Sunday Sermons - Reality Church London: Recent Episodes
Reality Church London
Sunday sermons from Reality Church London by Pastor Bijan Mirtolooi and others. We are a community following Jesus, seeking the renewal of our city. For more information, please visit www.RealityChurch.London or email us at info@realitychurch.london
This week our Elder Toyin explores the tension found in Psalm 73 between the way of the righteous and the envy, temptation, and discontenment they can experience in this world. The remedy to this? Recognising God alone as our portion and prize.
This week Pastor Mike concludes our series looking at the Lord's Prayer by exploring what it means to be engaged in Spiritual Warfare.
This week Ed commences our Summer Series looking at a number of the Psalms. Psalm 2 confronts a world raging against God and his anointed King. Yet rebellion cannot overthrow Jesus. Through the apparent weakness of the cross, Christ reigns and wisdom means laying down our arms, honouring the Son, and finding refuge in him.
In our penultimate sermon on the Lord's prayer we hear how Jesus exhorts his followers to resist and fight temptation in their daily lives.
This week we explore the purpose and power of forgiveness. As forgiven people, it is our duty and responsibility to forgive those around us.
This week we continue our series through the Lord's Prayer looking at the phrase: "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."
In the Exodus narrative we encounter a God who demonstrates His unique power and care by providing food for the Israelites in their wilderness wanderings. This sermon explores what it means to rely on God for all our provision.
This week, Pastor Mike explores the challenging question: how can we discern God's will for our lives? Why does Jesus include this in the Lord's Prayer, and how can we come to know God through it?
This week, Pastor Mike explores the significance of the second petition of the Lord's Prayer. That is, what does it mean, and why are we to pray that God's Kingdom would come?
This week Pastor Mike continues our series through the Lord's prayer explaining what it means to 'hallow' the Lord's name
This week we welcome Bijan Mirtolooi, who serves as the senior pastor at Redeemer West Side. Today he looks at the first clause in the Lord's Prayer and explores the privilege and position Christians get in calling God 'our Father'.
This week we commence a new sermon series looking at the Lord's Prayer. Prayer is the distinct privilege and joy of the Christian, yet it is so often neglected. We hope this series encourages us and equips us to pray.
This week we conclude our series in Haggai looking at the gracious promise of God to secure and deliver a fruitul future for his people.
This week we continue our series through the book of Haggai seeing how the Lord works to restore a people who were walking away from him.
This week Toyin, one of our elders preaches on the second prophtic word which comes to Haggai, here the Lord promises his people that the glory of the new house will indeed be great.
In this sermon, we begin our series looking through the Old Testament Prophetic book, Haggai. When the Word of the LORD first comes to Haggai, he tells the people of God to consider their ways and make sure they have the right priorities.
Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as he appears to his closest friends and disciples following his resurrection, We see how their confused disappointment experience fresh revelation and turns to praise and worship.
This week we continue our Easter series and explore the story of Peter's denial of Jesus in the moments leading up to the crucifixion.
This week we begin our series over easter by looking at Jesus' institution of the New Covenant and it's sign; the Lord's Supper.
In our final sermon in this series, Pastor Mike explores why we did this series in the first place. It is not merely for people to think more about friendship, or try to make friends. But it’s to find friends who will help us grow together. The whole point of this series is building friendships whereby we can grow together in drawing closer to Christ.
This week Pastor Mike examines how the work of Christ radically unifies those who were once far-off and hostile toward one another and forms them into a diverse-and-united community.
This week Pastor Mike explores the importance of bearing one another's burdens and gospel-centered confrontation and confession.
This week Pastor Mike explores the importance of integrity in our friendships and relationships. In a world that values our own fickle desires more than our word; integrity has been diminished, and yet, it should be an indelible mark of the Christian life.
J. C. Ryle captured the significance of friendship well: “This world is full of sorrow because it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a disappointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it is a friend. Friendship halves our troubles and doubles our joys.” This remarkable narrative captures the radical nature of God-given friendship highlighted in the friendship between David and Jonathan.
This week Pastor Efrem Buckle from Ecclesia Church in Lewisham explores how Jesus commissions friendship as he empowers the disciples to take the gospel out to the whole world.
In our second talk exploring friendship in the Bible we see how Jesus sets the example to his disciples. In doing so, Jesus counters our cultural emphasis on transactional friendships and contends that our relationships must be characterised by self-sacrifice in order to actually flourish.
This week we being an 8 week sermon series looking at the theme of Friendship found in the Bible. Today as we explore this theme we recognise that man was created in the image of a God who is fundamentally relational and has created man to reflect that image.
This week we explore Isaiah 41 and see how God is sovereign over history, nations, and our lives. That he is the only one worthy of worship and our tendency to form idols in our own image.
This week Pastor Mike continues our series looking at the unfailing nature of God. Today we explore God's unfailing power.
At the start of 2026 we begin a mini-series looking at Isaiah 40. Here we see that God is a God whose promises never fail. Central to our knowledge of this is his self disclosure and revelation to us in his Word.
Mike culminates our look at the coming of Christ to earth by exploring the story of the young Jesus being found in the temple in Jerusalem. We see how this unique story points to the mission that Jesus has come to achieve and the way in which it will be accomplished.
This week we continue our series looking at the nativity story as told through the gospel of Luke. In this sermon we explore lessons in waiting from two elders, Simeon and Anna, and see how Jesus really is the one we're waiting for.
This week Pastor Mike continues our Advent series looking at the announcement of the coming King in Luke's gospel account. This week we explore Mary's song of overflowing joy praising God.
This week, Pastor Mike examines the climactic teaching of Jesus in John 12, where he points the crowd and his disciples to himself as the light of the world.
This week Pastor Mike explores the tension right at the centre of John's Gospel: Jesus' radical claim that we find life by dying to ourselves. This tricky and prone to misunderstanding teaching is central to the life-giving truth of Christ.
This week Pastor Mike looks at Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and explores the tension between the king we think we need and the king we celebrate compared to the King Jesus, the One we truly need.
Mary's annointing of the feet of Jesus is one of the most profound moments of tender-hearted devotion seen throughout the Bible. She models the unashamed, total, and costly price we should place as we come before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
This week Pastor Mike continues our look at the story of Lazarus in John's gospel. This week we explore the glory of God in his power, in his care, and in his control.
This week we explore Jesus interaction with Mary and Martha as he encounters them following the death of their brother Lazarus.
This week Pete Norris, one of our Elders continues our series through the Gospel of John. This week we begin the story of the raising of Lazarus.
This week Mike continues our look through the book of John. This week we explore the foundational claim that the Father and Jesus the Son are one.
This week Mike explores the reality that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the Gate for His sheep. Those who know Jesus know and obediently follow his voice.
This week Pastor Mike continues our look through the book of John focusing on the second part of the story of the man born blind. This passage teaches us about the symptoms and dangers of spiritual blindness.
Jesus heals a man born blind, showing God’s power to bring light out of darkness. This passage invites us to see Christ clearly, trust His work in our weakness, and walk in the transforming light of the world.
Psalm 100 calls us to rejoice, serve, and worship the Lord with gladness. This week Pastor Yannick from Stockwell Baptist Church explores the joy, gratitude, and faithfulness God deserves, encouraging hearts to enter His presence with thanksgiving and celebrate His enduring love and faithfulness.
Psalm 121 asks, “Where does my help come from?” In this sermon, Ed explores how God, the Maker of heaven and earth, is our tireless Helper. His care is constant, His protection comprehensive, and His promise eternally secure—assuring us that He will lead His people safely home.
Psalm 101 isvision of godly leadership and integrity. David commits to walk blamelessly before the Lord, rejecting evil and surrounding himself with the faithful. This psalm challenges us to pursue holiness in both private and public life, living with integrity before God and others.
In Psalm 84 we see our deep longing for God’s presence, the journey of faith through trials, and the hope of our true home with Him. This week Pastor Mike explores how God meets us in our yearning, sustains us on the way, and calls us to live in His blessing.
This week Pastor Tim Chaddick (Reality Ventura) explores the first two Psalms. Often described as the two doorposts of the book. When read together these two psalm powerfully teach us what we should expect when we approach God. He redirects our path, reorients our perspective and restores our peace.
This week Pastor Christian Simas, who leads one of our sister churches Reality Stockton continued our Summer Psalms series exploring the beauty of the gospel found in Psalm 40. A song of hope which breaks through the noise of difficulties.
Kicking off our summer series looking at the book of Psalms Pastor Mike looks at Psalm 24. The question presented to us in the text is who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? We find that there is only one man who can qualify.
This week Pastor Mike continued our series through the Gospel of John. As the tension rises in Jesus' discourse with the crowd at the feast of tabernacles Jesus exposes the power of sin to promise false freedom when the only true freedom we experience is when we serve Christ.
As Mike continues our series we explore Jesus' claim that he is "the light of the world". What is his proof for the claim and what is his purpose? These are themes explored today.
This week Pastor Mike explores the issue of John 7:53-8:11 noting the tension this passage faces within the wider Biblical canon but also the lessons we can learn from this most intriguing text.
This week Pastor Mike continues our series through the book of John as he explores Jesus' actions during the final days of the Feast of Tabernacles, where Jesus highlights a religious ritual which was always intended to point to him.
This week we look at Jesus' interaction with his brother, the crowd, and the Jewish leaders during the Festival of Tabernacles. Here we see Jesus contend with the the people's ideas of popularity, credibility, and morality.
This Easter Sunday, Pastor Mike explores a famous interaction Jesus had with the religious leaders of his day. Right at it's heart Jesus affirms, that He is the bread of life and that all who come to him will live.
This week Toyin explores the famous story of Jesus walking on the sea of Galilee. We must always remember to withold our preconceived notions of who God is and should be and instead look firmly at Jesus.
This week Pastor Mike explores Jesus's feeding of the 5,000 as recorded in John's gospel. In this story we see Jesus' identity and Jesus' mission. The question remains: do we come to Jesus because of who he is - or because what he can do for us?
As we continue our series through the Gospel of John, Jesus continues his discussion with the Pharisees regarding his own authority. Jesus labours to show them John the Baptist, the Scriptures and his own works all testify that he really is the Son of God. The question remains, do you believe him?
This week Pastor Tim Chaddick from Reality Ventura continued our look through the Gospel of John. Crucially, we are all under some authority the only question is; who or what is the authority we are under? This week we see the only one truly worthy and the one who has ultimate authority is Jesus.
This week Pastor Mike restarts our series looking at the gospel of John. As we do so we explore one of Jesus' healing miracles at the pool of Bethesda. Here we see that Jesus reveals, restores, and reminds us of the reality he has come to bring.
This week Ed explores the importance of worship in the Christian life and the church. Demonstrating that Christ's peace forms the foundation, His word provides substance, and God's glory becomes the ultimate aim.
This week Pastor Mike explores what it means to be a church devoted to prayer. Practically we notice that prayer is based on our relationship with God and it is given to encourage our reliance upon God.
This week we continue our series by looking at the third aspect the early church was devoted to. Devoted to the breaking of bread. We explore the significance of the meal in fostering community and unity and it's ultimate embodiment in the Lord's Supper.
This week Pastor Mike continues our series looking at the life of the very earliest church launched after the day of Pentecost. This week we see how the Apostle's teaching and the ministry of the Holy Spirit led to a community that was devoted to one another. Seeking the good of the other through joy, generosity, and sincerity.
This week Pastor Mike continues our series looking at the very first church. We see in Acts 2:42-47 four aspects which defined the early church, they were devoted to teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. But what does it mean and what does it look like to be devoted to teaching? This is the question we explore today.
This week we continue our series focusing on the church. We see that the central message of the church is a message of hope. In a world where we see so much decay and destruction, the reality of Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension reminds us that decay is not the end. God is at work building something better and more beautiful.
This week, Pastor Mike unpacks the significance of Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit was poured out. The Spirit empowers all believers, not just a select few, to share the gospel. Equally, we see the importance of unity in diversity and the importance of seeking the Holy Spirit.
This week Pastor Mike starts our new sermon series looking at the role of the church and especially the vision of Reality Church London, that we want to be; "A community following Jesus, making Him known, seeking the renewal of the city".
Psalm 111 invites us to behold at the greatness of God through His works, His wisdom, and His faithfulness. Today, Pastor Mike explores how this psalm calls us to respond with reverence and gratitude to God's unmatched goodness
This week, Pastor Mike continues our Advent series. We focus on the first few verses of John's letters, seeing that Jesus was always the plan from the very start.
This week Pastor Mike kicks off our Advent series looking at the Song of Zechariah found in Luke's gospel. This Song is a prophetic announcement of the salvation that God is about to bring to his people through the coming of Jesus Christ, and Pastor Mike explores how the themes of this song apply to our daily lives.
Bringing to end our first part of our series in John - Mike looks at the healing of the officials son in John 4. The official demonstrates exemplary faith as he seeks Jesus for the good of the other and trusts the word the he says.
Continuing our series looking at the Gospel of John, Pastor Mike shows us that crucially we must be people with our eyes open to see what God is doing within our communities and in our time.
This week, Pastor Dave Lomas from Reality San Francisco continues our series through the Gospel of John. Showing us that the only place we can find true, abiding, and lasting satisfaction is when we meet Jesus and as him for a drink.
This week Pastor Mike continues our look at the Gospel of John asking us the crucial question of whose kingdom we are ultimately building. John the Baptist was never worried about the gaining notoriety and influence of Jesus, and was always quick to point his followers to Jesus. He must become greater and we must become less - but in so doing we find our true and ultimate fulfilment.
John 3v16 is perhaps arguably the most widely known verse in the entire bible, but what does it actually mean? Well, to help us understand this famous verse, Pastor Mike explores the wider context of John 3 showing us the centrality of the new life we have by Christ.
This week Pastor Mike continues our series on John's Gospel. True worship matters to Jesus and we see it clearly this week as he clears the temple courtyard of those who were buying and selling animals to be used for sacrifice. The issue wasn't in the business happening, the issue was where the marketplace had formed.
This week Pastor Mike looks at Jesus' first recorded miracle in John's Gospel, the turning of water into wine. Although this story may be familiar to many of us, we explore the deeper truths that this miracle points towards.
This week Pastor Mike continues our look through the Gospel of John. Showing us how Jesus is the centre of the story, how he steps into our story, and indeed invites us to come and see the best story.
This week Pastor Bijan explores one of the fundamental realities of the Christian life. Being a follower of Jesus means we really need to follow him. Having Jesus be the ultimate desire of our hearts is crucial.
This week Pastor Mike continues our series looking at our series on the Gospel according to John. This week we explore the character of John the Baptist and his call for us to 'Behold the Lamb of God'.
This week Pastor Mike Sohn looks at the introduction to John's gospel account of the life and ministry of Jesus. Seeing that Jesus is the ultimate and true reality with which we can understand this world.
This week Pastor Girma concludes our summer series looking at the Fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating that the fruit of the Spirit isn't an extraordinary part of the Christian life, rather they are the characteristics which frame its entirety.
This week Pastor Christian Simas from one of our sister church's Reality Stockton, continues our series on the Fruit of the Spirit looking at the aspect of Self-Control.
This week Edward Smith explores the character of Goodness. Biblically goodness is hard to pin down because it is found throughout the Bible and has different meanings and applications depending on the context. This week we explore how the book of Micah shows us what fake goodness looks like, what the marks of genuine goodness are, and what is the foundation of goodness.
This week Pastor Tim Chaddick explored the biblical concept of kindness and why it is it such a crucial and often overlooked characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit. To do this he unpacks the theme of kindness found in 2 Samuel 9, where David demonstrates the underserved, unreserved, kindness to Mephibosheth, the lame Son of Jonathan.
This week Pastor Efrem Buckle continues our series looking at the Fruit of the Spirit by exploring the godly characteristic of patience.
This week Pastor Bijan looks at John 14 to explore the characteristic of Peace and why it is so important in the Christian life.
This week Bijan concludes our sermon series looking at lives changed by an encounter with God. Curiously, God is hardly mentioned in the book of Ruth. At a time when we look for God to be active through a judge or king, God instead works out his will through the everyday faithfulness of his people.
This week Pastor Bijan continues our series looking at the fruit of the Spirit. This week we look at the characteristic of Joy and how the christian life is not joy devoid of sorrow, but how through Christ we may have joy amidst sorrow.
In 1 John 4 we get one of the best definitions of what love actually is in Scripture. The week Ed looks at the first characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit 'love' and shows us why it is absolutely central to the Christian Life
This week Pastor Bijan explores the life changing encounter that Isaiah has when he see's the Lord. When we encounter the Lord it is always through grace and it always leads us and pushes us into mission.
Continuing our four-part series, Pastor Bijan examines the encounter between God and Moses at the burning bush. In this we see the wonders of God as he meets with his people and challenges them to do things which would be impossible without faith.
This week we start a new sermon series at RCL. Throughout the next few weeks we will look at people from the Old Testament whose lives were dramatically changed when they encountered God. This week we see how this plays out in the life of Jacob.
This week Pastor Girma, as part of his ministry at the Gratitude Initiative, helps us see the value of Gratitude. Looking at the total and universal benefits of us delighting in God and all that he has done for us.
This week Pastor Mike Sohn from the Globe Church explores what it means for Christians to be both salt and light in the world. Asking the question, can those around us taste and see that we are followers of Jesus.
This week, in a stand alone sermon, Pastor Bijan shares the central mission for the church. We are to be a community that always points to and looks like Jesus.
This week Pastor Bijan culminates our series through Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Finishing by looking at how we may stand as a church for the good news of Jesus Christ.
This week Pastor Bijan explores the true purpose behind marriage and the ultimate reality to which it points.
This week Pastor Girma shares with us the amazing realities and truths that are found in Romans 8. These truths equip and encourage the Christian to face all things.
This week we recommence our Ephesians Series after our Easter break. Pastor Bijan explores how Ephesians 5:1-14 commands that the Christian is to live counter-cultural for the common good, and how we may a light in our city.
This Easter Sunday, Pastor Bijan explores the transforming power of the resurrection and how we too may experience Jesus as he meets his people in community, when they're desperate, in their obedience, and all through grace.
This week Pastor Girma explores how Psalm 131 deals with the topic of rest and humility in a restless and prideful world.
This week we look at Psalm 126 where the writer beautifully acknowledges the reality of joy and sorrow within our world. How do we wrestle with both joy and sorrow before our ever-present, ever-kind God.
This week Pastor Bijan continues our series looking at rhythms and practices which mark out the renewed life. Particularly, focusing on the topic of waiting and what does it look like for the Christian to be in a season of waiting in their day to day life.
This week Pastor Tim Chaddick explores the concept of envy and how we may crowd it out with true worship.
Continuing in our three-part series looking at Rhythms of renewal, Pastor Bijan looks at Psalm 121. Exploring how we may crowd out fear and anxiety by faith. Trusting that it is the LORD who is on our side!
Jesus’ question posed here exposes our worry and the fragility of the foundation of our lives. The themes around idolatry as a form of salvation (to calm our worries) could be explored. The need for certainty for the future given that Jesus links our worry and fear to trying to stay alive longer. It exposes concern for the future.
This week Pastor Mike Sohn from the globe church continues our series through Ephesians. Exploring Paul's instructions on how to live the wise, godly, Spirit-filled life.
Today Pastor Bijan explores how right in the heart of the practical sections of the book of Ephesians, Paul expresses the core reality of the Gospel. That, as those who are deeply adored by God, we are to walk in love, as we imitate Christ.
This week Pastor Joel Wade from Christ Church Mile End continues our series studying through Paul's great letter to the Ephesians. Exploring how we are now to relate to our emotions, in light of the new self we have been given in Christ.
This week Pastor Bijan explores what it means to ‘put off’ the old self, practices of repentance, and what it means to ‘put on’ the new self, living in and living out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Christians need to grow in maturity. But what is Christian maturity and what does it look like? Paul addresses these questions in Ephesians 4:7-16. In today's sermon we explore the goal of Christian life, growing up and into Christ.
The idea of unity is one of the core themes throughout the book of Ephesians. Join us today as Pastor Israel focuses on what unity is, what it looks like in the church, and how it is to be pursued.
In this sermon, Pastor Bijan picks back up our series through the book of Ephesians. Exploring Paul's great prayer at the end of Chapter 3. In this prayer, Paul's desire is that the church would know and experience the great truths of the gospel.
The ‘mystery’ revealed in the gospel is God’s reconciling all things in Christ. The wonder of wonders is that the church becomes both an example of that revelation, as well as a proclaimer of it.
This week, Efrem Buckle the training and mentoring director at London City Mission joins us this week as we continue our look through the book of Ephesians. The same gospel that reconciles people to God also reconciles people to each other. The gospel can tear down any ways erected between peoples today.
A Christian is someone who was dead in their sin but has been made alive with Christ. This sermon explores the heart of the gospel and what a gospel-shaped life looks like.
The very same power that raised Christ from the dead is the power that God says is for his people, working in them and through them. This sermon explores what that power is and why it matters.
A Christian is someone who can rest and is safe in God’s plan. Predestination, while sometimes a controversial or confusing doctrine, is here presented by Paul as a great hope and an immense comfort.
In this passage, we’re told that a Christian has ‘every spiritual blessing’ in Christ. This sermon explores what those blessings are as well as the foundation for the promise: what it means to live in union with Jesus Christ.
God gives his people commands because he longs for their joy. Every ‘law’ from God is a manifestation of his love for his people and the world he made. Growing in maturity as a follower of Jesus means obedience to God’s commands from a place of delight, not merely duty.
To grow, sometimes there are things that have got to go. This sermon explores what ‘pruning’ means in the Christian life, and why and how pruning (surrender, self-denial, discipline) is part of Christian growth.
According to the bible, work and rest go hand in hand. God is serious about rest. During the exodus of the Israelites out from captivity by the Egyptians, God told His people that not only was he bringing them out of captivity but that also he would bring them into the promised land, the land of rest.
In 1 Peter 2, Peter describes the whole church — not just clergy — as ‘priests’. This is just one of many places in the Bible which points to the doctrine of the ‘priesthood of all believers’. In all of our work we are called to worship God and serve others. If work can be worship that means the old divide between ‘secular’ and ‘spiritual’ vocations must come down. Practically, this sermon will explore how the gospel renews work, changing how we work, why we work, and who we work for.
Genesis 3 shows us the impact of sin on work. As we saw last week, work was once a delight, but now it can feel like drudgery and duty. Gen 11 shows us that instead of looking to God, human beings seek an identity from what they build, what they do with their hands. This sermon will not only explore the impact of sin and the fall on work, but also explore how work can be healed by the gospel.
God placed humankind in the Garden of Eden to work itand take care of it (Genesis 2v15). Interestingly, the words “work” and “care” are often used in the bible to describe the priest’s service to God in tabernacle worship.. The point Genesis is making, then, is that in Eden the function of tending the Garden was itself an act of worship and service to God. All work, therefore, matters to God and is one of the ways we can reflect God as image bearers, engaging in creative work that stewards and multiplies resources for the flourishing andadvancement of the human community.
Paul ends his letter on the theme of contentment. Whether in lack or in abundance,God’s people can rejoice and do all things because of Christ in them. For our sakesChrist, though rich, became poor, that we might become rich in him (2 Cor 8:9).
These verses tell us to rejoice always, as well as offer practical guidance for how torejoice always, by offering everything to God in prayer. The cross is the ultimateexample that God turns sorrow into joy (John 16:20-22).
Paul’s great hope, even in the mist of suffering and opposition, is the awareness thatChrist will return. Such confident hope in the future transforms our life in thepresent. Christ left the glory and comfort of heaven and came to earth, so that ourcitizenship could be in heaven.
Paul here describes ambition in a godly sense, “pressing on toward the goal forwhich God has called me…” In a city like New York ambition is rampant. Thissermon can distinguish between selfish and godly ambition. Christians can prizeChrist as their ultimate treasure because we were the joy (treasure) that Christpursued through his death on the cross (Heb 12:1-2).
Paul recommends Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of Christian brotherly kindness, showing what it means to put others ahead of oneself. Christians can serve others, even risking our lives for others, because Christ gave himself up for us.
‘Grumbling’ here means complaining, offering unbalanced criticism, and an overallunwillingness to be helpful. Such attitudes and speech are not in line with the gospeland contribute to disunity in any community. Christ is God’s gracious word to us,enabling us to speak gracious and life-giving words to others. Join us today as guest preacher Mike Sohn shows us the beauty of these verses.
The key to unity in the church is each person developing humility that is patternedafter Christ’s example. Christ’s humiliation leads to his exaltation. That’s thepattern all Christian relationships should be based off of (1 John 4:10-11). Join us today as Bijan encourages us to seek unity through humility all the while looking to Jesus.
Today Pastor Jeremy Treat, teaches us about Paul's explosive statement in the first chapter of Philippians. To live is Christ, to die is gain. Exploring the practical implications of this statement and the fundamental reality of what it looks like to be securely united to the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
As Paul begins his letter he does so with gratitude and joy for the church in Philippi.Joy should be one of the main characteristics that mark the people of God, even asthey partner together to serve God in their city. The cross of Christ brings about anew family (cf. Eph 2). That new family works together to advance the gospel, all inanticipation of Christ’s return (1:6).
The love of Jesus for his people is so certain, so secure, so strong, that nothing in all the cosmos can threaten it. To be infallibly loved by an infinitely good saviour? There’s nothing more we could need.
Our passage today does not say everything that happens is good. It says that God works all things for good for his people, culminating in their glorification — safe with him in his kingdom forever as their truest selves. To know deep down that God is working all things for good provides hope and peace even as we walk through the fiercest storms
Paul never minimises the sufferings Christians experience, but he does say that those sufferings pale in comparison to the coming glory. So, Christians are those who wait with hope. Waiting is hard (waiting rooms are the worst places in the world to be), but having hope in the waiting changes everything. As we wait in hope, we rest in the reality that the Spirit is interceding for us, pleading to the Father on our behalf (v27).
The Spirit helps Christians experience their adoption. The doctrine of adoption means we are members of God’s family, his sons and daughters. What the Spirit does is take that objective reality and help us experience in subjective ways. Knowing by experience that we are God’s children gives us courage to face anything
In our final sermon in the series of Jonah, we take a step back and look at the big picture of the book.
Chapter 4 is the climax of Jonah’s story, as we see Jonah’s heart contrasted with God’s heart. Jonah wants to see Nineveh destroyed. God, by contrast, has compassion for the great city, and longs to pour out mercy. As we wrestle with the Jonah story, we’re meant to turn the mirror on ourselves, to ask: how do we view our city? Jesus, the anti-Jonah, is the incarnation of God’s compassion for the city. As we live in him, we too can be turned around into a people who experience deep compassion for our great city.
Here in Jonah 3 we see three kinds of ‘repentance’. Jonah (even if begrudgingly) fulfils God’s call to preach in Nineveh. The Ninevites repented at Jonah’s preaching. And God ‘relents’ from destroying the city. Here in this chapter, we learn something important about repentance, and how repentance is always first and foremost a fruit of God’s work in a person’s (or a community’s) life (cf 2 Timothy2v25).
‘There is no sin so great that Christ’s grace is not greater still’. ThoughJonah deserved judgment, God gave him mercy. God’s never-endinglove comes to Jonah in the provision of a great fish, which savesJonah’s life and brings him back to the pathway of obedience. Whilstin the fish’s belly, Jonah experiences the reality of faith and prayer ina new way. The final line of his prayer reveals the heart of the gospel:‘Salvation comes from the Lord’ (2v9).
Commencing a four-part sermon series reflecting on the book of Jonah, we explore how despite Jonah's own prejudices and failings, God is relentless in pursuing him. Because even as the prophet runs, the Lord sends Jonah severe mercies in the form of a great wind, pagan sailors, and a huge fish, all designed to bring Jonah back to God.
The resurrection of Jesus is a ground-breaking, game-changing, reality that happened 2000 years ago. Yet, God didn't just leave it there. Indeed, in Ephesians 1, Paul writes that the same power that rose Christ Jesus from the dead is still at work, at work within the lives of Christians. Listen today as Bijan unpacks the implications of this truth.
Luke in Ch 18:9-14, Jesus tells a story about two people hoping to be justified. One a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. They both however have very different arguments for the justification. Join us as we see how this story is both practical and relevant to our daily lives.
Another essential ingredient in gospel repentance is the confession of sin. Both the Old and the New Testaments highlight the importance of confession as a regular practice for the people of God. Today we learn something about the heart of true confession and why confession is such an essential part of the Christian life, both for individuals and for the church family.
After exploring the practice of repentance last week, this week we look at one of the ways we wrestle with biblical repentance through experiencing godly sorrow for sin. Paul, in 2 Corinthians, distinguishes godly sorrow from worldly sorrow and shows us how godly sorrow is not only good but is a fruit of the gospel’s work in our life.
In his famous 95 theses, Martin Luther remarked that the entirety of the Christian life is one of repentance. This is fitting, for when Jesus’ begins his public ministry and announces his kingdom, the invitation Jesus gives is one of repentance. In this sermon we’ll be exploring what repentance is (and isn’t!), why it’s so important in the Christian life, and how to practise repentance.
Sooner or later, spiritual dryness is a condition that will come upon anyone who is engaged in any kind of spiritual journey. In seasons of spiritual dryness, God seems absent, distant, and far away. Psalm 42 shows us what spiritual dryness feels like, what are some of the factors that contribute to it, and most importantly, how to use the resources of the gospel as spiritual medicine in those dry seasons.
Moses was aware that there is pleasure in sin, but it’s a fleeting
pleasure. Faith enables a person to see that fleeting pleasure and say no
because they know there is a reward (v26), the lasting pleasure that comes
from God in Christ. Faith here is not the will-power of self-control, but robust
confidence that God’s word is true, and that no eye has seen nor ear heard
the glorious things God has prepared for those who love him. John Piper’s
Future Grace will be a helpful resource for this sermon.
Continuing with our Faith Stories series, we look at the life of Joseph. Exploring how his faith in God enabled him to endure during times of great trial and suffering. And how we, when tracing the hand of God is difficult, can always trust his heart.
In our second sermon exploring the lives of faith in Hebrews 11. We look at Abraham's example of faith, in believing the future promises of God. We explore how our assurance of the future is the great grounds for our hope and usefulness in the present.
Today we start our new sermon series by looking at the true nature of faith and what it means to live and walk by it. Doing so by exploring the stories of faith found in Hebrews Chapter 11. Join us today as we begin by looking at what faith is not, what faith is, and where faith comes from.
In our final sermon of our series looking at the beginning of John's Gospel account. Pastor Girma looks at the at the lessons we can learn from Jesus cleansing of the temple, and how the radical claim of Jesus that He Himself is the true temple fundamentally transforms our life of prayer and communion with God.
Jesus' first words in John's account are "What are you seeking?" This question is packed with theological significance, Jesus is asking those following him what are there desires, "What do you want, really?" Those following Jesus reply by asking a simple question "Where are you staying?" That is to say, where are you abiding. Join us as we explore the call to just abide with Jesus.
This Sunday marks the start of Epiphany, where the church celebrates Christ’s light shining in the darkness. This sermon will explore the wonder of wonders, that the eternal logos is also the sacrificial lamb who has come to take away the sin of the world.
Jesus perfectly reveals that God is full of both grace and truth. And it's these two realities of God's character that we must daily endeavour to live by. Seeking God's grace and truth fuel and equip us to live our lives worthy of the call of God in Christ.
We apologise for the audio clipping throughout the message
In Eugene Peterson’s The Message, he paraphrased this verse by saying, ‘The word became flesh and moved into the neighbourhood’. Christmas is about the eternal Word taking on flesh and getting close, making his home among us so that we could be at home in him.
In our second sermon in our Advent series, we look at the transforming reality that Jesus Christ brings to humanity. The fruit of what Christmas produces is that we can be children of God, In many ways Christmas shows us a fundamental feature of the christian identity.
Throughout this Advent season we will be examining the first chapter of John's gospel. exploring the theology at the heart of Christmas. This week we focus on the staggering fact that at Christmas, Christians affirm that God, in Christ, truly came and became human. This recognition affirms that at the heart of ultimate reality, is a relational Person, who has come to shine a light in the dark.
We all worship something, and worship is formational. Today Pastor Dave Lomas, teaching pastor at Reality SF, comes to teach us about the ultimate priority of corporate worship in the life of the church and in the lives of the saints. Worship reorients us to the ultimate reality of the cosmos, a reality thats is based on a three times holy God and a lion and lamb, who is worthy to receive all glory and praise.
Today Tim Chaddick, Pastor at Reality Church Ventura, one of our sister churches, speaks to us about the fundamental need for us to wait and rely on God. Especially in our current cultural climate, the culture of "now", our waiting on the Spirit of God to move may be particularly challenging, but it is essential fuel for our walk with God and ministry to our neighbour.
In this episode, guest speaker Neil Powell reminds us that the power and the gospel of God is still visibly working through the church today. Indeed, looking back on the miracle of our salvation should propel us onto sharing the good news of God's salvation, in Christ. Knowing that "today is the day of salvation, now is the time of God's favour".
After Isaiah has encounters God’s glory and grace. He responds in the only logical way: complete surrender. The giving his whole life over to God’s mission. What’s more, the main way God will use Isaiah is in the ways Isaiah was most aware of his weakness and sinfulness (vv6-7, his mouth, speaking). God’s mission through us is always a reflection of his grace at work in us.
In Isaiah's vision, the place where he encounters God is in the Temple. The temple is the meeting place of heaven and earth. Once represented by a physical building and location in Jerusalem. It is now represented by Christ Himself, and the physical gathering of His church. Today we explore the purpose of our gathering regularly as a church.
One of the primary themes of Isaiah's encounter with God is that Isaiah is meeting with the God who is holy, holy, holy. But why this repetition? In today's episode we focus in on what holiness truly means, what an encounter with a Holy God feels like, and how indeed it is possible.
As we begin our vision series looking at Isaiah's encounter with God, an encounter which propels Isaiah into his prophetic ministry. We first see that God met with Isaiah in the year of King Uzziah's death. In this weeks message, we examine our need for an encounter and how God often uses a severe mercy to remind us of our need of Him.
Rather than relating to God as a taskmaster whose rules must be followed. The gospel creates a new dynamic in which a person can relate to God with the deepest closeness and intimacy.
Today we start our new series looking at the book of Galatians. In this episode we explore, our great need for the gospel, how we never graduate from it, and the great comfort the gospel alone brings. Seeing how it makes us fully alive and truly free.
In a moment of deep anxiety for his disciples, Jesus encourages his friends by reminding them that the work of his crucifixion brings with it a promise, and hope springing out of this promise. A promise that we have an eternal home, where we will dwell with each other, and our God forever.
Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, spends a significant amount of time teaching his disciples about God's great love for us. One of the consequences of knowing God's great love is that we are commanded to deeply love one another too, and by being a community marked by love, we become a communal testimony to the very love of God. Join us as we explore the power, beauty, and importance of this great command,.
Jesus' washing his disciples feet would have shocked them, this was a task usually reserved for the lowliest of servants. But here the king of the universe knelt and served. Today, Pastor Girma explore's how the christian life must be marked by humility and service to one another.
Over the past few months we have had some exciting additions to our staff team. As such, a number of our team sat down for a conversation discussing everything from what they do in their job roles to their favourite things about London!
This week we begin a short sermon series looking at the centrality and importance of community for the church. In this first address, Pastor Bijan reminds us that the foundation of Christian community is knowing that we are loved with the unending love of Jesus. "Having loved them to the end"
Guilt is something we all experience, and in Psalm 32 we see David reckoning with the sin behind his guilt. Yet, how does David respond? Today, George explores how David expresses true sorrow and repentance for his sin, and also true joy in coming to the God who saves.
During a time of great physical need, David recognises his ultimate need of God. It is in the desert place where David records this psalm of hope and praise. Join us as Pastor Rashad Clemons explore's where David's strength to worship lies.
Contentment is a true jewel for those following after God hearts. As David expresses here in Psalm 16, it flows from delighting and knowing the God who delights and knows us. This morning Pastor David Plant explores what this means for the Christian life today.
Whilst being hunted, David has a chance to take vengeance against Saul but he doesn’t; instead, David confronts Saul with compassion and mercy. This sermon explores how David was able to show Saul such a radical mercy, through confidence in God's plan and knowledge of his own need of mercy.
True Christian joy is serious business. It is an essential part and consequence of following Christ. Today we explore how the words and works of Jesus during the Wedding Feast at Cana are signs pointing us towards himself as our bridegroom, the true source and bringer of Joy.
In this sermon Pastor Girma explores the lessons we can learn from the beautiful and powerful friendship of David & Jonathan. And how Jesus, our Great Friend, through the gospel, calls God’s people to be covenantally committed to each other.
Where do we go when we feel afraid? How do we react in fearful situations?
In this sermon Pastor Bijan unpacks the source of courage in David's fight against Goliath. Reminding us that true courage in the face of adversity cannot be found in ourselves but is found in Christ alone, our true and better David.
Today we started our new sermon series, After God's Heart. In a city and world that is so visual, so taken by externals, this passage—the first mention of David—reminds us that what matters most is the condition and posture of our hearts.
In John 17 we encounter Jesus, on the night before his death, praying for his church. As we seek to be a church alive in London, we need to see and experience the power of Jesus praying for us, his people.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. In this teaching from Acts 8:26-40 we explore how a church alive is a church rooted in and shaped by Scripture.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. In this teaching from Acts 4:23-31, we explore the importance of prayer as individuals, as well as praying together as a church family.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. In this teaching from 1 Corinthians 11 we explore the formative Christian practice of coming to the Lord’s Table and remembering the death of Jesus Christ’.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. In this teaching from 1 Corinthians 11 we explore the formative Christian practice of coming to the Lord’s Table and remembering the death of Jesus Christ’.
In this teaching we looked at Acts 20:17-38 to reflect on the character, heart, and power of Christian leadership.
In this RCL Conversation, we're joined by Caroline Millar and Girma Bishaw as we talk about why we should and how we can serve the city.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. In Acts 2:42-47, we see how the first Christian church was made of a diverse community. They were deeply different, yet they came together as a church. The love of Jesus Christ brought them together as a family. Listen to this sermon as we learn what kind of community we must be if we want to be a community that shows London the beauty of the Gospel..
On this Easter Sunday we took a break from our Acts series to look at John 16, as exploring what it means that the resurrection of Jesus promises deep joy amidst sorrow.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. In Acts 6 and 7, we see that one reason the early church was alive, is because it was filled with people who loved Jesus and the gospel more than they did their own lives. They were ready to give up their life for the sake of Jesus. What makes you alive, fully alive, is knowing what it means to die well. This sermon explores what it means to die well, and how in so doing we learn how to be fully alive.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are in a very difficult situation as they have been thrown in prison. Instead of being in despair because of their circumstances, they worship God. The gospel brings joy and courage, enabling a person to sing even while shackled. The gospel brings freedom and courage, even in the hardest days and longest nights. This sermon explores the transformative power of joy even in the midst of suffering.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. In Acts 4, we see the formal beginning of the persecution of the early church. Yet even amid their suffering and persecution, we see a church alive, filled with people of courage because of their closeness to Jesus. Listen to this sermon as we learn to have courage to declare the word God and to proclaim the Gospel in our city.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. In this sermon, 'Mission: Engaging the City, Paul is both engaged with the culture of the city, and yet critical of it. In Acts 17:16-34, we see a model for how Christians speak to their city about the gospel. Paul is able to show how the gospel brings to fulfilment the longings of the human heart, even when the heart doesn’t realise it’s longing for God. Listen to this sermon as we learn hoe the church can engage the city.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. We looked at Acts 10 which records another conversion story, but very different than Paul’s conversion. Here in Acts 10, Peter, who was an apostle and theleader of the church, experiences a kind of conversion. He realises that the good news of Jesus is for all peoples. Listen to this sermon as we learn how the same gospel which reconciles people to God also reconciles those people to other people, across racial, ethnic, and cultural lines.
This Sunday we continued our 'Church Alive' sermon series. We explored the story of Saul. Saul had been persecuting the church but was changed by an encounter with Jesus Christ. How did it happen? Listen to this sermon about Saul’s conversion and how it illustrates the power of the gospel to change a life.
This Sunday we continues our sermon series called 'Church Alive'. We looked at Acts 3:1-16: Peter and John were used by God to relieve suffering in their city. Here in Acts 3, we see the gospel in the city, the gospel as both word and deed that changes lives and changes the city. Listen to this sermon as we continue to learn what it means to be a church alive. ‘Note: due to technical difficulties, there were a few minutes in the beginning of this sermon that were lost on the recording. The scripture reading Acts 3 1-16 is missing. Our apologies for that as you listen’.
This Sunday we continued our sermon series in the book of Acts. We looked at Acts 16: 6-15 shows us about being 'Led by the Spirit. The early church was filled by the Spirit, but they were also sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. Acts shows a church seeking to live every day in step with the Spirit. This sermon explores what it means to be led by the Spirit, especially when the Spirit of God says no to our plans, however well-intentioned those plans may be.
This Sunday we continued our new sermon series called 'Church Alive'. We look at Acts 2:1-13 and the early church lived and moved in the power of the Spirit. The Spirit of God filled his church and empowered them for mission.
‘Note: due to technical difficulties, there were a few minutes in the beginning of this sermon that were lost on the recording. The scripture reading starts at Acts 2: 7. Our apologies for that as you listen’.
In this RCL conversation, we hear from an Equip class where we asked the question 'How can serving in the church be a joy, and not lead to burnout or imbalance?' Pastor Bijan Mirtolooi takes a practical look at serving Christ in the church. Note: one of the books citied at this class is John Hindley’s book, Serving Without Sinking, which we recommend as a helpful resource.
This Sunday we started a new sermon series called 'Church Alive'. We looked at Acts 1: 1-11 where we saw that one of the reasons the early church was alive, was because of their rock-solid confidence that Jesus was alive. Listen to this sermon as we continue to learn to become a church alive for the glory of God.
This Sunday we concluded our sermon series on Habakkuk, ‘Trusting God When Life is Hard.’ These past few weeks we saw that Habakuk was writing at a time of incredible suffering. His message helps us to become individuals and a church that trusts God, when life his hard. As we look at Habakkuk chapter 3, we’ll see why Habakkuk offers a song-prayer to God in the midst of his fear and sadness.
This Sunday we heard from guest preacher Girma Bishaw. We looked at 1 Corinthians 3 and 4. In the presence of wrong and evil or when facing difficulties, our minds can be overwhelmed with all kinds of negative thoughts. How can we see God's goodness and overflow with thankfulness in all circumstances? Can we learn how have a heart of gratitude.?
This Sunday we continued our sermon series through the book of Habakkuk. We looked at Habakkuk ‘In the Waiting Room’. As we got into Scripture together, we explored waiting on God and living by faith.
This Sunday we began a new sermon series: Trusting God When Life is Hard. Habakkuk was a prophet to God’s people during a time in which there was a crisis of faith. God seemed to be absent, and then, when God did show up, the situation seemed even bleaker. As we look at Habakkuk 1, we’ll see why it’s safe—even encouraged—to bring your doubts, frustrations, and hard questions to God.
On this first Sunday of the year, we looked at John 1:1-18 and explored how we can walk in the fulness of grace and truth of Jesus in 2022. Listen to this sermon where we are thought what it means to live a New Year full of grace.
This Sunday, which is the day after Christmas, we explored Philippians 3: 10-17.
As we leave Christmas behind and face a new year we could ask ourselves: What does it mean to live in light of Christmas?
Hearing the divine revelation that is Christmas, now experiencing a divine renovation in our lives through God’s word, we can hope for divine renovation.
Listen to this sermon as we explore how we can pursue personal renovation in Christ.
This Sunday, we continued our advent series looking at the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 61 plays a significant role in the life of Jesus as he began his public ministry. This passage is about what Isaiah looked forward to and promised: the Lord’s anointed servant who would bring good news to the broken, joy for the mourning, dignity for the disgraced. Listen to this sermon as we explore how the birth of Jesus is fulfilment of a promise and how His proclamation brings freedom to those in bondage.
On this special service day with choir and carols, we focused on the core of the Christmas message, looking at this classic text from Luke 2. The birth of Jesus is good news of great joy for everyone, everywhere. Listen to this sermon as we explore how the birth of Jesus is good news that can bring joy into your heart.
Today was the second week of Advent, and we looked at the great promise of Isaiah 35: your God will come. Isaiah saying that there is joy that is possible even through the most challenging and heartbreaking moments of your life. This kind of joy is the craving of every human heart. The promise of God's presence enables us to live with hope, with expectancy, that no matter what we're going through, this joy is possible. Listen to this sermon as we explore how to experience this fullness of joy that God seeks to bring, because of Jesus.
This Sunday marks the start of Advent and we started our new RCL's series: The Coming of Jesus as the Advent of Joy.In the Bible, the book that talks the most about joy after the book Psalms, is the book of Isaiah. The book of Isaiah talks about Joy in the midst of sorrow. A deep and unshakable joy that is not dependent on our circumstances. Jesus is the light God brought to a world in darkness, so that people would see that light dawning in bringing joy to their lives. But where does this light dawn? How does it dawn? How can that happen in your own life? Listen to this sermon as we begin exploring how the birth of Jesus Christ is the advent of joy.
Sunday 14 November 2021: This Sunday, we concluded our 9 weeks series, RCL’s vision and values. We looked at Luke 10:25-37 and talked about our value of serving the city. Our city, is a city of great beauty, but it is also a city filled with all kinds of needs. Where do we begin to start thinking about serving the city as a church? What is going to motivate someone to serve the city? To give of themselves sacrificially for the good of others? Listen to this episode where we explore the story of The Good Samaritan and learn the true meaning of compassion.
Sunday 8 November 2021: This Sunday, we continued along in our 9 weeks series, RCL’s vision and values, and explored our church’s fourth value: Engaging London with the whole Gospel. We looked at Jeremiah 29, seeing how God’s people are called to relate to and engage with their city.
Sunday 31 October 2021: In the scriptures, Jesus said that the call to discipleship is a call to self-denial. But what does it really mean to be Jesus' disciple? Where does discipleship starts? Why is it hard and how is it possible? In this new episode of our 9 weeks series, RCL’s vision and values, we looked at Luke 9:18-25 and continued our exploration of what it means to be a church that follows Jesus every day.
Sunday 24 October 2021: To follow Jesus, according to scripture, is to be led by the Spirit. There is an intimate relationship between following Jesus, and life in the Holy Spirit. But who or what is the Holy Spirit? What is it that the Holy Spirit does? What does it look like for the Holy Spirit to be at work in our life? In this new episode of our 9 weeks series, RCL’s vision and values, we looked at Romans 8: 12-17 and continued unpacking the question: What does it means to follow Jesus?
Sunday 17 October 2021: To be human is to be involved in the adoring pursuit of someone or something greater than yourself. Everyone is following something or someone. Jesus invites us to follow Him. But what does it really mean to follow Jesus? How does it impact our life ? And most importantly: Why follow Jesus? On this new episode, where we continue our new sermon series, RCL’s vision and values, we looked at Mark 1 and started to explore what it means to follow Jesus everyday.
Sunday 10 October 2021: Have you ever asked yourself what is the church and what it really means to be part of the church? In this new episode of our sermon series, RCL’s vision and values, we explored how the church is meant to be a community of unity, not uniformity, oneness, not sameness and difference without division.
**Please note that due to technical difficulties, there were a few minutes in the middle of this sermon that were lost on the recording. Our apologies for that as you listen.
Sunday 3 October 2021: This Sunday we continued our new sermon series on RCL’s vision and values. We looked at Romans 12 and Ephesians 2 and explored important questions: What does God say about the church? What does it mean for the church to be a community of belonging? Listen to this sermon where these questions are answered in depth.
Sunday 26 September 2021: On Sunday we continued our new sermon series on RCL’s vision and values. We spent time looking at Ephesians 2:1-10, and we explored the foundational importance of the gospel in the Christian life and for our church’s life and mission.
Sunday 19 September 2021: On Sunday we continued our new sermon series on RCL’s vision and values. This week we looked at Mark 2 and how Jesus can both forgive sin and heal bodies.
Sunday 12 September 2021: On Sunday we started our new sermon series on RCL’s vision and values. This week we looked at Mark 2 and the reason why we need to bring our friends to Jesus.
In this RCL Conversation, we talk with Rich Villodas as we explore how to rest well, especially in a post-pandemic world.
In this RCL Conversation, we're joined by Will Van Der Hart as we unpack how we can pursue mental health. Joined also by the RCL community for a time of Q&A.
In this RCL Conversation, we're joined by Brett & Vanessa Hitchen as we talk about Fasting. Joined also by the RCL community for a time of Q&A.
Sunday 4 July 2021: This is the final sermon in our series on ‘Discipleship’. For the past few months, we’ve been looking closely at Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5-7. This week we looked at what it means that true discipleship is putting the words of Jesus into practice in your life.
Sunday 27 June 2021: Community is important and can also be messy! How do you navigate conflict in your community? This week we continued in our series on ‘Discipleship’, exploring what it means to follow Jesus. This week we explored Jesus’ famous statement, ‘Do not judge’ and how that teaching shapes the way you navigate conflict today.
Sunday 20 June 2021: Everyone worries. And everyone worries about all kinds of things. But what, if anything, does God have to say about your worries and your anxieties? This Sunday we continued our series on Discipleship, looking this week at ‘Worry, Anxiety, and the Kingdom of God’.
Sunday 13 June 2021: What’s the thing in all the world that’s most valuable to you? What you treasure says a lot about who you are and what’s most important to you. As we continue our series on Discipleship, we explore why Jesus calls his followers to have ‘treasure in heaven’.
Sunday 6 June 2021: ‘Can anyone teach us how to pray?’ When Jesus’ disciples asked him that question, he answered by giving them the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is guidance from God himself on what to pray, and how to pray.
As we continue our series on discipleship, we look at what prayer is and why it’s such a crucial aspect of following Jesus today.
Sunday 30 May 2021: Three times in Matthew 6 Jesus tells his disciples to practice their righteousness ‘in secret’. But what does that mean? As we continue our series on Discipleship, we see how the disciple of Jesus lives not for the approval of others, but with a conscious awareness of the presence of God. Spiritual disciplines like fasting, giving, and praying, are to be done not to draw attention to one’s self, but to cultivate communion with God and service for others.
Sunday 23 May 2021: What is the hardest thing Jesus ever asked his followers to do? According to Dr Martin Luther King Jr., the answer was simple: loving an enemy. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount he commanded his disciples, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’. In Matthew 5:38-48, we explore what it means to love enemies, and why Jesus calls his followers to do so.
Sunday 16 May 2021: Jesus declared, ‘The mouth speaks what the heart is full of’. By paying attention to the words you say, you can get a good understanding of what’s happening in our heart.
We continue our series on Discipleship through the Sermon on the Mount unpacking why words matter, and what it means to pursue integrity in the ways you talk with and to others.
Sunday 9 May 2021: We continue our series through the Sermon on the Mount exploring how and why Jesus calls his disciples to cultivate characteristics of selflessness using sexuality and marriage as examples.
Sunday 2 May 2021: Authors Christopher Ash and Steve Midgley observe, ‘Anger is the drawn sword of human relationships’, and something we all struggle with from time to time. As we continue our series through the Sermon on the Mount, we explore the potentially destructive power of anger, as well as how anger can be healed and reconciliation, can be pursued.
Sunday 25 April 2021: As we continue our series on ‘Discipleship’, we wrestle with the question: how—if at all— does God’s grace and God’s law relate to each other? What is the role of grace and law in the Christian life? To explore this crucial question, we observe Jesus’ own attitude to the Bible and what that means for us today.
Sunday 18 April 2021: As we continue our series in the Sermon on the Mount looking at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus today, we come face-to-face with an ever-important question: how are Christians supposed to relate to and engage with the city? This week, we hear Jesus calling us, his church, to be ‘salt and light’ in London today.
Sunday 11 April 2021: Writing in the middle part of the twentieth century, Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, ‘The most urgent question facing the church today is this: How can we live the Christian life in the modern world?’ That question is as relevant today as it has ever been. This Sunday, we begin a new sermon series: ‘Discipleship.’ We’ll be looking at the Sermon on the Mount, wrestling with what it means to follow Jesus today.
Sunday 5 September 2021: This Sunday we finished our sermon series, Praying the Psalms! Throughout the summer period, we are looked at a different Psalm each week, drawing on it lessons in prayer. Listen to this sermon where we looked at Psalm 39 and explored prayer for dark times.
Sunday 29 August 2021: This Sunday we heard the penultimate sermon of this series, Praying the Psalms! Throughout this summer period, we are looking at a different Psalm each week, drawing on it lessons in prayer. Listen to this sermon where we looked at Psalm 139 and explored prayer of intimacy with God.
Sunday 22 August 2021: This Sunday we continued our new sermon series Praying the Psalms! Throughout this summer period, we are looking at a different Psalm each week, drawing on it lessons in prayer. Listen to this sermon where we looked at Psalm 119 and explored praying scripture.
Sunday 8 August 2021: This Sunday we continued our new sermon series Praying the Psalms! Throughout this summer period we are looking at a different Psalm each week, drawing on it lessons in prayer. Listen to this sermon where we looked at Psalm 121, and explored this Prayer for Help!
Sunday 1 August 2021: This Sunday we continued our new sermon series Praying the Psalms! Throughout this summer period we are looking at a different psalm each week, drawing on it lessons in prayer. Listen to this sermon where we looked at Psalm 42, and explored this Prayer of Longing!
Sunday 25 July 2021: This Sunday we continued our new sermon series Praying the Psalms! Throughout this summer period we are looking at a different psalm each week, drawing on it lessons in prayer. Listen to this sermon where we looked at Psalm 51, and explored this Prayer of Confession!
Sunday 18 July 2021: This Sunday we continued our new sermon series Praying the Psalms! Throughout this summer period, we are looking at a different Psalm each week, drawing on it lessons in prayer. Listen to this sermon where we looked at Psalm 73 with our guest preacher Neil Powell and explored FOMO and how to deal with it!