The Message This Week: Recent Episodes
Christ First Watford
Teachings and messages each week from Christ First Watford, UK. A church who believes in putting 'Christ First', Transforming Lives, and Building Community.
Part of the New Ground sphere of churches.
Aaron McGovern, drew our 7 week series 'INVITED' to an end with 'EVERYONE'S Welcome at God's Table'. We were challenged to: Pray; Give; Go and Welcome.
Guest Speaker Dale Barlow preached today a powerful message about 'encounters with the Holy Spirit, listen to him share personal encounters that can help shape lives.
Marion Knell preached from Acts 15 ‘What’s on the Menu’? in our series INVITED. She shared this quote: ‘Every culture in the world is foreign to someone. At first it’s scary, then irritating, then maddening. To survive you have to grab it, fall in love with it and make it yours. God understands. He did it too.’ Our Challenges What are the challenges we face? What resources are at our disposal? Songs, instruments, downloads, welcome materials, languages How can we get involved in the communities around us? Language classes, visiting, work with children, special events, warm spaces
Aaron McGovern brings today sermon from the series 'Invited' - The Elephant at the Table, Reading from Acts 9:10-22 Aaron asks: Who can you trust? What is trust? How do we trust?
Lessons to learn: God’s optimism Meet people where they are Multiple Identities
He concluded with: - Will you take a risk to trust and be vulnerable? - Will you meet people where they are, like Jesus did?
Aaron preached on Acts 10:1-48 'Every one has a place at the table' part 3 of our invited series. Lessons to learn: - I shouldn’t be here… - Humility before one another - Recognise God’s bigger picture Do you know that you have a place at the table? Do you know that God is drawing and inviting others to their seats?
Guest speaker Tom Head brilliantly demonstrated in his preach that everyone is invited, in part 3 of our invited series.
Andy Smith preached today from Acts 8:26-38 in summary: 1. Personal evangelism is a critical part of God’s plan to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. 2. Crossing cultural, political, racial, status and financial divides is a critical part of God’s plan to take the gospel to the ends of the earth… or it would never have reached these shores. 3. We… in explaining and sharing Jesus are a critical part of God’s plan to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Aaron McGovern brings todays preach from The Mercure Hotel, Watford. He introduces the series 'Invited' which we will be studying for the next 7 weeks.
Aaron McGovern brings a powerful final preach on our 'Devoted' series.
short video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/7tHKpAoRTZ0
Aaron McGovern preached from Acts 2:42-47 talking about being devoted and what that means, he concluded with these questions: Do you feel a sense of belonging and commonality towards your brothers and sisters? Do you have a need that you’re keeping hidden? Are you sacrificially giving up what is yours to serve the church, financially? Are you committed to worshiping alongside your brothers and sisters? Do you regularly have people in your home to share food and life? Do those times ever include talking about how Christ has been and is at work in your life?
Alex Steed brilliantly concludes our summer series on The Parables, preaching from Mark 4:30-32 'The Parable of the Mustard Seed'.
Anya Bricknell preaches the penultimate Parable in our summer series 'The Parable of the Feast' from Luke 14: 16-24
Ben Fleming is preaching the first of two preaches today on the Parables from Matthew 12:22-28 and 12:43:45
James Mui preached the first of our summer series on the parables. Sharing from Matthew 18:21-35 he challenged us to: 1. Remember your debt. 2. Treasure the King's mercy. 3. Give freely what we have received. He shared a forgiven people are a forgiving people.
Liz Holop's preach was from Matthew 13:24-30 The Parable of The Wheat and The Weeds, she described it as 'a parable about the Kingdom of Heaven, Good and Evil, Judgement and Mercy'. Liz challenged us to think about the weeds turning into wheat - who are you praying for?
Aaron McGovern brings our message today asking these questions: - Are you anxious? - Do you want to experience the blessing of God? - Where is your heart?
Andy Smith brings our Ezra & Nehemiah series to a close with 4 warnings! WARNING 1: Be careful who you let into God's "space' WARNING 2: Honour those called to lead us in worship WARNING 3: Never forget it is God who provides WARNING 4: (Fight to) Keep the word of God alive
Tom Seaby preaches from Nehemiah 12 today on the ‘Lessons on Worship, these are the 4 lessons Tom brings out from the scriptures: Lesson 1: Faithful worship is regular and habitual Lesson 2: Worship must be made holy Lesson 3: True worship is focussed on God Lesson 4: Worship is the end (purpose) of everything
Bryan Knell challenges us to renew our Covenant whilst preaching from Nehemiah 9:38 - 10:39
Will [William King] preached today through Nehemiah 5 he looked at: - The Problem - The Reaction What does this mean for us?
Andy Smith preaches from Nehemiah 4:1-7:4 “SWORDS & SHOVELS” Andy asks the question: SO WHAT IS GOD WANTING TO BUILD TODAY? OPPOSITION 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL OPPOSITION 2: PRACTICAL OPPOSITION 3: PERSONAL “Those called to do the work of God do it with a sword and a shovel”
Continuing in our series of Ezra & Nehemiah Rachel Walters one of our LST students preaches from Nehemiah 3 'Rebuilding with differences in unity for a common purpose.' - Rebuilding - Differences - Unity - Common purpose So what do we do? - Starts with our hearts - Give - Community
Tom Seaby preaches from Nehemiah 2:10-20 'Right Vision' Tom draws from the following 3 treasures from this passage: 1. Nehemiah doesn’t help God’s people at a distance, but up close and personal. 2. God wants to end the people’s shame and disgrace by sending them, Nehemiah 3. Nehemiah is confident that his people have an inheritance in God’s city.
Aaron McGovern preaches today from Nehemiah 1-2:11 look at 'Finding your calling'. He shares we can learn from: The Question The Reaction The Opportunity Aaron concludes that to 'find your calling' you need the 'Baseline':Care more about what God wants than what you want. Highline:Take responsibility.
Andy Smith preaches a message on PEACE. Peace up, Peace down, Peace in, Peace out on our International Celebration Sunday.
Aaron brings a challenging word today from Ezra 9 & 10 titled Ker-plunk. We can learn from… • The problem • Ezra’s response • The people’s response. Concluding: To be truly relevant to a lost and broken world we must be radically ruthless with our sin.
Andy shares the Gospel message from Jon 3:1-7 talking about a: NEW START NEW POSITION/RELATIONSHIP NEW CONSCIOUSNESS NEW FREEDOM NEW PERSPECTIVE NEW LIFE - FRESH FILLING
Aaron McGovern preaches from Roman 6:1-23, he talks about being 'united in resurrection' and 'newness of life' concluding with the following application: Ask God to work his resurrection power in and through you, so that you can live a resurrection life that displays the glory of God, just as Christ’s resurrection did and does and will.
Aaron McGovern preached from Ezra 8 he asked what we can learn… • Assemble • Fast • Delegate What now? Spend time with those who will help you be serious about the things of God to fulfill the mission of God.
Andy brings this week's preach from Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. KNOW DO TEACH
Aaron shares from Ezra 4-6 Overcoming Opposition Three types of opposition: Compromise / Discouragement / Direct opposition How do we overcome Opposition: RECOGNISE OUR OPPONENT READ EPHESIANS 6:10-20 ASK GOD FOR STRENGTH
Aaron asked 'What would you do first?' What they did: Gathered as one man / Rebuilt the altar / Sacrificed / Began to rebuild the temple / Praised God Why they did it: Mechanism & Pattern How we do it… REMEMBER EXPERIENCE REMIND
Andy Smith tells us why 'lists matter' - the list proves: • God is Faithful • God is Relational • God is to be Worshipped
Tom Seaby shares from Ezra 1 in our series Ezra & Nehemiah: Restoring the people of God.
Aaron McGovern looks at how the writer of Hebrews encourages in the discipline to consider Jesus.
Are you living for this life or the next? Aaron McGovern unpacks Hebrews 11 and how we can respond as the body of Christ.
Alex Steed walks us through Hebrews 10, encouraging us to stir one another through faith and good works.
*Apologies for the poor audio quality, we're still adjusting to being back at Westfield!
How do we respond to the refugee crisis as a church and why we must welcome the stranger with Marion Knell.
Aaron McGovern teaches from Hebrews on how the writer encourages us to draw near and hold fast to Christ.
What does Hebrews tell us about how Jesus is superior to angels in stature and in the message He brings?
Joost Boogaard shares with us the parable of the workers in the vineyard, all the way from the Netherlands!
Ruth Seaby continues our series on the parables of Jesus, with an exploration of the ten virgins.
Matthieu Bhoyree kicks off our summer series in the parables of Jesus, looking at the barren fig tree.
Aaron McGovern looks at the changes we need to go through over the coming months to be 'match ready'.
Dave Holden, leader of the New Ground sphere of churches, brings an encouragement for Christ First Watford from Romans 15:13.
Guest speaker David Straughton (King's Church, Harrow) looks at four key areas of eldership responsibility detailed in 1 Peter 9.
Guest speaker Dale Barlow joins us from King's Church, Oxted, to teach on how Apostles build the church.
Aaron McGovern challenges the church to live in freedom of God's will, being in tune with the Holy Spirit.
As we continue to explore how spiritual gifts can build the church, Andy Smith unpacks the gift of prophesy.
What kind of love does Paul use in 1 Corinthians 13 and how does it show how we should live?
Aaron McGovern opens our four-part series on how spiritual gifts are used to build and edify the church.
Alex Steed looks at what we can learn about prayer from Matthew 26, as Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Liz Holop shares on how the Lord's Prayer calls us into a deeper and humility-led prayer life.
Aaron McGovern encourages us to invest more time pursuing God in prayer, finding purpose, privilege, and power.
Andy Smith shares on why our primary focus in prayer should be for the adoration of God, that in turn produces personal and corporate transformation.
As we enter Lent for 2021, we join together as a church for forty days of prayer. Pressing in expectantly for all that goes is doing.
In the next sermon in the Remember When series, Bryan Knell looks at Jesus' and the disciples encounter with the Samaritan woman.
Do you remember when you encountered Jesus? In the next of the 'Remember When' series, Aaron McGovern discussed why it's important to remember and share the moments when God broke in.
Everybody has a story to tell. In the first message from our chosen series for January 2021, Andy Smith speaks on the importance of sharing our faith.
Are you hoping or coping so far this year? Isaiah 40 speaks of a hope we have by trusting in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5 calls us to 'walk by faith' - what does that mean for us as a church in 2021?
Join us for worship during this Advent season, with an encouragement from Marion Knell.
Aaron McGovern continues our One True God campaign series by looking how God is good and just.
Andy Smith looks at our identity and how that identity should be lived out by us as followers of Christ.
Andy Smith begins our new series 'One True God', by looking at the magnificence of God; challenging us to re-evaluate our understanding of how great He is.
As we meet again in the car park of Westfield church, Andy Smith both challenges and encourages the church in these 'covid' times. What does the church look like in the future? How has the church adapted in the past? How is the Gospel shared?
We had room for one more! Aaron McGovern brings us one more encouragement from the Psalm to conclude our summer series.
As we conclude our summer in the Psalms, Jennie Cunliffe takes us through Psalm 130 - where the psalmist goes from the depths of sin, to the heights of redemption.
In the penultimate encouragement from our summer series, Gareth Cunliffe speaks of how God's power is demonstrated through Psalm 29.
During our first ever Drive-In service, Andy Smith looks at Matthew 22:36-40 on loving our neighbour.
Peter Wiles - Psalm 16 'Trusting in God'. To Trust is: to Rely on the Lord (v.1-2); to be Devoted to the Lord (v.3-4); to Delight in the Lord (v.5-6); to Learn from the Lord (v.7-8); is Rejoicing in the Lord (v.9-10)
Bryan Knell uses Psalm 77 to help us understand further how we can further increase the fruitfulness of our prayer life.
Do you know God, or do you know God? Dave Abraham uses Psalm 99 to understand whether we know God in our hearts as well as our minds.
As we enter the Summer 'holiday' season, we begin a series of encouragements from our church family within the Psalms. In this first encouragement, Matthieu Bhoyroo takes us through Psalm 139 and the encouragement we have in understanding that we are known by God.
Andy Smith brings our Exodus | God Calls series to an end, focussing on chapters 33-40 to understand the relationship that God has chosen to have with His people.
Aaron McGovern brings the penultimate message in our Exodus series, sharing on how God calls us to exclusivity.
Alex Steed encourages us to keep the Sabbath through reasons found in Exodus 31, Mark 31, and Romans 14.
Through the details of the Tabernacle contained in Exodus25-27, Andy Smith challenges us to re-focus and understand how we approach the Throne of God.
Joost van den Boogaard joins us all the way from The Netherlands to share with us some key points from The Book of the Covenant (Exodus 21-23:19).
Aaron McGovern takes us further into Exodus through 17-18 looking at our reliance on God and each other.
Tom Seaby looks at Exodus 14 when God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to escape from Pharaoh. What can we learn from this about God? Was the ownership on Moses?
Our women's ministry, Excel, joined together during the Covid-19 lockdown online to encourage each other through scripture and worship. This extract is taken from the message shared by Erika Yong.
Aaron McGovern leads our Easter Sunday service with a continuation of our Exodus series, this week looking at the links between Easter & Exodus through the 10th plague.
Andy Smith continues to look into Exodus, looking at the plagues that God inflicted on Egypt.
Aaron McGovern brings the latest in our Exodus series, discussing the matches of chapters 5 & 6.
In the first-ever online Sunday service for Christ First Watford, Andy Smith brings the latest in our Exodus | God Calls series, looking at Exodus 4:27-31.
Andy Smith unpacks Exodus 2:23-25, looking in detail at God's character and his call for a relationship with us.
Andy Smith takes us further into Exodus, understanding the relationship between fear and faith.
We're spending the first half of 2020 walking through the book of Exodus. In our second sermon of this new series Andy Smith continues from the second book of the Old Testament, and discusses Chapter 1 verses 8 - 22.
We're spending the first half of 2020 walking through the book of Exodus. In the first sermon of this new series, Aaron McGovern introduces us to the second book of the Old Testament and discusses why Exodus has been chosen as our next sermon series.
Andy Smith talks about what a charismatic and spirit-filled church looks like, and how it's something we should want with all our heart.
*Due to technical issues this audio recording for this week's sermon is of a lower quality.
Aaron McGovern starts us off for 2020 with looking at what X1 as a 'missional' church looks like.
A selection of highlights from our family Carol Service, with message throughout from Andy Smith.
Bryan Knell takes further into Luke's Gospel as the third part in our Advent series for 2019.
In the first of our advent series for 2019, Joost van den Boogaard discusses why we and the world need the King.
Alex Steed brings the latest in our Life on Mission series, encouraging us to pray and seek God more if we are to see our town transformed.
As we celebrate new life within our church family, Aaron McGovern discusses what healthy family discipleship looks like.
** apologies for poor sound quality Aaron brings the message this week from the campaign ‘Life on Mission’ looking at Growth (Discipleship).
Andy Smith brings the 4th message from the campaign ‘Life on Mission’ looking at sharing your faith. He used the following 3 points: WHAT IS A WITNESS? WHAT DOES IT COST? WHAT IS IT WORTH?
The second Sunday during our campaign term, Life on Mission, focusses on being a witness to the Gospel.
In the absence of Andy Smith, Aaron McGovern discusses what it means to be a practical church.
Aaron McGovern discusses what it means to be a charismatic church.
We apologise for the poor audio quality of this recording. This was due to technical issues.
Andy Smith brings this week's sermon on what we mean when we define Christ First Watford as an 'evangelical' church.
Bethany brings part eighth and final part of our talks from our summer series 'Playlists 2.0' about 'Set a Fire'
Gareth brings part seven of our talks from our summer series 'Playlists 2.0' about 'Better is One Day'.
Alley brings part six of our talks from our summer series 'Playlists 2.0' about 'Lion and the Lamb'
Dave brings part five of our talks from our summer series 'Playlists 2.0' about 'King of Kings'
Simon brings part four of our talks from our summer series 'Playlists 2.0' about 'Jesus Loves Me'
Becky brings part three of our talks from our summer series 'Playlists 2.0' about 'You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)'
Lewis brings the first part of today's talks from our summer series 'Playlists 2.0' about 'The Heart of Worship'
On the celebration of our diverse and global church (International Sunday), Andy Smith preaches in the latest of our Galatians series.
In the fourth instalment of our Galatians series (Seriously Good News), Peter Wiles shares on our calling to the poor.
Aaron McGovern discusses our accountability with God, and not of men, with Galatians 1:10 as a basis.
Andy Smith brings the first in our series on Galatians; looking specifically at Galatians 1:1-10. The Gospel Works.
We were designed to worship. As we near the end of our Spiritual Disciplines series, Andy Smith encourages the church in a time of sung worship interlaced with the spoken message.
Phil Hutchinson brings the latest in our spiritual disciplines series, focusing on the memorisation and meditation of scripture.
Andy Smith brings the latest in our Spiritual Disciplines series, looking at how we need to simplify and focus on instruction given to us in Matthew 6:25.
In the fourth installment of our Spiritual Disciplines series, Alex Steed discusses how we are called to give with thankful hearts.
Aaron McGovern brings the first in our Spiritual Disciplines (Train Yourself for Godliness) series.
Marion Knell explores the true depth to our modern interpretation of the word and experience of peace.
Andy Smith brings the latest in our Advent series, talking on love and humanities constant searching for Love.
In the first sermon in our series around Advent, Phil Hutch brings valuable theological insight into the hope that is found in Christ.
In the latest in our Together series, Andy Smith shares the Elders vision for a Christ-centered church full of prayer warriors for our neighbours, our town, and our nation.
In a break from our 'together' series, Andy shares an encouraging word for bigger prayers and a steadfast faith based on Ephesians 6 and Matthew 17.
In the latest teaching from our Together series, Aaron McGovern explores why we are called to serve.
In the latest sermon from our Together series, Aaron McGovern shares on how we are designed to worship together.
What is christian brotherhood and how can we live this out in our walk together as a church family? Andy Smith explores with teaching on three areas; the good one, the good brothers, and the good life.
The first of our campaign series title 'Together', Andy explores what it means to be together in Christ.
In the second of the pre-cursers to our series on 'Building Community', Aaron poses the question of 'who is your neighbour', drawing on Luke 10.
In a precursor to our upcoming series on building community, Andy shares on what can be taken from the book of Nehemiah on what it means to come together as one body to build a church that impacts our local community.
In our final message from X1 Watford's weekend away, Jim Partridge (King's Church Mid-Sussex) continues unpacking what it means to be a Christ-centered and loving church.
Please note that part one will be uploaded shortly following a technical issue
In the first of our messages from X1 Watford's weekend away together, Aaron McGovern stirs us into Jesus' teaching on being the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13).
In the second of our messages from X1 Watford's weekend away together, Andy Smith teaches on what it means to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
The latest in our values series, Jade De-Crescenzo shares on the purpose of serving within the church and our community.
The latest in our values series, Peter Wiles shares with us testimonies on being courageous and sharing the Gospel.
Apologies for the poor sound quality.
Jennie Haydock shares with passion about the value of honour, sharing from God's Word and powerful testimonies demonstrating the power of honour.
[apologies for some sections of poor quality audio] Bryan Knells unpacks the story of the prodigal son by telling us the story!
Generosity at its heart is self-sacrificing something for the sake of another of for God.
A wedding is not a marriage just as your birthday is not your life, they are celebrations.
Today was our annual 'International Sunday' - the majority of today's preach is translated live into Polish.
Genesis 1 - Creation Statement - “The God who made all this is still in charge and you matter greatly to Him.” WHO and WHY are more important than WHAT and HOW Genesis 1:1-2:3
2 Truths and a Lie: TRUTH 1 – Set Priorities because we cannot do it all... really. TRUTH 2 – Setting Priorities makes us better at serving others! THE LIE – Busyness is the problem.
Romans 6:1-23 God wants to change our hearts. It is not a calling to a dull life, its an invitation to the best life! Are you dying to live? OR Are you living to die?
UPSIDE DOWN – SUPERNATURAL LIFE: FAITH PT II 1. It starts at the beginning and the spirit 2. It starts and ends with who God is 3. It ends through who we are
Andy Smith closes the John series with the I AM…..FINALE “Her, Him, Us, Here” reading from John 4:7-25
I AM…..THE GOOD SHEPHERD (JOHN 10:1-15) Today’s message, and this series based on the book of John, is designed only to point to one thing….knowing Jesus better.
Jim Partridge unpacks John 2:1-12 the wedding at Cana - the story we all know very well, but so often miss the main point.
A profile of Jesus from John's gospel: John 8:48-59; Lev 24:16; Ex 3:13-15; John 10:30-33
Is peace here? If we’re honest, sometimes our own lives are not characterised by ‘peace’. So where is peace? This morning I want to answer that question in two ways: - A very brief history of Peace (from Scripture) - How to cultivate peace (as a Christian)
TRANSFORMED #7 - VOCATIONAL THE CASE OF ANDY SMITH vs YOUTUBE! The YouTube clip show at the beginning can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxeAXoLIQ1Y
Relational Health, and how relationships play a key role in the life of a Christian more than any other...
FIGHT Series: 'Fight against consumerism and for "contributor-ism" in and towards the church'
Ephesian Series - Second part of the The Armour of God: looking at the 'Shoes' and the 'Shield'.
Ephesians NOTES Lies about Ourselves: - You are not enough. - You are too broken / too sinful to come to Christ. - You can’t relate to your non-christian friends if you act too Christiany. - You have no value / worth / purpose.
Lies about God/The Church: - The Church is ineffective / exclusive / divided / corrupt. - You don't need to prioritise church on a Sunday, as people won't miss you. - Church should be continually 'meeting all your needs'. - There is no space in church for your gifting. - God is so holy that he is unreachable. - Jesus was just a really good man. - God is permanently angry / disappointed with you. - Your heavenly father is as flawed as your earthly father.
Lies about Others (family, friends, spouse, society): - They don’t really care about you. - You’re much better than them. - You’re much worse than them. - Your marriage isn’t really working. - They have it all together (Social Media 'best bits'). - You’re totally different to everyone else. - They won't understand even if you did reach out.