Christ Church Selly Park

Bishop Maurice Sinclair | Acts 13:50-14:20 | Matthew 13:44-46

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to ill-treat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel.

[Jesus said,] ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.’

What motivated so many who heard Paul and Barnabas’s preaching to reject their message? And what caused some to accept it with joy? As Bishop Maurice reminds us, we face similar obstacles today, but the gospel message still brings joy and we are called to keep on proclaiming it faithfully.

The recording begins with the readings from John Davies.

Chris Turner | Acts 13:13-43

[Paul said,] ‘Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent… We tell you the good news: what God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.’

If you could preach just one sermon, asks Chris, what would it be? Paul, given the opportunity to speak to a mixed congregation of Jews and Gentiles, proclaims God’s purpose through all of history: to offer forgiveness and freedom to everyone through Christ. In a world that seems out of control, will we hold on to the promises of God?

The recording begins with the reading from Alison Cooper.

Allan Bartlam | Acts 12:24-13:12

While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

With these few words begins the account of Paul’s extensive missionary journeys. As Allan explains, we don’t know just how the Holy Spirit spoke to the church at Antioch, but in obedience, they gave up their best teacher and best pastor in order to spread the gospel further afield. On their journey, Barnabas and Paul encountered both opportunity and opposition. Will we in our day pray to be more of a sending church?

The recording begins with the reading from Dee Lucking.

Bobbie Frere | Acts 12:1-24

Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

As the story proceeds, Peter goes to the house where the disciples are praying for him - and at first they refuse to believe that the miracle really has occurred. Yet why, asks Bobbie, was Peter rescued, when so many others - including James, the brother of John, who had already been executed - were not? How should we react when we're going through tough times? Bobbie has some words of advice and encouragement.

The recording begins with the reading from Pat Clayton.

Allan Bartlam | Acts 11:19-30

When [Barnabas] arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts... Then Barnabas... brought [Saul] to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

The church at Antioch was not really supposed to be there at all. A group of unnamed believers who had been scattered by persecution broke a cultural barrier and preached the gospel to Gentiles, who received it and grew rapidly in numbers. Thanks to the teaching of Barnabas and Paul, the church grew in faith and maturity too. In his talk - assisted by others, including Cathie, who describe their own personal experiences - Allan explores ways in which we can learn and grow, especially in the context of the changes we are going though at Christ Church.

The recording begins with the reading from Kate Routley.

Chris Turner | Acts 11:1-18

[Peter said,] ‘If God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?’

Recounting the story that we looked at last week, Peter acknowledges that God's purposes are greater than ours even if they surprise and puzzle us. How does this work out in everyday life? Does God really 'work all things together for good'? Why can't we see more clearly what he's doing? How does he deal with failure? Chris Turner has some encouraging answers.

The recording begins with Chris giving us a Bible verse to remember. This is followed by the reading from Susan Mole.

Chris Turner | Acts 10

While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.’

Peter went down and said to the men, ‘I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?’

The men replied, ‘We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.’

A Roman soldier receives a vision telling him to summon Simon Peter to visit him. Then the Holy Spirit makes clear to Simon Peter himself that he must overcome his hostility to Gentiles. As Chris Turner explains, what follows is a God-inspired turning point for the church, transforming it from a sect within Judaism to a worldwide family open to every race and nation. Whatever our previous understanding of what God might do, we need to be obedient and willing to change when he does something new.

The recording begins with the reading from Alison Cooper.

Bobbie Frere | Acts 9:32-43

As Peter travelled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralysed and had been bedridden for eight years. ‘Aeneas,’ Peter said to him, ‘Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.’ Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Where is God in my healing? And what does it mean to be healed? For some people - notably Bobbie herself - these are urgent and vital questions. As the reading continues, Peter is called to visit a woman who has fallen ill and died - and she is raised back to life. Why are some people physically healed, and not others? As Bobbie explains, healing is in God's hands, not ours, but when it happens it is a powerful pointer to Jesus and an affirmation of the value of every child of God.

The recording begins with the reading from Kate Routley.

Chris Turner | Acts 9:19b-31

When [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

Even though Saul - better known to us as Paul - had preached the gospel powerfully in Damascus, the apostles in Jerusalem could not forget his previous persecution of the believers. As Chris Turner explains, Barnabas played a vital role in bridging the gap and building trust. And, as the story of Acts continues, we see further instances of Barnabas promoting the ministry of Paul and others. We all need encouragement, and we need people like Barnabas, the "son of encouragement".

The recording begins with the reading from Simon Jones.

Bobbie Frere | Acts 9:1-19a

As [Saul] neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’

As Bobbie explains, a Damascus Road conversion has become a figure of everyday speech: a complete and sudden turnaround in beliefs and attitudes. Yet Saul - from here on known by his Greek name, Paul - was already passionate about serving God. A genuine encounter with Jesus, whether sudden or gradual, should truly be a life-changing experience.

The recording begins with the reading from Alan Haynes.