Hope Church Newham - Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Hope Church Newham
Exciting and engaging teachings and studies from the Christian faith. Dealing with spirituality, religion, society and culture. We delve into a wide expanse of topics and truth directly from the leaders at Hope Church Newham.
Hebrews 12 urges us to run with perseverance, fix our eyes on Jesus, and endure like Him. Learn how to stay focused and strong in the race of faith.
Hebrews 11 shows faith in action—trusting God’s promises as certain. Learn what faith is, what it’s not, and how biblical heroes lived by faith.
Explore Hebrews 9 and learn how Jesus’ perfect sacrifice surpasses the old covenant, securing eternal redemption and salvation for all who believe.
Explore Hebrews 8 and learn why Jesus offers a better covenant—first-hand, personal, loving, and Spirit-filled—making the old covenant obsolete.
Explore Hebrews 7 and learn why Jesus is the ultimate High Priest. His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice offers eternal security and surpasses all human efforts.
Hebrews 6 calls us to trust God’s unchanging promises and hold fast to hope in Christ—our anchor for the soul and High Priest who secures our salvation.
We explore why Jesus is the ultimate High Priest. Unlike earthly priests, He is perfect, eternal, and appointed by God. He understands our struggles, sympathizes with our weaknesses, and offers eternal salvation.
Hebrews 4 teaches about God’s promised rest—available through faith in Christ. Strive for this rest with obedience and perseverance, not by earning but by grace.
Hebrews 3 urges us to consider Jesus, greater than Moses, and hold fast in faith. Avoid hardened hearts, encourage one another, and stay anchored in Christ.
Hebrews 2 calls us to stay anchored in Christ, avoid spiritual drift, and embrace the great salvation confirmed by Jesus, miracles, and the Holy Spirit.
Discover why Jesus is greater in Hebrews 1: the heir of all things, Creator, sustainer, and purifier of sins—superior to angels and equal with God.
In this short teaching, we reflect on the prayer of Jabez from 1 Chronicles 4:9–10. Jabez asked God for four things: blessing, expanded territory, divine presence, and protection from harm. And God granted his request.
Discover Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals. Learn how God’s healing power transforms lives beyond the physical in this powerful teaching.
Discover the meaning of Jehovah Jireh – “The Lord Will Provide” – through the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. Learn how this name points to God's ultimate provision in Jesus Christ and challenges us to live by faith.
Discover the power of El Shaddai—God Almighty, Promise Keeper, and Overcomer. From Abraham to Moses, see how God fulfils His promises and transforms lives. Trust, abide, and find peace in Him.
Explore the meaning of Jehovah Nissi – “The Lord is my Banner” – in this inspiring message from Exodus 17. Learn how God empowers us to persevere and win spiritual battles through faith and divine strength.
Discover how God's name Shalom reveals His peace in our chaos. From Gideon’s fear to Christ’s sacrifice, this message shows how peace is found in God's presence.
Discover the power behind the name Elohim—the Strong Creator God. This reveals how Elohim is omnipresent, personal, creative, and restorative.
Discover how Paul proclaimed Christ in a secular culture, confronting idols, connecting with thinkers, and calling for repentance in Acts 17. Learn how to witness boldly today using biblical strategies for engaging a skeptical world.
Discover how Paul proclaimed Christ in a secular culture, confronting idols, connecting with thinkers in Acts 17. Learn to witness boldly...
Acts 13 shows us what it looks like when a church listens, trusts, and sends. The Antioch church models unity, worship, and a bold commitment to God's mission.
God’s grace knows no bounds! In Acts 10, Peter learns that the Gospel is for everyone — Jew and Gentile alike. Through Cornelius’ faith and Peter’s obedience, we see the Holy Spirit move in power. Grace truly is for all.
Philip follows the Spirit’s lead and shares the Gospel with an Ethiopian official in a powerful one-on-one encounter. A reminder that local mission starts with Christlike love and a Gospel-ready heart.
Part 5 of our Unstoppable series shows how choosing faith over fear and multiplication over control leads to explosive growth in the early church. Even in persecution, the gospel cannot be stopped.
Discover the power of holiness in Acts 4–5. Learn from the early church’s unity and the serious warning of Ananias and Sapphira.
In Part 3 of our "Unstoppable" sermon series through the Book of Acts, we dive into the transforming power of prayer—not as a last resort, but as the Church’s first response.
It also emphasizes the early church’s deep sense of community, marked by devotion to teaching, fellowship, shared meals, prayer, generosity, and unity.
The early church Christians were unstoppable because they moved in the power, purpose, and plan of God. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, they boldly became Christ’s witnesses, proclaiming the gospel with courage and conviction.
A warning & a challenge from the story of Simon the Sorcerer and Nicodemus to step into the risk & the joy of the Spirit filled life.
The Holy Spirit helps you remember the word of God and experience the fullness of God's presence. How can the Holy Spirit breathe into your life?
Learn how we can understand the holy Spirit through the water in the Bible. Holy Spirit Invitation is to come, draw near to Him. to become more like Jesus.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
The tearing of the Curtain so we can approach God. The Crown of Thorns is a symbol of people misunderstanding the kind of King Jesus. Look at what the Bible says about Jesus, don’t let others define who Jesus is.
The Rooster is a reminder of our sin & failure. A new day is here so write a new story!
Servant leadership is the single greatest contrast between spiritual & secular leadership.
The Alabaster Jar and 50 Pieces of Silver are Prophetic Signs of who Jesus is and a picture of the Cost of Following Jesus
We can be discouraged by comparison to others or even the lack of progress. But remember that God is with you!
Consider your ways and choose the hard right over the easy wrong. Seeking first the kingdom of God. Know obedience leads to blessing.
Jesus is the author of our redemption who empowers us with His Spirit, and he calls us to continue his mission.
Let's learn an understand the unlikely & unexpected men & women of faith in the Bible
Bold faith in times of compromise that Prepares for God’s Power. Faith by a simple Prayer Powerful in the Power of the Holy Spirt.
Mary's faith surrenders to God’s plan, Praises & Trusts in God’s promises, that leading to obedience, Perseveres and is rewarded.
How to develop faith to defeat giant of rejection. There is no doubt Jesus has won the victory! Jesus wins the battles!
First step of faith was not when they spoke to the King, it was when they chose not to bow down. Faith means we never stand alone.
You have no idea what God may produce through a single seed planted in Faith. Let's learn from Abraham.
Go outside, fish, dream and increase in faith while in step with the Spirit . Are you ready to live a Christian life with no limits?
We explore questions around the book of Revelation. There is a very real Spiritual Battle and no neutral position.
Eternity is more physical and spiritual than you think. Let's discover the Promise spoken, the warning to pay attention to an the invitation to receive.
The battle is won! So let's feast at the table and rule and reign while choosing to make a difference
The allure of Babylon and the seduction from it is a constant reminder for Christians in this world to be aware against it. How can you raise your awareness?
Our response to God’s real and just wrath is to stay awake, worship and know it is done. Join us in our study and understanding.
God has so much wrath because He is love. The Bible always frames God’s wrath as giving humans what they want.
We fight by being holy, through worship and powerful prayer and be hospitable to others radically. Let's fight back.
The schemes of the enemy are accusation, deception and death. Are you aware of these devices he uses?
We must prioritise remaining steadfast in speaking God's word and exemplifying our devotion to the Church if we want to make the most of the time we have.
Revelation is honest about suffering, closer to reality than you think and full of hope. We must learn to Serve, Shelter and drink from the Spring
As we shall see in the rest of Revelation conquering through death is the paradigm of how Christians should respond to the Empire
What excites Jesus? What gets under his skin? How can you live a victorious life in Jesus? Let's delve into the Book of Revelation.
Let us grow in our worship of the Lord Jesus. Discover the Lord who is Powerful, gentle, caring and holds the keys to the future through the book of Revelation.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
A preaching series going through the gospel of Mark focusing on Jesus Chapter by Chapter.
We are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone, to the Glory of God alone.
Learning to have a generous heart through the foundation of giving, the early church developed the mindset of Christian giving.
3 Questions all need to be answeredWhy Are you crying? Who are you looking for? Will you fall before Jesus as Lord?
Jesus is our victory over Satan. Understand the schemes of Satan and demons and live in the victory of Jesus.
Let's understand, the masterfulness of Sin and its inherent sickness in us, so we can know why we need to be redeemed by God the perfect Judge. Are we guilty of Justified?
We must be continually reminded it is not about being good or religious – we can forget what the gospel truly is! The opposite of the gospel is idolatry. Who makes us right with God?
All mankind has a choice – Jesus' blood or your blood? With Jesus we are made right with God,cleansed and set free
Divine encounters so often happens in the context of pain & suffering in different environments, when we are in the Spirit to reveal something new about who God is and glorify Jesus!
As Christians, our divine encounters should be all about Jesus – will often reveal more about Jesus than about usWe aren’t Moses / Gideon / Isaiah. We aren’t the “main character”, Jesus is. A divine encounter should point us to Jesus
Even in the darkest or ordinary times. The most unlikely of us from a place of grief, pain & suffering can encounter God.
Gradually then Suddenly. From this Church flows the transforming life-giving river of God to the world. We must learn how to be the flow God wants to channel through daily. Let us exercise the river of God's grace.
Even in the darkest or ordinary times. The most unlikely of us can be given what we lack through an Encounter with God.
Divine encounters come when we are faithful, in times of solitude and to equip us for action. Will we grow curious today and use our wilderness season to encounter God?
God has provided for you. What can we learn from the story of Abraham and the potential sacrifice of his only son Isaac?
One word in God’s eyes stands above the rest: Faithful. Habakkuk 2:4 NLT. Every interaction is an opportunity to add value
In 2024 I can know my identity and experience Jesus. Living my unique life, owning my struggle whilst I seed 2024 with prayer.
Let's take a brief look to remind ourselves what Christmas is about. Sometimes we can lose sight of it, or we may not know. Let's understand.
In our battle with sin, we must deal with it, accept consequences and fight in the mind whilst depending on God's Grace.
Sin is miserable and consequences follow, However, the amazing grace of Jesus shines even amid our darkness.
God’s grace pursues you it is a promise in action which gives us everything and treats all people the same. It is the Amazing grace of God!
‘So often we have our hands so full with our own plans that it stops God from pouring out his riches, blessings & plans into our lives…..’
The relationship we have under the true Shepherd King. Jesus is the one who unites us all.
When David meets a Godly woman named, Abigail, how does she show a remarkable moment in her life story? How can we learn also?
Have we substituted holy living towards God for other things? When our relationship with God slips, holiness always decreases. Do we need to draw back to God?
How will you live and react when trials & persecution come? Do you believe in God's power to save you in the hardships?
Not knowing the future helps you to take one day at a time. God wants you to enjoy today! Discover relationships.
King David was one of the greatest men in the bible. His transparent life was written to share his triumphs and failures.
We are called to Love God and love others by sharing the good news of Jesus and growing a community of devoted disciples.
We cannot save ourselves – only Jesus. The purpose of the cross is to call people to God. What are your ‘marks for Jesus’?
How to walk by the Spirit, bear others burdens, restore others gently and carry your own load.
Spirit and flesh have different appetites – in conflict! Live out and act on the truth of Jesus' victory!
We do not need to add anything to the work of Jesus. However, we find ourselves trying to add as if there is a shortfall in Jesus' work for us. Let us refresh our minds.
Freedom has no middle ground, it is an inheritance. Beware of turning good things into God things. Freedom doesn’t mean shedding helpful things.
A challenge to us as Christians to live free as we have been set for from the religious frameworks to experience God as our Heavenly Dad. Have you matured to believe so?
What are the personal, scriptural & logical arguments for the grace of God? Jump into this teaching from Galatians.
How do you know who you are in Christ? How can you discover your unique calling? We are all ONE in Christ.
You are each a unique story of God’s grace. You are each saved by God alone. You each have a message to tell.
Galatians was written because the Gospel had been distorted. Is there only one gospel? Why does truth matter?
Apathy means without suffering. In practice - choosing the path of least resistance at every turn. How do we fight against it?
What is God's grace? What if any belief, is unique to the Christian faith? Let's find out what it is as we search.
Perception Management, we carefully craft an image to the world of how we want to be seen. Why? We want to be liked.
Busyness robs you of Peace & Joy. The state of having or being involved in many activities. It creeps into our lives, and we don’t see it as a big deal.
How do you handle greed in your life? The want for more money, fame or influence? Let us discover the power of these habits and how to overcome them.
How do you deal with pride in your life, the habit towards ego? How can you clothe yourself in humility?
Everyone wants a miracle, but no one wants to be in a situation that necessitates one! (can’t have one without the other)
Just one touch – the simplest of things! Touch Jesus – reach out & touch. In silence, she touched. Your miracle requires MOVEMENT.
Look through the darkness & see the Great I Am when we suffer from tribulations & trials in our lives. Jesus shows up in these places
Submission is the correct heart posture before a miracle happens. When we let go of our status and depend on God's glorious power.
We need courage and practice with the help of the Holy Spirit to see miracles happen in our everyday. This message opens your mind and heart to the truth about miracles from the story of the 'Pool of Bethesda.
Learn about some of the miracles of Jesus and how we can live in the miraculous each day of our lives as believers in Christ.
Understand the meaning of prayer through your walk as a Christian. Is it important to pray? Is it effective to pray? Let's dive in to understand.
Salvation is through Jesus alone. Gardens have a significance in the bible which links to salvation. Discover where and how.
Jesus trumps religion in every aspect. Learn about the way Jesus has made for each of us before God in heaven.
Life is hard and hits us all as it did Joseph. We must realise that even though the enemy means to do evil to us, God will turn for good.
Joseph wanted his remains to be taken back to Egypt. 300 years later Israel was enslaved. How can we know how God is moving us forward and making us uncomfortable?
Joseph meets his brothers and the showdown ensues. What can we learn from Joseph and the power of forgiveness through our lives?
How did Joseph deal with seeing his brothers after so many years? We too must heal from our past, but how do we?
Finally, Joseph in Pharaoh's court, advise the kingdom of Egypt. It's time for him to face his trauma, and his past and deal with it. How can we take instruction from his time of success?
The life of Joseph teaches us as Christians to depend on God's timing, be in but not of the world, give God glory in our success and operate from a healthy place.
Joseph is wrongfully placed in prison, and it can get any worse for him. Learn how he navigates life in prison through God's great grace.
How can you make the best use of the time God has given you? In a world where we can make an impact, what steps can you take?
Joseph was solicited by Potiphar's wife to lay with her. He was tempted to indulge sexually or to secure his position. When faced with temptation, how do you respond?
Joseph's jacket was more than just a present from his father. It spoke of a future destiny where God's favour would raise Joseph to the heights of power in Egypt. How can we know God's blessing?
We start this preaching series on the life of Joseph and how God used unsuspecting circumstances to drive Joseph towards the destiny which God had for him. Where in your life is God giving you dreams pointing towards destiny?
We believe in the God who does not change, does not fade or alter like a shadow. Now how does your faith respond to this truth in 2023?
The Christmas Story is all about Jesus, being born to earth and stepping into our place as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The only genuine question is "What will be your response to his call to repentance?"
The significance of Bethlehem really shines a light on the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ. Those small and rejected, the saviour of the world was born here, all nations welcomed here.
Many times we see the battles we face in the church between each other. However, we can lose sight of the reality of the true war and the fight around us is not with each other, but with the Devil.
Growing in relationship with Jesus in a tangible, intimate way. How? What are the steps we can take to experience more of Jesus?
Victory comes to the one who believes in Jesus Christ. What we believe is essential for eternal life and life right now! It does matter who Jesus is and what we believe
Loving others when we don't feel like doing so, can be the most challenging action to show. We read it in the Bible about how we can stay in the climate of Love. So let's understand practical steps to love each day of our lives.
Jesus came to defeat the work of Satan through sin, the indwelling attitude to disobey God and desire what is unholy and evil. How do we know if we are in sin?
Scripture teaches us about truth, the truth of God. However, we can often find ourselves as Christians misled and deceived by slight facts, which sound good but are filled with deception. How can you know?
We journey through key scriptures to understand who we are as Christians. How should we behave and live it out?
God is light and so it is important that God’s people walk in the light – Does your whole lives reflect God?
Living the Christian life is a journey of endurance, but how do we know that we are going to make it? What are the assurances?
There is nothing great about mud, a mixture of water and dirt. It's messy and dirty, however, it has significance in the bible and towards us. What can you see when you look at mud?
We go through many challenges through our walk with Jesus. The real question to ask ahead of others is, how do you fight your battles?
How do we go about releasing the Kingdom of God? A subject that can be hard to understand, but crucial to know. Discover the steps to being more effective with Jesus.
We conclude this series on More Like Jesus with the final but not least two fruits - gentleness and self-control. How can you be gentle and show self-control in your life as a Christian?
How can we be good and faithful in a world that doesn't hold much promise? We deep dive into the Fruits of the Spirit and to be more like Jesus.
How do you view suffering? How do you show kindness? We deep dive into the fruit of the Spirit to help us live more like Jesus.
The Perfect Peace of God is NOT found in the absence of problems as Happiness & Joy are both very different. How do we develop this fruit?
We’re called to grow in the fruits of the Spirit and as we do, we grow to be more like Jesus. Why are we called to love others and what effect does it have?
The world tries to convince us that having more will lead us to happiness. Jesus says come follow me, deny yourself and pick up your cross.
We may have never watched porn but it’s a big issue in our culture and as a church, we have a mandate to preach the good news to everyone and meet people where they’re at without judgement.
Do you want to be an active part of God’s family? Do you need to not only honour your natural parents but all of your fellow believers?
This interactive sermon discusses the realities of Anxiety. How should we deal with anxiety and the worries of life? Jesus tells us how.
This interactive sermon discusses the realities of forgiving others and ourselves. What does Jesus say to us regarding this prevalent issue we all face?
Jesus says to us ‘come follow me’ ‘join the adventure’ ‘come and have life in all its fullness’. A life of adventure models Jesus’ life.
A question that circles many minds in our world today, is where does God’s right to rule over all come from?
So much of our worry, stress and anxiety comes from information overload. What is the key to contentment?
God’s power does not change and is not bound by location or time. God’s power is always active. How will you use your God-given power?
God’s existence can’t be determined by what exists. How then should we respond to the God who is everywhere all the time?
How does God’s timing but 'our' perception of God’s timing affect us? How do we live and make the most of today?
What comforts can we take from God who never changes in a world that consistently does? Is God really unchangeable?
The extent of our creativity is limited because we are human and no one truly created anything except God. We rearrange what has been created, but God creates by the power of his word.
We often try to rival God, but we’re called to reflect God as Christ did, not to rival God and steal his glory as Satan tempts us to do. Learn how to know God.
Change is exhausting but what we do now matters and we have a faithful God who is at work, and this is a time to walk with him and see him do incredible things.
A misunderstood woman in church history, but a challenging character to believers today. The grace that was shown to her and the devotion she gave to Jesus, is a great tutor for our everyday walk with Jesus.
The challenge Pontius Pilate faced with the responsibility for the death of Jesus Christ. What can we learn?
Joseph was just doing what he could with what he had and didn’t know the impact those actions were going to have. We can feel insignificant and question what our purpose is, when we feel like that remember Joseph.
Barabbas was a notorious rebel, guilty of murder. Jesus not only took his place but gives us a new place. Will you choose the switch with Jesus?
Simon didn’t expect to carry the cross and many of us have unexpected encounters with suffering. God uses individuals like us to bring about his works and purposes.
Leading up to Easter Sunday, we are looking at some of the often-overlooked characters in the Easter story.
We continue our preaching series on Esther and the way God flips the destiny and outcome of both Queen Esther & the Jewish people.
We continue our preaching series on Esther and the way God flips the destiny and outcome of both Queen Esther & the Jewish people.
If pride is the problem, the answer is Jesus. We have hope because of God’s grace, sin and pride are dealt with through Jesus. Let us never lose the wonder of the cross.
If you can’t see God’s hand in your life or understand what he’s doing, obey what you know and be patient with what you don’t.
A church that is devoted, generous and sharing the love of Christ. A church that is diverse and creative.
What if the only thing between you and breakthrough is a season on your knees? When we pray we partner with God.
We travel through the book of Esther to understand what courage and grace look like today in the face of opposition.
The challenge from Esther is for us as Christians to stay faithful as God’s covenant people. We are called to be different, holy and set apart.
The challenge from Esther is for us as Christians to stay faithful as God’s covenant people. We are called to be different, holy and set apart.
Develop wisdom and grace for the year ahead. Let's learn from King David's response to adversity. Let's be encouraged and directed by scripture.
Nothing disqualifies you from Jesus and nothing disqualifies you from Christmas. Christmas is for everyone and we can all be written into the Christmas story when we put our faith in Jesus.
We need discernment for who to listen to and not be dazzled by outward appearance. The mark of a true teacher/prophet is sound doctrine and holy living.
Today’s culture is very individualistic, but Jesus says that it’s relationships and communities that matter. Attitude to our brother/sister, Matthew 7:1-5
Jesus flipped he’s audience’s thoughts on prayer, he showed that it’s not about the specific words or how often we pray, it’s all about coming to Jesus, our father.
These 4 questions are to challenge us and help us to learn and grow and are questions we need to keep asking ourselves.
Do you love before the altercation? Set the temperature! Don’t wait for it to get cold!
Jesus defines further the character of a Christian and defines these good works in terms of righteousness. Jesus fulfils the moral law of God as nothing will pass away or be discarded until it has been fulfilled.
Jesus gives us a warning in Matthew 5:13, if we are not bringing flavour, fighting decay or using our precious influence, how can we be called salt?
The description of a disciple of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount is in direct conflict with the world and we need the Holy Spirit to help us each day.
Matthew 5:7-12
In the Sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7, Jesus flips everything on its head and offers a description of what it looks like to be a Christian and be set-apart, and Jesus lived this out in his life.
Matthew 28:18-20What does it look like to be a disciple of Jesus? Jesus says to each one of us ‘come follow me. ’We’re all called to be disciple makers
To have peace in our lives we need to have a prayerful life. These three choices all point to Jesus and they work because they take our gaze off of our problems and make us look at Christ.
Paul says he hasn’t got this nailed down either, but that he continues to press on, everyday he chooses Jesus.
Where do you put your confidence?
Whose righteousness do you trust?
Do you want to know Christ?
Let’s press on and choose Jesus everyday, let’s press on into everything Christ has for us.
If you had the option would you genuinely choose humility?
Philippians 2v1-18
When you have the same mind, the same goal, the same purpose you “work together”.
Nehemiah saw that Israel was in a mess, so he left his comfortable home, came to Jerusalem and did something about the problem. But, as we read later in the bible, it wasn’t long before the Israelites did the same thing again.
The wall is complete and the enemies are afraid and disheartened and it seems like the end of the story. But it’s not, there is still opposition. It’s a helpful reminder that in life even when there’s breakthrough and wonderful things happening, there will still be challenges ahead and decisions we have to make.
Nehemiah initially faced opposition from outside, but now he’s facing opposition from those inside his community and one of the biggest threats to the church is relationships and unity within.
Your enemy is angry at your work for God & conspires to create confusion in your life. Do you ignore your enemy?
3 principles applied by Nehemiah and the Israelites in the way they’re rebuilding the wall that teach us something today:
4 months have passed between chapter 1 and chapter 2, in that time Nehemiah waited patiently for God to show him the next step.
Are your prayers big enough? Are they specific enough? Write them down and pray them consistently. Will you go with God through the process?
Refocusing, rebuilding and revival all start when we face the reality of the situation we’re in today and then with God’s help we’re to act.
We are distinguished by God’s presence and we have a guide and we have power, but there’s an ongoing action for us. In John 7:37-39 Jesus says come and drink and in Luke 11:13 Jesus says he’ll give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. Jesus is telling us to come to him, to drink and to ask. There’s an ongoing action needed.
‘Receives’ in Greek means to actively seek and the fact that Jesus would actively seek out sinners made no sense to the Pharisees and these parables are in response to this.
Digging deep into the understanding of the parable of the servants with talents. How does this apply to you in the modern age?
Alex Banks talks about the parable of the persistent widow and how it relates to us and our everyday walk with Jesus.
In this story, Jesus is saying if you want to earn your way into heaven love your neighbour as the Samaritan did. We’ll never be able to love like this all the time, Jesus was highlighting man’s inability to earn their place in heaven. We’re not the Good Samaritan, we’re the wounded man. Jesus came to earth to be our rescuer, he is the ultimate Good Samaritan.
God is speaking and we are designed to hear the voice of God and it happens when we’re in a relationship and in submission to God. Are you listening to him?
There’s a crisis of hope today, all around us is despair about the future, the economy, the planet, racism etc. There’s a fog of despair that lingers over us, the world is struggling to breathe due to lack of hope.
Jesus’ whole life and ministry had been leading up to the cross, the thousands of prophecies in the Old Testament, the battle against Satan, it was all finished at this moment and it was something that never has to be done again.
Will we continue with temporary fixes or allow God to give us the living water? When we rely on Jesus to quench our thirst it satisfies, it sustains and allows us to grow, nothing else in this world will do this.
Forgiveness won’t always be immediate, but over time the Holy Spirit will work on your heart to heal and sooth you. Next time you’ve been wronged, before you do anything, take a moment and remember that God has forgiven us, so we must forgive others.
The bible’s answer to suffering isn’t a neat answer, it’s a person dying on the cross so that one day we’ll never be forsaken.
There’s nothing wrong with asking questions of God, but as Jesus comes alongside us in these difficult times, we can know that Jesus asked the same question and that he is the answer.
In these verses Paul gives us practical teaching on how to share the gospel and here are five steps that Paul gives for how to share the gospel.
Being filled with the spirit is incredibly practical, let’s go into this week thinking that I will be clothed with power from on high or that I will drink and be filled with the Holy Spirit to go about my day. It’s something we need to do daily if not many times in the day.
Colossians 1 and 2 are full of glorious truths and explain the gospel, but in chapters 3 and 4 Paul gets practical and looks at how we connect what we believe with how we behave.
All of these things that Paul warns them about have something in common, they’re each sending the message that we’re not complete without them, you need these rituals, you need these super spiritual experiences and the extra rules to control yourself.
The greatest tragedy of life is that prayers go unanswered because they go unasked, what will you pray for in 2021?
The fullness of God exists in Jesus and only in Jesus, let’s dive into him and be excited that we can get to know who God is through Jesus.
The magnitude of Jesus, his supremacy and his glory is something we desperately need to understand. And all of what we’ve looked at today God says dwells in you because Christ is in us as a believer
If we want to pray in a similar fashion we need someone to teach us and the book of Colossians helps us with that.
In this world we hear these phrases a lot, ‘all religions are the same’, ‘each is as good as another’ but all of us need to hear that Jesus alone completes you, Jesus alone has dealt with your past, given you a place in heaven and made you complete.
In 2021 how will you live this year?
However challenging or difficult the year may be, no one else can be like you and impact the world for good like you can, let’s all live differently in 2021 and start one day at a time.
We’re going to look at 3 shafts of light from the Christmas story that will help us to walk in hope in 2021.
There’s an Angel appearing to a Jewish girl telling her she’s with child, wise men following a star, angels appearing to ordinary shepherds, there was no room at the inn and a baby was born in a manger
How are these storylines relevant to people today?
We also have to understand that true hope hinges on the Holy Spirit, when we’re carrying hope, ultimately what we’re carrying is the power of Jesus Christ at work in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
When called by God our response can often be like Jonah or Moses, but instead let’s be like Isaiah and say ‘here I am send me’. Let’s pray this every day, even if you mess up and ignore a prompting, keep going!
Praying God break me is challenging, but God’s greatest breakings lead to God’s greatest blessings. For some of us, from our deepest hurts and pains will come our most effective contribution to other people’ lives and to changing society, this is seen all throughout the bible.
When we pray this prayer and go through these steps, it’s a dangerous and uncomfortable prayer, but it’ll also lead us to the cross, Jesus has walked this way before us and we don’t have to be burdened by the weight of sin.
What if God’s greatest blessings comes from God’s greatest breaking. What if the most special blessings come from the other side of the pain and it moves you from a self-focus to an others focus. We all love comfort and that’s okay, but the problem is comfort never moved us to action and this is a dangerous prayer as it snaps us out of our self-centred pursuit of comfort and we look at the things God has called us to do.
There’s so many distractions in the world and we don’t always set aside time for the Lord, we try to do it on our own. But it’s time to change and say Lord here I am, your servant, I am listening. This week let’s pray ‘God speak to me, your servant is listening’ and let’s be still, be willing and be ready.
When you pray a dangerous prayer for boldness, boldness almost always triggers opposition, but don’t worry when you face opposition, Jesus is wonderful and is our Saviour who loves us, has forgiven us and has set us free. When we have a realisation of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, we want to share that grace and love whatever the opposition
It’s time for us to wake up from our slumber and take hold of Gods promises. Jesus didn’t shed his blood for nothing, let’s claim those spoils. The enemy doesn’t want us to know how powerful God is, but the more we read God's word the more we’ll know what he’ll do.
Whatever your background, no matter how far you’ve drifted God will restore you, God will bless you, and why?
Because we serve a God who specialises in helping people find what they didn’t mean to lose, a God who delights in restoration.
The world we live in today and the situations we see around us, tells us we need God, the world struggles with the gospel by trying to bargain its way to God or takes offensive at its simplicity. But the only way to eternal life and to fulfilment in this life is surrender to God.
We serve a God who specialises in doing a lot with a little. God doesn’t ask what do you want or what do you need, it’s what do you have, but we often look at what we have and think if I had more I could do more. Stop waiting for what you want and start working with what you have.
Only God could do this, but he wanted the three kings and their troops to dig a ditch. Some of us have a significant need in our life, today let that need drive you to God and to ridiculous faith. To dig ditches, start small and believe big.
Our challenge is, if we’re going to live lives of ridiculous faith, it starts with ridiculous commitment. Declaring that nothing’s going to hold us back, we’re going to burn our ploughs and we probably won’t know all the details but we step forward.