BRBC Sermons: Recent Episodes
Bradfield and Rougham Baptist Church
As a church we want to bring people to know Jesus, and into membership of His family; to develop, encourage and motivate them to worship God and to serve Him in the Church and Community.
Text: John 15:18-16:4
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
Text: John 15:1-11
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
(John 15:1–11 ESV)
Text: John 14:5-14
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
(John 14:5–14 ESV)
Text: John 14:1-4
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
14th Feb 2021
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”
(John 14:1–4 ESV)
Text: John 13:36-38
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
(John 13:36–38 ESV)
Text: John 13:31-35
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(John 13:31–35 ESV)
Text: John 13:1-17
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
(John 13:1–17 ESV)
Text: Haggai 2:10-23
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?’” The priests answered and said, “No.” Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the LORD, how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD. Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid, consider: Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.”
The word of the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.”
(Haggai 2:10–23 ESV)
Text: Haggai 2:1-9
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?’” The priests answered and said, “No.” Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the LORD, how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD. Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid, consider: Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.”
The word of the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.”
(Haggai 2:10–23 ESV)
Text: Haggai 1
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.”
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
(Haggai 1 ESV)
Text: John 8:31-36
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Jim Gourlay
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
(John 8:31–36 ESV)
Text: Luke 2:8-20
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(Luke 2:8–20 ESV)
Text: Luke 2:8-20
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(Luke 2:8–20 ESV)
Text: Luke 2:8-20
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(Luke 2:8–20 ESV)
Text: Romans 5:1-11
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Tom Fenning
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
(Romans 5:1–11 ESV)
Text: John 4:1-26
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.
A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
(John 4:1–26 ESV)
Text: Matthew 3:1-12
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Greg Frost
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”
Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
(Matthew 3:1–12 ESV)
Text: Psalm 88
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.
O LORD, God of my salvation,
I cry out day and night before you.
Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry!
For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am a man who has no strength,
like one set loose among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave,
like those whom you remember no more,
for they are cut off from your hand.
You have put me in the depths of the pit,
in the regions dark and deep.
Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah
You have caused my companions to shun me;
you have made me a horror to them.
I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O LORD;
I spread out my hands to you.
Do you work wonders for the dead?
Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah
Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
Are your wonders known in the darkness,
or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
But I, O LORD, cry to you;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
O LORD, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me?
Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
Your wrath has swept over me;
your dreadful assaults destroy me.
They surround me like a flood all day long;
they close in on me together.
You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.
(Psalm 88 ESV)
Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-17
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
(2 Thessalonians 3:16–17 ESV)
Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
(2 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5 ESV)
Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 ESV)
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Thessalonians 1:3–12 ESV)
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Thessalonians 1:1–2 ESV)
Text: Esther 9:20-10:3
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
And Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same, year by year, as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
So the Jews accepted what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them. For Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur (that is, cast lots), to crush and to destroy them. But when it came before the king, he gave orders in writing that his evil plan that he had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Therefore they called these days Purim, after the term Pur. Therefore, because of all that was written in this letter, and of what they had faced in this matter, and of what had happened to them, the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year, that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, in every clan, province, and city, and that these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews, nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants
Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew gave full written authority, confirming this second letter about Purim. Letters were sent to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in words of peace and truth, that these days of Purim should be observed at their appointed seasons, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther obligated them, and as they had obligated themselves and their offspring, with regard to their fasts and their lamenting. The command of Esther confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.
King Ahasuerus imposed tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.
(Esther 9:20–10:3 ESV)
Text: Esther 8:1-9:19
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
Then Esther spoke again to the king. She fell at his feet and wept and pleaded with him to avert the evil plan of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews. When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, Esther rose and stood before the king. And she said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king. For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?” Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he intended to lay hands on the Jews. But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked.”
The king’s scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language. And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king’s signet ring. Then he sent the letters by mounted couriers riding on swift horses that were used in the king’s service, bred from the royal stud, saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods, on one day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. A copy of what was written was to be issued as a decree in every province, being publicly displayed to all peoples, and the Jews were to be ready on that day to take vengeance on their enemies. So the couriers, mounted on their swift horses that were used in the king’s service, rode out hurriedly, urged by the king’s command. And the decree was issued in Susa the citadel.
Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.
(Esther 8 ESV)
Text: Esther 7
(Morning Service Live Stream)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, “What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared to do this?” And Esther said, “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.
And the king arose in his wrath from the wine-drinking and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king. And the king returned from the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, as Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. And the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the word left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman’s face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman’s house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.
(Esther 7 ESV)
Text: Esther 6
(Morning Service Live Stream)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him. And the king’s young men told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.” So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”
Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. And Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.”
While they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried to bring Haman to the feast that Esther had prepared.
(Esther 6 ESV)
Text: Esther 5
(Morning Service Live Stream)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”
And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.
(Esther 5 ESV)
Text: Esther 4
(Morning Service Live Stream)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. He went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. And in every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.
When Esther’s young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was. Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate, and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people. And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”
And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
(Esther 4 ESV)
Text: Esther 3
(Morning Service Live Stream)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?” And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.
In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them. If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.” So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. And the king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”
Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king’s satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province by proclamation to all the peoples to be ready for that day. The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.
(Esther 3 ESV)
Text: Esther 2
(Morning Service Live Stream)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
Text: Esther 1
(Morning Service Live Stream)
Speaker: James Martin
Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church
Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days. And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods and marble pillars, and also couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones. Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. And drinking was according to this edict: “There is no compulsion.” For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired. Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace that belonged to King Ahasuerus.
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him.
Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for this was the king’s procedure toward all who were versed in law and judgment, the men next to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom): “According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti, because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?” Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, “Not only against the king has Queen Vashti done wrong, but also against all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. For the queen’s behavior will be made known to all women, causing them to look at their husbands with contempt, since they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.’ This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behavior will say the same to all the king’s officials, and there will be contempt and wrath in plenty. If it please the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be repealed, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, for it is vast, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike.” This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan proposed. He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, that every man be master in his own household and speak according to the language of his people.
(Esther 1 ESV)
Text: John 6:1-15 (Morning Service) Speaker: Peter Mason “Will we have enough?” This subconscious question is now a question of most of the public as the coronavirus continues to spread day by day. Will we have enough toilet paper, but also will we have enough if the economy crashes? In Jesus’ 4th sign we find an answer to that question. We are taking a look at the most massive miracle Jesus performs: Feeding well over 5,000 people with a piece of bread and a couple sardines.
Text: 1 Timothy 3:14-4:5 (Evening Service) Speaker: Peter Skerratt In the style of C.S. Lewis’ “Screwtape letters,” we’ll be considering two grave dangers to every church in every age. Come along to find out the enemies’ game-plan to bring down the church and God’s strategy to sustain it. *Peter Skerratt is the Assistant Pastor @ Beccles Baptist Church
Text: John 5:1-17 (Morning Service) Speaker: Peter Mason “I need a break.” How many times have you thought that to yourself this week? Maybe you’re waiting for a summer holiday or day-dreaming about the easier days of childhood or quietly coveting the life of your dog sleeping in the sunlight. Rest is not easy to come by these days, even when the schedules are open and the sun is shining. Today we see Jesus’ 3rd sign as he heals on the sabbath day – a day of rest.
Text: Psalm 139 (Evening Service) Speaker: Ben Kolmer This world we inhabit is often rife with pain, hardship, and despair. Yet in the midst of the struggles of life, Scripture gives us incredible confidence in the reality that we are precious children of God, a god who personally knows us and loves us and who will never leave us. Join us tonight as we examine four truths found in Psalm 139 that give Christians hope amid hopelessness.
Text: John 4:46-54 (Morning Service) Speaker: Peter Mason “If God would just show Himself to me or work in a way I can see, then I will believe…” Maybe you’ve felt this way or heard this sentiment. Jesus’ second sign in John’s Gospel exposes the relationship between faith and sight. A father in crisis with his son about to die, shows us how true belief works. This morning we get an inside look into the genesis of faith and the visible work of God.
Text: John 15:1-17 (Evening Service) Speaker: David Stannard Initially when we read this passage, recorded by John, it may appear that the text is easily understood and yet when we grasp these words of Jesus, they can lift us far beyond or above the literal meaning. John is proclaiming a profound truth of abiding in Jesus, we will consider how this impacts our lives in 2020.
Text: John 2:1-11
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This morning we’re starting a new series and we’re going to explore the seven signs of Jesus in John’s Gospel. This week, we’ll look at the first sign: Water into wine. What we’ll find is that this sign is loaded with significance and shows the reader three key things that Jesus came to do.
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
(John 2:1–11 ESV)
Text: Ephesians 6:10-20
(Evening Service)
Speaker: James Martin
When you read the title for this evening’s message I’m guessing we’d all likely say, “Yes, we should do that. Definitely. Hands down. Satan must be prayed against! But… how? What should we say? What do we need to keep in mind as we pray? Can the Bible give us any direction as we pray against Satan?” This evening, let’s dive into God’s Word to explore how we can grow in this often neglected element of our prayer lives.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
(Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV)
Text: Hebrews 9:15-28
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
This evening, we are picking apart the logic and inner-workings of forgiveness together. Is forgiveness, at the end of the day, moral anarchy? Is it actually an unjust idea or just a trite meaningless sentiment we say to one another to sweep wrong- doings under the rug? As we look at Hebrews 9, we will see the engine and power that enables forgiveness to be life-changing and substantial.
Text: Psalm 62
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
In this Psalm we see David making declarations of the truths about his God in the face of things that cannot be depended on. Simply put, this Psalm is David’s declaration of dependence on God. This a truth we well know, but not necessarily a truth we live and experience. This morning, we’ll ask: How I do see my dependence on God? How do I cultivate a disposition of dependence?
Text: John 4:4-13 & Ezekiel 46
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Stephen Gillott
In a world that can be exhausting and dry, the idea of access to a source of ‘Living Water’ is a welcome one. Join us as we look across the Old and New Testament , seeing how God not only promises to satisfy our thirst but also bring us refreshment, restoration, and rebirth through the gift of his Spirit.
Text: Psalm 137
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
In Psalm 137 this morning we’re going to see a cry of lament, offence and anger. But crucially, we’ll see a specific kind of anger: The anger that comes as a result of being mistreated. We’ll see how the Psalmist processes these deeps emotions and where they turn for help in addressing how they feel. Through our study we’ll learn there is hope and help for your anger.
Text: Psalm 51
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
There’s lots of talk about how to deal with guilt. Psychologists, sociologists and therapists all try to give answers, but are still found wanting. In Psalm 51 we find David in the aftermath of a particularly destructive sin and consumed by his own guilt. Strangely though, we find David ending up in a place of liberated confidence with the chains of his guilt undone. But how does he get there? Let’s explore this famous Psalm and find out how the grip of guilt is undone.
Text: 1 Kings 19
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Ben Greeves
God is omnipresent, He is everywhere. God is omniscient, He knows everything. God is omnipotent, He is all powerful. So why does it so often feel like we are unknown, insignificant, alone…? Join us this evening as we consider how He assures us from His word that our faith is not in vain.
Text: Psalm 37:1-9
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Envy can have a destructive impact on our lives. It hinders love, interferes with prayer, dismantles satisfaction, ruins peace, steals joy, warps relationships, and blinds you from seeing the goodness of God in your life. The Bible shows us plainly, envy is not what God wants for us and we need combat our envy. But how? Through David’s writing in Psalm 37 we’ll find some answers. We’ll see that engaging envy is all about seeing clearly.
Text: 2 Peter 3:14-18
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Jonathan Moore-Crispin
As the Apostle Peter approached the end of his life he penned his second letter. Amazingly the primary concern in his writing is not his own impending death but rather the spiritual wellbeing of God’s people. Here Peter exhorts his readers to grow by knowing and delighting in the Gospel. Tonight we will be thinking about 2 Peter 3:14-18, the final words that he writes, and we will consider what it means for us to be a people ‘Growing in Grace.’
Text: Psalm 73
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Often what we say we believe with our lips doesn’t seem to line up with what we see in the world. There’s a gap between our expectations and our experiences of the world. This morning, we will be introduced to King David’s chief Music Minister: Asaph and his doubts. We will step into his world and see how we can treat these seasons of doubt, not only as an unwelcome intruder into our life of faith, but as a veiled gift from the Lord to mature us.
Text: Psalm 3
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
We’re starting a new series this morning and it’s all about equipping us with language and perspective to navigate different seasons in life. We’re kicking off in Psalm 3 and exploring how David uses truths about God to combat his fear. We all know what it’s like to go through a season of facing something fearful, but we also know that God is passionate for us to “fear not.” Let’s see what God has for us in this Psalm!
Text: Luke 1:46-56
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
This morning we will hear one of the most revolutionary songs ever sung in the New Testament. Upon realising the significance of the baby she carries, Mary launches into a grand-scale cosmic song about God’s deliverance and might. This song often referred to as the “Magnificat,” has been banned in multiple countries, and we will see why it is so dangerous & holy at the same time!
Text: Matthew 5:13-16
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Matt Levett
How would you describe yourself sitting here in Church today… Enquirer? Passive observer? a Christian? Maybe even a disciple? We may be all those things, and more, but when Jesus laid out his description of those that followed him, he simply called them SALT & LIGHT. So how’s that going for you? How were you salt & light last week? Tonight we will be unpacking this key description from Jesus’ sermon on the mount, working through together what it might mean for us to be SALT & LIGHT in the world today.
Text: Matthew 1:1-18
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
To kick us off in our advent series we’re going to look at the villain of the incarnation story. The duplicitous and paranoid King Herod who didn’t just want to dismiss the coming of the Messiah, but actively took steps to put an end to his life. We’re going to hone in on the seemingly simple question Herod was asked by the Wise Men and ask ourselves what that has to do with us. The point this morning is simple but weighty: There’s a new king in Bethlehem and it’s time to make him king.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
What do the people of the future look like? Politicians, marketers, and industry-leading analysts spend their days trying to answer that question. This morning, as we finish our sermon series in 1 Thessalonians, Paul gives us his insight into what the people of the future will look like. As we enter this advent season and anticipate the return of Jesus, we get a peek into the future.
Text: Matthew 7:7-14
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Malcolm MacGregor
Many people have a deep rooted suspicion of God. Sin has driven us from His presence into the darkness of guilt and shame. Even Jesus disciples needed their thinking realigned in this vital area of life. Here Jesus gives us a wonderful encouragement to think well of God and enjoy the full blessing of His fatherly care.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This morning we’ll see Paul continuing the conversation about Jesus’ return. Last time Paul showed us how Jesus’ return brings comfort in grief, but this time we’ll see how Jesus’ future return changes our attitudes today. We’ll explore this text to see how having such a hope produces anticipation, service and resilience in our lives. We’ll hear Paul’s call to be alive and alert to the hope that we have!
Text: Mark 8:1-21
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Josh Bolt
This morning we are looking at Mark’s account of Jesus feeding a crowd of the four thousand people. It’s a well known event to many of us, but hopefully we can go a bit deeper than one might expect and see Jesus as our great and powerful provider of all things, not just our physical bread. With that in mind, let’s hope and pray that God will grant us a deeper understanding of all that He has done for us through His Son.
Text: Ephesians 6:18
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Jonathan Armstrong
When we come to realise that prayer is about a relationship with God and not a dry religious activity, it strengthens us, emboldens us, and equips us. it anchors us in Christ Lifting our eyes above our circumstances. Tonight we will see how this is possible.
Text: 1 Thessalonans 4:13-18
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
In this next section we’ll see Paul responding to the Thessalonians’ grief and questions about death. Paul’s response is careful, hopeful and sensitive… and it’s all about hoping in Jesus. Paul turns their attention to knowing the foundation of their hope in Jesus, the focus of their hope in Jesus and the fruit of their hope in Jesus
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
In this next section Paul continues his conversation about the Thessalonians’ sanctification (growing as Christians). He addresses two key areas of growth for the Thessalonians: One inside the church and one outside the church. Let’s explore this passage together and see Paul encourage his readers to love without stopping and to work without hindering.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Christians often look like rabbits frozen in the headlights when questioned about sexuality & purity. Few have much to say about sex and marriage that is faintly inspiring or compelling. When forced to publish some kind of official statement, it reads more like the terms and conditions of a software upgrade than a manifesto for human flourishing. This morning, in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, we hear a clear call to sexual holiness & flourishing.
Text: Revelation 4
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Kenny Ross
We live in a world which seem to continually surprise us with it’s lack of predictability. The global geo-political realm is about as stable as Scotlands’ links with the rest of the UK. Christendom lies dead in the streets of the UK and it is becoming harder and harder to remain faithful to the lamb. In times like these the book of Revelation has been given to the church as a comfort and encouragement to keep pressing on and to believe. My hope and prayer as we think on it together is that our faith is stirred and we are simply left worshipping the Lamb!
Text: Matthew 4:18-25
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Kenny Ross
Sometimes it is good to look at bigger portions of Scripture. It may allow us to see the wood rather than simply the trees closest to us. Through looking at such a large amount of text my hope is to consider together Christ’s plan for reaching into your world. By your world I mean those relationships which you are involved in, be it with family members, loved ones, friends or work colleagues.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
With only a brief look at the New Testament you’ll see that Paul’s letters are a fantastic place to grow deeper and wider and higher in the way you pray – he prays through so much of what he wrote! This morning we are going to take a look at one of Paul’s prayers in our next passage in our study of 1 Thessalonians. We’ll see Paul pray for others and, in light of that, we’ll ask How can we pray for each other? Let’s explore this prayer together and allow it to resonate within our own prayer lives.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:8
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Trials have the ability make our sight clear, but trials also have the ability to shake us in ways we never thought possible. Paul knows this to be true and is eager to strengthen the Thessalonians’ faith in the midst of their affliction. This passage will show us that we need to see our God- given responsibility to stand beside and strengthen each other when life gets hard. So let’s dive into this section of the letter and ask How does Paul strengthen them? What does he say? In light of that, how do I strengthen other Christians?
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
What words have changed the course of your life? This morning as we pick up the story of the Thessalonian church, we get glimpse of how God spoke in a real way to alter their lives forever. Their experience is a case study for us of how God works using human words to speak to us. The question this morning is, can we hear?
Text: Acts 8:1-24
(Evening Service)
We are prone to exchange Christ for those things which promise us the immediate joy or contentment we so often seek. However, our passage this evening demonstrates how easy it is to think we are serving Christ, when in fact it is the idols of our heart which have our allegiance.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
In this passage Paul defends against an accusation of his ministry and leadership. In giving his defence we’ll see the vital characteristics of the Christian who leads. Let’s explore the marks of a Christian leader and ask What is leading Christianly supposed to be like? There’s loads to discover from this next instalment, but what we’ll see it’s got everything to do with choosing the right over the easy.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
At this point in the letter, Paul begins to counteract some criticism levelled at him and his message. It’s evident the church feels the weight of hostility against them and this pressure doesn’t seem to be easing up. Paul knows that in a pressurised place it’s easy to lose sight of God’s grace, but he also knows just what to say. He re- tells them the story of God’s grace to them, in them, and from them. Let’s jump into this next part of the letter and explore Paul’s comforting words of reassurance.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
The Thessalonian church is a model church. They are an inspiration. They are committed. They are unshakeable under pressure. In this series, we’ll look at this wonderful letter and ask how it weighs in on our lives. Right off the bat, Paul, through his intro and prayer, is celebrating the church. He hears something really really good about them and wants to tell them. But, my question is: Why? Why does Paul celebrate this church? What is it about them that he loves to see going on? And what can that teach us? Let’s jump into this new series to find out more!
Text: 1 Peter 5:6-11
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Stuart Ruegg
As we bring our study of 1 Peter to a close this evening, we will take a closer look at Peter’s final exhortations to the recipients of his letter, which includes us! Peter closes his letter reminding Christians that if we suffer in this life for his names sake then we are unmistakably united with Christ, and if we are united with him in His sufferings, then we will be united with him in his rewards!
Text: Joel 2:28-3:16
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
The final chapter of Joel gives us a glimpse into the final chapter of the world. We’ve seen the past devastation of the locust plague, the present warning of the Day of the lord, and today we see the future world-changing event of God pouring out His Spirit. As we come to the end of Joel, we are left with one final decision to make in order to be renewed
Text: 1 Peter 5:1-5
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Roque Zarate
How can we lead people closer to God when times are hard? Tonight we will be continuing our Sunday evening sermon series as we enter the final chapter of 1 Peter. We will see a few basic characteristics we can practice to effectively lead God’s people and those who we influence. We are also reminded that there is an eternal hope that makes it all worth it.
Text: Joel 2:1-27
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
We return to the book of Joel to see the second beat in the Rhythm of Renewal. Last week we saw God’s wake-up call of a devastating locust plague on Israel. We cannot begin to experience renewal without being discontent with life as usual. Often, God sends us wake-up calls to get our attention and bring us back to a place of focus. Now that He has our attention, we will see what becoming a fruitful person means and why it’s vital we don’t procrastinate any longer.
Text: 1 Peter 4:12-19
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Angus Barnard
Have you ever wondered what advice the Bible has for dealing with the challenge of living for Christ in a secular world? Tonight we will be continuing our Sunday evening sermon series in 1 Peter, working through the rest of Chapter 4. We will unpack the key message from the passage that God wants us to discover, about how we should conduct ourselves when we suffer for our faith. What we will hope to see is that there are unmistakable blessings to be found amidst our sufferings.
Text: Joel 1:1-20
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Locust, drunkards, starving cattle, a splintered fig tree, weeping and wailing; these are just a few images that Joel gives us as he recounts the recent devastation of Israel. None of these images were uncommon for those living in Ancient Israel. What’s shocking is how unaffected and unbothered the people of Israel are. They just don’t seem to care. In this strange and outlandish book, Joel holds a mirror up to own own hearts that are prone to wander and stagnate. Let’s journey over these next three weeks to learn the rhythms of renewal that God uses to break through to us. Today is the first step: holy hunger.
Text: 1 Peter 4:1-11
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Mitch Fossum
The Christian life doesn’t resemble the wide and easy path; rather it’s the narrow route and truly distinctive way of living. Tonight we narrow in on what has changed and is being continually renewed in the Christian— the life of the mind and their very way of thinking. A new way of life doesn’t first appear externally, it starts with how we think. Join us for a dive into Peter’s mindset and exhortations in chapter 4 as we continue on in our series, “Unmistakable.”
Text: 1 Peter 3:13-22
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Timm Sautter
Peter encourages Christians to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks. This verse seems to imply that Christians must reach a high level of knowledge in order to be fruitful witnesses. Because we don’t have all the answers, we often leave the proclamation of our faith to professionals—pastors, preachers and philosophers. In our study of this text, however, we will find an exciting way of evangelism—a way to which every Christian is empowered!
Text: Jude 1-24
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
The Book of Jude is small, sharp and strange, but that doesn’t mean we gloss over it and miss what this punchy little letter has for us this morning. Jude gets straight to the point by warning his readers about the presence of false, self-centred teaching and tells his readers to “contend for the faith.” Let’s dive into Jude and explore exactly why we need Jude’s command and warning too.
Text: 1 Peter 3:1-12
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Andrew Munoz
Marriage: a sacred institution that has been discussed at length for centuries. The frequently mentioned parallels and lessons about marriage throughout the Bible are evidence of it’s true importance to God. So, what more can be gleaned from what Peter writes in this passage? Can it be applied to unmarried followers of Christ? What’s the point of it all? This evening we will discuss God’s intention for our relationships with one another and, above all, how it reflects our relationship with Him.
Text: Ruth 4
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
In my mind, the best word to describe Ruth 4 is beautiful. It’s the pinnacle and culmination of an amazing story that has seen everything from grief an emptiness to overwhelming joy and fullness, and the end of this story is a real feast for the heart that longs for beauty. Let’s dive into Ruth 4 this morning to see Boaz, Ruth and Naomi experience and live redemption, let’s be captivated by this beautiful story of redemption that is remarkably connected to us.
Text: Luke 4:16-30
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
The Bible is all about mission. Throughout the unfolding story of the Bible, we read about a God and a people on a grace-spreading mission. This morning we’re going to look at a profound event in the life of Jesus in his hometown synagogue in Luke 4. Jesus shares something stunning about mission that the hearers really don’t like.
Text: 1 Peter 2:4-10
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Drew Swartz
We are living in an age of confusion. To simply think that the confusion is “out there” is a mistake we cannot make. Tonight, we will be looking at 1 Peter 2:4-10. Against what Peter has to say who Christ is and who we are, we will test our foundation.
Text: Revelation 3:14-20
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Johnny Prime
The love of the Lord Jesus for His people is like a multi- faceted diamond worth of detailed examination and grateful appreciation. Revelation 3 reveals a significant proof of our Lord’s love. It may take us by surprise, but will help make sense of how He shows His ongoing love for us.
Text: 1 Peter 2:11-25
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Chris Gourlay
The word “submission” can sound like a dirty word. We might think that submission is about begrudging obedience or manipulation in some sort of tug of war: what one person gives is what the other person gets. We benefit to the extent that we can get someone else to do something for us. We might think submission is doing what people ask, even if inwardly we are in rebellion against them. This isn’t what God says submission is. We are called to a different kind of submission. Tonight we are going to be asking the question: why should we foster a culture of submission?
Text: Ruth 3
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
If we were supposed to cry in chapter 1 and have a knowing smile in chapter 2, then in chapter 3, we’re supposed to feel tense. There is a huge amount of tension in this passage because the reader is left wondering whether Boaz, the Redeemer, will welcome Ruth the outsider or not. He’s an option for a redeemer, but is he willing? What’s going to happen to an outsider like Ruth? Let’s explore this passage to see Naomi’s plan, Ruth’s faith and Boaz’s response.
Text: Ruth 2
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
If in Chapter 1 we were supposed to cry, then in Chapter 2 we’re supposed to have a small, knowing smile because it looks like the situation for Ruth and Naomi is about to change in an amazing way. They’ve arrived in Bethlehem brokenhearted and with nothing, but are about to find some amazing favour and life-changing news. But how is this going to come about? Who’s going to help Ruth and Naomi in their poverty? Where’s the rescue going to come from? Let’s dive into Ruth 2 and meet a really special character in the story.
Text: 1 Peter 1:22-2:3
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Ben Kolmer
Love is a core theme throughout scripture and is central to the good news of our salvation in Christ. Tonight, as we continue in our series in 1 Peter, we will find Peter using a masterful blending of Old and New Testament theology, poetry, and practical advice to describe the unmistakable love made possible through our adoption into the family of God. So join us as we explore how the Word of God has the power to change the way we relate to one another and why we should let it do so.
Text: Ruth 1:19-22
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
We’re shifting our focus from the character of Ruth to Naomi, the one who hurts the most in this story. This morning we’ll see Naomi returning to her home town and feeling the heavy weight of her grief and loss. While we may not face the exact suffering Naomi does, we certainly will face incredibly hard times and likewise, find ourselves in the pit of bitter circumstances. But what does Naomi do with her pain? If we can see how Naomi goes through her bitter circumstances then we can find help to respond and look to the same places as she does.
Text: 1 Peter 1:13-21
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Nathan Johnson
We are now on our 2nd week in an 11-week sermon series on the book of 1 Peter. As Christians, we know we are supposed to be different, to be good people. But, can we really measure up to God’s holiness? We are part of this world and our sin nature still exists, so does God really expect us not to sin? Tonight, we will examine our response to the high call of holiness and how Peter says we should do so.
Text: Ruth 1:1-18
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Last week we saw Ruth’s defining moment as she had to make a decision between Bethlehem and Moab, following her sister-in-law or her mother-in-law. Her answer to this dilemma is loyal, stubborn and determined; she knows exactly where to go. This week, let’s take a closer look at this defining moment, because what we will find is that Ruth’s story is an unlikely but unmistakeable conversion. So let’s explore her story and ask how Ruth’s story shows us the anatomy of conversion.
Text: 1 Peter 1:1-12
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Ben Greeves
‘Christian’ is a label that is so well known these days that we tend to take it for granted. It’s just another category that helps to define part of our makeup. Tonight we’re starting our 11 week series in 1 Peter and the book opens with Peter getting his readers to take another look at the wonderful Saviour and the incomparably unmistakable salvation that we can know. Join us this evening as we go through these careful considerations and think again about the miracle and privilege of becoming a Christian.
Text: Ruth 1:1-18
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This morning we’re going to jump into our new series about a famous Old Testament story. It’s a beautifully told and artistically structured story about God’s redemption of a refugee named Ruth and we’ve got so much to learn from it. Let’s start by exploring the first scene with it’s characters’ hopes for a better life, it’s heart-wrenching tears, and Ruth’s defining moment.
Text; Mark 14:32-42
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Malcolm MacGregor
The death and resurrection of Jesus marks the central point in human history. But it was no mere formality. Rather it was the most terrible personal ordeal anyone has ever faced, as the holy, sinless, eternal Son of God voluntarily substituted Himself for a sinful world. Gethsemane was the preview of what that unique death would involve. It marked His moment of decision, His Rubicon.
Text: Matthew 28:16-20
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This morning is our last pitstop in the Strategic Vision series. We’re going to be briefly looking into a very famous passage that records Jesus words to His disciples; He tells them to go and make disciples. We’re going to explore the basics of what a disciple is, how you make one and what the big picture of disciple-making is like. After that we’re going to carve out some time to pray, asking God to give us strength and help as we pursue our vision over the next few years.
Text: John 15:1-17
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
What are you expectations for growing as a christian? Perhaps you’re not a christian, but following Jesus looks complicated, full of dense bible studies, uncomfortable prayer times, and bizarre practices. Or maybe you’ve been following Jesus for a long time and if you’re honest, it feels tedious, tiring, and repetitive. You wonder whether you are alone in your lack of growth, or if this is all there is to the christian life? You feel stuck. Wherever you are, Jesus has good news for us today. As we will see in John 15, He gives us the one simple non-negotiable key that unlocks the life of God into your life
Text: Psalm 42
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Mitch Fossum
Psalm 42 has been a treasure of a song to the church throughout her history, and will be for us again tonight. We know the author experienced such incredible despair, yet hope in God never extinguished. Join us this evening for a new look at the Psalmist’s pivot towards God during his most desperate trial.
Text: Luke 10:1-10, 17-20
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
We’re jumping back into our Strategic Vision series. This morning we’re going to be exploring the whole idea of reaching out with the good news about Jesus. However, when we look at the culture around us that doesn’t want to hear the Gospel, reaching others can seem daunting and discouraging. So, where can we find the courage to make such authoritative claims about Jesus to others? Let’s jump into Luke 10 and find out exactly where we can find that.
Text: Revelation 1:9-20
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Richard Underwood
However you measure it, we’re a nation of worriers. And that’s in spite of the fact that we have more money… more freedom… more leisure… and better health-care than any generation before us. But there’s nothing new about worry; life’s hardly a picnic for the Apostle John and his first readers. So, what’s the answer? This morning, we’ll find out—a fresh encounter with the risen, reigning, resplendent Lord Jesus.
Text: Acts 4-6
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This is our first part in our Sunday morning series on BRBC’s Strategic Vision. But before we can jump into the nuts and bolts of the Strategic Vision, we’ll have to lay the foundation by finding out why a growing church would ever need to make a plan. We’re going to move our way through Acts 4-6 and take a look at 3 key challenges the early church faced, asking the question, “What should a church do when it faces such challenges?”
(Evening Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This evening, we will take a look at the life of one of the most industrious and inspirational Christians of the 19th Century. George Müller, a Prussian missionary to the UK and passionate follower of Jesus, is known most notably for his work with orphans. This evening, we’ll take a look a his early life, his conversion, his work with orphans in Bristol and also explore some vital Scriptural truths that drove his life and work.
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Jesus’ resurrection is the central event of the Christian faith, but it often feels like an add-on, relegated to the outer edges of our daily experience. We tend to see the resurrection as either the historical event 2,000 years ago or a vague hope in the far distant future. Does Jesus’ resurrection really give us hope in the present age, or just in the age to come? What does his resurrection mean for a world in which we see death everywhere?
Text: Matthew 21:1-11
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
We all know what it’s like to be under an authority—whether that’s the government, a boss or our parents as we grew up. We also know that the way they lead or rule can have a significant impact on our lives. In our passage this morning, Jesus makes a loud and clear statement about his authority: that he is the King. We’ll explore what type of king Jesus is and why that matters.
Text: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
So far in this series, we’ve looked at The Mindset behind our giving and The Danger of Wealth, and today we’re going to study Paul’s words about The Heart of the Giver. Paul’s mission is to help his readers understand their giving properly. As we study this, we’ll ask: What should our attitude be to giving? What should the shape of our hearts be when we are giving?
Text: Luke 18:18-27
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Greed is an old forgotten word we reserve for bankers who own yachts, corrupt politicians, or footballer millionaires. Today in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus encounters someone we’d all struggle to label “greedy,” who asks a simple question: “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” - a humble and honest question any of us would love to be asked. This morning we are going to hear Jesus’ unexpected response to this young man.
Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This morning we’ll have a look at Paul’s words to the church in Corinth about their financial generosity. The Corinthians seem to be spectating everyone else’s generosity; there’s the intention to be financially generous but no action. So, Paul’s encouragement to them is to begin thinking properly about their financial giving. Let’s dive into this passage and find out what God has to say about our generosity.
Text: Jonah 4
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
We sing about Grace. We name people Grace. Churches get called Grace. We love God’s grace. But is it possible that grace could make your blood boil? This morning we’ll find an answer as we see through Jonah’s eyes why there is something inherently shocking, scandalous and infuriating about God’s grace. In chapter 4, we’ll find the author holding up a mirror to us and saying, “Jonah had a lot to learn about how deep God’s grace goes, but what about you, reader?”
Text: Jonah 3
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
So God sends Jonah to Nineveh... again. And this time Jonah actually goes there and speaks. But what happens is by far the most shocking thing in the entire story: The people of Nineveh listen and go to God for mercy. In Jonah 3, we see an unlikely turn of events and an amazing demonstration of God’s grace. Let’s dive in this morning and watch the fabric of God’s grace unfold over Nineveh.
Text: Jonah 2
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
We pick up the story as Jonah takes his last gulp of air before being thrown down into the depths of the sea where, surprisingly, he finds God. Throughout all of chapter 1, Jonah runs from the presence of the Lord but even in the darkest, loneliness depths of despair in chapter 2, we find that God is still there. We will explore how moments in the belly of the fish are often the place where we become sensitive God’s presence in our life.
Text: Jonah 1
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
God’s call on Jonah’s life to go to Nineveh was not what Jonah wanted. In Jonah’s mind, God’s call would ruin his life and so Jonah runs away from being part of God’s purposes in the world. Is it possible that we too run and hide from God’s life-giving purposes because we’re afraid of our lives being ruined? This morning we’ll study Jonah 1 and see that God’s call over us - to know Him and then participate in his purposes in the world - both ruins our lives and then give us and others life.
Text: Psalm 102
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
How are we supposed to pray when we feel confused, hurt and in pain? Well, there’s a special type of prayer in the Bible reserved for that: It’s called Lament. Lament is crisis language. When crisis hits and you are left stranded, wondering what you’re supposed to do and say, that’s when lament comes in. But there’s a problem with our lamenting... we’re not very good at it. We’ll see how Psalm 102 aids us in learning this language of lament.
Text: Hebrews 4:14-16
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Ever been in a conversation with someone and you just know they aren’t listening? We all know that can be frustrating and damaging to any relationship. But have you ever felt like that in prayer? Is God really listening? Does he care about what I have to say? We’ll find our answer by exploring the picture Hebrews paints. We’ll find out what the high priesthood of Jesus means and what that means for our prayer lives.
Text: John 13:1-4
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
This evening we continue our series, “Legends,” as we learn about the life and thought of a puritan from Norfolk: Thomas Goodwin. While he has been hailed as “the greatest pultpit exegete of Paul that has ever lived,” most of us have never heard his name. Tonight we will be aquianted with him and our hearts will be warmed by his profound understanding of Christ’s heart and affections towards us here on hearth even as Christ is enthroned in heaven.
Text: Luke 18:9-14
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
In this parable, we’ll meet two very different characters. Both were well-known types of people in 1st Century Israel, and each character exhibits vastly different ways to approach God. This morning we’ll ask ourselves: In light of Jesus’ words, how should we approach God in prayer? And how does that change the way we pray?
Text: Matthew 6:5-8
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
In Matthew 6, Jesus shows us three different types of prayer: two to get away from, and one to stick with. Jesus shows us that prayer is not an empty and relentless barrage of words at God or a demonstration of righteousness before people, rather it’s an exercise and a practice of a child of faith.
Text: Ephesians 3:14-21
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Most of us know how much prayer is talked about in the Bible. We know that prayer is encouraged and commanded. We know that prayer can change us. We know that prayer changes and transforms our world. But if we’re honest, most of us feel like we’re missing something when it comes to prayer. For our first part in our new series, we’re going to explore one of Paul’s prayers and we’ll think about how to deepen our prayer lives.
Text: Genesis 48
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
We come to the end of Jacob’s life. He’s old, almost blind, and it’s time for him to say his parting words to his family. But amazingly, after everything that’s happened in his life, the New Testament (Hebrews 11) chooses this passage as the highlight of his life. Why focus on this as the main scene in his life? Evidently, there is something in this part of the story that we really have got to see. Despite his poor sight, Jacob sees what’s most important with perfect clarity.
Text: Genesis 34
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Out of everything Jacob has seen and been through, this scene has to be the worst of the lot. Having moved to Shechem, his family now seems to be falling apart. The scene is brutal, heart- wrenching and poses complex questions, but at root, it has a simple point. This disaster exposes Jacob and his family to a missed, but key-truth: God forms his people to be consciously different from the people around them.
Text: Genesis 33
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
How do you deal with conflicts, disagreements and difficult meetings?Usually we ignore, distract, rationalise, or blame someone – anything to avoid investing the necessary time and energy required to remove that relational ‘roadblock’. But what if these conflicts are more than mere roadblocks? How can they be a means of seeing God in our lives? Let’s see how Jacob deals with a 25-year old ‘roadblock’ in his relationship with his brother Esau.
Text: Genesis 32
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Jacob is the recipient of God’s promise - he belongs to God, but that doesn’t mean there is not work to be done. This morning we’ll explore a defining moment in Jacob’s life. It’s a moment that shows us how God has been shaping him into the kind of character who can carry the promise. Let’s dive into Genesis 32 to see how God forms, refines and grows His people.
Text: Genesis 31
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
It’s time for Jacob and his family to leave and get back to Jacob’s homeland, but there is one massive problem: His father-in-law, Laban, doesn’t want him to go. This morning we’ll explore the story of Jacob and his family leaving Laban. We’ll find another dysfunctional family situation interwoven with a God- given reassurance of His promise to and protection of Jacob. We’ll see that it’s a reassurance we all need to hear.
Text: Genesis 30:25-43
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Last week we explored Rachel’s hardship and learned how to respond when our plans don’t work out. This week, we’ll see the opposite. Jacob’s plans do pan out, just as he intends. We’ll see how he learns how to respond when things go our way. We’ll ask ourselves, How should we respond when our plans work out?
Text: Genesis 30:1-24
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Yet again, in the life of Jacob, we’re standing at the crossroads of human mayhem and God’s mercy. This week, we’re going to explore the raw, painful situation Rachel finds herself in. Her struggle deserves buckets of our compassion and understanding, but we’ve got lots to learn from her bad response when she doesn’t get what she wants. She’s got something to learn and so have we.Yet again, in the life of Jacob, we’re standing at the crossroads of human mayhem and God’s mercy. This week, we’re going to explore the raw, painful situation Rachel finds herself in. Her struggle deserves buckets of our compassion and understanding, but we’ve got lots to learn from her bad response when she doesn’t get what she wants. She’s got something to learn and so have we.
Text: Genesis 29
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Today, Jacob ends his journey in the wilderness only to find himself entangled in another highly dysfunctional family and involved in another act of deception. Caught between human mayhem and divine mercy, we will look specifically at Jacob’s wife Leah and her struggle for love and acceptance, the deepest desire of her heart, and perhaps ours as well.Today, Jacob ends his journey in the wilderness only to find himself entangled in another highly dysfunctional family and involved in another act of deception. Caught between human mayhem and divine mercy, we will look specifically at Jacob’s wife Leah and her struggle for love and acceptance, the deepest desire of her heart, and perhaps ours as well.
Text: Genesis 27:1-28:5
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Why does a man’s dream of angels walking up and down a ladder in the wilderness of the Middle East, thousands of years ago, have anything to do with us? Today, we are looking at a well-known story that we have grown up with and tell to our children, but often don’t know what to do with: Jacob’s Ladder. As bizarre as it seems, this dream had repercussions for the rest of Jacob’s life and as we will see, somehow it affects our own life today.
Text: Genesis 25:19-34
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Enter Jacob. A conniving, manipulating deceiver who can’t seem to get it all together, right? Maybe not. In this series, we’re going to take a closer look at the life of Jacob and find out what his life really shows us about God’s mercy and about the mayhem of human existence. This week, we’ll begin by exploring the first scene of Jacob’s life and immediately encounter a collision of family dysfunction and God’s goodness
(Evening Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This evening we’re going to be taking a look at the life of the well-known politician, Christian and Liberator, William Wilberforce. We’ll explore what it was that made him the history-maker we know him to be. His story may be a revisit for some and new ground for others, but for all of us it’ll be a reminder of the power of God’s grace and an example of what a joy-driven life looks like.
Text: 1 John 5:13-21
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
The gift of eternal life often sits untouched on a dusty shelf in our mind, while we wait for the day when we will “cash in” and enter into the glory of heaven. The end of John’s letter will challenge our misconceptions, as he helps us to unwrap the gift of eternal life for today. Until we take a somber look at the power of sin in the world, we’ll never truly appreciate the power and magnitude of eternal life for today.
Text: 1 John 5:6-12
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This morning we’ll find John reminding his readers about the ultimate importance of standing on the truth of Jesus Christ. John writes to Christians who are being pushed and pulled by different claims and shows them what God has already said and where real life can be found. John’s first readers needed to hear his words and today, we do too.
Text: Galatians 6:11-19
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
What are you especially proud of? Maybe an academic degree you hold, or your well- earned career, a shiny new car, your friend- group or your family. As we come to the end of Galatians, we will see that Paul takes pride in the most humiliating act in history - the crucifixion of Jesus. What is it about the weakness of the Cross that Paul finds so utterly powerful? Come and hear how the crucifixion reshapes everything in our life - or how it ought to reshape everything, and how it often times fades into the background as nothing more than a religious symbol.
Text: 1 John 4:7-21
(Morning Service)
For the third time in his letter, John turns to the matter of Christians loving each other. This shows us it’s obviously a non-negotaible and something he wants to elevate even more. But, what happens when people like you and I read John and think, “Thanks again, John, we get it, but we just find it really hard to do”? The truth is, there are plenty of occasions in church life where we need motivation and encouragement to live this out and that’s where John wants to take us.
Text: Galatians 6:1-10
(Evening Service)
Speaker: David Stannard
There is no shortcut to a holy life! The Bible is clear about the role of the Spirit and the responsibility we have to fight the sinful nature. We all know the conflict we have between the flesh and the Spirit, and as followers of Jesus Christ, we are neither bound by the law or free to live as we please. This evening, in Galatians 6, we will consider what the Apostle Paul teaches concerning doing good in the Spirit.
Text: 1 John 4:1-6
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Do you have good vision? Or do you wish it was better? Glasses and contacts can help, but as we look at John’s letter this morning, they might not help this perception-test. In the midst of multiple gospels and false teachers that blur the lines of our Christian confession, how good is our spiritual vision to discern the True Gospel from the false gospels? This morning John gives us yet another test: the Test of the Spirit.
Text: Galatias 5:16-26
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Stuart R
As we continue our study of Galatians Paul spells out to the churches in Galatia what attributes ought to mark out the lives of the believer if we have really embraced the freedom that Christ has purchased with his own sacrifice. This evening we will take a look at those attributes and behaviours but we will also consider how it is that we can succeed in putting to death the ‘works of the flesh’ and instead be those who ‘bear good fruit’.
Text: Galatians 5:1-15
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Bryan Hassler
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the source of freedom for a Christian. But do we actually feel free? For many of us, we feel a constant pressure to perform, to do, to accomplish, and to earn. And we spend our lives trying to measure up, yet always seeming to fall short. This struggle has left us feeling tired, heavy, fearful, fake, guilty, and worn-down. If we’re honest, some of us don’t feel free at all. In the book of Galatians, Paul offers us a deep look into the freedom that Christ offers, in hopes that it might draw our hearts out of slavery back to where we belong.
Text: 1 John 3:11-24
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
How do you know what you know? Simple, take a test and find out. This morning we are continuing our series in 1 John, as John gives us the ultimate test in order to find out what we really know and love most in this world. He gives us the Test of Love - a test many of us think we will Ace, but as we will see, this test might not be as easy or simple as we thought. He is not after some abstract grades or achievements, but our assurance, peace and joy.
Text: Galatians 4;8-20
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Chris Gourlay
Do you remember being told by your parents, “make good habits” or “stop that bad habit?” This week we dive deeper into Galatians chapter 4: 8-20 where Paul tells us not to return to one of the oldest habits we have. Find out why we shouldn’t go back to works.
Text: 1 John 2:28-3:10
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Pastor James
From his Antichrist warning, John moves on to show us that The Uncommon Community is made up of the children of God. Following his previous warning, John wants to reassure them that those who remain in the Christian community really are God’s children by showing them what characterises a child of God. This morning we’ll ask: What is it that makes these children of God distinctive? What makes them the part of The Uncommon Community?
Text: Galatians 4:1-7, 21-31
(Evening Service)
We’ve been conditioned to earn for as long as we can remember — earning praise and affirmation from parents, earning grades from teachers, earning playing time from coaches, earning attention from boys or girls, eventually earning paychecks from employers. We learned how to earn before we learned how to speak or even walk. This evening, we’ll look at how the Apostle Paul teaches us to leave that thinking behind when we think about God’s Family.
Text: 1 John 2:18-27
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Today we come to the main reason why John wrote his letter to the church. It appears some people had got some wrong ideas about Jesus and had left the church, so John firmly and pastorally exposes the thinking of those who left and calls the remaining church to remember who they are by reminding them what they have already heard. This morning, we’ll learn from John’s situation and see what it means for us today
Text: Galatians 3:15-29
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Mitch Fossum
Why do Christians have a new identity in Christ? What of the old promises, the purpose of and plan for the law, and the myriad of other factors and traits which once divided - or still split - God’s people? For this evening’s service we’re going to get into the second half of Galatians 3 and follow Paul’s line of reasoning straight to its intended goal, for our great joy and unity.
Text: 1 John 2:15-17
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Pastor James
This morning we’re going to explore John’s instruction, “do not love the world” and the reasons he gives to prove why we should not love it. Importantly, John doesn’t write about what we do or what we have, rather he wants to go deeper and for us to discern where our true values lie - he writes about what we love. Let’s join John’s original readers, as we examine what makes us tick.
Text: Galatians 3:1-14
(Evening Service)
Speaker: James Baker
In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he is correcting a false understanding that acceptance with God can only be achieved by their efforts. Do we fall into this trap? Do we burden ourselves with trying to make ourselves more acceptable to God? Tonight, Paul will show us the futility of this thinking and how the gospel frees us from such a burden.
Text: 1 John 2:3-14
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Do you know if you’re going the right way? A question many back-seat drivers love to ask, but a question we often ask ourselves after we park the car and think about our life. Inthemidstofachurchsplitandaconfused church community, John writes to address uncertain Christians in order to help them answer that question. Today, we stop and ponder that question, and ask, “can we have assurance we’re going the right way?”
Text: 1 John 1:5-2:2
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This morning we’ll be thinking about what it means to walk in the light. John is keen to show us that God is light and in Him there is no darkness, but he’s just as keen to show us what God’s light means for our lives - we’ll see how God’s light influences the life of the Uncommon Community.
Text: Galatians 1:11-2:10
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Bryan Hassler
Have you ever wanted to say something, but couldn’t get the words out to speak? Or maybe you’ve felt afraid at the idea of telling someone the truth. For many of us, this fear finds it’s peak at the thought of sharing the gospel. It’s the kind of fear that keeps us silent, as friends, family members, and co-workers continue on without the good news of Jesus Christ. In the book of Galatians, Paul offers us a much-needed look into this fear, but more importantly, he offers us a way out.
Text: 1 John 1:1-4
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This morning we’re beginning our new series in 1 John, called “Uncommon Community.” Our aim is to uncover what it is that makes the church community different, marked, distinct, and uncommon. We’ll begin by studying the first 4 verses and asking ourselves: What is it that marks the uncommon community? What is it that makes the church community uncommon?
Text: Galatians 1:1-10
(Evening Service)
Speaker: Ben Greeves
The apostle Paul is a straight-talker and that aspect of his character hits you as soon as you start reading the book of Galatians. This evening we’re going to be starting our sermon series by looking at the first ten verses of chapter one and discovering why Paul felt it was so important, so urgent, for him to get straight to the point with the believers he was writing to. Paul’s message was a command to the Galatian church to return to Jesus Christ and accept the good news of the gospel, and he still calls to us today and urges us to get back to where we belong.
Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Have you ever wished you could go back in time? I’m sure many of us wish we could. For some it might be to witness a key moment in history, but for others it’d would be to undo a mistake that haunts us to this day. This morning we’re going to be thinking about the giant of guilt, and specifically, the kind of guilt that says, “How could God want someone like me?” From Ephesians 2, we’ll find an answer to that kind of guilt.
Text: James 1:1-8
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Today’s Giant is one we all know and experience; it’s part of being a human: Temptation. This morning, we’re going to be studying James 1:13-18 and we’ll explore James’ clear and concise strategy for thinking about and tackling the complex issue of Temptation. How do we face the Giant of Temptation? Let’s explore James’ 3-part strategy together.
Text: Psalm 25
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Loneliness is recognised by many as an epidemic sweeping the Western world. Most of us know what it feels like to be misunderstood by people, disconnected from people and not fully known by others. So, is there hope for the lonely heart? Thankfully, yes there is. This morning we’re going to study Psalm 25, written by a man who knew loneliness well, and find ways in which God soothes His peoples’ loneliness.
Text: Colossians 3:18-4:1
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Pastor James
This Sunday we’re thinking about the Giant of Purposelessness. You might not think it’s a giant you face. But do you ever look at Christians doing the ‘real’ work for Jesus and then look at yourself and think, “I don’t live like that. Sadly, my life is pretty normal with plenty of normal, everyday responsibilities and routines.” If you’ve ever thought that then Colossians 3 is for you. We’ll see how Paul demonstrates to the readers how real purpose can be found in everything we do - even the in the everyday, normal routines of life.
Text: Matthew 6:25-34
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
This morning we are continuing to look at the Giants we face. Today, it’s one that plagues all of us - whether we like to admit it or not - and it’s one that can turn up, completely uninvited, without warning. We’re going to be thinking about anxiety and we’ll be studying Jesus’ words from Matthew 6.
Text: Hebrews 2:14-16
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
As the sun finally peeks out in May and the flowers are blooming, death might seem like a far-distant problem that’s miles away from us this morning. But, the writer of Hebrews suggests that it’s an ever-present fear that binds our actions, conversations, and everyday lives in a sort of slavery. Today we’re going to explore whether death really does have an effect on our daily lives and whether we can ever truly be free from the fear of death that may be lurking in every moment of happiness and joy.
Text: 1 Samuel 17
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
We face Giants. Facing them in our lives is not a question of ‘if’ but a question of ‘when’- facing Giants is a given, right? But what happens when we don’t have it within ourselves to overcome them? What happens when we need courage but don’t know where to go to find it? This morning, we’re going to explore one of the Bible’s most famous stories with history’s most famous giant: David and Goliath. As we read we’ll ask ourselves a really important question: How do we find courage to Face our Giants?
Text: Habakkuk 3
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
We come to our 3rd and final instalment of the prophet Habakkuk. We live in a broken world in need of healing and restoration, and Habakkuk has proven to be a helpful guide, teaching us the language of lament in times of pain, and the language of “woe” in times of trouble. Today we look at the language of remembrance as we consider how to move through the pain and trouble.
Text: Habakkuk 1
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
This Sunday we are beginning a new series on the book of Habakkuk. An obscure Old Testament prophet who questions God about the impending doom of Judah seems like an odd way to start 2018. But if you have ever wanted to ask God difficult questions, struggled voicing deep doubt and confusion in the midst of all the perplexity this world offers, then you will find Habakkuk to be a good friend and partner through this journey of faith.
Text: Galatians 4
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Before we jump into our Advent Series next week, let’s have just one more morning exploring some of the rediscoveries made 500 years ago during the Reformation. This morning, we’re going to be thinking about one of the most intensely personal aspects of our faith. It’s one that is seldom contemplated, but nonetheless massively important. Join us as rediscover something radically life-changing in Galatians 4.
Text: 1 Peter 4:7-11
(Morning Service)
Speaker: Peter Mason
Today as we continue to look at the importance and relevance of the Reformation, we turn our gaze to what many consider the summary of the Reformation: Soli Deo Gloria — for the Glory of God alone. Our everyday lives teach us to hunger for glory and extravagance, but if we’re honest, most days seem to slowly pass by in the hum-drum of ordinariness. But the good news of the reformation is that lives of glory are not only for the celebrity, the famous, and the powerful, but also for the stay-at-home mum, the retired, the office-desk job, and the farmer. Our calling is all the same: Soli Deo Gloria.
Text: Romans 5
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
The Reformation was a revival that swept across Europe in the 16th Century. It was all about people opening their Bibles and coming back to the historical confession of Christianity; it was about people seeing what the Christian message was really all about. This week we’ll continue to follow the Reformation's rediscoveries and explore the way in which we are made holy and transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
Text: Galatians 1
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
The Reformation was a spiritual renewal that swept across Europe in the 16th Century. It was about a rediscovery of the core truths of the Christian faith; it was about people standing up for what really matters, and it was about a movement that still matters today. This week, we’re going to explore the Reformation's rediscovery of the Bible’s authority over us. We’ll study through Galatians and come face to face with a simple but vital truth about God’s Word."
Text: Romans 5
(Morning Service)
Speaker: James Martin
Earlier this week, churches all over the world celebrated the 500th anniversary of a key event in the Reformation - when Martin Luther, one of the leaders of the Reformation, took his stand and posted his 95 These in Wittenberg. The Reformation was a spiritual awakening that swept across Europe, as people from all walks of life heard the Gospel loud and clear. This series will follow the footsteps of the Reformation; it’ll be all about the rediscovery of the foundations of our faith. This morning, we’ll begin with the doctrine of justification.