Christ Church Selly Park

Jesus is... the compassionate shepherd

Bobbie Frere | Mark 6:30-44 

They went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognised them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

What does it mean to have compassion? As the story proceeds, Jesus' disciples become concerned about the welfare of the thousands who have come to hear him. As Bobbie explains, true compassion involves taking action - and Jesus shows it by meeting their physical as well as spiritual needs.

The recording begins with the reading from Dave Lucking.

Jesus is... John the Baptist, Elijah or a prophet?

Allan Bartlam | Mark 6:14-29 

King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah.’ And still others claimed, ‘He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.’ But when Herod heard this, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!’

The story that follows describes how Herod, intrigued by God's message but unwilling to follow it, was eventually forced into making a choice - the wrong one. As Allan explains, people respond in many different ways to the question we are addressing in this series: who is Jesus? It's not enough just to believe in him: we need to live out our faith in him every day.

The recording begins with the reading from Susan Mole.

Jesus is... the one who sends

Susan Haynes and Sam Haynes | Mark 6:7-13 

Calling the Twelve to him, [Jesus] began to send them out two by two... ‘Take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed with oil many people who were ill and healed them.

The recording contains extracts from an Explore service, beginning with the reading from Peter Frere and a short explanation from Susan. Later, Dan Parnell and Sam Haynes - together with members of the congregation - discuss how we can live out Jesus' instructions today.

An edited video recording of the Sunday service can be viewed on YouTube.

Jesus is... the stumbling stone

Nigel Hand | Mark 6:1-6 

Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

‘Where did this man get these things?’ they asked. ‘What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him.

As Nigel Hand explains, people today still take offence at Jesus. His message runs counter to many aspects of our culture and challenges the way we think of ourselves. It is hard to accept his teaching, but it is the way to life.

The recording begins with the reading from Simon Jones.

Jesus is... the gentle healer

Susan Haynes | Mark 5:21-43 

A large crowd followed and pressed around [Jesus]. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

In this passage we learn of two examples of Jesus' power to heal, and even to raise people from death - and also of his compassion for those who are in desperate need. Yet we know that most people in need are not healed. As Susan explores this topic, she tells us about an extraordinary example of miraculous healing in her own family. We look forward to the day when all of creation will be restored and there will be no more grief, suffering or pain.

The recording begins with the reading from Janet Chalmers.

Jesus is… the famous one

Bobbie Frere | Mark 1:35-45 

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else - to the nearby villages - so that I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So he travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Far from seeking fame, it actually hindered Jesus' ministry. Despite Jesus' command, a man he heals is unable to keep quiet about it, and his failure to obey just makes things more difficult for Jesus. Bobbie encourages us to put Jesus first in everything, even if this goes against our natural desires and preferences.

The recording begins with the reading from Pat Clayton.

An edited video recording of the Sunday service can be viewed on YouTube.

Jesus is… A teaching, healing, wandering Rabbi

Susan Haynes | Mark 1:14-34 

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.

As Susan points out, the whole reading contains 6 events of note in just 20 verses. In his ministry Jesus proclaimed the coming of his kingdom not just through words but dramatic actions. Jesus shows us, in vivid terms, what it means for heaven to break into our world.

The recording begins with the reading from John Davies.

Sending out disciples

Susan Haynes | Matthew 28:16-20 

Jesus came to [the eleven disciples] and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

The Great Commission, as it has become known, is perhaps the hardest task anyone has ever been set. Yet Susan has several stories of people who, in various times and places, have gone to others and brought them a little closer to following Jesus. The best news is that we don't have to do this alone: Jesus himself is with us, at work in us and those we meet.

The recording begins with the reading from Simon Jones.

An edited video recording of the Sunday service can be viewed on YouTube.

Growing as disciples

Allan Bartlam | Ephesians 4:11-16 | Colossians 2:6-7 

Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

As humans, we start life as babies and grow up through childhood and become adults more or less automatically. As Allan explains, spiritual growth as Christians takes a bit more effort. He describes some of the steps we can take to halp make it happen, even as God works within us as we remain rooted in Christ.

The recording begins with the reading from Pat Clayton.

An edited video recording of the Sunday service can be viewed on YouTube. This includes the photos Allan refers to in his talk.

Making new disciples

Ben Green | Matthew 28.16-20 

Jesus came to [the eleven disciples] and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

The first part of the Christ Church mission statement is "making disciples", following the command that Jesus gave to the apostles. And, says Ben, it is one of the hardest things for us to do. He explains what it means to "make" or become a disciple, why we should do it and some principles to follow as we go about it.

The recording begins with a short introduction from Ben, and continues with the reading from Susan Haynes.

An edited video recording of the Sunday service can be viewed on YouTube. You might also want to watch the video recording from the previous Sunday, when the Disciples of Jesus series was introduced. Most of the service material was visual and can't be presented in this podcast.