Episodes
Sunday Sep 26, 2021
Seeing spiritually
Sunday Sep 26, 2021
Sunday Sep 26, 2021
Ben Green | 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
So far in this series we have thought about the benefits God has freely given us, and that are open to anyone who wants to receive them. But how can we understand what the gospel is, and grow in our new identity day by day? Ben speaks about true spirituality that enables us to see the truth about God and ourselves.
The recording begins with the reading from Dilys Garrod and ends with a short prayer of response from Susan Haynes.
A fuller video recording of the Sunday service can be viewed on YouTube.
Sunday Sep 19, 2021
Believing foolishly
Sunday Sep 19, 2021
Sunday Sep 19, 2021
Ben Green | 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
If the heart of your gospel is an instrument of execution, you are never really going to fit into the culture of your day, least of all in an age that glorifies style and strength. Yet, says Ben, the cross in all its weakness is the key to eternal life - a life that is truly open to all.
Before Ben speaks, the recording begins with the reading from Susan Mole.
A full video recording of the Sunday service (with some edits) can be viewed on YouTube.
Sunday Sep 12, 2021
Waiting eagerly
Sunday Sep 12, 2021
Sunday Sep 12, 2021
Ben Green | 1 Corinthians 1:1-17
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way - with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge - God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
You wouldn't guess it from these words, but the church at Corinth was in trouble. It was divided, disorderly and had lost sight of the things that really matter. Yet, says Ben, they belonged to Jesus and enjoyed all the benefits if only they chose to take hold of them - just like us.
This is the first in a new series "Seeing the Son" which, over the next few weeks, will take us through the first 4 chapters of 1 Corinthians. The recording begins with Ben introducing the series, then after the reading from Alison Cooper he preaches the first sermon in the series.
A full video recording of the Sunday service (with slight edits) can be viewed on YouTube.
Sunday Sep 05, 2021
Bigger barns
Sunday Sep 05, 2021
Sunday Sep 05, 2021
Ben Green | Luke 12:13-21
Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ Jesus replied, ‘Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’
Jesus went on to tell a story of a rich man who decided to build bigger barns in which to save for himself his vast stores of grain - but he did not live to enjoy his wealth. Ben challenges us: where do true riches lie? What should our life priorities be?
The recording is an edited version of our All Age Sunday service. It is introduced by Rachel Fasham and includes prayers from Phil Ennis. A longer video version of the service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.