through the letter for what those blessings specifically are – there are 16 in the first few verses!
David Wells begins our series through Ephesians, giving us Paul's backstory and how this particular letter came to be. And he draws our attention to Paul's incredible statement - that we have been “blessed with every spiritual blessing”. David encouraged us to look through the letter for what those blessings specifically are – there are 16 in the first few verses!
Ephesians Week 2
Kath Wells picks up where David left off, Ephesians 1:15 - 23. Kath shows us that as Paul praised (Eph 1:1-14), so he prayed. Praying for wisdom and revelation for God's people. And he wants God’s people, his church to know more and more about this amazing plan of our Glorious Father and how we are included in it.
Kath Wells picks up where David left off, Ephesians 1:15 - 23. Kath shows us that as Paul praised (Eph 1:1-14), so he prayed. Praying for wisdom and revelation for God's people. And he wants God’s people, his church to know more and more about this amazing plan of our Glorious Father and how we are included in it.
Ephesians Week 3
Sarah Hamilton continues our series through Ephesians, looking at Ephesians 2:1-10. Sarah helps us to see God's merciful act of salvation in Christ wasn't just a ticket to heaven - but entry into the life of God and the community of God's people.
Sarah Hamilton continues our series through Ephesians, looking at Ephesians 2:1-10. Sarah helps us to see God's merciful act of salvation in Christ wasn't just a ticket to heaven - but entry into the life of God and the community of God's people.
Ephesians Week 4
Emma Dyer unpacks Ephesians 3 for us and helps us see God's remarkable and astonishing plan - ALL people built into a Holy Temple where God will dwell.
Emma Dyer unpacks Ephesians 3 for us and helps us see God's remarkable and astonishing plan - ALL people built into a Holy Temple where God will dwell.
Ephesians Week 5
Kath challenges us to lift our gaze from earthly man-made organisations of this world, to the magnificent vision of the Church that Paul wants us to see and respond by working together as one body, in mutual followership and leadership, making every effort, all the time, without ceasing to live a life together worthy of our calling - to bring into reality all that Christ intends His church to be. The manifold wisdom of God.
Kath challenges us to lift our gaze from earthly man-made organisations of this world, to the magnificent vision of the Church that Paul wants us to see and respond by working together as one body, in mutual followership and leadership, making every effort, all the time, without ceasing to live a life together worthy of our calling - to bring into reality all that Christ intends His church to be. The manifold wisdom of God.
ACTS Week 1
For the next five weeks we will be going through the book of Acts - our first week we looked at Acts 2:42-47 - the Fellowship of the Believers. Where we see the person of the Holy Spirit forming them into community, equipping them with everything they need for the church to be the church, and bringing signs of His life amongst them - and we can expect the same!!
For the next five weeks we will be going through the book of Acts - our first week we looked at Acts 2:42-47 - the Fellowship of the Believers. Where we see the person of the Holy Spirit forming them into community, equipping them with everything they need for the church to be the church, and bringing signs of His life amongst them - and we can expect the same!!
ACTS Week 2
David takes us through Acts 4 and shows us the Holy Spirit equipping the early believers with boldness and power - we can expect the same!!
David takes us through Acts 4 and shows us the Holy Spirit equipping the early believers with boldness and power - we can expect the same!!
ACTS Week 3
Simon takes us through Acts 6 and shows us the Holy Spirit equipping the Spirit formed communities with wisdom - we can expect the same!!
Simon takes us through Acts 6 and shows us the Holy Spirit equipping the Spirit formed communities with wisdom - we can expect the same!!
ACTS Week 4
Holy Spirit leads Philip to unexpected people at unexpected times to unexpected places to draw all people back to the God of Israel through the Messiah. And that's still God's plan! So we can expect Holy Spirit to lead us to unexpected people at unexpected times to unexpected places!
Holy Spirit leads Philip to unexpected people at unexpected times to unexpected places to draw all people back to the God of Israel through the Messiah. And that's still God's plan! So we can expect Holy Spirit to lead us to unexpected people at unexpected times to unexpected places!
ACTS Week 5
In our last sermon through Acts, David takes us through Saul's conversion and helps us to see what it was that produced such a powerful transformation, and a total turn around, in Saul. A fourfold response - Repent, Believe, Be Baptised, Receive the gift of the promised Holy Spirit.
In our last sermon through Acts, David takes us through Saul's conversion and helps us to see what it was that produced such a powerful transformation, and a total turn around, in Saul. A fourfold response - Repent, Believe, Be Baptised, Receive the gift of the promised Holy Spirit.
TRINITY SUNDAY
Father, Son, Spirit – bound together in an eternal fellowship of the deepest love and affection - of which we're right in the middle!!
Father, Son, Spirit – bound together in an eternal fellowship of the deepest love and affection - of which we're right in the middle!!
SEASON OF PENTECOST
Here is part one of our Pentecost Series. What happened in that Upper Room during that Pentecost Festival 2000 years ago wasn't a surprise event - it was expected! Because it was promised.
Here is part one of our Pentecost Series. What happened in that Upper Room during that Pentecost Festival 2000 years ago wasn't a surprise event - it was expected! Because it was promised.
And here is part two of our Pentecost Series ... the Spirit Poured Out!!
SEASON OF ASCENSION
It was such a joy to have David Wells come and preach on the Ascension. Wresting with and coming to grips with the Ascension changes the way we pray, live and see! King Jesus, fully human and fully divine is alive and actively reigning from his throne - supreme and Lord of all! THAT IS GOOD NEWS!!
Here is David's first sermon - where he looks at the Kingship of Jesus.
It was such a joy to have David Wells come and preach on the Ascension. Wresting with and coming to grips with the Ascension changes the way we pray, live and see! King Jesus, fully human and fully divine is alive and actively reigning from his throne - supreme and Lord of all! THAT IS GOOD NEWS!!
Here is David's first sermon - where he looks at the Kingship of Jesus.
David's second sermon celebrates how momentous the Ascension is for us - because there is someone just like us on the throne of the universe! Transformed – yes, Glorified – yes, but at the same time like you and me. Jesus is enthroned at the Father’s right hand in the heavenly realms and is immediately available to us.
Colossians Series
Week 1 - Colossians 1:15-20
Who Jesus is - Creator and Redeemer
Week 1 - Colossians 1:15-20
Who Jesus is - Creator and Redeemer
Week 2 - Colossians 1:21-23
What does it mean - Because of Easter we can build our lives on what God has done in Christ
What does it mean - Because of Easter we can build our lives on what God has done in Christ
Week 3 - Colossians 2:9-15
Is there more? No, the fullness of God dwells in Jesus. We are complete!
Is there more? No, the fullness of God dwells in Jesus. We are complete!
Week 4 - Colossians 3:1-14
Now what? We respond to what God has done. The Christian life is becoming what we already are - a New Creation and living where we already live - the Kingdom!
Now what? We respond to what God has done. The Christian life is becoming what we already are - a New Creation and living where we already live - the Kingdom!
Friday 29 March - Good Friday
Kath's message on Good Friday - Jesus is in charge.
Kath's message on Good Friday - Jesus is in charge.
Sunday 31 March - Easter Sunday
Kath's message on Easter Sunday - Jesus is alive and well and active amongst us!!
Kath's message on Easter Sunday - Jesus is alive and well and active amongst us!!
Sunday 24 March
Jesus' "triumphal" entrance into Jerusalem was shockingly "untriumphal" - what was Jesus' agenda? To inspect the Temple and judge it, as the God of Israel does. And as we will see next weekend judgement is coming for satan - the driving force behind the corruption of the temple, the oppressive might of Rome and the driving force behind the corruption of the human heart.
Jesus' "triumphal" entrance into Jerusalem was shockingly "untriumphal" - what was Jesus' agenda? To inspect the Temple and judge it, as the God of Israel does. And as we will see next weekend judgement is coming for satan - the driving force behind the corruption of the temple, the oppressive might of Rome and the driving force behind the corruption of the human heart.
Sunday 17 March
For our fifth Sunday in Lent, we are outside the city of Jericho - where Jesus stops to heal a blind beggar. Kath helps us to see that even though Bartimaeus is blind, he 'sees' so much more than the disciples - and because of that he has an "all in kind of faith". It's the kind of faith that releases from us a cry for mercy, and it's the kind of faith that releases us from the things that hold us back from being "all in" for Jesus.
For our fifth Sunday in Lent, we are outside the city of Jericho - where Jesus stops to heal a blind beggar. Kath helps us to see that even though Bartimaeus is blind, he 'sees' so much more than the disciples - and because of that he has an "all in kind of faith". It's the kind of faith that releases from us a cry for mercy, and it's the kind of faith that releases us from the things that hold us back from being "all in" for Jesus.
Sunday 10 March
For our fourth Sunday in Lent, David Wells took us through Jesus' third Passion Prophecy in Mark's Gospel. He showed us that Jesus is not a hapless pawn, or a helpless victim. Jesus is in charge. In eternity past, in the closest consultation with Father and Spirit, Jesus determined to come to earth to walk the path of sacrificial love. That should provoke in us not just awe and wonder –astonishment like his disciples had – but devotion to him in return.
For our fourth Sunday in Lent, David Wells took us through Jesus' third Passion Prophecy in Mark's Gospel. He showed us that Jesus is not a hapless pawn, or a helpless victim. Jesus is in charge. In eternity past, in the closest consultation with Father and Spirit, Jesus determined to come to earth to walk the path of sacrificial love. That should provoke in us not just awe and wonder –astonishment like his disciples had – but devotion to him in return.
Sunday 3 March
For our third Sunday in Lent we heard about Jesus' interaction with the 'Rich Young Man' (Mark 10:17-31). This interaction reveals that entrance into God’s kingdom is a gift from God that can only be received by those who acknowledge their helplessness, and fully depend on God. Kath invites us to see that the Lord is life - hold fast to him.
For our third Sunday in Lent we heard about Jesus' interaction with the 'Rich Young Man' (Mark 10:17-31). This interaction reveals that entrance into God’s kingdom is a gift from God that can only be received by those who acknowledge their helplessness, and fully depend on God. Kath invites us to see that the Lord is life - hold fast to him.
Sunday 25 February
For our second Sunday in Lent we look at Mark's account of the transfiguration. We see who Jesus is - glorious Messiah and Son of God - and we see where he is going - victory and glory - but we also see the way he chooses to get there. Suffering, rejection, disgrace and death. So as we turn and face in the direction he’s going - and walk with him to the Cross - let us not be eager to skip to the end. Let us walk each step, seeking to understand the necessary suffering and disgrace in order to fully understand the certain victory and glory. Why did Jesus have to suffer? Why did Jesus have to die? The freedom that Jesus will claim for all of humanity, can only be secured by his confronting, enduring and defeating the rejection, suffering, disgrace and death.
For our second Sunday in Lent we look at Mark's account of the transfiguration. We see who Jesus is - glorious Messiah and Son of God - and we see where he is going - victory and glory - but we also see the way he chooses to get there. Suffering, rejection, disgrace and death. So as we turn and face in the direction he’s going - and walk with him to the Cross - let us not be eager to skip to the end. Let us walk each step, seeking to understand the necessary suffering and disgrace in order to fully understand the certain victory and glory. Why did Jesus have to suffer? Why did Jesus have to die? The freedom that Jesus will claim for all of humanity, can only be secured by his confronting, enduring and defeating the rejection, suffering, disgrace and death.
Sunday 18 February
For our first Sunday in Lent, we looked at Mark's gospel where we see that immediately after his baptism, Jesus’ trial in the wilderness began, trusting in God, he prepares for his vocation as God’s long-awaited agent on earth. Kath helped us see that the challenges of the Lent journey (giving, praying, fasting) train us as God’s children to turn towards and trust God’s plan, preparing us for the vocation that Easter calls us into.
For our first Sunday in Lent, we looked at Mark's gospel where we see that immediately after his baptism, Jesus’ trial in the wilderness began, trusting in God, he prepares for his vocation as God’s long-awaited agent on earth. Kath helped us see that the challenges of the Lent journey (giving, praying, fasting) train us as God’s children to turn towards and trust God’s plan, preparing us for the vocation that Easter calls us into.
Sunday 11 February
Carl Billington takes us through our final prep week for Lent. Looking at Matthew's gospel, Carl shows us that Jesus is our deliverer – the one who is about to claim the keys of Hades and Death, and the one to who even the powers of darkness must yield.
Carl Billington takes us through our final prep week for Lent. Looking at Matthew's gospel, Carl shows us that Jesus is our deliverer – the one who is about to claim the keys of Hades and Death, and the one to who even the powers of darkness must yield.
Sunday 4 February
We look at Mark 7:1-23 for our second week of preparing for Lent. Jesus with full authority and power, declares that the true source of sin is the heart and reveals the futility of human efforts to change that - declaring that Divine heart surgery is needed and He is the one to do it! But do we fully trust that? Kath encourages us to dig out the rituals and self help stuff that creeps into our lives and worship, and ask, do we trust those more than the saving power of Jesus.
We look at Mark 7:1-23 for our second week of preparing for Lent. Jesus with full authority and power, declares that the true source of sin is the heart and reveals the futility of human efforts to change that - declaring that Divine heart surgery is needed and He is the one to do it! But do we fully trust that? Kath encourages us to dig out the rituals and self help stuff that creeps into our lives and worship, and ask, do we trust those more than the saving power of Jesus.
Sunday 28 January
We start preparing for our Lent journey by looking Mark 7:31-37 - Jesus heals a deaf and mute man. Kath helps us to see that this miracle gives us a glimpse of the fullness of Jesus’ mission, which is to confront and undo the damage of the fall and bring a new creation.
We start preparing for our Lent journey by looking Mark 7:31-37 - Jesus heals a deaf and mute man. Kath helps us to see that this miracle gives us a glimpse of the fullness of Jesus’ mission, which is to confront and undo the damage of the fall and bring a new creation.
Sunday 21 January
Kath Wells shares with us from Luke 2 - The presentation of Jesus in the Temple and helps us to see that whenever God wants to do something new, he sets his people praying a "birthing prayer". This is what Simeon and Anna did with deep, longing prayer. Can we find that space, as we get into a new year to pray this way - because to bring his light and redemption, this birthing prayer is our greatest weapon and our greatest privilege.
Kath Wells shares with us from Luke 2 - The presentation of Jesus in the Temple and helps us to see that whenever God wants to do something new, he sets his people praying a "birthing prayer". This is what Simeon and Anna did with deep, longing prayer. Can we find that space, as we get into a new year to pray this way - because to bring his light and redemption, this birthing prayer is our greatest weapon and our greatest privilege.
Sunday 14 January
In our passage this morning from John, where Nathanael meets Jesus, John shows us that Jesus is the presence of God on earth. Kath invites us to wrestle with this question together - is our picture of Jesus enough?
In our passage this morning from John, where Nathanael meets Jesus, John shows us that Jesus is the presence of God on earth. Kath invites us to wrestle with this question together - is our picture of Jesus enough?
Sunday 7 January
The Gospel story of the Magi travelling to Bethlehem, following a star, shows us that God's ability to reveal himself has no end, and his reach of who he will reveal himself to has no end.
The Gospel story of the Magi travelling to Bethlehem, following a star, shows us that God's ability to reveal himself has no end, and his reach of who he will reveal himself to has no end.