Episodes
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
The God who is all-powerful
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
John Lanchbury | Isaiah 40:12-31
The Bible leaves us in no doubt about the absolute sovereignty of God: that he is the Creator of the universe and he can choose to do anything he wants. But in that case, why doesn't he step in and prevent many of the bad things that happen in our world? John discusses this question from his own experience as well as from a biblical perspective.
The book John mentions in his talk is Where is God in a coronavirus world? by John Lennox.
The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube. The recording is introduced by Dan Parnell.
Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
'My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause is disregarded by my God'?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
Sunday Jun 21, 2020
The God who is all-knowing
Sunday Jun 21, 2020
Sunday Jun 21, 2020
Chris Turner | Psalm 139:1-6
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
If God knows us completely, why would anyone try to hide from him? Yet, says Chris, our shame makes us fearful to open up to him and, indeed, others. Chris has a challenge for us as a church.
The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube. The recording is introduced by Bobbie Frere and includes an interview with Chris Chalmers as she leaves us to begin ordained ministry.
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
The God who never changes
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Allan Bartlam | Psalm 62 | Matthew 7:24-27
The events of the first few months of this year have been a painful reminder that we live in a fast-changing world. People and communities change too as we grow and learn. Yet, as Allan reminds us, God does not change. We can rely on his nature and promises, just as a house built on a rock is secure. How can we put that into practice in our daily lives?
The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube. The recording is introduced by Susan Haynes and includes other voices from Christ Church.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken.
My salvation and my honour depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
[Jesus said,] 'Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.'
Sunday Jun 07, 2020
The God who is everywhere
Sunday Jun 07, 2020
Sunday Jun 07, 2020
Chris Chalmers | Psalm 139:7-12
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there...
If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,'
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
If God is everywhere, that includes our darkest places - even when he feels furthest away - as well as the times when we really feel his presence. Chris describes some occasions when this has been true in her life, and encourages us to think of our own examples.
The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection can be viewed on YouTube. The recording is introduced by Susan Haynes and includes a reading from Ann Fasham and contributions from many more Christ Church people and families. This is an online version of an All-In Service, with a range of activities for us to continue the theme in different ways. All the details are in the YouTube video description.