Episodes
Sunday Sep 27, 2020
Continuing to live the good life
Sunday Sep 27, 2020
Sunday Sep 27, 2020
Allan Bartlam | Matthew 7:24-29
[Jesus said,] 'Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.'
This livestreamed service brings us to the end of our series looking at Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. Allan explains the consequences of the choices we make, and how we can go about that long, slow task of building our lives on a firm foundation. Janet Chalmers introduces the service, with a reading from Val Hanson and prayers from Cathie Bartlam.
The full video version of this service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.
Sunday Sep 20, 2020
Ensuring we are in the kingdom
Sunday Sep 20, 2020
Sunday Sep 20, 2020
Bobbie Frere | Matthew 7:13-23
[Jesus said,] 'Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.'
Jesus challenges us to choose between two ways to live and two paths to follow. How do we find the right one, and be sure we are on it? Peter and Bobbie Frere lead this week's reflection, which also includes Cheryl Homer's account of fitting a day of special devotion into a busy, multi-tasking life.
The full video version of this service, including music and a video report on children's activities, can be viewed on YouTube.
Sunday Sep 13, 2020
Learning not to judge
Sunday Sep 13, 2020
Sunday Sep 13, 2020
Chris Turner | Matthew 7:1-12
[Jesus said,] 'Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.'
Criticism is easy to give, but hard to receive. Yet, as Chris reminds us, criticism given in the right spirit and for the right motives can be beneficial, even essential if we are to grow as followers of Jesus. This recorded talk forms part of a service livestreamed from our building, with an introduction from Dan Parnell and contributions from James Howley, Judy Ward and Ann and Richard Fasham.
The full video version of this service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.
Sunday Sep 06, 2020
Learning not to worry
Sunday Sep 06, 2020
Sunday Sep 06, 2020
John Lanchbury | Matthew 6:25-34
[Jesus said,] 'So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.'
Jesus was speaking to people who mainly lived a hand to mouth existence. How does his teaching work out in our far more complex world, that is currently beset by anxiety? John points us to the eternal principles of the kingdom of God, and has practical suggestions for handling the worry that we all encounter. The recording is introduced by Martin Garrod with contributions from Dilys Garrod, Pat Clayton and Phil Ennis.
The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.