St Saviours Church: Recent Episodes
St Saviours Church
This final sermon marks the close of Rob and Cam's ministry at St Saviour's Church. God bless and Godspeed - 17 April 2023. [John 20:19-31]
Rob Densmore continues our sermon series on Mission. From 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13. (2023-02-05)
Rob Densmore preaches on the vision of St Saviour's Church - Transforming lives in Jesus' name.
Cam and Rob share the challenges of the past two years - and talk about their recommitment to serving St Saviour's. The challenge to commit is extended to the whole church family.
[Christine Torrance speaks about her missionary work; and preaches on Luke 4:14-27.
Editor's note: "John" is the preacher's 18-month-old son]
Part of Faith and Money: a series on Financial Stewardship. [Rob Densmore preaches on Genesis 41:34-36]
Christ invites us into his circle of grace not just on Sunday, but 24-7; are we willing to invite others to do the same? [Rob Densmore preaches on Malachi 3:1-4]
The growth of the church is directly related to the health of the body of Christ. How we are built up by the Spirit; how we are equipped; how we are sent out in His name - is all to honour the heart of God. [Rachel Leigh-Wood speaks on Ezekiel 36:24-28]
Jesus had quite a few ways of describing the Kingdom of God - this seemingly mysterious and perplexing reality. One of the ways He talked about it - was through the act of 'saying sorry'. In that moment of conviction through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus leads us - and our church - into a place of revival. [Rob Densmore preaches on Luke 10:1-9, Luke 11:20, Matt 6:10, Rom 14:17, Matt 4:17]
The gift of baptism is the simple, public way of acknowledging that we are loved by God. And in agreeing to be loved, we accept God's work in setting us apart. We celebrate the baptism of Charlotte, James and Georgia. It is a sign that God is at work in them; and it is a sign that God is at work in His church. [Rob Densmore preaches on Jeremiah 1:4-10]
It is sometimes challenging to think that followers of Jesus are called to the same healing ministry as the early disciples. But the existence of the supernatural - both the Holy Spirit and the demon realm - is no less real today than it was 2,000 years ago. And the reality is, the Spirit of Jesus wills people to be healed - and delivered from demons - even today. [Rob Densmore teaches on Acts 16:16-28]
As followers of Jesus, how do we approach questions of illness, pain, injury and disease? According to the Bible, we need to be bold, yet sensitive - direct, but gentle. In the end, the power to heal rests in the Holy Spirit - God, Himself. [Rachel Howlett teaches on Acts 3:1-11]
One of the statements of St Saviours vision is 'Living in the fullness of God'. Belinda Thomas explores what this means in the life of the church, using the parable of the prodigal son. [Belinda Thomas speaks on John 1:16]
This is Vision Sunday at St Saviours. It focuses on God's calling for this church, in this season, in this place. Join us as we come together as a church family to live out the 5 statements that make up our calling. [Rob Densmore talks on 2 Corinthians 3:7-18]
If we don't tell the whole story of creation, it will be nothing more than a story: flat and fictional. But God never intended His story to be separate from your story. And so creation is also about you. What is God creating in you today? [Rob Densmore speaks on Genesis 1:1-27]
Of nearly all the messages that Jesus Christ left with us, why is 'love your neighbour' one of the most important? It is at once tied into how we confront those around us, and more deeply tied to how we think of ourselves. Do we actually love ourselves? What does Jesus have to say about this part of our faith? [Edward Leigh-Wood speaks on Matthew 22:34-40]
What is our calling in the wider church? Is it to embrace our titles, our rank, our position? Or is it about embracing our need for Jesus Christ? Because it is from this place of need - that the overpowering goodness of the Holy Spirit flows. [Pioneer minister Trevor James speaks on Luke 18:9-17]
When did evangelism become something we 'do' to other people? When we look closely at how Jesus and the disciples modelled this, we quickly realise that evangelism requires deep relationship building ... and personal sacrifice. As evangelists, we are in this for the long term - and we have a lot to learn along the way. [Cam Densmore speaks on John 21:1-14]
The Apostle Paul knew power. He knew military power, and the power of Empire. And he knew how convincing it would be to say that Christians had the backing of princes and kings. But of course he never says this and the power that we are left with today - the power to change lives, the power to heal, the power to be saved - all comes directly from one source. He is a person; He is God. And He is the Spirit of Jesus Christ. [Rob Densmore speaks on Romans 13:1-7]
The calling of the clay is to be shaped by the potter's hands. In that place, we find that God can truly shape us into who we are meant to be. He can also reveal His glory through us when we have committed to being shaped by Him. [Dave Parr speaks on 2 Corinthians 4:7-15]
How can death be a good thing? The Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Romans knowing full well that 'freedom' and 'death' are not ideas that normally go hand in hand. But in fact, the death that Paul talks about is only made possible by Jesus Christ - and it is death to the cosmic force that leads us to hurt ourselves and others. The important thing is that we can choose to really live - by dying in Jesus Christ. (Rosi Lewis on Romans 6:3-14)
Have you ever been skeptical of the Holy Spirit? Maybe you've been a Christian for a while or maybe you've never been to church before at all. The Spirit is actually crucial to experiencing faith - and not just faith, but life in the fullness that God has promised us. He's not magic, He's actually real. And He wants nothing less than to show you the glory of God. (Rachel Howlett on Romans 8:18-27)
If you're coming at this faith thing from the outside, you may think that Christians have it all together (or at least think they do). But the truth is the cross brings crisis into all of our lives. Jesus Chris introduces discontinuity into everything we're used to. And this is good. You need it. Dependency on Christ means freedom from everything else that is holding you back and weighing you down. (Rob Densmore on Romans 12:1-8)
God's love is intricately bound up in your life. In fact, His love for us is bigger than we could ever imagine? But sometimes, we need to look closer to be reminded of this truth. It's all about knowing where to look. Who was there in the very beginning? Who was breathing His life into you before you were conceived? Whose image are you made in? (Belinda Thomas preaches on Romans 5:1-21)
The law kills. That's what the Apostle Paul says. But how is this possible? It happens to be a question of lordship. Everyone, Christian or not, has a lord and we spend our lives investing our relationship towards that lordship - and following the 'rules' in that relationship. So what does Jesus have to say about this? His faith is the only thing that saves - and it is absolutely for you. [Rob Densmore preaches on Romans 3:19-26].
David and Shelley Stokes are Christian missionaries who have committed their life's work to working alongside native communities in Argentina. The Stokes are now soon to retire from their calling, but not before David leaves one final challenge for the church. John 12:20-33
The Holy Spirit wants access to your life. But the Spirit of Jesus is not going to force his way in. He wants your 'yes' before he changes anything. Faith is voluntaristic, but not individualistic. When we say 'yes' to Him, we agree to be part of His team, to serve the the body of Christ, to put ourselves last if need be. Funny enough, this is His plan for you to get through the Crucible - whatever yours may be. (Rob Densmore on Acts 2:1-40)
Belinda Thomas reveals the truth about God's deep interest in the lives of random strangers. As church, we often gravitate towards our own kind; or we may be fearful of bringing the good news to complete strangers. But the story of Jonah is full proof evidence of God's command for us to reach out - even to those whom we feel are beyond his love. (Jonah 3:1-10, 4:1)
Jesus Christ has set before each of us the opportunity to journey with him. Sometimes it is not easy, but the transformation is always real and always necessary. For inspiration, we need only look to Jesus on the cross, who took on the sin of the world in order to win your heart. Based on 2 Chronicles 7:14 - talk by Rachel Howlett.
When you pray for Disciple Zero, that individual may be the very person that Jesus wants to use to start a revolution. They may never be famous, they may never be star quality ... but often times it's these people whom Jesus wants to bring to faith - in order to bring others to faith. Who is the Disciple Zero in your life? And when will you start praying for them to come to believe? Based on John 3:16-21 - talk by Rob Densmore.
To career Christians, being 'born again' can feel freighted with negative connotations. Maybe it makes us think of people we'd really rather not be like. But taking Jesus' story at face value unlocks an important truth about what being born again means. Rather than being someone else, we are being who God made us to be (which looks different one person to the next). Most importantly, we are entering the vivid colourful world of the Holy Spirit in all His fullness - something Jesus Christ really desires for us.
Jesus confronts the stages of his own grief, lives them, breathes them, and wrestles with them. All of this has to come before acceptance. Jesus perfects acceptance, but we often struggle. Sometimes we struggle to accept things in our personal lives; sometimes we struggle to accept things in church life. This shared life is not about sweeping the past under the rug; it is about facing our challenges with honesty and integrity as we journey to the cross.
Why is it that we are always looking to prove our worth to God (and maybe a little bit to others, as well)? The Spirit of Jesus calls before he qualifies - this is the promise of God's wisdom, and God's intelligence. Rachel Howlett unpacks what it really means to be 'called' in today's church.
Belinda Thomas shares the ground breaking truth of Easter. Is this just another historical event or is this the hinge around which your life will turn in a bold new direction? We are emerging from a season of hardship, but hope for the future is here now - and on offer for everyone. Even (and especially) you.
What would we have done on that day when Jesus came into Jerusalem? If we had been there? Would we have chosen to align ourselves with his cause, or turned away? Or maybe both? The fact is, Jesus comes to save us regardless of where we stand, regardless of the state of our hearts. The invitation stands on the power of the cross - and that is all that is needed to find new life in Him.
Mark Searle, the Rector of All Saints Weston in Bath, talks about the freeing power of Jesus Christ. It is this power that ignores rank, status and exclusivity in order to invite all of us to be sons of our Father in Heaven - the one true privilege that outshines any other.
There is very real power in praying the Lord's Prayer. It's the very same prayer that Jesus taught his disciples - and that the Bible continues to teach us today. But what does it mean? What are we actually praying for? Chances are, its impact and implications are far bigger than most Christians realise.
What do you think about exorcism? Demons? The supernatural? Edward Leigh-Wood shows us how the ministry of Jesus Christ has empowered Christians today to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. The implications are life changing - both for the church and for those who desperately need healing.
The power of the cross is straightforward, though not simple. And while there may be so much we do not understand, we are invited to accept one basic premise. No matter how far we think we've separated ourselves from Christ, he's willing to cover that distance in his journey to the cross.
One of the biggest challenges for the worldwide church today - is church. How we think about church - and what it's for - can be a complicated prospect. There are traditions, legacies, rites and doctrines ... but if these things fell away tomorrow, what would be left? The same question holds in our personal lives - if everything that we were used to, and comfortable with, disappeared tomorrow, would would be left? Scripture has an answer for us - when all things pass away, the Spirit of Jesus remains. What is your hope founded on?
People often think that the Prophet Joel is predicting terrible things to come in the far distant future. In truth, he is talking about the life saving power of God. This power is devoted to freeing His people from slavery - and this promise exists today for each of us. Jesus is the key to realising that freedom in our lives. It is so powerful that it can even redeem the years that we have lost to tragedy.
How can being vulnerable bring us closer to Jesus Christ? Belinda Thomas shows us how the story of the Apostle Peter brings this to life - both in the way that he pressed into faith, and the way that he allowed himself to be transformed for the work of the Gospel. In all of this was a profound willingness to to be open to God.
Church can seem complicated - programmes, groups, plans and strategies, etc. But the reality is, a living church still has to commit to the same ethos as the early church in Acts chapter 2. And at the core of this ethos - is surrender. It's what makes personal transformation - and church transformation - possible. All in the power of Jesus Christ.
Signs and wonders make up one of the most compelling parts of the story of Acts of the Apostles. For some of us, these kinds of miracles may be beyond our comprehension. But the focus of miracles in Acts is always the same - to glorify Jesus.
In Luke 9, Jesus launches his disciples on a training exercise, but they are fully vested with Jesus' power and authority. It turns out that the training mission is now the real thing. People are going to be healed. The Kingdom of God is going to be proclaimed. And the mission continues to this day. That apostolic leadership carries on today - because Jesus' full power and authority is still on offer.
Ever want to know the Bible better? To be a better public speaker? To be more strategic in evangelism and mission? These are all great things - but having them doesn't make us better disciples. Everything you need to know to be an evangelist, a prayer minister, or a missionary - you probably already know. There is (enough) power in the name of Jesus.
Christmas this year is a bit different, sure. But is it somehow worse, simply because we can't follow all of the traditions we normally would? There is a whole generation, born in lockdown, who just might understand better what this is all about .....
Who was Mary before Gabriel came to her? Without worldly fame or authority or status, Mary would have almost certainly gone unnoticed. But the Holy Spirit descends over her - and her soul magnifies the Lord. What would it look like to live our lives magnifying the Lord? And what would a church look like that spent its time, energy and resources magnifying the Lord?
Dave Parr walks us through Jesus' promise, quoted from the prophecy of Isaiah - 'this is the year of the Lord's favour'. How can we imagine Jesus is at work in this promise, even now as we look back on the crisis that has been 2020? The fact is, his promise still holds - and he is still releasing people from captivity, and still holding to his promises for our lives.
Isaiah's prophecy reveals the power of God at work in the world, and His desire to draw humans in as witnesses to that saving power in Jesus Christ. But we don't have to watch from a distance. The Holy Spirit invites us to experience this same power in our own lives.
It's the beginning of Advent, a time of waiting and expectation for the birth of Jesus Christ. As a church, it's the perfect time to reflect on where we've come from - and to hear what God has to say about where we are going. I think the Holy Spirit may be calling us to be a city on a hill.
Giving is and should be a selfless act - but, most of all, it is an act of love. When we give our gifts we are really sharing the blessings that the Holy Spirit has already given us. And money is no different. There is no guarantee that God will fill our coffers with lots of excess. But when we step out in faith as a church, with Jesus at the centre, we can have every expectation that God will provision us with just what we need - to spread the good news throughout our community.
The Holy Spirit wants to release all kinds of people into leadership. But what kind of leaders is He looking for? Apostolic leadership is really about adapting how we view the world, and how we view other people. Apostolic leaders lead with a heightened sensitivity to what Jesus is doing in people around them - even if these are the kinds of people we'd least expect in church. Petrina Jones, Pastor of the The Living Room, talks about her own story - and the journey from addiction, to faith, to leadership.
As we embark on this new season as 'church', we are still invited to live in God's glory. Cam and Rob talk about the story of God's glory in our present context. It stretches from the past, right into the future - and even includes those who are yet to come to faith. As Jesus hangs dying on a cross, he is thinking of his Father's glory - and invites the crucified criminal at his side into the Kingdom of Heaven. He is still thinking of that glory, and inviting more and more people in! Even the unlovely.
Being invited into sharing a burden doesn't sound enticing, right? But Jesus invites us into a sharing of burdens that flourishes into the deepest relationship possible. This invitation also encourages us to lay down the things that are getting in the way of this relationship. Our hope as Christians is not distant or mystical. It is solid and everpresent, and his name is Jesus.
When the Jews fled slavery in Egypt, they fled with God in their midst. Ours is a God who provides, who protects and provisions - as well as saves. So why is it so hard to say yes to the all encompassing promises of Jesus Christ?
In this first sermon leading St Saviours Church Bath, Rob Densmore talks about a simple truth that can get us through the rest of our lives. Jesus' love is totalising. It covers us, beginning to end, through life's highs and lows.