Christ Church Selly Park

Loving those who oppose us

Chris Turner | Matthew 5:38-48 

[Jesus said,] 'You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbour and hate your enemy." But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.'

Once again Jesus raises the bar, commanding us to transform our attitude to those who oppose us. Chris explains why we should do this and gives us pointers to how we can overcome our natural desire for retribution. The recording is introduced by John Lanchbury.

The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

Learning to live without lust

Allan Bartlam | Matthew 5:27-30 

[Jesus said,] 'You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

It's not just about the outward appearance, but what goes on in the heart. And what a challenge this is! Money, sex, power and many more things have the ability to fill us with passion and drive us to irresponsible actions. Allan points the way to finding freedom and restoring balance in our lives. The recording is introduced by Cathie and includes feedback from Ellie on her experience of a 24 hour media fast.

The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

Learning to be honest

Susan Haynes | Matthew 5:33-37 

[Jesus said,] 'You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not break your oath, but fulfil to the Lord the oaths you have made.” But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all... All you need to say is simply “Yes,” or “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.'

It may not be a matter of outright lying - more bending or obscuring the truth - but Jesus sets a typically high standard in the transparent way we should speak to others. In this shortened version of an All-In service, Janet Chalmers explains how and why we lie, and Susan encourages us to tell the truth in love. The recording is introduced by Rachel Fasham and includes contributions from several young people. Some of the sections were recorded outdoors which means that there is a bit of wind noise in places.

The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection can be viewed on YouTube.

Farewell to Daniel

Daniel's story is one of tragedy, hope and inspiration. When he first joined Christ Church he spoke little English and faced a long and difficult battle to obtain refugee status having fled a civil war which engulfed his family. He went on to gain a first-class degree and teaching qualification, and is about to start a new job at a school in Worcester. Cath Wheeler interviewed him about his move and the recording ends with prayers from members of his home group.

Due to Daniel's status we can't present this as a video interview but if you picture a smiling face that will sum up Daniel! We will miss him so much. The interview was conducted via Zoom so sorry the audio quality isn't quite up to our usual standard.

Books given to Daniel as a leaving gift

Home group prayers for Daniel

Learning to live without anger

Bobbie Frere | Matthew 5:21-26 

[Jesus said:] 'You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment." But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment... And anyone who says, "You fool!" will be in danger of the fire of hell.'

Ideally we would only get angry about the things that anger God, but unfortunately... Bobbie explores the reasons for our anger and the resources God has provided to help us deal with it. Dan Parnell introduces the recording which also includes prayers and an explosion!

The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

Adding baking soda to vinegar starts a chemical reaction...

... which leads to an explosion!

The open invitation

Peter Frere | Matthew 5:1-12 

[Jesus said:]
'Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.'

At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus goes on to list many more people whose state of blessedness seems, well, unlikely. As Peter explains, this is an open invitation to everyone - no matter what life may have thrown at them - to be part of the kingdom of God and find their deepest needs met. The recording is introduced by Bobbie and we also hear about a project that puts these values of open welcome into practice.

The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

The good and beautiful life

Allan Bartlam | Matthew 4:23-5.2 | Matthew 7:24-29 

For the next few weeks we'll be focusing on "the greatest sermon ever preached". In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus set out the values of the Kingdom of God and challenged his followers to set out on an adventure of faith. Martin and Allan introduce the series and encourage us too to live life to the full.

The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

[Jesus said,] 'Therefore 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.'

The God who rules over all

Rachel Fasham | Matthew 13:31-33 

There have been some pretty awful monarchs thought history, in Bible times as well as in the last few centuries, but the kingdom of God has a perfect King and works in an entirely different way to any earthly kingdom. Together with Susan Haynes, who also introduces the recording, Rachel explores what it means for us to live under the sovereignty of God.

The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube. 

[Jesus] told them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.' He told them still another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about thirty kilograms of flour until it worked all through the dough.'

 

The God who is all-powerful

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.

The God who is all-knowing

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.