Life Central: Recent Episodes
Life Central
Life Central Church is a community of people for whom discovering Jesus has been the best thing they have ever found in their lives. We are led by pastor Steve Jenkins in Wellington, Somerset, UK. We love God and the communities we are in and are passionate about sharing the good news we have found. Please enjoy the podcast and feel free to find our more about us at lifecentral.org.uk
We begin the year (2024) with a reminder that our goal is not just to survive, but to content for real Life… after all, that’s why we are called Life […]
Dan Reynolds from Life Streams speaks from scripture about the impact of the life and ways of Eagles that we can learn from… starting with the fact that one manifestation […]
Larisa Jenkins leads following a really blessed day running BellaBonita with the women on Saturday... the theme continues as we look to Jesus for our true identity.
[Podcast] Insights into 1 Corinthians 15:17-32 as we come round the Communion table together.
( Segments of this recording have been edited to protect personal or sensitive information during ministry times, personal testimonies and prayers )
On Father's Day '23 we take a look at the story often referred to as the 'Prodigal Son'... but it might have a deeper meaning that often gets missed.
Continuing in Genesis 2, we look at what God was modelling on the 'seventh day' of the creation poem.
When we look at how the Holy Spirit changes the disciples, we realise this changes everything for us too!
[Podcast] Starting at the beginning... Gen 1:1 to 2:2 with what we would traditionally consider the 'Creation Story'. We hope you enjoy the revelation of the text that comes from beginning to understand the Hebraic mindset, as opposed to our Western world view of things.
Through a wealth of scripture and heartfelt testimony, Suzie leads us into a key part of our understanding of who the Lord really is and how to remember this.
An insight into Luke's account of the Resurrection and some of our community sharing about 'What Resurrection means to me...'
On this Palm Sunday we continue to discover the way that Jesus spoke to His disciples on his journey towards the Cross.
[Podcast]. This week we have an update from Tim & Suzie after their 10 weeks in the USA, followed by a look at the way Jesus began to speak into His disciples as the time came closer for Him to go to the Cross.
Larisa shares from her heart about the character of Mary Magdaline and her encounter with the risen Jesus!
Sometimes is good to re-think our thinking! Peter had to what God challenged all his well meant religious practices in order to reach the 'gentiles'. Today from Acts 11, we consider what that looks like today.
This meeting changed into a spontaneous time, so we postponed the planned message for another day - so this audio includes some of the thoughts from Simon and Larisa who, among others, shared this morning.
When Moses died, Joshua had to step up with a courageous mindset to enter a new season - they had to let go of the Moses season of the desert and take a new direction… join us on this audio from the live stream to discover more.
A review of 2022 including loads of testimonies and encouragement, with a thought to how we will be approaching 2023 together.
After we shared a number of testimonies about our different journeys (not recorded), Steve brings a few thoughts about the contrasting ways we celebrate Jesus arrival on earth.
This week there was a lot of sharing from the heart from various people (some sections have been edited due to the personal content)... then rounded up at the end by Steve with a word about the nature of Jesus' family when he arrived.
p.s. It's not what the nativity plays would suggest!
Seeing how the coming of Jesus was linked to the line of King David - and why it matters!Recorded while walking in the fields and lanes near Wellington.
So what did Jesus mean when he spoke about 'True Worshippers' as He was speaking with the woman at the well in John 4 ?
More from the Sabbatical Journey. Looking at Isaiah 40:28-31 and considering what it means to 'wait on God'.
Steve & Larisa return from sabbatical and share some of there experiences with a heart for engaging our faith.
As Steve & Larisa take some time out in Sabbatical, this is a commission to the body to step into everything God wants us to be.
(This was recorded outdoors so has some background street noise.)
Some insights into what Paul meant when he signed off his letter to the Galatians.
Jen Baker asks us how is God speaking to you? Looking at the journey of Elijah and how The Lord spoke to him in his time of struggle.
[Sorry about the sound quality - not the greatest, but the message is very much worth listening to!]
We consider the struggle of recent times and what Resurrection looks like in the face of these difficulties... Finding light in dark places is full of Good News!
The Last in our series of "Jesus Is..." This Palm Sunday we look at how 'Jesus is... the Lamb'.
Paul & Liz Lynch join us and share from their hearts from the narrative of Jesus and the disciples in the storm on Lake Galilee.
Discovering the rhythm of scripture where Yahweh has ALWAYS been about redeeming his people. And then personified in Jesus... wow! It's for you too!
Tim & Suzie, just back from USA, invite us into a journey of remembering the goodness of God in all we do... join us!
Engaging with the Name of God... not just a title. So that we may grow deeper in relationship.
Trefor Jones (from Living Light, Wellington) gives us some precious insights into Jesus' character and how we can reflect them in our lives :)
One of our Life Groups running our gathering this week - includes break out discussions & feedback, plus interviews followed by a focus in the Armour of God.
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God works across multi-generational boundaries for the sake of Kingdom.... and it started right at the beginning...
At life Central we love to support parents when they choose to honour God and raise their children in the Way of Jesus... the promises made on this day are about just that, followed by some words of encouragement by Steve Jenkins
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In this crazy season of getting busy again after a year of lockdowns, what does it mean to rest?
This podcast includes a number of post pandemic testimonies too :)
This Summer we have run with a title of 'Out of the Box', but what is that really about?....
[Podcast]
This baptism gathering was a very special time... a real sense of Holy Spirit presence. This podcast it just the 'sermon' element, but you can catch it all on the YouTube live stream [click here]
This was the first 'In Person' meeting for 3 months within the Covid pandemic. It was so good to be together!
Sam is the leader of Awaken, our regional ministry to young adults in the community. Today we hear what it's been like through lock-down for them & also what's on Sam's heart for the church in this season.
Larisa reflects on various scriptures on this UK Mothering Sunday... and then opens it up to the team.
You think you know what this means... but our understanding is coloured by our culture, family and church (if you are part of one). Hopefully this will open up a wider view of the 'Good News' as we see it in the bible.
Looking at this well used passage from Isaiah 54 and considering what it means for us today in a pandemic focussed world.
These 'lockdowns' don't feel good... we could even feel God can't use us in the difficult times. But that could not be further from the truth! Today we lock at the situation Joseph found himself in when in prison... what was in store for him in his lockdown? Genesis 39.
Suzie was inspired by Charlotte Gambill's lockdown study around faithfulness... and this inspired our Sunday discussion.
Continuing the direction of vision for 2021 - Simplifying things is key. Out of Phil 3:12-14.
This 'in-person' meeting before Christmas (the one after the UK government said we could only meet in a very limited way on Christmas Day) shines the light and life of Jesus in to this darkness.
There was some anticipation as the meaning of this title... but all will be revealed in the message as we look together at the arrival of Jesus in Luke 2.
A word for Life Central from Dan Reynolds, Life Streams leader, live from from Chicago USA. Some real encouragement here... enjoy listening
'I will give your the keys to the kingdom' said Jesus to Peter... what does that mean for us in this season ?
We are beautifully different... and here's some of the experiences we have had that speaks to the blessing of connecting with various nations.
In the UK it is Remembrance Sunday... remembering those that have lost their lives in Wars and those that remain. Today we look at what is on God's heart when we want to go to prepare for war.
Sometimes it feels like a good thing to respond out of our fears... but there are consequences when that takes us out of relationship with God.
A few words from the end of our first meeting in person after lockdown. Sound quality is not great - but it's all there!
The Hebrew traditions often as further questions in reply to a question... what are we asking of this season and where does it lead us?
Homing in on the biblical storey of the widow and the jars of oil... we look at that kind of expectancy we have.
Considering the blessings and struggles that come from Loyalty and Betrayal... Being King David wasn't all easy!
BlackLivesMatter #LifeCentral #RealChurch
The context for this 'Live' broadcast made on 7th June 2020 is that the Western world is rightly disturbed by yet another death of a black man at the hands of police in the USA. But it is not an issue contained in the States... here in the UK we have a deep, usually hidden, culture of racism and so this word addresses the issue here. Also, it is worth adding that in the South West of the UK, and there is much less racial diversity than found in most UK cities. So in making this broadcast we are speak to a mostly white audience. However, at Life Central we have some beautiful people who represent different nations and ethnic backgrounds. We love and value them all so much... we hope that whatever your background, you find this message positive and ultimately focussed on bring us to Jesus.
In this season of 'lockdown' we may find ourselves hiding in our caves... so we take a look at a few cave moments in scripture and consider how we might rearrange things in that space to release God's freedom and hope. This includes an encouraging testimony from Ali Lewis... definitely worth a listen!
In the face of fear and worry with a viral outbreak looming on the horizon - how should we respond? Where does our identity lie in all this?We turn to Exodus 1 and Galatians 4 for some insights.
David's honour of Jonathan show's us a different way - grace and love, even to those of us who are broken and weak.
...by the way His disciples love one another. This, perhaps uncomfortably honest, look at John 13:34-35 shoots to the heart of our need to love each other well.
As a people connected with Life Central, this is a call to now catch the vision. Get infected with it! Let it become our DNA... so in line with Habakuk 2:2-3, we have written down the vision for all to carry... and this word speak into that process.If you were are this gathering, you were given a written copy of this vision. If you weren't there, then please download your copy here:
A journey through the New Testament's church venues and hostsNotes for this study below:
What teachings have we accepted as 'Biblical'... and are they actually what the Bible teaches?
Following on from 'Holy Cow' a couple of weeks ago, this looks at how God responds to his people when they, all too quickly, mess things up.
From the heart and with lots of personal experience, Ali Lewis shares this week about walking in step with the Spirit.
What does our faith look like in the face of such a confused and broken generation?
Followed by short testimony from Simon Ratsey
When the stuff of life hits us we can easily engage with the troubles and feel disconnected - but this speaks life into our stories and helps us re-connect with the blessings that are ours or own.
Sam Burton from Awaken and YFC is back with us and is as challenging as ever. Includes testimony from Ozzy.
The second of just 3 sessions that were recorded from the weekend. Recommended reading to accompany this weekends teaching:
Keep your love on - Danny Silk Daring Greatly - Brene Brown
And before you listen to the audio of the session, please view this clip as it is referred to in the talk.... and why not view the whole film 'The Greatest Showman'?
The first of just 3 sessions that were recorded from the weekend. Recommended reading to accompany this weekends teaching:
Keep your love on - Danny Silk Daring Greatly - Brene Brown
And before you listen to the audio of the session, please view this clip as it is referred to in the talk.... and why not view the whole film 'The Greatest Showman'?
Samuel Huntley shares from his heart with testimony, vision and word... at the end of this word we also listed to Brandon Lake's 'This is a move'. Because of copyright issues we cannot play the recording from that moment, so we've included an extended live version below for you to be blessed with from YouTube.
This week Steve shares again from Exodus 33 with a particular focus on our heart for mission as Tim and Suzie head out for the next 3 months or so... where does our passion for the world come from? Where do we hear God and get direction? It's all in here
Unpacking the parables that Jesus spoke about in Mark Ch.4... In the English versions there is a fair bit lost in translation - so this message will hopefully fill in a few gaps
This word is a kind of prequel to the SW1 teaching on Kingship this month. We go back to the time when the law was given to Moses and what that the people did with that.
Guest speaker Sam Burton from Taunton Youth for Christ / Awaken brings a passionate message about our hope as the bride of Christ... the best is yet to come!
Recorded at SW1 (Spirit and Word as One) in July 19. A teaching on the nature of OT Kingship and how Jesus changed the scene and our relationship to it.
This message looks at the highs and lows of Elijah and relates this moments to our mental health issues and support in the community.
Sometimes we get stuck in the illusion that our faith is intrinsically linked to how 'good' we are... but an examination of scripture might show us otherwise! Here we look at Abraham and a few other biblical characters to see what the reality is...
Drawing together the strands from recent weeks and the other testimonies / words from the meeting, we consider the need for intentional discipleship through relationship . Larisa begins with thoughts from Psalm 91, Suzie follows that up with testimony and finally Steve concludes.
The core of this weeks message is with Trisha and Andrew Booth sharing some encouragement from their hearts and scripture with plenty of testimony thrown in [Edited]. Anne also gives thanks following her and Jacks close call on the road last week.
We take a look at a part of Moses' journey (Ex.33) in the season he was called to be the father of a nation in a desert. The key - the presence of God.
As a preamble to our Pentecost gathering, Steve shares a few thoughts on the Woman who poured out the rather expensive contents of an alabaster jar on Jesus... we then entered into worship and followed that by lots of testimonies - good news stories from the congregation. We hope you'll be encouraged by what you hear
This week we conclude the 'Blessing or Scripture' element by looking at what this does mean,, Please find the notes below:
The second part of the wider series of Life Values, looking at the heart of scripture - in this podcast we consider that if we believe this scripture to be good and worthy of consideration to help us in our lives, pointing us to Jesus, then what does this mean for us? How should we treat it? To download the sermon notes, please click the download button below:
We are entering back into more of our Life Values at Life Central Church. Things we hold as key characteristics of our identity as a church and define the way we respond in our community. This time we are looking at the collection of 66 ancient books that we call the Bible... why would that be special to us? To download the sermon notes, please click the download button below:
Following on from the celebration of Easter and the joy of resurrection this weeks' word looks at the apostle Paul's response to the resurrected Christ.
This turned out as an extended bunch of testimonies rather than a sermon... and all the better for it !
If you know the story of Jonah, you probably start thinking of a big fish... but what was Jesus referring to when He talked about the sign of Jonah?
For way too long the church at large has been dominated by the male gender... even when the majority of the church is female. But on this 'Mothering Sunday' we want to honour all women and take a look at some of the ways Jesus behaved to the women he knew.