NCF Sunday Talks: Recent Episodes
John Stephenson
Listen regularly to Nuneaton Christian Fellowship's Sunday Morning Talk. A variety of topics are addressed, all firmly based on the Bible. We are based in the centre of England.
Paul was led by God to make several long journeys where he explained who God was and the truly incredible things He had done for humanity. You are also on a missionary journey with God. This might seem like a burden or barrier to you at the moment. Pray to God, asking for His anointing and emboldening power to grow in you. Talk to other believers and read the Scriptures too. These things will encourage you to be active in what God is asking you personally to do for Him. Being sleepy is destructive. Wake up! Listen to what God is calling you to do and with His help (and with the help of others) get on with it.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
For over three years, Paul travelled with friends to take the Good News about Jesus, the risen Saviour to countless numbers of normal people. He covered many miles on foot and by ship in what we call his Second Missionary Journey. In each of the places he would speak and live his life as an apprentice, disciple and apostle of Jesus. Listen to this Talk to hear more details about what he did and who he met.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Paul wasn't just called an "Apostle" - he lived his calling from God. What happened on his first journey, where did he go and who went with him? Learn about these things in this Talk. Expect to hear about God giving the initiative and the response being prayer with action and opposition to the Christ centred message.
Hearing about Paul and his friends, does it inspire you to fulfill, in God's strength, what He is calling you to do?
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Many people in our society demand instant access, instant knowledge, instant food and instant results. Often there is no short cut to grasping new concepts etc. If we are to get to know God, we need to spend time with Him. This needs to be regular and over a long period of time. After meeting the risen Jesus near Damascus, Paul spent three years in obscurity on the Sinai Peninsular (Arabia). We don't know exactly what he did there, but it was definitely a time of preparation for what God was going to lead him to do over the next twenty or so years.
Make time to regularly be with God. What you do in private, will help you do well in public. Take appropriate action to enable you to meet with God in worship, service and learning. Many people consider the word 'protracted' to be a needless, tedious or wasteful time. Spending extra time with God will nearly always be positive and encouraging to you and then to others. God certainly wants to spend time with you!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Saul/Paul met the risen Jesus as he approached Damascus. He'd gone there to persecute the Jesus believers and to stop them spreading a message that he personally thought was blasphemous. He soon discovered that Jesus was the Messiah as his life was interrupted by Him. He realized that he was a sinner and needed a Saviour. Jesus was that Saviour. Acts 9, 22 and 26 tell us about what happened and how God used a normal person called Ananias to interact with Paul in a beautiful way.
Let God interrupt your life. Know that He wants you to bless and stir others, as you give your life over to Him. Press stop to what you are doing, as you hear God whispering to you.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Paul the Sent One (Apostle) is a hero to many people. In this introductory Talk, we hear a little about his background, violently persecuting the fledgling Church and yet a few months before he was executed in Rome, he knew that he had fought a good race and that he had been faithful to God's call on his life. God had drastically transformed him, changing the trajectory of his life. May we too be faithful to God's call to the mission He wants us to take part in.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Many of us say, "Amen!" regularly. What does it mean? It reminds us that God's Word is firm and true. God is faithful. We can rest in His grace. The four Gospel writers help us to understand the real importance of Jesus' words as they fairly often include the word at the beginning of statements made by Jesus. Like a town crier, let us listen carefully to what Jesus proclaims to us. Jesus is 'God's Yes,' being the guarantor of God's promises and purposes. Let us say a hearty Yes to whatever God calls us to do. Now is the time to be obedient to Him.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
God is our Father. We may not have had great dads growing or we may long to have been a father, so Father's Day may not be a day to celebrate. However, look how Jesus treated those who were physically around Him on earth. Aim to connect with God. He loves you. He can do things in your life that you can't even imagine. Open your heart and mind to Him.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Athletes who are serious with what they are doing make it a priority to do what their coach tells them to do. When and how to exercise, what to eat, sleep well and so on. As we follow God as our Lord, so we too should make it a priority to do what He tells us to do. We need to take purposeful actions if we intend to follow Him seriously and with conviction.
How wonderful that God makes it part of our fellowship to literally do things together, for the mutual benefit of everyone. Let God nudge and lead you to take action for Him. It will certainly bless you and will also be a benefit to many others.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
(A recording wasn't made during the actual Celebration, so this message was recorded two days later, when the speaker was on his own at home.)
Our brains cope with remembering a phenomenal amount of information. Some things are much more important than others! Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension are vital to be pondered regularly in our lives. We travel much faster from bondage towards freedom as we meditate on God's strength, kindness and brilliance. Our Lord continues to lavish His love on us. The Bible reminds us to deliberate recollect these things and not to forget them through not considering them highly enough in our lives. Actively and intentionally take time each day (and not only when we take Communion together) to remember God's actions and character. We shall be transformed.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Many of us have attended wedding ceremonies as guests. We're used to what goes on there. Something extremely important has happened. Jesus is calling us, the Church, to be His Bride! God paid what He thought you were worth to make this happen and He is still sending us love letters, which show His affection and commitment to us.
Let's linger at the Lord's table. We won't grow old there! We do need to be prepared though and make ourselves ready. Let Jesus wrap you in His robe of righteousness.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Millennia ago God spoke to a selected few - perhaps, kings, priests and prophets. The coming of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem at Pentecost was a seismic change. Now God would speak to anyone. How is your connectivity with God? Are you plugged into Him? Let Him equip and empower to work for Him. Ask Him to increase your desire, thirst and love for Jesus.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
"This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him." Matthew (chapter 17), Mark (chapter 9) and Luke (chapter 9) all describe Jesus going to the top of a mountain with Peter, James and John. They weren't alone for long, as Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus.
Why did this happen to three of Jesus' disciples and why is it still applicable for you to learn about it in the 2020s? Jesus was not just a rabbi and miracle-worker - He was also the Son of God. God spoke from heaven and put a beautiful seal of delight in His Son. Our might and our power are not enough to help us succeed as we follow God on His mission. We need His encompassing love in our lives in order to succeed and to speak a relevant message to others in our lives. As we wait upon the Lord, we know He will give us energy and hope, both for today and the future.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Two of Jesus' followers were walking towards Emmaus when Jesus joined them, though they were not aware that it was Him. It was Resurrection Day and they simply didn't know the major significance of what was happening.
God is calling us not to simply 'stare into the sky' (Acts 1) of where we last saw the Lord, but to work with and for Him on the missions that He has given us all to complete. Let's get our brooms out, even if the task seems difficult. Jesus is real. Let's give an appropriate response to His power and presence in our lives.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Whilst physically on earth, Jesus didn't leave people in their valley of despair with health or relationship issues. He had compassion, entered their dark valley and then transformed their life. God is still transforming lives today. He comes to guide, confront, heal and encourage us whilst we are in a valley. Perhaps a valley is a good place to be? Reach out to God, knowing that He is with you and then ask Him to transform you that He might be glorified and others might be blessed. Let us get better at trusting God when we or a close friend/relative are in a valley.
For the first two+ minutes of this Talk an impromptu valley is constructed using 2x washing airers, 2x music stands, 2x blankets and 6x washing pegs.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
The first part of this recording marks Malachi being dedicated to God. We pray for him and thank God for who he is.
In John 4, we hear about how Jesus waited at a well to have a conversation with a woman who He knew was coming. Jesus promised Living Water to well up within her life. Her testimony enabled others to be transformed by Jesus too. Let's allow God to really do something special in our lives and not just be content with a semblance of His love, power and gifts. How authentic is God in your life? Let Him affect your life!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
What an unexpected place to meet the Saviour of the World - up a tree! Yet, that is what happened to a hated man in Jericho. Jesus was coming by and Zacchaeus wanted to see Him, so overcome the obstacles that he had. Today, Jesus is still saying, "I must stay at your house today!" to you. Jesus is close to you. Call out to Him and put your trust and hope in Him. It is certainly worth getting rid of the obstacles.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Peter, one of the leaders of the early Church, had been put in prison due to his faith in Jesus. His spiritual family prayed to God and He supernaturally released Peter.
This story in Acts 12 reminds us that God is much greater than our biggest problems, our biggest mistakes and our biggest dreams. He is the vine and we are the branches. Let's all make God front and centre in our lives. We need Him!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Our earliest ancestors went away from God, deciding to do their own thing. Due to His love for humanity, God had a plan to reconcile His creation back to Himself. On this Easter Sunday, we think again about how God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to die for all of us. Without Jesus dying for us, it would have been impossible to escape our eternal destination of hell. Jesus willingly humbled Himself to wear a crown of thorns and to die on the Cross.
We need Him in our lives. We need to repent of our past wrongs and put Him and His desires first in our lives. Jesus is not just a person of history, but a living reality to many millions around the world today.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Jesus entered Jerusalem on what we term 'Palm Sunday' in a specific way. He came on a donkey, showing that He was bringing peace and in order to fulfill an Old Testament Scripture. The people of that city responded in certain ways.
How do we respond when we know that God is particularly with us? Open the door of your heart to God, welcoming Him into your life with humility and then honour Him by your words and actions.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
If we see a medical emergency often we would want to help the person if it is safe and appropriate to do so. We are in a spiritual emergency. God believes in the death penalty - eternal separation from Him. However, Jesus came so that we could be reconciled with God and that penalty could be sorted out forever.
God calls us to arise and shine for Him. We have such great news to tell others! We can lavish our love and God's love on others. God calls us to do this and empowers us to accomplish His mission in our lives. Don't give up! You are vital in God's plans to bring change to those who live around you. God still has more for you to do for Him!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Jesus met a Samaritan woman near a well. What He said to her turned her life around. She then went off to speak to many others about what Jesus has said to her. In this Talk, we are encouraged to get to know Jesus better, as a testimony is always produced when people meet Jesus. Other people need to hear your testimony. Be ready to give it!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
[Please note that the first minute or so wasn't caught on this recording.]
Jesus spoke a lot about forgiveness. It's the nitty gritty of faith. What did He mean though? What didn't He mean? How do we make it part of our lifestyle and not just an occasional event?
Jesus came to earth to bring us freedom. Let's keep close to our Lord and see what will happen in our lives and in the lives of others when we abandon ourselves to God.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
God inspired the Bible to be written in order to stimulate us to become more like Him and to do things like Him. God is on a Mission and He has invited all of us to act with Him - through our character and through our actions. We can get involved with His Mission in a wide range of ways. It is good to practice them, but He will also quicken us when they are best to be used for the blessing of other people.
Like Jonathan Edwards, let's decide to live for God, even if the people around us are choosing not to. Let's reflect Jesus, the Light of the World, to others in our sphere of influence.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
In the last Talk of this Series, we sum up what we have thought about so far and the implications for our individual lives. Let Jesus wear His crown in your life! Don't quickly scamper out of times of testing. Sometimes God wants to bring you through times of heartache and sorrow so that you can be a blessing to others in the future. The River can be a positive place to be. Allow God to grip you, so that you'll be inspired, anointed and equipped for what He is calling you to do with Him in the coming weeks and months. Like the Apostle Paul we need to rely on God in our life. As we take a posture of humility and submission so we will live well in this current Land of Holiness and Promise.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Sometimes God gives His People or an individual a decision to make and delaying that decision is simply wrong. In Joshua 24, the Israelites are given a choice between wholeheartedly following God or to go back and worship idols that are powerless and are of no long-term value. We have similar choices today. Will you serve God with all your being or not?
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Humans are resourceful and creative, but often it is only God and His power, anointing and care that will see us through different circumstances in our lives. In this Talk, we explore how the Israelites definitely needed God's supernatural help as they conquered the Promised Land (Land of Holiness).
We shouldn't only expect God to work in our church buildings, but in every place we go - this is what happened in Bible times. Has God opened a door for us collectively to go through at this time? Let's submit to God, praying "Your will be done in my life, as it is in heaven." We are fallible and limited in our understanding. God is not! Let's expect Him to work supernaturally in and through us.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
The Israelites entered the Promised Land and saw God do miracles at Jericho. Not everyone followed God's plans though in this land of holiness. They needed to live holy lives in the Holy Land. Being holy means being set apart and consecrated for God and wanting to catch His essence as you spend quality time with Him. We are certainly not good enough without God's merited grace in our lives. Don't turn your back on God, but approach Him reverently. God is our strong fortress!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Do you like surprises in your life? It depends what it is of course. Does everything make sense in your life? It is all sewn up, neat and tidy? What God did in the Bible and in our modern world doesn't always make sense to us. It doesn't need to. He is God and we are not! He is Sovereign and we are not! His ways are always the best ways in any circumstance in our lives.
God has good plans for us. Nothing can separate us from His love. When we are caught off guard by surprises in our lives, then let us run to Him and be safe. The walls of Jericho fell down due to God's plans. God is our strong fortress though!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
The Israelites had crossed the River Jordan and so surely the next step was to concentrate on how to be physically ready for the battles ahead? No! God appeared to Joshua as a theophany (recounted in Joshua 5) and Joshua quickly responded by worshipping God.
Let us too be quick to respond when we encounter the living, holy and awesome God! Let Jesus wear His crown, without desiring to wear it ourselves. Let us do as God tells us to do, looking to Him as a priority every day. Amongst all the pressures and busynesses of our lives, let us follow Joshua's example and life our eyes to God. Our help comes from Him.
"The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe!" (Proverbs 18:10)
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
As the Israelites were entering their Promised Land, God reminded them that they hadn't been that way before (Joshua 3:4). They had to totally depend on God by consecrating themselves, to watch God as He acted on their behalf and then to move on at His pace and direction.
God might be asking you to move into new territory in 2026. You need to be totally dependent on God too, keep close to Him as He is our primary choreographer! Just as we have heard of God's fame and action from the past, so let us rely on His character and power in our lives today too.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
The people of Israel went to Egypt because it meant freedom from hunger and uncertainty. It was initially a good place to be in. After 430 years, God miraculously brought the Israelites out of that land. What would happen next? Would they prefer the uncertainty of knowing what might occur as they entered the Promised Land? Would they rather have the pain of slavery than trusting God in their new adventure?
In our lives, let's give thanks for the past but let us remember that "the name of the LORD is a strong fortress, the godly run to him and are safe." Let us be known for people who have been with Jesus. Whatever the future holds, let's embrace God and His ways in all of our lives.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
God is 100% faithful and good no matter what is going on in our lives. We need Him in our lives! We need Him to interact with His compassion, holiness, gifts and power. We should recognize the beauty of others, we should do something beautiful for Jesus and we should become more beautiful for Jesus ourselves.
Let's take off the crown from our heads that really belongs to Jesus and then submit to God. He is worthy!
The script for this Service can be read here.
In this short Talk we consider the importance of being captivated by Jesus. Even as a Baby, He changed people's lives. We especially look at Mary and the shepherds in the Christmas story. Ask God to captivate your heart today - that's an important prayer!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Many people have heard the Christmas story numerous times. In this Talk we consider looking again at three phrases or words within that series of events. What is our hearty attitude like towards God? Do we let Him energize us and give us direction in our lives? Jesus is no longer a Baby. What do you think about Jesus? Will you decide to live under His authority?
You can read the Carol Service running order here and the script for the Talk here.
The pilgrimage or journey that we are all on with God can be beautiful and transformational even if there are difficult moments. In this Talk we explore three main things to keep in mind as we travel both with God and with other people. Remember to wear the Fruit of the Spirit as your base layer and to look for gold in others.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Anita is the Pastor of the Elim Church in Loughborough.
Looking at Ephesians 1:1-14, we can see that God blesses us through adoption, redemption and salvation. If we are struggling, we should focus on these blessings to help us to look forward towards the future. How do you bless God in your normal life?
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
We need God's mercy and grace in our lives. Whatever our age and whatever our type of personality or confidence for life level, God is willingly giving us His precious love and gifts - even though we totally do not deserve that consideration from Him. We have seen amazing things happen around the world in our life times (both good and bad), but the effects of God's mercy absolutely dwarf any of those that we can bring to mind. As we receive God's mercy, let us then pass it on to others and see what God does with that domino effect.
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Corinthians 13:14
Unfortunately the first five minutes of this Talk were not recorded. Take a look at the script to get the gist of what was said. The script for the whole Service can be read here.
In this Talk we hear a little about how Abraham had many descendants (like God promised) and explore the three generations born after him. We name all the twelve tribes of Israel and work out who they were born to.
Joseph was a dreamer. He was sent to Egypt and then put in prison, but that wasn't the end of what God had planned for him - just like it wasn't the end when Sarah was described as barren. May God help us to see with faith what He is doing in our lives and in the lives of others. He hasn't finished with you yet. Immerse yourself in God's grace and remember that His strength and love to us will see us through any situation we might be facing. We can then share that same grace with others and see many more people affected by God.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
In this Service we dedicated Noah Wright to God, praying that he would remain child-like in his relationship with God. Like Abraham in Genesis 17, we can have a ongoing relationship with God. God can transform us all by His power and love - He is not an illusionist where He tricks us to believe in Him. He is like a mountain - dependable and strong.
Early in this recording we hear about what dedication is and then the vows we make that Noah will be brought up according to God's ways.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Are we a cardboard cutout with regard to our faith or are we present and real? Jacob wrestled with God until he knew that he had been blessed by God (Genesis 32). On Remembrance Sunday we want to remember those people who have given their lives so that we might live fairly peacefully today, but we shouldn't aim to only have a faith where we remember the good days from the past. God still wants to touch us today. Let's not give casual thoughts towards God, but decide to actively show grace to others in a multitude of ways.
The script for the whole of the Service can be read here.
(The slight interference in the sound quality goes away at 2'34".)
Humans look for fulfillment in their lives to all kinds of things. Psalm 121 reminds us to look to God every day of our lives and not to the strong things we see about us. Abraham was a man of faith and a pilgrim. God calls us to live a similar lifestyle of expectation by being pilgrims in 2025.
What we are expecting tomorrow or in the near future will greatly affect us today. May God help us all to look to Him in the ups and downs of life today. May we fully experience God walking with us today.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Abraham was the patriarch of this family, but lots of women had important roles to play and God was often interacting in their lives. In this Talk we hear about Sarah, Hagar, Keturah and Rebekah. Whilst none of them (like us) always got things correct, God saw them and helped them in their shortcomings. Often we might be the answer to our own prayers - whether we feel we are in the desert or in the land of plenty.
The Christian faith is not just for problem days or times of high excitement - it's for every time in our life. Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham was a man of faith. His faith would doubtlessly have been explored on every day of his life.
May we have an expectation of God that involves receptive hearing and responsive doing. May our response to God's regular prompting be a child-like one, as we relax and rest in God's strength and abilities.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Sarai and Abram were barren for decades. They had a long wait - even after God had promised them change and transformation. This Talk reminds us that God is still transforming people and situations in the mid-2020s - just like He did in Bible times.
Don't cover up your burdens - bring them to Jesus instead. Commit your way and your dreams to Him. What has God promised to do in and through you? May we be expectant to God's promises and beautiful desires for us and for our town.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Abraham was much like us - often doing well with God and sometimes doing ridiculous things. He is called a friend and a servant of God. We need God's grace to help us to be obedient to our Lord, as we are fragile and are liable to get things wrong! May God help us to grow up, so that we can become more obedient to His ways and to take appropriate actions in our lives as God pleasers.
What is a Covenant? How are they described in the Bible? What do we need to do under God's terms of His New Covenant? As part of God's family, how do we actively seek to improve the relationships we have with God and with each other?
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Two people from CAP (one from the national office in Bradford and the other from the local branch in Nuneaton) speak about what CAP is doing as it partners with churches across the UK. Many people's lives are being transformed by Jesus. There is a tremendous need in our society for this role of helping others to become debt free and to be befriended.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
How does God's fame influence and shape you? Are your actions and thoughts changed because of it? Habakkuk spoke for God in Judah about 600BC. It was a time of turmoil and unrest. He prayed that God would act again in his time and in his place. He realised that it was only God who could change the situations he faced.
Remembering how God has blessed others in the past and in other places is a positive start to encourage us all to pray that God would act in Nuneaton and throughout the UK in the mid-2020s. May God's fame spread!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
We often make decisions from two choices: shall I do this or shall I do that? Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 that we should give up all rights to ourselves if we are to follow Him. Shall we flee from Jesus and the very real demands He makes towards us or shall we meet Jesus at the cross and die to ourselves there? We all have that choice every day of our lives.
In this Talk we think about the commands Jesus gives, especially considering how four people in the Bible chose to die to themselves. The cross was a terrible physical place to visit. We can only truly bear the cross because we are whole-heartedly following Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. May we all know God's power and anointing to carry the cross.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Make time each day to read and consider the Bible, asking God to be your Guide. We don't deserve to have a relationship with God, but in His mercy we have. Reading and studying the Bible encourages us and directs us as we walk along with God. We need to take appropriate action as we are prone to not always go the way that God intends for us. It is healthy to measure yourself against what Jesus said and did in the Bible.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
The Bible was inspired by God. We need to put effort and time in to let it change us. It's not just a book to read, but one that can transform and change our lives as we meditate on it and keenly observe what it says. As we read the Bible we become aware of our own smallness, but are strengthened by knowing that God puts His power and strength within us so that we can live abandoned to Him.
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
Where do you go when you want to retreat from everything and everyone? Who do you go to when you wish to be sustained and energised? Go to God! He is the One who will embrace, encourage and lead you onto ways that will give you security and will be a blessing to others.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Headlights are in-built to our cars. It would be very strange to have to install them ourselves if we were going on a journey that involved darkness. In the same way, the Bible is like headlights to help us not fall in ditches in our lives. It is a very practical Book, but we need to read and study it regularly in order to get the most out of it.
Jesus takes away the chains that have been placed on us. He sets us free to live for Him and to selflessly bless others. We are all called to be lights in this world. As we learn about Jesus, the Light of the World, so the Bible encourages us to be lights to those that we meet. Let us act like lighthouses, so that many people may be saved from the dangerous places around them. May large numbers of people find liberty and freedom in their lives through what we tell them about our Saviour and Lord: Jesus!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
The psalmist stated to God in verse 94,, "I am Yours." At different stages of my life I've been my parents', my own and my wife's. God has the greatest authority and influence in my life, so overarching all parts of my life since 1983 (when I was first gave my life to God) I also declare that, "I am Yours, God!"
I do this by wanting to spend time with God, by wanting to base my life on His commands and by realising that I am not my own. Like Joshua proclaimed to the Israelites before he died, "Choose this day who you will serve." Let's all decide to all rely and depend on God, regularly affirming in both actions and words that, "I am Yours, God!"
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
A lot of people in our community work really hard for things that don't positively impact their eternal destiny. God + nothing else and nobody else = total abundance in life today and for all of eternity.
In this Talk we are reminded that God is our sufficiency, our reward, our portion and our inheritance. Just as God was the sufficiency of all the normal people who lived in Bible times, so He can be the full sufficiency of all the normal people who live in 2025 - including you and me. We are rich when we put God at the centre of our lives. We need nothing more in this age or in the one to come! Accept God as your sufficiency today.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
In these three sections of Psalm 119, we see how the Psalmist is passionate for God to act within his life. The writer is keen to obey God, wanting to learn more about the One who continues to inspire and help him. Let us pray that God will help us, by opening our eyes to what He is doing around us and that we will accept His strength and His anointing in our day-to-day lives.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
As we begin a Series of Talks dedicated to the longest Chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, we remind ourselves of the power and life that the Bible has. God uses the Bible to convict, encourage and liberate us. He has actually breathed into and inspired all of it! The whole Psalm is read by a group of five people from 04:29 to 20:37 and then we discover a little about the form and construction of this particular Psalm before we dwell on the fact that as we read it, meditate on it and study it, so God adds so much more extra 'value' and 'power' to what we have discovered. We're encouraged to read it for ourselves and to inform ourselves of what the Bible might be saying to us personally.
Even though some might consider the Bible to be a dangerous book, let's read it each day, making the truths it contains a firm part of our lives.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
In this Talk, we are reminded how indispensable the Bible is in our lives today. People like John Wycliffe and William Tyndale gave their lives to make it easily accessible and understandable for us in the 21st century. However, there are still large numbers of people around the world who do not have a Bible in a language that they understand. The immense work to make this treasure available to everyone in an understandable way continues.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
God is taking action around the world in 2025. His Kingdom of Light is extending and disturbing the status quo. As God raises His banner in Nuneaton and in your life, will you join in the mission that He is leading? Watch what God is doing. Perceive how He is doing something new in the lives of those around you. There are many opportunities to get involved. Let God turn your life upside down and then pray and dream for greater things than you could even imagine.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
We all have relationships with people because everyone interacts with others. Some relationships may be more formal like grandma and grandson etc. We didn't choose our family relationships. However, the Bible states in many places that God has chosen you as His son or daughter. Have you actually chosen Him as your Father or do you mess around with your relationship with God?
God encourages us to be 'father-like' to everyone we meet. This necessitates us all wearing love as our basic, all-purpose garment (Colossians 3:12-14). It's a privilege to be father-like to other people. God sees us all as people of worth, so let us all play a beautiful part in our family here.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Just as our King has a personal birthday and an official one, so do we as followers of Jesus. Pentecost is the official birthday of the Church. In this Talk we briefly think about the significance of Pentecost and how remembering and celebrating what happened at that first Pentecost in about 33AD are important, but we also need to expect and receive what God is doing now. More is coming from God to His Church. Let's look around us and declare that 'but....God!'
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
As we have dialogues with our friends, so let us be expectant that when we spend time sitting with God, that He will speak back to us in creative ways.
In this Talk we consider the ways that Hannah, Elijah and Jairus prayed to God. Let's pour out our hearts to God as they did. Let us also rebuild the altars, doing the things that we can do and letting God do what we might consider impossible.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
In this last Talk of this Series we consider what for many of us is an unknown man in 2025. Tychicus was a great friend and supporter of Paul both on his journeys around parts of Europe and whilst he was in prison. Being a servant isn't attractive to many, but it is beautiful to God. Jesus is the greatest servant of all.
Let's intentionally serve others at home, at work, at church and wherever we find ourselves. Let's intentionally be friends to others, helping them even when it costs us. Use your gifts to bless and encourage those around you.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Aaron, the older brother of Moses, was generally a good man who wanted to follow God, as well as supporting others in their walk with God. In Exodus 32 we read of a bad incident that involved an idol of a calf. Aaron and the Israelites believed a lie instead of submitting to and following God.
In this Talk we consider four lies that might make us less productive in our walk with God. Everyone in the world worships and serves someone or something. Let's decide to make God our focus and honour Him and His ways.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
We listen to three stories involving two main people (Paul and Ruth). They were both trapped by circumstances. God sorted out their difficulties and changed their lives. These weren't easy times for the people concerned and for those that loved them. However, God had a plan for them and they were able to look to Him for help and tenacity. We can do the same too with God's help, as we intentionally choose to follow Him.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
The Bible tells us that David was a man after God's own heart. He made some big mistakes, as well as doing good things. He knew that he was known and loved by God though. This overshadowing and protection meant a great deal to David. He certainly had to make amends and ask for forgiveness when he sinned, but these serious incidents didn't need to hold him back from working with and for God. It is exactly the same in our lives. Nothing good nor bad need hold us back from being with God. We are known and incredibly loved by God. Let's keep in step with what He is doing.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Abraham (Abram) had to make many choices as to whether to follow God or just have idols in his life. Being obedient to God wasn't always easy, but Abraham tried to be faithful and obedient to what God was telling him to do.
God is calling us to trust Him too. We need to let go of things like pride, disobedience, disbelief and sin. What is the condition of your heart? What is your response when God has spoken to you?
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
God is at work. He was at work with Nicodemus, a pharisee, when He went to speak privately to Jesus. Less than three years later Nicodemus would provide the equivalent in weight of spices of over thirty bags of sugar, as he and Joseph of Arimathea annointed Jesus' dead body before putting it in the tomb.
God is also at work in you and those around you. No barrier is too big or solid to stop God's work. Will you join in with God's mission wherever He leads you? Take God's light and love to others, as you walk alongside them.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Peter, that well-known fisherman and disciple of Jesus, like us had many decisions to make about whether he would intentionally follow Jesus or not. In this Talk we briefly look at seven incidents in his life and are encouraged to fully give ourselves to God.
Society tells us that in any instance in our life we need to be independent and give lots of energy and time to something as we'll either sink or swim. The Bible contradicts this. It is not a problem to sink, swim, walk, leap or limp in our lives. We should certainly call out to God and to others and get their help. Absolutely nothing disqualifies us from being with God. Sinking is allowed. We are not a loser if we are sinking!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
At the beginning of this Series of Talks, we remind ourselves that whilst we do need special touches from God, we also need to be indwelt with the Holy Spirit and that we need to be intentional with God in the way that we live our lives. Let's become very familiar with God so that we recognise when God speaks and then take definite action.
Over the next seven weeks we shall look at various characters from the Bible who had to decide whether to follow God in their normal lives or not. We have to do that multiple times each month too.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Lent is a wonderful time of preparation for accepting Jesus - His commands and His desires. In life we might be prepared for big events, but are we always prepared for small or unwelcome things? In this Talk we are reminded that we should live in humility, casting all our problems and anxieties (of whatever size) to God. Sometimes this might involve prayer and counselling over a period. Let's be ready before we need to be in our lives. The best way to do this to to actively and intentionally seek God in our lives.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
God plainly says to us all, "Come to Me and learn from Me." As full-time followers of God we endeavour to meet with Him each day - simply to be with Him. Through the years we have all created routines for our Quiet Times with God that seem to work for us. In February 2025 many people in NCF's congregation filled in questionnaires as to what they actually do with their daily private time with God.
This Talk contains several references to the results of this research, as well as encouragement and ideas to tweak what you might be doing already. What an honour to be invited by God to spend time with Him! Let Him engage your mind, your imagination and your heart as you intentionally devote time to being with Him. May others be changed as you further abandon your life to God, just as God used the fives loaves and two fish in a supernatural way.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
Do we come to Jesus openly or do we count on Him where other peoiple don't realise? There is no need to hide that we need God in our lives. Let's rely openly on God and enter into new life through Him.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
Jesus came to bring reconciliation to our Heavenly Father. He paid a very real penalty to enable this to happen. We too are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation.
Matt shares a little of what he and his family will soon be doing, but challenges us to bring reconcilation to the situations around us that need that. We are all meant to bring that deep shalom peace to everyone we meet.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
In this Talk we are informed about the work of Mercy Ships around the world. They currently have two ships and there are many ways that we can get involved. The speaker refers to an excellent video that gives more information. You can watch it here.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
God calls us to be holy. We should dedicate our lives to serve Him. We hear Exodus 3:1-14 read and remember that on a mundane and ordinary day for Moses, God arrived and made it a pivotal day for him. God could use Moses because he was generally humble, was curious and kept looking. May we too respond well as God calls us to work with Him. We ended the Series by taking parts of six psalms to commit our lives to God.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
God calls us Saints - people set apart for a special purpose. A people living exclusively for God. What an honour! As set apart people, we are called to look after our neighbour and to give of ourselves, even to strangers. Focusing on Jesus let's decide to let go of the burdens we shouldn't be carrying. God will help us as we decide to do this. He is our Shepherd.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
As full-time followers of Jesus we are part of easily the largest army in the world, with God as our commander. Just as normal soldiers work and serve under the authority of higher ranked officers, so we need to do the same. We need to live under God's authority, following and obeying His plans and instructions. How often do we live under our own authority though - preferring to make our own rules up and only associating with God when it works to our benefit? Being set apart for God, means that we are submissive to God's will and accountable to Him. As we do this we don't need to be scared about sharing our faith with others, just going about with our normal tasks in life.
Part of this Talk consists of an experiment trying to mix oil and water. Left to themselves oil and water exist next to each other. However as we use an 'emulsifier' so things change physically. Sin can be an emulsifier in our lives. Sin changes our relationship with God. Our regular private times of devotion with God are essential to keep the relationship with God intimate and maturing. Let's actively decide to please God and do what He says. God sends us to the world to bring change. Let's us go and be set apart for God's use.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
We are called to be set apart for God. As we increasingly fear God in a positive and healthy way, so we are more able to live for God and serve Him with an abandoned devotion.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Trust! Remember! Listen! Recognise! Run to! Proverbs 3:1-12 has several imperative verbs for us to obey. At the heart of Christianity is a relationship with God. We shouldn't try to cheapen our devotion to God by turning what we do with and for God as simply a series of tasks to tick off each day. Let's press in to God and actively call to mind who He is and what He has already accomplished. Let's ask for His strength to remove us from the unhelpful ruts we have in our thoughts and actions. God's steadfast love is great towards us. Let's live in that truth in a carefree and devoted way.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
As full-time followers of Jesus, we are on a pilgrimage. We need correct attitudes and excellent resources to help us stay close to our holy God. Clean hands and a pure heart are the fundamentals. Psalm 139:23,24 is a wonderful prayer to regularly pray to God, as we ask for His help on this adventure. Let's actively befriend holiness and be set apart for God. Let us let God consume us as we walk with Him.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Sacrifices were a regular part of Jewish worship in the Old Testament. How can we be 'living sacrifices' for God now? Is this part of the transforming and conforming that God calls us to in the mid 2020s? How do we please God in our normal day-to-day lives?
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
God is holy - the angels know that very well and they strongly express that truth. Can we not rush away from God, being scared of His holiness, majesty and strength? Could we sit and bask in His presence? As we do, like Isaiah, we will be changed and will want to take action, getting involved with God's Mission wherever we are led to go. Let's actively integrate God's ways and God's passions into our own lives. Let's remember that God is holy and that He calls us to be set apart for His use. (A Reading from Isaiah 6 is included part way through this Talk.)
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Do you have plans for 2025? We will all have choices to make every day. The important issue is whether in our actions and reactions we put God at the centre of our lives or only on the periphery. Let's actively and intententionally put God at the centre of what we do and think. We are at our most secure when we are close to God, being yoked to Him.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Christmas Day is a special day of the year. Most people do things that aren't normal to their regular routines because of the Baby Jesus. What if we let the grown-up Jesus totally influence our lives every day? Would that mean that we could celebrate Christmas every day of the year? Perhaps we could live in the light of zero sleeps until Christmas throughout the year?
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
A YWAM team who have just finished the lecture phase of their Discipleship Training School (DTS) joined us for this Service. We were reminded that we should put things aside in order to be with Jesus. As we sit at His feet, we are acknowledging His position in our lives. What is our current posture towards God?
Two testimonies of God's faithfulness and help can be heard from 18:50.
You can read the outline script for this Service here.
The shepherds and magi recognised Jesus with his parents in Bethlehem because they were told where to find Him and what He would look like. We all need a Saviour because we have all missed the mark with God. Jesus is that Saviour, but Jesus is no longer a Baby. Jesus is no longer in the stable.
Let's all expect God to interact with us and not leave Him on the outskirts of our lives as only an occasional thought. Recorgnise Jesus for who He is now and put Him at the centre of your life.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
Everyone of us experiences and promotes different cultures in our lives. The Bible clearly says that we should embrace the culture of heaven more than anything else in our lives. John 1:14 says that Jesus was full of grace and truth. He commands that we should be like Him. Let's be actively engaged in showing grace and love to others and being in intimate fellowship with God.
When you physically embrace another person you are either doing it or you are not. There is no mid-way of doing it. It is exactly the same as we embrace the culture of heaven. Let us do it fully and with determination.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
We are all called to make a difference to those around us. Even if our talents and resources are like a drop in the ocean to the needs that exist, God is still anointing us to bridge the gap and fulfil what He is asking us to do. In this Talk, Patricia talks with assurance about how God has been glorified in Zimbabwe and now in London through her and others. God has His hand on our lives!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
We all eat as part of our normal routines! Jesus was obviously the same, using the opportunity to meet with others, sharing His life with a wide variety of people so that they might know more about what God is calling them to do. Jesus put love in action through both His words and by what He did - consider His washing of His disciples' feet at the end of the Last Supper.
In this final Talk in this Series, we also remind ourselves that as we meet together, we are gathering with a specific purpose. We primarily meet to behold God. Everything useful derives from that. May God open our eyes to see His glory and know Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
In this Talk we briefly consider how Jesus met Elijah and Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration, as well as a little of the back story to this. God is far greater than we can understand or imagine. He can break into time, doing as He wishes. The supernatural is not far from us. Let us submit to God as our Master, Lord and Saviour.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
We are in battles every day of our lives. Let's follow what King Jehoshaphat and the People of Judah did when they were fearful of enemies just about to engage them in battle (2 Chronicles 20). They sought God wholeheartedly, reminding Him of His character and His previous actions on their behalf.
Let us not be passive in the battles we face, but move forward at God's time and remembering that He is our Warrior in all situations.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Jesus died on the Cross for you. Some of His female followers, including His mother Mary, watched His agony and His death from a distance. How did they feel? How do you feel as you imagine Jesus dying for you?
Let's not ignore that awful day of Good Friday. Let's rejoice that Jesus so loved us that He went through that. There can be no triumph of the empty tomb without Jesus' death. We can learn a great deal from Jesus as we consider Him dying on the Cross for us. There is no way that we can be eternally lost - Jesus made sure of that. Let us follow Him with abandonment as we meet Him at the Cross today.
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
As a fellowship of believers we both walk with God together and on our own. Let us not lose heart, but keep on enduring. We are not alone. God is transforming us. This will lead us on to be effective Ambassadors for Him.
The script for this Service can be read here.
We might long to meet God when we are going through the trials that come our way. God is eager to meet us in the mundane, routine and perfectly ordinary parts of our lives. We have the choice whether we want to meet Him in the non-spectacular parts of our average week. In this Talk we consider how people met with God as they were travelling. As people met God, so they were changed in a positive way.
We need to be close to God to let Him lead us. We need to be ready to speak to others with a sense of urgency, so that they too may know God as Saviour and Lord. We are all on God's rota for action on earth. Let's expect that He will use us to serve and bless others.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
We all face trials and difficulties from time to time. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel Chapter 3, resolved to not worship an idol of Nebuchadnezzar. They knew their punishment meant being thrown into a fiery furnace, but they chose to do the right thing. They triumped in God and had a testimony about God's faithfulness. Obedience to God is costly, yet God can do the impossible when we do the possible. How do we face trials - with God or in our own strength? God promises to not leave us or forsake wherever we are. Rest in that truth.
The script for the whole Service can be found here.
Large numbers of God's People might often meet in specific church buildings in many places around the world in the 21st century, but for thousands of Christians today and in the past, this isn't or wasn't the case. The Greek word that is often translated 'church' in English Bibles had an original civic meaning: a gathering with a specific purpose of those who are summoned. We can meet for several specific purposes as Jesus followers.
Listen to this Talk to hear some of these purposes and to be reminded that, like Jesus, we are to show compassion to others. It is much more important to consider Who we are meeting (God), rather than where or in what way we are meeting. Let's demonstrate who God is and what He is like as we choose to meet together in the various places we go in a normal week.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
God loves humanity. He engaged fully whilst He was on earth and has done so through the millennia both before and since then. God loves you. You are not disqualified from God's love.
How much are you engaging in society today? You have a calling from God to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Is your preference to put God first and serve others or to put yourself first? Give your best offering to God - yourself. Take small steps in learning and maturing and follow through with intentionally establishing godly habits in your life.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
A person from Open Doors UK reminded us of what is happening around the world, with one in seven Christians being persecuted globally. We were also reminded that Paul endured persecution and imprisonment, knowing that God's plans were being fulfilled. He prayed that God's Word would be released to those around him, rather than he himself being physically released. Jesus is worth our everything. Let us be prepared to take risks as God leads us.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
In this Talk we hear what Ivette has been doing for the past seven months in Chile and Peru. We are also reminded that we shouldn't hold back from what God is telling us to do - Isaiah 54:2,3.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
We must fairly often pray without knowing or seeing everything that we're concentrating on. We know that God is in control, but how do we keep praying and learning when perhaps we're not focussing on what God would have us do. God will help us!
Let's use the Lord's Prayer as an inspiration to prayer. Let's also use God's language, which the Bible is full of, and let's ask God to fill us with wisdom as we pray. Then keep going, like the Moravians did. God understands our heart, so let Him lead us.
You can the script for the whole Service here.
When you were younger, did anyone ever say, "Sssshhh!" to you? Does it still happen sometimes? Does God ever say, "Ssshhh!" to you? In this Talk we examine five people who encountered God when they were on their own. They listened as God spoke to them. Their lives were changed.
How do you reply to God's valuable invitation to come to Him? Are you regularly still to let Him be God in your life? It is so important to trust in Jesus and to rely on Him. Spend some time listening to God now. What is He saying to you at this moment? Ssshhh!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
We all have lots of of choices and decisions to make regularly in our lives - some are extremely important and others are much less so. Should we be careful only when we are at a major crossroads - no! We need to live well and live with careful choices every day. We are in charge of our own actions and reactions. Wearing the wrong clothes for the weather will make us look silly and perhaps cause problems, but so does wearing unkindness and unforgiveness and being sullen. Let's instead decide to brag about God, giving a loud hallelujah through our actions. We can do this because God walks with us in our lives. We are not alone!
In this last Talk on Jeremiah we are again reminded who Jeremiah was and what was happening around him, together with an overview of the Book.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
The Kingdom of Judah, like its northern neighbour Israel had previously done, was relying on itself and in alliances with nearby countries. Jeremiah spoke to them using the familiar picture of a potter. God is like a potter. We need to connect with Him regularly and allow Him to reshape us and to mend us and then to allow His treasure that is in us to pour into the lives of others.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
We absolutely need Jesus' Living Water, in an equal amount to the Samaritan woman in John 4. God is not a bigger version of you. Around 2,600 years ago, God spoke through Jeremiah and charged the People of Judah with ignoring the Fountain of Living Water and building their own leaky cisterns. We still do that today. Let's make our lives revolve around God and submit to His will, His laws and His decrees. Let's be firmly dependent on God. We absolutely need Jesus' Living Water today.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
The Babylonians had already been besieging Jerusalem for a year in 587BC. What an awful time that would have been for the population at that time. Exile in a foreign country was only months away. Much doom and gloom would have been felt in the city and surrounding area! Jeremiah was there. In chapter 32, God told him to buy a field. This was a picture of hope for the people of Judah, as surely normality would resume eventually.
Jeremiah prayed a really positive prayer after he had bought the field. He accurately described who God was and recounted some of His actions, even in the middle of a terrible situation. Do we label God correctly in our lives or do we suffer because of our misconceptions about Him? Do we label our friends and family correctly too? We are precious and loved by God. We were worth dying for. Do we show this by the way we act and speak towards each other?
God brings stability to our lives and to society. Let's throw ourselves on God's mercy, as we pray and take action. We should not be inactive. Let's seek liberation from sin for ourselves and others. Let's come to God and ask Him what He thinks of our society from His vantage point.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
In chapter 28, a prophet called Hananiah brought a word from God for the People of Judah, but Jeremiah brought one that was quite different. How should we discern God speaking to us? When we say something in normal life and another person speaks something differently, how do we act? Remember, Hananiah was certain he was speaking for God. Are we sometimes so sure of what we’re saying and that someone is wrong? Show respect, love and humility to the other person.
Be clothed in God's righteousness and seek His mercy for yourself as you repent and then show love and kindness to others.
The Script for the whole Service can be read here.
God promised Jeremiah that as Jeremiah called out to Him, so He would answer. God is omnisicient, omnipotent and omnipresent and yet He loves us and wants us to know Him more. In this Talk, we briefly look at how God responded to several people in the Bible and also took the initiative in calling out to various people. We need to spend time with God and expect Him to converse with us - though that might be in a wide variety of ways.
Let's intentionally set out to finish our race of life well. As Mary remarked in Luke 1, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants. May everything you said come true." May we grow in expectancy that God will interact with us and then see the world changed around us.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
Jeremiah often gave a difficult message for the people of Judah to hear and then to act upon. Chapter 27 contains one of those. What, Nebuchadnezzar is God's servant (verse 6)?
Let us too, remember that God often gives us a simple message. He is way beyond us in creativity, power and inspiration. Jesus came to save us from our sins. That message is still relevant today and needs to be acted upon. Let us obey what God says. Let's repent and follow God with our whole hearts.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
We begin a new Series on the Old Testament Book of Jeremiah. He spoke around 622BC to 580BC. God called him to speak for Him in a very unstable world. The People of Judah were soon to go into exile due to their turning their backs on God.
Like Jeremiah, God wants all of us to work with and for Him. Irrespective of our age, health or social standing, God wants to show you His abundant sufficiency in our lives. There will certainly be difficulties ahead, just like a ship in an open sea being tossed about occasionally, but we are in safe hands as we work for and with God. Let's be available for God's use and then see the world around us change.
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
In the UK, we are very fortunate in being able to easily and openly meet with other followers of Jesus. In the 10-40 Window (approximately 10 to 40 degrees north latitude), many Christians aren't permitted to do that. Many people don't even have a Bible in their primary language.
Let us not forget our responsibilities include giving, going, praying and fellowshipping. On this Mission Sunday for NCF, it is easy to remember people who don't have the spiritual luxuries that we might take for granted. The challenge is to keep on praying and seeking God about how we can answer our own prayers for them throughout the year.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
Haute cuisine is seen as wonderfully high-quality food. God has given us the Bible which tells us so much about His ways, His character and His love for all of humanity. It is truly life-changing and enriching food for our lives. God speaks to us as the ultimate creator, the preeminent communicator and transcendent in love.
In this Talk we learn a little about the history of the Bible and how translation work is yet to begin in well over one thousand languages. Let us actively and regularly use the wide range of printed and online resources that are available to us. Reading the Bible will strengthen us as we decide to obey the Great Commisson and the Greatest Commandments. Let us ingest and digest God's Words for us!
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
Guy, the regional representative of the Leprosy Mission, came and spoke about the work of the Mission, with particular regard to a hospital in India, where 600 people queue up each day in humid conditions to get a diagnosis and then help.
God cares for me. God is living and active in us and around us. We’re strengthened by the Living Water. Both Hagar and the Samaritan woman had encounters with God and then their lives were changed. Are you too nervous to tell others about Jesus? Let Him strengthen you. He gives us both hope for today and for the future.
A film lasting 5'34" was shown and can be heard from 22'36" on this recording. The film can be viewed here.
The Script for the whole Service can be read here.
God's manifesto for all of mankind was that we should know freedom from sin and death. He came to earth to accomplish this. He has stated that the manifesto that we should adhere to, is to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). As we do these things we'll be showing the same freedom to others, that God has shown to us. Let's regularly set out to intentionally do this.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
In our last Talk in this Series, we think about what Jesus said about the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8). She didn't just want him to act on her behalf - she absolutely needed him to.
God has intervened in humanity through Jesus's death on the cross. His intervention didn't just end there. As we pray, He will intervene in our lives and in national and international events. We really need God Almighty to intervene in our lives on a day to day basis. May we spur each other on to desire more of God in our lives. Let's not rest from the Mission God has given us, but get going with His enthusiasm and strength.
A person gives a testimony how God intervened in their lives at 35.58.
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
Jesus tells a Parable to His Disciples about an unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35. His debt, that was totally impossible to pay, was cleared by his master. However, he didn't show kindness to a fellow servant who owed him considerably less. Peter and the rest of the Disciples learned about forgiveness through this and so do we! God often gives unexpected answers in our conversations with us. He doesn't measure or count the same way as we do.
Let's decide to not only allow God to build the foundations for our lives, but to keep on building throughout our lives. His plans may not be the same as what we would work out. God has given us power to work with Him on His mission, but how serious might that ultimately be? Being with Jesus is the best treat we can give ourselves.
The Script for the whole Service can be read here.
We look at the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:46-49) in this Talk. Will we choose to obey what God says as the foundation in our lives or will rebel, defy or disregard God and His commands? Just like practising to learn a piece of music on an instrument, so we need to practice our obedience towards God. Sometimes we'll get a setback as something unexpected happens, but let's keep being determined to honour and please God. Let's put effort and energy into following Jesus!
The Script for the whole Service can be found here.
Considering what Jesus said in Mark 4:1-20, we are reminded that God plants seed in our lives. We need to personally cultivate the soil of our lives. God's Word won't return to Him void. Sit close to Jesus!
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
We first hear a short statement about our good friend Margaret who had died on the Wednesday before this Service.
This Talk is based on John 10:1-18. Jesus talked in ways that made people sit up and listen. He had authority, but His delivery was also different from the other teachers around Him.
Sheep are clever and recognise many voices. A sheepfold is good for protection at night, but they need to go out during the day to get fed. Let us too, follow the voice of our Shepherd - Jesus. We will find pasture through Him. Be aware of the thief too.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
This Parable is told in all the Synoptic Gospels, at Matthew 9:16,16, Mark 2:21,22 and Luke 5:33-39. God has given us all an Invitation to come to Him. How do we make sure that our regular activities and current ideas don't get in the way of what God wants to say to us and do with us? We can't pick and mix with a bit of God and a bit of us in our lives - it needs to be all of God!
Once we've accepted God's Invitation, let's pass it on to other people. Heaven is going to be populated with the friends, family and strangers that we talk to. Let's attend the Feast and bring someone with us!
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
When Jesus spoke in Parables, He was helping us to remember what He was saying so that we could ultimately change as a result of what He was speaking about.
The possibility of not understanding what Jesus was saying in His mini-stories in Luke 14:25-33 is small. He is telling us that we need to give everything we have and are to Him. How will we live sacrificially for Him? God might be calling you to do something specific, so start off small and grow in that sacrifice over time. God demands everything from us, as we can't be a part-time disciple of Jesus.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
We have around fifty parables spoken by Jesus that are written in the Synoptic Gospels. He used familiar visible items in stories that told the truth of God's upside-down invisible world. The punchlines often necessitated change in the listeners. They still do!
Are you ready for Jesus' Second Coming? Are you ready for the commands He gives you? Fixing our gaze on Jesus and wanting to be close to Him are essential activities if we describe ourselves as Christians. Let's keep company with Jesus!
An introduction to the Series is given from 00:00, with this Parable being read from 15:13 and then some thoughts on the Parable from 16:57.
The Script for the whole Service can be read here.
These two short Talks on Easter Day remind us of the immense actions that Jesus undertook on our behalf. We needed a Saviour to make it possible to have a good relationship with God, as sin had tragically blocked that intimacy. Jesus is that Saviour!
The cross is now empty. The tomb is now empty. However, how obedient are you being to God? Paul reminded the Church in Galatia that we also needed to be crucified with Christ. Will you give everything you have and are to God? Make yourself dependent on Jesus. The second Talk begins at 16' 54".
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
On Palm Sunday we consider how Jesus wasn't the only person to enter Jerusalem that day. Thousands of pilgrims would have made the journey up to Jerusalem, as well as Pontius Pilate arriving with his large military entourage.
Jesus had a choice as to whether to enter the city and continue His walk towards His death on the cross. It was a week of awful suffering for Him and yet because of us He chose to die. We should in a similar way let Jesus enter our lives and obey Him, as He says, "Follow Me!"
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
At our biennial Partnership Sunday we think about the life of Joshua. He faced fresh challenges at different points in his life and through them actively sought to be obedient to God.
Whether NCF is our long-term spiritual home or not, God is calling us to partner with Him in both our actions and our character. Let's make the decision to follow God, obey God and serve God and others. Let's put aside daft things that don't help us or anyone else. Keep on seeking God!
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
We begin with ten people briefly describing why they chose a particular song for our special Songs of Praise Service. We then remember how God is our shelter and our strength (Psalm 46).
Our lives reflect the truth that God has substance. He is not like a doting uncle who gives presents galore. God loves us, but wants all to grow and mature. We need to actively obey and follow Him! God's laws liberate us in our lives. In our lives, we can echo the psalmist when he invited people to 'Come and see what God has done.'
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
We need to read the Bible! It's good for us, as God inspired it to be written so that we might get to know Him. He encourages us, challenges us and leads us as we read it. The Bible straightens us and our lives out!
The Script for the whole Service can be read here.
(NB: After about seven minutes into the Talk John realised that he hadn't turned on his mic. Plenty of interaction had occurred in this initial period of the Talk, but it was later rerecorded in a much simpler way at home. This is why the first three minutes of this file sounds different to the rest of the recording.)
God calls us to live in unity with other people. What a blessing it is to do that! A brief summary of all the Psalms we have met in this Series is also given.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
We're all getting older! Physically, changes are going on in our bodies, but what about spiritually and emotionally? Are we maturing as Disciples of Jesus? Are we changing from being less childish to more childlike? Are we at rest with God? Often being content will lead on to being curious, but we need to be courageous in order to change. Is God causing you to be restless over something? That's good! Let's actively keep journeying with God on our pilgrimage. Let's trust God as a child would each day. Decide to develop, mature and grow up!
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
God doesn't measure things the same way that we do. For our sins we deserve eternal separation from God. Instead, He offers everyone reconcilation and restoration if we accept the fact that He paid the cost for our benefit. If God kept a record of our sins we would certainly not survive. We ought to be living our lives more riskier than others because of God's goodness to us. Let's love our enemies and realise that God provides for us. Let's be still in order to recognise and understand that God is God and we are not. Allow God to do things in your life that simply don't add up.
The Script for the whole Service can be read here.
The Psalmist praised God for the way that He had restored them. It was beyond belief what God had done for them! May we too dream big because of what God has done in our lives and in the livesof others. May the wowometer of our lives consistently put God at the top of our actions and thoughts. May the Lord transform and restore our cracked walls, our broken cisterns, our flaky ideas and our crumbling foundations!
The Script for the whole Service can be read here.
God calls us both to work and to rest in our pilgrimage with Him. Let's not measure things by what we can see or hear now. Let's work for God in the ways that He instructs us to, then leave the outcomes to Him.
The script for this Service can be read here.
The Psalmist in Psalm 124 tells us several times that if it hadn't been for the Lord, then life would have been quite awful. God often goes well beyond the scale that we find to be normal in the way that He deals with us.
We are on a Pilgrimage and Jesus is our Guide. Many of Jesus' stories are recounted in the four Gospels. Two of them (the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) and the Prodigal Son (Luke 15)) remind us that God doesn't stick to our measurement of giving love and showing compassion, but goes well beyond what we might consider normal or just enough. He showed this in action when He died for us.
Can we too cast off the constraints of what most people do and follow what God does, showing love and friendship in a generous and undeserving way? Let's take beauty to situations that aren't beautiful.
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
Whether our day is golden or it has immense problems, we truly need to call our Maydays out to God. "We need You and we are desperate for You!" That's how some of the worship in the Psalms of Ascent reads. God, we won't be overwhelmed when we're with You. We need God's help, and the help of others, in our lives regularly. Without the Lord, we are lost!
The Script for the whole Service can be read here.
Our lives are a pilgrimage. How is our journey going? What are we carrying? What is our final destination? Who is guiding us there? This series of Talks in January and February will help us think about these questions. Let us give more prominence to the actual journey we're on and ask God to help us travel well and lightly with Him.
The script for the whole Service can be read here.
The last day of a year is a wonderful time to look both backwards to 2023 in thanks and ahead to 2024 in order to prioritise our ambitions and dreams and then to submit everything to God. It's a certainty that God will remain faithful in 2024 as He has done in previous years and decades.
The Script for the whole Service can be read here.
Our circumstances may not always make us feel joyful and peaceful. We all face uneasy things from time to time. However, let's decide to put out trust in God no matter what!
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
There are several prominent names in the Christmas story. Jesus means "Yahweh saves." Jesus came to save all the people who have ever lived - not only the 8.1 billion who are alive now. He knows everything about us. He is very familiar with our very selves and also the circumstances we all face. Can you hear Him inviting you to the very special banquet He has arranged? Let's get ready for it today.
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
What a great time of the year Christmas is, though it is SO busy! Can you imagine Mary and Joseph trudging around Bethlehem looking for a room? Several receptionists would have commented, "Sorry, we're full already!" Eventually they found a place and Jesus was soon born in a stable because there was no room elsewhere.
Is there room in your life for Jesus? Decide to make room for Him - He wants to come and stay with you.
The Script for this Talk is avalable here.
We examine part of King David's life in this Talk. He started low in society by being the youngest son and a shepherd. Some years after he became King, David was overthrown by his son Absalom. He was living in a ditch again. How did he feel? What was his relationship with God like now? He had lost everything!
God does allow bad things to happen. What is my response to God when there is a big crisis in my life. Is it still "Your will be done, Lord?" Things might seem very bad at the time, but later they might be seen as a blessing. Can we say "Help me through this, God?" May we pray as David did in Psalm 3. May we continue to have confidence in God. May we all know that God is a shield about us!
Rescue, help and salvation belongs to God.
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
On Advent Sunday (Adventus, a Latin word meaning: arrival or coming) we consider what impact Jesus' coming has made in our lives. God invites us to come to Him as we are - have you accepted that invitation for yourself? Wherever we are in our lives, Jesus says, "Come!" Let's come to God like children - wishing to grow, to sit and to enjoy being with Him.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
God has given us all Gifts for the benefit of other people. If we are to see them grow, we need to use them and we need to remember how important relationships are in our life. We might discover our Gifts in various ways, but relationships will feature somewhere.
There is an open door for our Servant Assignments. Will we step through and keep on going?
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
Some of the Gifts that God gives us to bless others with are done behind the scenes and few people consider them or even value them. Other Gifts are obviously obvious week in and week out. Let's ask God to fill us with His Spirit, so that whatever Gifts we have and use we will actively glorify God and encourage others in our lives. May we put our focus on the Giver of the Gifts Himself rather than on the Gifts themselves. After all, the Gifts are not ours anyway.
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
Jesus came to give us all an abundant life - one that is rich and satisfying. The devil is intent in making this difficult for us. However, God has given us a range of gifts that we might allow an increased wholeness in the lives of others and in our own life. To enable us to do this, God has called us to be Ambassadors, Antidotes and Anticipators. Let's endeavour to actively seek to be bringing wholeness to others with the Gifts that God has given us.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
You are unique and special. God wants to use you! Looking at some of the God-given Gifts that are mentioned in the Bible, it might seem that there is a division between natural and supernatural Gifts. Actually, they are all given in a supernatural way from a supernatural God.
As the widow gave everything in her Temple offering (Mark 12 and Luke 21), so let us give everything back to God in worship, service and devotion as we use the varied Gifts that He has give us all. This is just one way that we can overcome the enemy in our lives. Let's enjoy the spiritual feast that God gives us!
The script for the whole Service can be found here.
God has given us all gifts to use. We can all speak and some of us have speaking gifts. The important thing about learning to speak is that you have to listen first. Samuel said, "Speak Lord. I'm Your servant, ready to listen." As we spend regular quality time with God, so He transplants us so that we might be fruitful for Him. Let's soak in God's presence, ask Him to open the "yes" of our hearts and then be ready for the opportunities He gives us to speak for Him!
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
As we become consumed by God, so the natural reaction is to want to sows seeds to others about who He is and what He has done. We are not generally to confront people harshly with the truths of the Gospel, but to show respect as we share with people so that they can begin to learn of God, believe in God and obey His words. It is not only evangeists who should share Jesus with people. It's the respondsibilty of all of us. After all, we all spread the news about something or someone in our lives to others regularly! Let's fan into flame the gifts that God have given us, as we need to keep a sense of urgency in our lives.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
In a second introductory talk in this Series, we are reminded that God's gifts shouldn't be kept in a box that we look at occasionally. God pours out His Spirit on us in a greedy way so that we too may be liberal in the beautiful way we treat other people. It's super to be hospitable to people who are like us, but Jesus calls us to show warmth to strangers and kindness to people who are not like us. Biblical service goes over and above the norm for how we treat other people. Let's pour our lives out to others!
God is giving gifts to us. They are to give away to others, through our actions and our words. Let's embrace what God is doing today and get involved with receiving, then using what He is giving!
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
A short description for this Talk will appear here soon.
The script for this Service can be read here soon.
Prayer is vital. Prayer is life-giving. Let's not hide from God, but share all that we have with Him in honour and thanks. This Talk is shorter than normal to enable three others to briefly share thoughts on how we might pray for them.
You can read the script for the whole Service here.
September used to be a time to celebrate the physical harvest for many churches around the UK. Today that happens much less, but every day is still an opportunity to give thanks to God and to each other. In this Talk we look at Psalm 92:1-5 and remind ourselves that it is fitting and good to praise God. Let our 'buts' be positive (I will still give thanks to God no matter what) rather than negative (life is hard so I can't praise God at the moment). Let's stir ourselves to be thankful people!
You can find the Script for the whole Service here.
September used to be a time to celebrate the physical harvest for many churches around the UK. Today that happens much less, but every day is still an opportunity to give thanks to God and to each other. In this Talk we look at Psalm 92:1-5 and remind ourselves that it is fitting and good to praise God. Let our 'buts' be positive (I will still give thanks to God no matter what) rather than negative (life is hard so I can't praise God at the moment). Let's stir ourselves to be thankful people!
You can find the Script for the whole Service here.
Jesus' disciples accompanied Him all over the place. The Synoptic Gospels record an incident where they were on the Sea of Galilee and Jesus was asleep in the boat. A large storm suddenly came and even the fully trained fishermen were scared. They wake Jesus up and He sorts out their immediate problem of being scared and also teaches them that they should trust Him. We can trust in Jesus just as much in the middle of a large lake as when we are on the shore.
The script for the whole Service is available here.
Over the past two months we have heard of how God used people very similar to us and we might have been impressed by what happened on different continents and in different centuries. Lives were changed, society was effected and God was glorified. It's our turn to move and shine for God. It's our turn now!
The script for the whole Service is available here.
God's brilliance, majesty and compasson don't increase as we mature in the Christian faith. They are always infinite - way beyond our own imaginations or abilities. In this Series of Talks we're looking at how our Church Family in different centuries and various countries interact with our holy and omnipotent God.
In this Talk we briefly look at our Family in North America over three centuries. They saw the need to be devoted to God in a daily way. True liberty can only be found in Jesus. Let us be open and available to the way that He leads us.
The script for the whole Service can be found here.
There were plenty of social problems in Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries. In this Talk we briefly consider slavery, illiteracy, orphans and medical training. Some people in our family heard God nudging them to do something about these big problems. They followed God's leading, using their own resources, abilities and availability to make change occur. Sometimes change would take many years to happen, but members of our family were tenacious and stayed with it. John Wesley influenced many of these people who brought change to this nation. He in turn had been influenced by his mother, Susanna.
Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Jesus was anointed by God to bring healing, liberty and life to everyone. How are we working with God to bring positive change to those around us? Our Lamb has conquered - let us follow Him! Our world can't remain the same.
You can read the Script for the whole Service here.
Joyfulness, prayerfulness and thankfulness (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) are the basis for the Church in this country. There was a strong Celtic Church before Augustine was sent from Rome in 597AD. The people we hear about moved around this country as God directed them. Iona and Lindisfarne were particularly important. Prayer resulted in people walking and working with God. The Bible was translated into English, missonary schools were founded and many people started following Jesus as their Saviour and Healer. Let's be faithful to God in our own particular pilgrimage over the coming months.
You can read the script for this Service here.
If you throw a stone into a pond, ripples will be created. When the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in Jerusalem terrifically powerful ripples were created. Some of these went to North Africa. We briefly look at some of the people from our family in 100AD to 300AD and notice that God calls us, just as He called them, to be Ambassadors for Him. What will your next chapter with God be like?
The Script for this Service is here.
With eight members of our family joining us from eastern Germany, we looked at Martin Luther's contribution to our life today as Protestants. What was he, and others around the same time in history, protesting about and how did he/they do it?
How is God asking us to act and speak in a counter cultural way today? Let's praise God that we have a Bible in a language that we understand and that the gifts He has given us are just right for who we are today.
Near the end we hear encouraging truths about how God directs us.
The Script for this Service is here.
The Eleven Disciples who had followed Jesus for around three years weren't the only people in leadership positions in the early Church. Other members of our spiritual family at that time included men, women, older people, younger people, people who grew up as Jews and those who were Gentiles. Some of their names might be hard to say today in our culture, but we are definitely part of the same family.
To one person in particular then and to all of us now, the Apostle Paul encouraged them to fan into the flame the gifts that God had given them. Let us all actively fan into flame our own free gifts from God for the good of others, as well as encouraging others to do the same. The gifts we have from God are wonderful.
Many of us are grateful for those family members and friends who have helped us physically and spiritually through the years. We are better people because of them! The Bible contains numerous stories of the Heroes of our Faith. With almost two thousand years of history since the Bible was completed, there have been countless people who have been a blessing to the Church since. This Series of Talks will explore some of them. What challenges did they encounter in their lives and how did God rescue them, encouraging them to keep going forward with energy and dedication?
In this Introduction we hear about what God directs us to do now and a little about the lives and death of the twelve Disciples. The Christian Family is a very large one. Let's get to know our Family a little better over the coming weeks and may our current relationships be better because of that.
A short statement of thanks is conveyed at the start of this Talk.
The work of the Cross is not just to forgive the wrong things you have done. It is to empower you to be free from whatever weakness and past you have. Jesus’ death gives you the building blocks to rebuild for the future for your character and actions. Nothing need hold you back in life, as Christ has given you a way out.
On 18th June we heard information about Chile, Nigeria, India, Italy and Northern Ireland. Some of what was said, prayed and sung is caught here.
The Script on our website will have more details.
In this Talk from the Regional Director of Good News for Everyone!, we are reminded of the difference God makes when we talk to others about Jesus. There is plenty to do and pray about in schools, accomodation venues and hospitals. May our feet be beautiful as we take out the Good News to others.
Keeping fit is an important activity for everyone - both physically and spiritually. In this Talk we consider how Jesus should be at the centre of who we are and what we do. Our lives will Abound, as we Abide in Christ, get Absorbed by Christ and decide to Abandon ourselves to Christ. Jesus is the only foundation we should want in our lives. He is the source of all that is good. Let's be totally focused on Him and actively spend time with Him. We are all still in training!
Giving a Doxology means that you are recognising who God is and then giving an appropriate response in thought, word or action. Lots of human and natural powers are impressive, but they are totally insignificant when compared to God's power. Jesus' disciples were discouraged and disabled when Jesus ascended into heaven. What was going on? In Jerusalem on that 'first' Pentecost they were encouraged and enabled when the Holy Spirit came. Let us live in the light and safety of God's power.
When the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon, she was totally overwhelmed by what she found. God had given that wisdom to Solomon. Can we live in the light and safety of God's wisdom? We serve the same Saviour that Solomon did!
An acceptable Doxology to God doesn't necessarily involve loud singing or obvious service. God desires us to have clean hands and a pure heart. God doesn't change but He encourages us all to change. May our regular Doxologies come from that position of a close relationship with a wonderful and holy God.
We have already heard in previous Talks that our own personal doxologies involve our actions and not just sung words. God asks us to give out of the abundance that He has given us. We explore some Biblical references as to how and why we give. God has the resources and uses us to bless others as we give. When there is an obvious time of need, it is often good to re-evaluate our own resources.
Near the end of his short letter, Jude reminds us how brilliant and wonderful God is. It is He who makes it possible that we can live our lives in full bloom today and when we reach heaven. It is equally marvellous that the variety of different blooms in His Church is astonishing. Let us decide that with God's help, we can be in full bloom wherever we go and on any day of the week!
The Ark of the Covenant symbolised God's presence to the Israelites. We hear a doxology from King David in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 which was given not long after the Ark was brought to Jerusalem. There is then a brilliant response from the normal people. David learnt that he shouldn't do things as the nations around him did and that he knew that as he sent his S.O.S. to God, God's touch would bring him through.
Save us we pray – often in OT prayers were made due to impending danger. Saved from circumstances, but also saved from sin. Greek is harmartia – sin is both ‘to miss’ and also ‘a personality flaw which will inevitably lead to your downfall.’
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Sin is something that you are and not just something that you do. Jesus came to save us from what we do, but also from what we are. Salvation is to equip us to live in complete harmony with God.
What doxology do you give when you sin and have been found out? We look at part of King David's life. He certainly was a man after God's own heart, but still did wrong from time to time. The important truth is that when David asked for forgiveness from God, it was given. We need to seek forgiveness from God too. It might be baffling that God, who knows everything about each of us, still loves us and wants us to seek Him with all of our being. God is a shield about us and the lifter of our heads.
[The actual Talk was considerably longer, as three long extracts of a song were played. As these sounded very muffled on the recording and they are in copyright, they were edited out.]
We all make many decisions every day. Some are very important and some are less so. In this Talk we look at several people in the Bible who declared that 'even if' things weren't great for them, they would still praise God and obey Him. In other words they would give an appropriate doxa to God irrespective of external circumstances.
Possibly in our lives we say 'only if' too often to God. It doesn't have to be like that, but we do need God to help train us to think differently, speak differently and act differently.
We were powerless to do anything about our salvation. We totally lacked the necessary resources to help ourselves. God didn't dilute His love when He decided to save us. Jesus came to redeem us, totally paying the penalty for our sins through His death and resurrection. What a sacrifice. No wonder heaven is vibrant with doxologies about Him!
The English language has many 'ologies' - it simply means words about something that is often studied. A doxology is often words about the glory and splendour of God. It is our fitting response to His actions.
Using words from a song or a Scripture is only a partial resonse to who God is and what He does. Our obedience to His commands are just as important. Let's aim to recapture the importance, centrality, mystery and power of God in our lives. Our personal doxologies to the living God will certainly be fresh and vibrant then!
We hear news about Nuneaton's CAP Job Club and the Here 2 Help service. Many people in crisis have been served and blessed through these ministries.
What dream(s) has God given you? What action are you taking to extend God's Kingdom?
On our Family Care Sunday we focussed on why safeguarding others is vital to what we do both indiviually and collectively. Our main thought was that as God opened His hands and heart to us, so we need to do the same for other people.
Several people took part, with all of these components featuring in the audio file for today. Here is the running order:
00:00 Opening Scripture
00:26 Prayer 1
01:04 Scene Setting
04:40 Talk 1
13:20 Survivor's Reflective Prayer
17:56 Talk 2
23:03 Prayer 2
24:55 Interaction with water
34:58 Prayer 3
35:42 Concluding Prayer
Jesus came to earth so that we could be reconciled with God and be changed. Now we can come to Him and go to others. Spending time with Jesus makes us want to do things for Him, because we become more like Him. Let us at least peep into other peoples' lives and intentionally bless them. Let us remember that Jesus is sufficient for us, but we are not self-sufficient. It is God who annoints us to work for Him. Let us become more child-like in our faith.
Why did Jesus come to earth? What did He have to say to the people He met physically around Galilee and in Jerusalem in the first century AD? What does He say to us now? Come! Don't stay where you are, but come to Jesus and do as He does.
Do we tell the truth and consider the reputation of other people in our conversations? Do we exaggerate? There is no need to exaggerate anything about God. He doesn't need that, but we do need to believe what He says. It's quite easy to exchange the truth about God with our own ideas. This might in the short-term make our lives seemingly easy, but we definitely need to obey God and not sacrifice who He is to our own pleasures and engrained habits. The Ten Commandments are not the Ten Suggestons. Let us not amble through life, but follow God's measurements, worshipping and serving Him with all that we are.
We consider how things balance, or don't, in life. How much joy do you have from the stuff you already have, verses the desire for the stuff you don't have? The society around us tells us to grab, take and get. Jesus says, give, sacrifice and cherish. We all have plenty. How can you be a blessng to others through your plenty?
You may not considering murdering anyone or having sex with someone you're not married to, but this Talk reminds us that we can dash people to pieces with our words. We all have weaknesses that can lead to sin. We need to be patient with each other and encourage rather than belittle.
The Ten Commandments tell us how to live our lives in relationship with God, but they also tell us how to live well with other people. For many of us, honouring our parents is (or was) quite easy because they did so much for us. Do we show honour and respect to those who we deem don't deserve such a position though?
Honouring others is seen throughout the Bible. The Parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that everyone is our neighbour and we should show mercy and compassion in a practical way to everyone we meet. We need to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly. Ask God to help you with this!
God loves us very strongly and wants us to know Him much more than we currently do. If we're honest, even if we've been walking with God in our lives for many years, we hardly know Him at all! God instigated the Sabbath, first for the Jewish people and then for Christians, to give us a day for extra helpings of the Divine.
Sometimes, like with Rabbis from centuries ago, we might taint the Sabbath with our good ideas. Let's use it to experience not only God's power, but also His kindness and generosity too. May we indeed dedicate every day to Jesus and ask Him to be Lord of the Sabbath and every day. He is still inviting all who thirst to 'Come' to Him and feast at the banquet He has prepared for us.
God is bigger than everything as He created all things.
We have chosen to have a relationship with God, so we should enter into a Covenant with Him. We need to understand both the blessings and warnings in such an agreement. God is jealous. We should not bow down, worship and serve other gods and idols. There will always be consequences to our attitudes and actions.
Who is God? There is no one like Him! Do we try to suggest that He serves us and our needs, rather than us serving Him?
We begin by looking at the context of when, why and how The Ten Commandments were originally given. They are certainly still relevant to learn about and to put into our lives in 2023.
Most of us can hear physically quite well, even if we might need to use some type of aid to help us. As God is still speaking today, we need to concentrate on hearing God speak in our lives. As we spend regular amounts of time with God, so our lives will become radiant for Him. Let's not stand at a distance from God or wear a veil after being with Him.
Emmanuel was born in Bethlehem. God is still interacting and speaking with us. Nothing can separate us from His love! Emmanuel is still with us. Let us learn to become more familiar with His voice.
We have all experienced dramatic events in our livetimes - some were well known international events and others were of a more limited and personal nature. All of them were real and not made up. Jesus' birth in Bethlehem was dramatic, but was also real and not made up. Ask Jesus, our Immanuel, to be your personal Saviour. He is real and is still touching the lives of many around the world today.
We all hear annoucements through different mediums. One of the brilliant things about God is that He announced how He was dealing with the problem of sin in a loud and obvious way. When we have problems, it is often good to seek the help of someone else. Let's seek God as we consider our own problems with sin. God loves us all and has done everything to make it possible for us to have a relationship with Him.
God can step into lives when and wherever He chooses. He stepped into the lives of a barren couple and John the Baptist was later born. Let us make our life's intent to glorify God however He step into our lives.
Joshua 4:1-9
The Israelites had to get out of the mindset that they were in. They had to stop thinking about a Promised Land and live in the Possessed Land. What happened to the stones that were placed in the River Jordan? They were important, as they showed that God had brought them from something to something else. They were not a memorial, but a point of remembrance for what God had done. It was a marking in the land. God is here. God is present. God is inflation proof. He is not diminishing. God is unchanging.
We still need Jesus as our anchor. Invite Him to where you are. He is still more than enough for us. God finds human partners to walk and work with. Sometimes our journeys involve strong wind and huge waves. The light of a lighthouse gives us hope. Our journey is not finished, but hope is visible.
We briefly revisit what we have explored in previous Talks about Nehemiah's life and then we consider how when Nehemiah returned to Susa he was still ready to listen to God. Perhaps he might have hoped that his Mission to Jerusalem was complete, but when he heard that further problems were occurring back there (due to the people compromising with God) he went back and took drastic, yet appropriate action.
Whatever our age, abilities or health, we probably haven't finished the Mission that God has set out for us. We should be like an athlete who keeps going towards the finish line with great vigour and determination. We need to make ourselves available to God, so that He can use us in ways that He chooses, irrespective of how we might have been used by God in the past.
Nehemiah met three types of people when he went to Jerusalem to fulfill the mission God had given him. These were: those who helped him, those who opposed him and those who were not sure at that moment.
We all have walls to build. What we do affects other people. How can we encourage other people in their wall building? We might often be weak, but let's use the opportunities that God gives us and seek to grow in the Fruit of the Spirit. May God help our attitudes to mature and not just our actions.
God shows His kindness, mercy and love to us. How should we respond? Is it ok to be wishy-washy with our faith or should we commit to follow and obey God wholeheartedly like the People of Judah did? Let's dedicate our lives to God, choosing to serve Him and be a blessing to others. Let's be ready for anything that God calls us to. God inclines Himself towards us in grace, let's taste and see that He is good!
How strong are you? Perhaps your inner strengths (of various qualities) are stronger than your physical strength? We look at various people in the Bible who showed great inner strength - perhaps even unexpected and realise that it is the joy of the Lord that gives us strength. This means knowing God well and wanting to be close to Him. We need to meet together regularly, to understand what the Bible says and to listen to the Holy Spirit. Let us pray that we will know God's unexpected strength in our lives in this coming week.
The response that Nehemiah's enemies gave about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, were not the final response. Listen out for God even during times of opposition.
Nehemiah had to tackle the external problem of opposition and the internal problem of people not showing mercy and compassion to others. He was a good leader, as he saw both the physical reality and the divine reality.
With the current problems we face as a nation and as individuals, it is simply not enough to say that we can rebuild our walls through good ideas and money. We desperately need God's ideas, God's power and God's tenacity. Let us put our trust and hope in Him. Whatever is coming our way in the next few weeks and months, we need divine reality in our lives. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome!
Everyone is needed. Everyone is important. Everyone can be fruitful as they work for God. Opposition is likely to occur. A ruined wall doesn't glorify God, but as we stand and work together improving our skills and characters, then God will be glorified.
Nehemiah was very troubled by the news from Jerusalem. Things weren't going well there. He was in exile hundreds of miles away from his homeland and yet he wasn't powerless. He turnd to God in persistent prayer. He waited and waited and after around four months God gave him the opportunity to do something practical about it. God gave him hope and so he persisted.
As we pray we should not give up. Allow God to give you hope in your life, by keeping close to Him. Let the perspective of God's immense strength and holiness be seen next to the situations that we all face. Remember Christ in you, the hope of glory.
We briefly look at one thousand years of history to give us the context of what was happening to the people of Judah and how God had interacted with them through the centuries.
Nehemiah heard God call him to go to Jerusalem from the Persain Empire and he went. He didn't really know what to expect, but was open to what God wanted. In our lives, are we like a piece of music that has an expected song after a particular introduction or do we allow God to shape us irrespective of what has already happened in our lives?
We hear a brief Talk on the importance of remembering that Jesus has rescued us from death and hell, for an important action: to speak for Him - using both words and actions. After this six people talk about what God has been doing in their lives recently, as well as their hopes for the future.
Roman Society in Corinth was elitest. Paul wrote to them expressing that we are all labourers, though doing different things. It is Jesus Himself who actually makes things grow.
Can we plant and water indiscriminantly? Can we join with our fellow-workers and work for God in diverse ways and yet still do it together? Let us show our utter dependence on God as we work with and for Him.
Listen to Galatians 5:16-26 being reading from the New Living Translation, then three short Talks summing up the nine Fruit of the Spirit that we have met in July and August. At the end we hear a song that was written for this particular Service.
In this Talk we are again encouraged to remember that fruit doesn't just appear or mature in our lives. We have to intentionally decide to move with God to see our character grow and develop.
Every day we are asking ourselves questions and we should answer in a way that would glorify God by what we think, say and do. Like a rocket, we all have tremendous power in the way that we interact with others. Let's decide to use that power to encourage others.
Above all, let us decide to keep in step with God - going at whatever pace He is going. This may take energy and concentrated thought as we introduce new habits into our lives.
Gentleness in Paul's time was seen as a vice. Even today the role models we see in film, television and other media don't generally encourage us to be gentle to others.
How do we react when people annoy us? How do we react when the ills of our society speak strongly? Let's decide to act and react in the way that Jesus would do - gently, because the Lord is near.
God is faithful! As we desire to be like Him, so we should want to be faithful too. Loyal. Trustworthy. Dependable. In this Talk we look at several people in the Bible who didn't act faithfully all of the time, but when they realised what had happened they got back to Jesus. If we commit sin in our lives we should always get back to Jesus. Run to Him and don't hide. God will help us to make good choices as we spend time with Him.
Jesus describes us as branches that are part of the vine. Asking God to mature us, by actively sticking close to Him, we will more often do what is right and avoid what is wrong.
Just as physical fruit originates from work and effort over a period of time, so the Fruit of the Spirit do too. Maturity takes time and doesn't just happen. We need God's supernatural help to meet peoples' real needs and we certainly need to do it in God's way and at His time. Let's plan to be kind beyond the bullseye - being known by our actions of going way beyond what duty might make us do. Let's actively sow kindness both liberally and faithfully.
What does patience mean to you? It certainly involves self-discipline. It is certainly good for us and for others. Like with all of the Fruit of the Spirit, we are all still learning and maturing in them.
Everyone in the world goes through heartache, failure and disappointment at different times in their life . As Christians we know that God is with us. Often we will find that He gives us supernatural peace in those difficult situations. Peace is really knowing that God has tied all the pieces of your life together. Our futures are in God's hands. He will often lavish His peace on us.
We are reminded that as God continues to show His love towards us, then we can grow in maturity at displaying the Fruit of the Spirit, but we need to intentionally want to grow in them too.
There are various circumstances where it is easy to be joyful. The Bible describes many people who were aware that even though life was sometimes tough for them, they recognised God's grace and favour on them. God can help us to be joyful in spite of the situations we face. Jesus endured the terrible pain of the cross for the joy that knowing that we would be reconciled to His Father. Let's root ourselves in Jesus!
As we sow, tend, cultivate and then harvest physical crops, so work and determination is needed to grow in the Fruit of the Spirit too, but that is what we're called to do. Displaying the Fruit of the Spirit can sometimes be difficult but it is always worth it.
It may not be our first choice to always show God's love to others, but it is a neccesity. As we are grateful for God showing His undeserving love to us, so as we become more like Jesus that kind of love should be seen in our lives too. What a challenge! We need God's help!
What dreams do you have for yourself and others? What does God dream about you? Jesus came to save us and reconcile us to the Father. There is only one Meditator between God and man. Let's pray and work towards seeing God's dreams fulfilled in our lives.
The Church at Ephesus (now in Turkey) is mentioned several times in the New Testament. We can learn important lessons from what they did in that large Roman city. How do we show love and unity in practical ways today?
Have you read the Old Testament Book of Job recently? God knew all about this man. He knows about us too. How will we let this fact influence our lives?
The Christian Festival of Pentecost has its roots in the Jewsish Festival of the Feast of Weeks. It is a time to give thanks to God for who He is and for what He has done.
With HM the Queen's Platinum Jubilee being celebrated, we delve into the origins of this term. It was a trumpet blast of liberty for the Israelites and it is still is for us today. We all need Jesus in our lives - He sets us free from the chains we wear. Let God interrupt your status quo.
The origins of this Festival lie in a brave group of Jews who fought against a large Greek army over a long period. We read in the Book of 1 Maccabees, in the Apocrypha, that the Temple had been desecrated by the actions of the foreign invaders. The faithful people of God took time to cleanse and rededicate the Temple of God. We too are called to dedicate our lives to God, as we allow God to initiate a 'Grand Opening' in our lives. Jesus is the greatest Hero!
God has everything under control, as this story from the Old Testament Book of Esther shows. God wants what is best for us. We can celebrate throughout our lives because of this.
Shavuot is a time of thanksgiving for what God has done. It is always good to give thanks. This doesn't make us triumphalistic, as we do need to weep and weep with those who weep. However, there is great blessing, power and healing in thanksgiving.
The Day of Atonement was totally necessary. It would be of no benefit to celebrate the other Festivals if God hadn't allowed for people to come to Him. God desires that we be holy. Whilst Jewish traditions would tell us that being holy is not contagious and is difficult to attain, God has made a plan for us to be like Him. Let's ask Jesus to open our eyes to what He has done and what He is doing today.
This Feast remembers and celebrates how God looked after the Israelites as they made their way out of slavery in Egypt and around the wilderness, towards their Promised Land. They had to travel light, but God provided for them. Do we trust God as part of our lifestyle? He loves us. We can be totally dependent on Him and abandoned to Him.
A video was shown from YouTube as part of this Talk. This is credited in the script, with the link being given.
Where is Jesus? Often in the Gospels, Jesus isn't where you would expect Him to be. Why was this? Every good Jew would Jew would be in Jerusalem for the Passover and we find Jesus there as He prepares to be crucified. Where do you stand with Jesus? Are you willing to carry your cross as you follow Jesus?
As part of our Service today, we listened to an update on Lynne's health and then prayed for her.
Why did the Israelites celebrate the Passover? Why was it so important to them? Did they remember to celebrate it throughout their history? Jesus is our Passover Lamb. What a wonderful thing to celebrate!
God is awesome and brilliant. He is phenomenal! It is fitting and right to remember what He has done in our lives and then to celebrate with zeal. He called the Israelites to do this formally in a series of regular Festivals and many Psalms recount what He has done in the life of the psalmist.
God created the earth and heavens in six days and then rested from His work. The fourth of the Ten Commandments tells us to keep the Sabbath holy. We need to make the Sabbath, or Lord's Day, sacred to God. How do we keep the Sabbath holy in 21st century Britain practically speaking? This might be a challenge, but is both necessary and helpful.
In Numbers 13, the Israelites had a past (slavery in Egypt), a present (the wilderness) and a future (the Promised Land). They had to actively move from the present to the future. They needed to break new ground. Breaking new ground isn't always easy for us as we often prefer the comfort of the past as it is familiar. However, God wants us to move on in our character - the things we think, do and say. Let's ask God to help us hear His whispers to us and then to break new ground with His strength and conviction.
We hear about the important work that Nuneaton Foodbank is currently doing. Three videos were shown as part of this Talk.
God doesn't need us but wants us to serve and worship Him. This is clearly seen in Moses' life and how he was born to named midwives, but during the reign of an unnamed Pharaoh. Moses truly became who he was meant to be as he followed God's commands.
What is currently opposing us as we desire to follow God with all of hearts, mind and strength. God is bigger, stronger and faster than anything or anyone. God is asking us to join Him in what He is doing - not because He needs us, but because He loves us.
God is calling us to love Him sincerely and with gusto, but also to make it a habit to build people up and not to discourage others. This is the essence of partnership. We actively do what is right to other people, love being kind to others and live humbly, trusting God.
None of us are insignificant. Our character, our abilities and gifts are all useful to God, we only have to open our eyes to what He has invested in us and then work with Him.
We've learnt a lot about Jesus since the start of this Series of Talks. We also know that we need to actively and intentionally press on to knowing God more and being obedient to Him.
Every tribe and nation will be represented in heaven. Heaven is very different from what we experience on earth. Everyone in the world will meet Jesus, as He will judge everyone. Heaven is real. Hell is real. Everyone needs Jesus - not just for the future, but for today. Who will you introduce to Jesus this coming week?
Nothing is too difficult for God (Jeremiah 32:17). A lady met Jesus on a very crowded road once. She had had problems with bleeding for 12 years. This caused physical problems, but it also made her ritually unclean. People would shun her and keep their distance so that they didn't become unclean too.
As she reached out to Jesus and physically touched Him, so she was healed. Jesus stopped what He was doing and spent time with her, calling her "daughter" - a beautifully intimate term. She had been ostracized by her community, but now she was healed and whole again. Taking that risk of faith changed her life.
What tender name is God calling you? How will you reach out to Jesus today - despite there being risks? Nothing is beyond God's power.
God surprised many people in the Bible. Moses was at work - looking after his goats and sheep in the wilderness. Work and wilderness. These aren't generally places where we expect to meet God, but that is exactly what happened to Moses. He was profoundly changed because of this encounter with God.
How often do we put God in the routines of our day and not let Him speak to us? Do we ever extinguish the Burning Bush that God uses for us? We need to let God show His 'otherness' to us and put Him central in our lives, allowing Him to speak as He chooses. We are on holy ground, just as Moses was.
Sometimes we think we know what is going on, but Jesus might give a diferent answer. The Scribes tried to trap Jesus, but instead they went away with questions. Jesus obviously knew the Torah better than the Scribes. We are not condemned by Jesus, but forgiven - just like the woman who met Jesus in John 7:53-8:11.
Jesus met many people while physically on earth. Luke 7:36-50 tells us an interesting story. Jesus is having a meal with a Pharisee. This man knows the Old Testament very well, being steeped in the Law and in Jewish tradition. A blatant sinner also turns up. She kneels behind Jesus and anoints Him with perfume and with tears.
How do we approach Jesus as we worship Him? Worship is so much more than singing. How do you worship Him? Do we give Jesus everything and sort out the things that don't really belong in our lives? Meeting Jesus is always challenging. We need to meet Him intentionally, with reverence and with extravagance.
Meeting Jesus challenges us. We have to reappraise and then change. We repent. The Holy Spirit was working on the woman as Jesus spoke to her at the well. Let's be prepared to reevaluate our lives as we too spend time with Jesus.
Sometimes we might feel that the place or situation that we're in means the end of life as we know it. Probably the two people walking to their home in Emmaus on that first Easter Day felt like this. They had invested their lives in following Jesus, but He had been crucified. They thought that their life was over. Unknown to them Jesus had risen from the dead and He came and walked along side them. In a calm way He explained everything that had been happening. As He shared a meal with them, they suddenly realised that it was Jesus who was them. They were changed people after meeting with Jesus. They saw things differently and immediately made the potentially dangerous journey back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples about what had happened.
Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in today, may we too know God's closeness and be changed as we allow Him to speak deeply into us. May we lift up our eyes to God on a regular basis.
Huge numbers of people met Jesus when He physically walked on the earth. People reacted in different ways to Jesus. In this Talk we hear how Jesus told Lazarus, a person He greatly loved, to "Come forth!" How did Lazarus and his siblings react to this? We can still meet Jesus today. How do you react when you encounter Jesus? Jesus came to liquidate the works of the devil. Wearing chains isn't what God intends for us.
Luke, in his Gospel, encourages us not to be like King Herod or the troubled inhabitants of Jerusalem. Act like Jesus! Our preference might be to follow a king like Herod, as no demands are being made - or so we think. However, we should follow and obey the One who suffered for us. Jesus is not selfish, but invites us to come to Him. Let's do that.
From a place of normality and safety, Mary and Joseph, the Wise men and Jesus all listened to promptings from God to do something amazing and unexpected. Today God is calling us all to move from our den of safety and let Him travel with us in our lives.
Perhaps we have been desensitized about the Christmas story? The people involved found it to be an utterly incredible event! The shepherds, the angels and the wise men all did things that weren't expected of them because of it.
Perhaps we should behave like Mary and treasure and ponder the different parts of the story. We shouldn't quickly move on to other things, but give praise to God for Jesus' Incarnation.
We explore the times when Jesus was born and how He knew He would suffer. He didn't come to meet people's expectations as Messiah, but to obey His Father. God understands our sufferings. He is with us and He loves us.
Elizabeth andher son John the Baptist were empowered and quickened by God was Mary and Jesus (still in Mary's womb) came to visit them. We look at how God quickened various people in the Bible and notice that such a quickening always led to action.
How will God quicken us today? How will we respond to this?
Is celebrating only singing, or is it much more than that? How do you acknowledge God's grace and love in your life? Why is it thought of as a Discipline - surely it's easy to do?
God wants us to participate in a lively and spirited dance with Him, rather than a religious plod. Let's pray that this will be true for all of us.
In any relationship there is a small list of things that we should do and somethings that we shouldn't do. We need to communicate with the other person. This means both talking and listening. This is true with God too. As our relationship with God deepens and matures so we find that that we seek God and follow Him changes. We want to sin less and put Him first more.
Following God necessitates effort and positive intention.
We all confess things in the normal way that we live. Perhaps it is "I don't understand what is going on!" It might be "I don't understand what is going on, but You are God!" It could also be, "I did this.... I was wrong. I'm sorry. Please help me now God." King David confessed to sin in 2 Samuel 11,12. His confession is found in Psalm 51. When the Prodigal Son returned to his father (Luke 15) he too gave a confession about what he had done.
Confessing our sins to trusted friends is good, as James 5:16 tells us. May God help us to treat sin seriously.
Being spiritually fit is very important for all of us and this takes discipline and action.
How do you serve God and others? Do people see what you're doing as you serve them or is it quite hidden? Do you actively seek to bear the burdens of others? As we consider Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, so we must seek to serve others ourselves too.
What distractions do we have in our lives? What stops us from spending time alone with God? What can we do about this?
Do we make our own lives too difficult? What could we cut back on so that we might seek God, His Kingdom and His righteousness above everything else? What chains us to not following God wholeheartedly?
Have you ever fasted? Do you do it regularly? We can use it to tune our ears to God's voice. What matters the most is why you do it, rather than how you do it. Give it a go!
Praying is good, as it means we are spending time with God. Do you tend to generally pray the same way each time you meet with God though? Listen to be encouraged in your prayer life and to try different ways of communicating and listening to God.
What are the Spiritual Disciplines and how do they help us to become spiritually fit?
As well as hearing two short Talks on this, Colonel Frank HW Miller also talks about the importance of getting going (a video of this segment is on YouTube) and Nik briefly explains some of the changes that are coming to NCF's structure over the next few months. Everyone is welcome to contribute to these changes as we consult widely on people's thoughts.
Listen to the whole Service from 26th September. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Paul was in prison when he wrote a letter to the Church at Colossae in around 60AD. He encouraged the believers there to kneel down, speak up, keep things in and to let God out. God is encouraging us to do the same today. Let's open our hearts to God to see our Borough transformed.
Listen to the whole Service from 19th September. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
God is generous. Exceptionally so! We have God's DNA within us. God calls us to be creative in how we are generous to others and to ourselves.
Listen to the whole Service from 12th September. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and a Talk are the components you'll hear.
God is looking after us in His great providence. Sometimes there is a conflict between logic and faith, but we need to remember that we are not alone. We hear about the influence of Greek thinking on the spread of the Bible, as well as how God uses angels. God doesn't allow random things to affect us. He loves us greatly.
Listen to the whole Service from 5th September. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
God has lavished His extraordinary love on us. We were doomed to eternal separation from God, but God reconciled us to Himself. Fantastic! How do we respond to that? It is fitting to totally surrender to God. Psalm 150 gives s some help with that.
Listen to the whole Service from 29th August. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
For our last Talk on Elijah we are are reminded that God is in control whether we clearly see that or not. He is sovereign. There is so much mystery regarding God, but that is fine. We trust Him. He is faithful.
Listen to the whole Service from 22nd August. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
We come to the end of Elijah's ministry. He worked during the reign of three kings - a terrible time for Israel. There was a succession which God had prepared. Do we listen to God? Do we sometimes prepare our answers to potential questions from God before He has asked them? We might prefer Exclamation Marks in our lives rather than Question Marks, but may God help us as we live in the mystery of the Christian faith. May we seek to dwell in God's holy place every day of our lives. May we then make a difference to those living around us.
Listen to the whole Service from 15th August. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Elijah was given a second chance by God. He was re-equipped and sent out on another mission for God. Am I putting God first in my life? Am I obedient to Him? Past failings don't need to stop me today or in the future. We need to stir ourselves because God is on the move. We need to accept God's second chance for us.
Listen to the whole Service from 8th August. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
How did God deal with Elijah after the events at Mount Carmel? There were needs met, gentle discipline given, a meeting, further equipping and restoration. God calls Elisha to follow Elijah as prophet. We must be available and remember our call.
Listen to the whole Service from 1st August. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
God had just used Elijah to defeat the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He was now exhausted and anxious. What did God do? Speak to him and love him. God's grace is sufficient for all of us too. God still calls us to be still and know that He is God.
Listen to the whole Service from 11th July from our building. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and three short Talks are the components you'll hear.
We ponder about how Elijah met the Prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel - 1 Kings 18. Baal couldn't do anything despite his followers being frenzied in their worship. God spoke dynamically. It was a marker in the sand in the history of Israel.
We, like Elijah, are called to seek God and then to join His Mission.
Listen to the whole Service from 18th July. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
We continue our Series of Talks on Elijah. He was a man just like us. He had strengths and weaknesses, but just like us he served and worshipped an extraordinary God. We think about how Elijah waited on God. We are called to do that too from time to time, though it's not easy to be still and know that our God is God over all. There are many brave people in the Bible. We are called to be resolute in our faith, as we join with God in His Mission to the world.
Listen to the whole Service from 11th July from our building. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
We continue our Series on Elijah, looking at the story of the widow of Zarephath. Elijah challenges both nature and the state. God is Lord of all. We can trust Him. Elijah is at times frail and weak, but God used him powerfully. He can use all of us too.
Listen to the whole Service from 4th July. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
We start our new Series of Talks on Elijah. He was a man just like us. He had strengths and weaknesses, but just like us he served and worshipped an extraordinary God.
Listen to the whole Service from 27th June from our building. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
We look at some stories from the Bible where humans were having a bad time, but God stepped in and changed the situation because He is limitless. He can give us peace when we are desperate or weak. Our Mission hasn't paused or ended. As we continue to seek God for Nuneaton to be blessed, so He will use us to be a blessing to others.
Listen to the whole Service from 20th June. A Prayer Sunday to kick off a week of prayer for Nuneaton. A short Talk, sung worship, and three prayer times are what you'll hear.
God is at work around us, we just need to listen to Him and then get involved. He might ask us to do something small or something that will take great effort. We need God. We are totally dependable on Him. As He leads us to a higher rock, so we are both safe and we also see things from a better perspective. We can let God do the sums in what He asks us to do. We only need to be available.
Listen to the Service from 13th June. Sung worship, a time of prayer and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
God doesn't need us to defend Him. However, He does give us the honour to work with Him. We can trust God in all situations.
Listen to the whole Service from 6th June. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
If we are following Jesus that we must everything we are and have to Him. That sounds hard, but God is gracious and helps us. We are not just called children of God, that is what we are. We need second helpings of the Fruit of the Spirit. Let's accept God's invitation to feast with Him and then to see our characters changed.
Listen to the whole Service from 30th May from our building. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
What a strange story about the Ark of the Covenant. It reminds us that God does not need defending, but we are to be obedient to what He wants us to do.
Listen to the whole Service from 23rd May. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Just before He ascended to heaven, Jesus promised His followers that they would receive a gift from Him in the coming days whilst they were waiting in Jerusalem. When the Holy Spirit came and anointed them, they were changed people. They faced great costs because of following Jesus in the succeeding years. We are promised the Gift of the Holy Spirit too. Are we prepared for the costs that we will need to count as we follow Jesus though?
Listen to the whole Service from 16th May from our building. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Lazarus' story was only told by John (chapter 11). Who was Lazarus though? How was God glorified? If we feel dead now, then Jesus can bring us to life again.
Listen to the whole Service from 9nd May. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks (including one from the Colonel) are the components you'll hear.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3) had nothing of their own as they were exiles in Babylon. Even their names had been changed. They put God first and didn't consider the consequences. God has invested everything in us and we should worship Him only too. We should also invest our lives in others too.
Listen to the whole Service from 2nd May. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
The Feeding of the 5,000 - what a great miracle and the only one recorded in all four Gospels. Why was everything gathered up at the end? What can we learn about Jesus' later warning about leaven?
[This Audio is not the same as that you might have heard on Zoom or YouTube, as it was taken from a different feed and so is much clearer and covers the whole Service.]
Listen to the whole Service from 25th April. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Isaac was a child of promise and yet it seemed that God had other plans for him than what Abraham and Sarah thought. It could only be God! What episodes in your life has God shown Himself to be faithful to His promises and to His character?
Listen to the whole Service from 18th April which came live from our building in Pallett Drive. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
The Exodus was a big event! Pharaoh thought he was just fighting against Moses, but our living God was with him. The Israelites complained about was happening, but God was sovereign and brought them through the difficult times. How easy it is for us too to want to go back to what is comfortable and well known, rather than pressing on to new adventures with God. May God open our eyes to what He is doing in us and around Nuneaton.
Listen to the whole Service from 11th April. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
It's not a surprise that King Jehoshaphat turned to God when his country was in dire circumstances. His desire was to please God and the King knew he could trust Him.. The surprise came in the way that God answered his prayer. It could only be God!
Listen to the whole Service from Easter Morning 2021 Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks (one from our Minister and one from the Colonel) are the components you'll hear.
What do you wonder about in life? As you wonder about Jesus, you should then take action and ask Him to be your Lord and Saviour. "Love so amazing, so divine demands my soul, my life, my all."
Listen to the whole Service from 28th March. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Palm Sunday - we know from reading the four Gospel accounts what happened then and what would happen over the coming week. Jesus' disciples had no idea what was about to hit them.
Jesus came to die. His knowledge wasn't just about entering Jerusalem on that day, but what would happen afterwards - death, resurrection and ascension. We need the lense of faith in order to see both our own lives and death in the correct way.
Listen to the whole Service from 21st March. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
God gives us an Invitation to come into His presence - no matter how we feel or what situations/circumstances we find ourselves in. At the end of Psalm 139, David invites God to search him, test him, see him, know him and then lead him. No matter how we feel, we don't have to stay as we are. We can invite God to do what David asked Him to do too.
Listen to the whole Service from 14th March. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
God's love is strong and powerful and yet can be tender. It is impossible to measure, but transforms us as we acknowledge His love, receive it in our lives and then give it out to others. Agape love is hard, but that is what we are called to live in.
Listen to the whole Service from 7th March. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
God is sovereign and yet we have a part to play in His plans. Our relationship with God and with each other is very important. We all need to take personal responsibility for what we do, say and think. The answer to all our problems is for God's grace to be with us.
Listen to the whole Service from 28th February. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Jesus is coming again. What does that make you focus on? The Man of Lawlessnes is coming and so is greater persecution. What does that make you focus on?
It's brilliant to pray for others. Do you use prayers from the Bible to help you do that?
Listen to the whole Service from 21st February. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Jesus is coming again. What is your response to that? Is your faith in God and love for others growing? Are you actively waiting for Jesus' return?
Listen to the whole Service from 14th February. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
A lot seemed to be going wrong for Paul whilst on his Second Missionary Journey. He trusted God, because He knew the bigger picture of what was going on. We're encouraged to trust our faithful and living God too.
Listen to the whole Service from 7th February. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
We look at four bullet points that Paul made towards the end of his first letter to his friends in Thessalonica. They all required urgent action. We actively need to be fanning God's gifts into flame and not be unresponsive to what He says. Even though the Thessalonian Church was suffering persecution, Paul was encouraging them not to slacken in their faith, but to give God everything. God wants a close relationship with all of us.
Listen to the whole Service from 31st January. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Paul was reassuring his friends at the Church in Thesaalonica. They had expected Jesus to return in their lifetime. It hadn't happened yet! Paul turns their attention to what is definite: Jesus' resurrection. That is what we can base our lives on too.
Paul encouraged his friends to keep on going. He wanted them to be ready for the future. We can draw on the vast reservoir of eternal hope too.
Listen to the whole Service from 24th January. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul reminds the Church at Thessalonica and us to "live in order to please God." He's not mincing his words - the Greek words he uses are very strong. We can't stay the same if we are to please God. We need to be following Him with energy and positivity more and more. The grace that God shows is costly and not cheap. This demands action from us. God is interested in our characters developing in the way we think, speak and act. What are your priorities today?
Listen to the whole Service from 17th January. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Paul had many relationships that he treasured and aimed to deepen. We know that from looking at the personal remarks in his Letters. He aimed to go beyond what was expected of him. In our own lives, how much emphasis in time and energy are we giving to making and then furthering our relationships with others? Show love and compassion to others this week!
Listen to the whole Service from 10th January. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
The Church in Thessalonica was founded by Paul on his Second Missionary Journey. It wasn't an easy time as he travelled with Silas and others. They were treated 'outrageously' and yet their God confidence was high, so they continued speaking about God to many. God's power was in them. They actively wanted to be like Jesus. They really desired that God would work through them.
Listen to the whole Service from 3rd January. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
At the start of our new Series of Talks on Paul's two Letters to the Church in Thessalonica in Greece, we hear that the founding of the Church happened during Paul's Second Missionary Journey and it is described in Acts 17:1-9.
Jesus' early disciples turned the world upside down. They knew God's power in their lives. As Jesus' 21st century disciples, we totally need God's power too - both to do amazing things for Him and to be amazing as people.
Listen to the whole Service from 27th December. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Many people recently would have recently considered Jesus as a Baby in a Manger. He is no longer in the manger. He is no longer Christmas Jesus. The Gospel records show that He was radical in speech and action. Am I actively wanting to be like Jesus? Are you? Are you ready for God to do a new thing in you? Let's emulate Jesus - even if that means we are changed or unsettled. In our lives, let's be engrossed by Jesus!
Listen to the whole Service from 25th December. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear as we celebrate together on Christmas morning.
We all receive unexpected gifts from time to time. Jesus is an unexpected Gift for mankind. Let us celebrate this, but also let's share in the ministry of reconciliation that God has called us to.
Listen to the whole Service from 20th December. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
We are called to regular prayer times and organised prayer. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us how to pray in these times. It's a good habit to develop. God expects it from us. Yet sometimes prayer is spontaneous and born of difficult circumstances. We look at Nehemiah 2:4, Mark 14:35,36, Mark 15:34, Psalm 22, Lamentations 3:19-23, Psalm 137 and 138. We all go through times of disappointment in our lives. The very act of drawing closer to God builds our hope, our confidence and ultimately our trust in God.
Join us at our Carol Service, with Carols, Readings and a short message.
Mary knew she was being overshadowed by the Most High in both the happy and much harder days of her life. That can be our experience too, as we submit to and follow God. Let's make room for Him every day in our lives.
Listen to the whole Service from 6th December. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
The Bible tells us how God changed many people in a positive way. We explore just three of them today, realising that He called them all by name: Zacchaeus, Lazarus and the Disciples. God is calling you to change and to discipleship too. Let's not allow ourselves to ration the exceeding beauty and joy that God wants to give us.
Listen to the whole Service from 29th November. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a testimony, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
In our final Talk on Listening in to Great Prayers of the Bible, we consider how the Early Church prayed earnestly for Peter the Apostle whilst he was in prison (Acts 12). How did they act when he was released? How do we act after we've prayed? God is faithful. We can trust Him totally. Let's be encouraged to pray bigger prayers in this time of uncertainty.
Listen to the whole Service from 22nd November. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and a short Talk are the components you'll hear.
Aaron's Blessing to the People of Israel is still used as a Blessing in many contexts today. We explore the significiance of Numbers 6:22-27.
Listen to the whole Service from 15th November. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah had a problem. The armies of their enemy were close by and were going to fight Judah. The solution wasn't found in themselves or a good idea, but in something surprising. God. As they humbly trusted Him so they saw deliverance.
Collectively and individually we are at a crossroads. Will we trust in God for our futures too or will we prefer to be self-reliant?
Listen to the whole Service from 8th November. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear. As it was Remembrance Sunday, we also spent time thinking about acts of sacrifice by all kinds of people during times of war.
The Jews from Judah spent 70 years in exile in Babylon. It was a beautiful place, but it wasn't home. They suffered in exile and lamented and showed their grief to God. The Lord does bring us through similar awful times and sustains us as we go through them. However, as mature disciples does God want us to lament and grive for those who are suffering in Nuneaton and around the world? We are in a spiritual war and need to do what God commands us to do.
Listen to the whole Service from 1st November. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Daniel was truly a humble man of God. In chapter nine we read a beautiful prayer that shows many attributes of a good pray-er. Let this be a good example of how we ourselves might pray to a faithful and all powerful God too.
Listen to the whole Service from 25th October. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
For a long time David was a powerful and unchallenged king. He committed some heinous crimes and sins at the height of his power. Nathan the prophet was directed by God and then had the courage to go to David and challenge him over his actions and behaviour. Psalm 51 is a public confession of David's guilt, remorse and seeking God for forgiveness and restoration. Let us seek God in the same way and offer forgiveness to others too.
Listen to the whole Service from 18th October. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
We delve into a prayer that Paul used at the end of a letter that we call 2 Corinthians: The Grace. The Church in Corinth had no major problems, but they needed to get on well with each other, coming from different social classes. God is immense and yet He wishes us to know Him and to experience His joy and love. A beautiful prayer!
Listen to the whole Service from 11th October. Sung worship, times of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
God is inviting us all to have a regular conversation with Him. He often needs to get our attention with this by using an interjection. God wants us to stop, wait, listen and obey. We consider our attitudes in prayer. We are to acknowledge what God has done in the past, that we are totally reliant on God now and that we are a small part in God's bigger picture. All of this involves humility. There is a cost to prayer. We reflect on both 1 Chronicles 16:8-13, 28-34 and 2 Samuel 24:18-25
Listen to the whole Service from 4th October. Sung worship, times of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
God is inviting us all to have a regular conversation with Him. He often needs to get our attention with this by using an interjection. God wants us to stop, wait, listen and obey. We later briefly looked at a prayer of Gideon from the Book of Judges. He didn't always get things right, but God sent him to rescue the Israelites and he generally did what he was told by God.
Listen to the whole Service from 27th September. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, a short Talk and a video are the components you'll hear.
What does CAP UK (Christians against Poverty) do? Let's be challenged by what God is doing in this country and show mercy and helpfulness to others too.
Listen to the whole Service from 20th September. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Let's actively and positively play our part in the Body of Christ. That's why we're here!
Listen to the whole Service from 13th September. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
A lot of the people in the Bible aren't exactly role models. God uses people of faith despite their shortcomings and failings.
Some of us met physically for the first time in nearly six months, whilst others watched on Zoom. It was good to meet physically again!
Listen to the whole Service from 6th September. Sung worship, two times of prayer, a Bible-reading, and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
The Israelites were expericencing a 'new normal' just after leaving Egypt. About a week after leaving slavery Moses sent 12 men to scout around their Promised Land. There was a mixed response when they came back. In our 'new normal' it is good to remember that God hasn't changed at all and that we need to spend time beholding Him.Let's wear Jesus' yoke, so that we can replant Him into the centre of our lives. Many things may have changed in the past six months. God hasn't changed.
Sometimes the quality of the audio was better on the church's sound system and sometimes on the Zoom microphone, so it has been edited with this in mind.
Listen to the whole Service from 30th August. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Based on James 5:13-20, we remember that Elijah was a man just like us, with the same nature and shortcomings, and yet he prayed earnestly, intensely and fervently. The Second Talk was a recap on some of the main themes we had heard in July and August. God wants to help us change. Let us let Him lead us.
Listen to the whole Service from 23rd August. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Based on James 5:1-12, we ponder on the practical aspects that James is writing about. Jesus is coming again soon - are we actively waiting for this to happen? We should live to God's standards, be patient even in suffering and be honest in our speech.
Listen to the whole Service from 16th August. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Based on James 4:1-17, we are reminded that Jesus believes in Health and Safety. He desires that we wear His easy and life-giving yoke. We do this as we submit ourselves to Him and stay close to Him as our Shepherd. We don't need remission from submission - whatever part of life we are in. John the Baptist had a super relationship with Jesus, declaring that "He must become greater and greater and I must become less and less."
Listen to the whole Service from 9th August. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, a Monologue by the Colonel and a short Talk are the components you'll hear.
Based on James 3:1-18, we consider how we speak and act in a variety of places and situations. God intends that what we do and say is beautiful, not tainted by sin. We don't have to allow previous failures to have power in how we act and speak today. We will continue to fail at times in the future, but the writer to Hebrews told us to approach God with confidence because of His grace and mercy towards us. God's grace is truly amazing!
Listen to the whole Service from 2nd August. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, two short sections to drive us to action and two short Talks are the components you'll hear. At the end the Priestly Blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 is read and then everyone who was attending is prayed for by name.
Based on James 2:14-26, we are reminded that Abraham was called God's friend. He wasn't just an associate or an acquaintance. God was passionate about Abraham, just as He is passionate about you. Together we wondered what our epitaph will be. It could be like Abraham's! Because we have a relationship with God, we are going to want to do what pleases Him.Spending just a few minutes each day with God isn't authentic Christianity. Being a disciple of Jesus involves sacrifice and accepting that God wants to change our own lives.If Nuneaton is to change then we desperately need to change first.
There are many more details in the script to the Service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service from 26th July. Sung worship, a time of prayer,a testimony, a Bible-reading, and a Talk on James 2:1-13 are the components you'll hear.
There are many more details in the script to the Service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service from 19th July. Sung worship, a time of prayer, Bible-readings, and two short Talks on James 1:19-27 are the components that happened. Unfortunately the PC that was recording this Meeting froze after 21 minutes.
There are many more details in the script to the Service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service from 12th July. Sung worship, a time of prayer,a testimony, a Bible-reading, and a Talk on James 1:2-18 are the components you'll hear.
There are many more details in the script to the Service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service from 5th July. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, and a Talk on the background to the Epistle of James are the components you'll hear.
There are many more details in the script to the Service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service from 28th June. As a quarterly Prayer Sunday, plenty of prayer as well as sung worship, a Bible-reading, a Testimony, and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Based on 2 Chronicles 20:14-19 and 2 Corinthians 10:2-5 we'll get to hear what God's standards are and then be encouraged to embrace them in our lives.
The theme of the five prayer times is 'Battles'. We'll hear a time of thanksgiving, then Personal Battles, Town-wide Battles, Nation-wide Battles and finally World-wide Battles. Near the end is a hymn where we can reflect on God's faithfulness to all of us. You can see this video separately at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON0QP85tGrc
There are many more details in the script to the Service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service from 21st June. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, and a Talk are the components you'll hear.
There are many more details in the script to the Service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service from 14th June. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, a Testimony, and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Based on Romans 5:12-6:23, we are reminded that sin does mean missing the mark that God has set, but also that we have flaws. These flaws shouldn't be a buren to us, but we should allow God to deal with them playing a part in that as necessary.
There are many more details in the script to the Service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service from 7th June. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, a Testimony, a Monologue by the Colonel (at 12:12), a poem (at 42:57) and two short Talks are the components you'll hear.
Based on Philippians 3:7-14 and Joshua 24:14,15, we are reminded about the different items of spiritual clothing we have been encouraged to wear over the past few weeks of this Series of Talks. We all have a choice whether to take off our old self and put on the new garments that God have supplied or not. Let's do it! Let's dress appropriately for the situations we find ourselves in. God is very concerned with our inner being. Let's become more concerned with our souls too. Let's spend time with God every day, submitting our attitudes and actions to Him - not treating Him like just an advisor. He isn't.
There are many more details in the script to the Service on our website.
For Pentecost we decided to meet with other churches in Nuneaton by watching two videos as well as singing some worship songs together too.
The first video was primarily a teaching video on the subject of Pentecost . With many contributions from various Christian Leaders in Nuneaton, it covered three questions:
What is Pentecost?
What does Pentecost mean to you?
Why is Pentecost so Important?
Edited and published by Jonathan Bugg (Manor Court Baptist) this video can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueJO217Mk9g
The second video was created by NCF and enabled us to pray for the Church in the town. Many people who live in Nuneaton want to see it transformed spiritually and this took us on a journey around the town. Twenty-one Christian places of worship or outreach are visited, with each place being named with an address, the leader(s) mentioned and a photo given. Three pieces of music provide the background: O Breath of Life, There is a Redeemer and Come set Your rule and reign.
Here are the 'churches' or centres of outreach that are mentioned:
St James, Weddington
The King's Lodge
Nuneaton Christian Fellowship
Horeston Grange
Attleborough Baptist
Holy Trinity, Attleborough
All Saints, Chilvers Coton
Our Lady of the Angels
Heath End Church
New Testament Church of God
St Paul's, Stockingford
Nuneaton Community Church
Gospel Hall
Manor Court Baptist Church
St Mary's Abbey
Elim Church
St Nicolas
United Reformed Church
Salvation Army
Nuneaton Methodist Church
Saints
You can watch this second video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ys6QorxdLs&t=13s
Listen to the whole Service from 24th May. Sung worship, a time of prayer, a Bible-reading, and then a Talk are the components you'll hear.
Based on Colossians 3:12-14, Luke 15:20-24 and John 17:2-26 we are encouraged to put on godly virtures, putting on love above them all. As we move on with God in our lives, what is our character like? Let us bring joy to God's heart as we live exclusively for Him!
There are many more details in the script to the service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service from 17th May. Sung worship, a Bible-reading, and then a Talk are the components you'll hear.
Based on Isaiah 61, what are the Garments of Salvation and the Robe of Righteousness that we should actively decide to put on?
There are many more details in the script to the service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service from 10th May. Sung worship, four Scriptures read praising God, prayer, a Bible-reading, and then a Talk are the components you'll hear.
Based on Ephesians 6:10-17 and 1 Samuel 17:33-50 we are encouaged to wear our Spiritual PPE (the Armour of God) and then to make sure that we become really family with God's Word - the Sword of the Spirit.
There are many more details in the script to the service on our website.
Rev Jonathan Bugg, our speaker, has been the Minister at Manor Court Baptist Church since September 2015.
Listen to the whole Service on 3rd May. Sung worship, Elena sharing about recent truths she has learnt, prayer, a Bible-reading (Matthew 11:25-30), and then a Talk are the components you'll hear.
Let us take up the Yoke that Jesus offers us. Let us learn from Him and follow Him sincerely.
There are many more details in the script to the service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service on 26th April. Sung worship, Zainab sharing about work, prayer, a Bible-reading, and then a Talk are the components you'll hear.
Based on Luke 9:23, we are encouraged to take up the Cross. It is the best offer mankind has ever had! We don't wage war like society does. One area we can live better is through forgiving us, just as Christ has forgiven us. Let us be quick to do this as God points things out to s in our lives. We need to bear the Cross before we wear the Crown.
There are many more details in the script to the service on our website.
Listen to the whole Service on 19th April (unfortunately sometimes the sound isn't perfect). Sung worship, Sujin sharing about work, prayer, a Bible-reading, a monologue by a Colonel (it's partly visual so watching the video of it on our website is a good idea) and then a Talk are the components you'll hear.
Until the end of May we'll be considering what spiritual clothing God wants us to wear. We need to take our grave clothes (our old self) off in order to wear what God has given us. Let's not dither about this. Let's pray for God to help us all to do this.
Join us as we celebrate the joy of Easter together online.
A lot of Church Ministers in the town contributed to this video:
00:06 - Welcome: Jonathan and Catherine Bugg (Manor Court Baptist Church)
03:31 - Prayer: Marcus Torchon (Nuneaton Methodist Church)
06:43 - The Apostles’ Creed: Frank Seldon (All Saints Church)
07:57 - Song: Andy Kennedy and Team (YWAM)
13:38 - Scripture Reading: Loriane Roberts (Attleborough Baptist Church)
16:49 - Sermon: Allan Smith (Nuneaton United Reformed Church)
19:59 - Intercessions: Steve and Lisa Macbeth (Heath End Church)
22:33 - The Lord’s Prayer: Frank Seldon (All Saints Church)
24:04 - Communion: John Stephenson (Nuneaton Christian Fellowship)
26:53 - Giving: Rose and Neil Denyer (Salvation Army)
31:17 - Benediction: Paulette Matthews (New Testament Church of God)
An video version (MP4) of this audio is available at
https://youtu.be/HLG8mqsPB3M
In our first fully recorded Online Meeting we hear from John, Fiona, Malc, Ian and Grace. Jesus suffered greatly in His final physical week in Jerusalem. However, it's not an April Fool that God would take our punishment for sin. It might seem unbelievable, but it is definitely true. We all need to ask who Jesus is to us personally and then let Him stir and shake our lives.
It was possible to edit a lot of the background sounds out, but you will still hear quite a few unexpected voices. You can read the Script for this Service on our website. Gill was pushing all the buttons in the background to bring the lyrics and shots of everyone.
Unfortunately only the end section of our Online Together Service on 29th March was recorded.The first five minutes of this Episode was recorded on 30th March. The Script on our website gives much more information than this audio.
Recorded on Monday 23rd March, this Audio gives a good idea of what happened during our first online Zoom Meeting as a Church Together on 22nd March.
You will hear the songs we sung, as well as two short messages, some Bible reading and prayer. A video of this Meeting is also available on our website.
Whilst the Church has and will continue to change, God does not. We can be secure in Him, as we are "geared to the times and anchored to the rock."
Please give feedback to John (email or text) if you wish.
Psalm 118:24 reminds us that God regularly delivers us. What should our response to this be?
1/ We should put our Confidence in God;
2/ We should give of our Best to God.
3/ We should be Abandoned towards God.
We explore several people in the Bible who didn't just see God, but perceived Him. This changed their lives. Are we ready for the cost that is necessary for us to actively listen to and watch out for God? Are we ready to actvely and aggressively seek God? How important is He to us? The heart of Christianity isn't to bring us comfort, but the power of God to change us. We all need changing! There are plenty of points made to help us to pray at home and not just when we meet together.
We know God a little, but He has the power to turn things upside down, doing unexpected things as we pray. God wants to continue to reveal Himself to us, but often we're stuck in a place from several years ago. Don't stagnate in your relationship with God. Allow God to reveal His names and character to you. There is much more to Christ than I know. Move me on in You God!
Do you show compassion to others or are you more concerned with yourself?
In our final Talk in this Series we are reminded that Ezekiel talks a lot about judgement, but God gives glimmers of hope through him too. Our sins are odious and ultimately deadly, but God is gracious and restores and reconciles us to Himself. We had no power whatsoever to do this ourselves. It is easy when we start to follow God to rely mostly on ourselves, but we need God much more in our lives than we think. He enables us to function properly. We desperately need His power in our lives.
God continues to give us hope, as we let Him breathe His breath into us. As we surrender to God, so our dry bones becoming living bodies again.
(For the first three minutes of the Talk the audio cuts out occasionally, but then this was spotted and the battery in the mic was changed.)
God's love is phenomenal. Justice and mercy are in balance with Him. We are encouraged to get to know God better and to postively fear Him.
We are reminded again of the context of what Ezekiel spoke about and then we are encouraged to remember that:
1/ We are individually responsible before God;
2/ Bad things happen - but we will never know how much God protcts us;
3/ God is the ultimate ruler and hope will prevail.
Ezekiel was shown a River that flowed from God's Temple. He was led through the water and it gradually got deeper, starting ankle deep and ending up so that it could only be swum in.
We are reminded in this Talk that God calls us if we are thirsty for more of Him to get close to Him, look to Him and focus on Him. As we do that we discover that He is much much bigger than we think. He is unchanging - He can't be improved upon. Have we made ourselves too big in our own lives and allowed God to be far too small? Let's boast in God and what He has accomplished - both in our own lives and in the lives of others.!
Let's make a decision now to go deeper with God.
God called Ezekiel as a Watchman for Judah and the surrounding countries. He had to lean forward and take action in order to fulfill this role. In this Talk we are encouraged to tidy our own lives up and to take an active role in God's Kingdom ourselves. We are reminded that we need to regularly spend time with God and that to thirst for more of God is a really good thing.
From 32:43 we hear Rev Paul Wood briefly talking about his time as Minister at NCF as he and Lynne retire from what they have been doing for many years. There are several prayers of blessing on them at the end.
Ezekiel was a priest and prophet from Judah that went with the first group of exiles to Babylon in around 597BC. He was a street-preacher and an attention-seeker for God. The people of Judah were drab because of their sin, whereas Ezekiel was vibrant and showed a cascade of God's colours to other people. He waited on God and listened for His voice.
Where are the Christian attention-seekers today? As we focus on God in our normal every day lives, let His vivid colours flow through us. Let His vibrancy through us encourage other people to follow Him with passion and extravagance.
God is great, wonderful and awesome. He loves us and treats us brilliantly!
The first 10:27 is of Davit briefly talking about her imminent Discipleship Training School with YWAM in America and then many people praying for her.
We have all done things in our lives that barr us from having a relationship with God. In His mercy, Jesus came and sorted out the problem of sin. Shepherds were invited to personally worship Jesus and they were changed. Some months later the magi came and worshipped Him too after travelling for many miles.
In the 21st century we too have an Invitation from God to come close to Him, to worship and to be changed. Let's accept that Invitation today.
Mary and Joseph had never gone that way before, yet they were ready for what God asked them to do. It was momentous and required self-sacrifice, but they were ready for what God asked them to do!
Are we ambitious for how God might work through us in 2020? Are we ready? What is our heart like? He has begun a good work in us, so let's be ready for that work to continue and develop in the coming months.
We start this Episode with a short monologue from Colonel Frank HW Miller, where we are encouraged to take off the unimportant Christmas wrappings. Then we are reminded that God loves us all and that people are changed for the better when they personally meet God. Many surprising things have happened in our lives and through the centuries, but the most surprsing thing of all is that God would come to earth to restore our relationship with Him. Mankind had rebelled against God, but He made a way to make us new and to re-ignite us as He intended.
Using a person born in Nuneaton in 1910 (Mary Whitehouse) we are reminded that we, the Church, are to change society and not to leave it to politicians.We should stand up for God and not fear speaking out. As we pray, Lord let Your Kingdom come, let us be ready to adapt our lives to what He wants.
Is 2020 a year of opportunity for Christians? Is it a new beginning? Are we ready to pray, to preach and to take action on behalf of others?
Mary and Joseph were willing to get out of their comfort zones when called by God. Are you?
With the General Election occuring this month we are encouraged to think about how the Bible promotes three areas of justice: distributive, public justice, and personal morality. As we prepare to vote we should consider what our responsibilites are.
We are not Roman soldiers, but as followers of Jesus we are part of the Army of the living God. Our enemy tries to deceive us. As we saturate ourselves in the Bible (the Word of God), so we are helped to continue to stand no matter what we face. Many people have given wonderful responses after reading God's Word over many centuries. Let us decide to do the same.
We need to know Jesus as a Saviour not simply on a one off occasion, but as a continuous relationship. Jesus invites us to a daily, moment-by-moment loving relationship with Him. Sin will make us all ineffective for God, but yoking ourselves to God will give us tremendous joy in our lives. We need to be proactive and vigilant in the way we live our lives for God. He continues to lavish His love on us - going beyond the expected measure and exceeding the ordinary.
God is powerful. He can do anything! Psalm 1 reminds us that we are blessed as we delight in God and His Word.Where are we trusting? Who are we trusting? Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Let's live well in obedience to God's Word. Let's wear the whole armour - God has made it for us.
God has made the Armour we wear, so that we can all wear it every day. As we wrap God's truth about Himself, ourselves and each other around us then we are changed. God hasn't given His final word on us, NCF nor the nations yet. What we might have done or thought in the past doesn't stop us being used by God today and in the future. Ask God what He feels about you.
Just as many of us wear different sorts of 'armour' in our normal everyday lives and not just for big events like climbing a mountain or swimming fairly deep, so we need to wear God's armour of light on a daily basis. Basing the Talk on Romans 13:8-14 and Ephesians 6:10-20 we are reminded that life may not be fair, but by wearing God's Armour we are given protection spiritually and emotionally against attacks that will come our way.
Are you actively and positively abandoned to God? Have you decided to yoke yourself to Jesus and closely follow Him? We look at several examples from the Bible where people wanted to put God at the centre of their lives - both on a national and individual level. Whilst it's good to frequently visit God, we are encouraged that it is much better to abide in Him and to let Him grow in renown in our lives.
In this recording we hear quite a few parts of our Family Service. We start with the Memory Verse (1 Peter 2:9), then hear about what often happens in the Sunday School. We have a reading from John 21:15-23 and then we are reminded that God has a plan for each of us whatever our age, sex or abilities. We are all chosen and special. A craft time is explained and then we conclude with a time of prayer.
Praying means action. We're called to give our best time and greatest energy to it. We are encouraged in this Talk to know more about God's Treasures for us, to grow in them and to share them with others too. God wants us to create space in our hearts for Him and for others.
At the end there are six areas for prayer that are shared.
God is in charge. How do we react righteously to that? People like Gideon (Judges 6) started off by doubting, but then God moved in their lives. Let us be reassured in our lives: God is in control.
After gaining an Overview of the Bible for the past four months, we are encouraged to really engage with the Scriptures and to not let them be like water going through a pipe. As we become more serious at spending time considering, pondering and applying the Bible to our lives, then that great investment of time and energy will change us. Action and development of character will be generated. Several practical examples are given as to how we can let our unpredictable God speak to us through the Scriptures.
Whilst the Book of Revelation does have a lot of strange imagery and symbolism, it also contains many concrete ideas that are foundational for our Christian lives today. The same truths we read about now would have encouraged the original readers/listeners (who were going through terrible persecution). We are on God's side in the battle between Good and Evil. God has won! No wonder there are so many great celebrations in heaven! In the light of this, let's actively worship and serve God together as that is how God created and equipped us.
In this Talk we get an Overview of the eight non-Pauline letters in the New Testament. Often when reading the Bible, it is the parts we do understand that are the trickiest to read and to put into practice. As we pray whilst reading, so God helps us to be alert, revolutionary and to grow in maturity.
After the Talk we hear five people praying for HyungJin (Daniel) as he is shortly to become a theological student in Edinburgh.
Paul gives encouragement and help to Timothy, Titus and Philemon. We hear the background to these books, as well as modern stories to remind us of God's Church on other continents. God was active in the 1st century. He is still active today.
Some of the Talk was edited in order that specific details wouldn't be published online. The first 90 seconds are quiet, but then a normal volume is maintained.
What do we know about Paul? Why did he wrote his Letters to the Churches? Did he write more Letters than we have in our Bibles?
God wants to stir us as we walk in our Christian faith with Him. He wants to use us to stir others too. We are called to be radical with God. Let's allow God to move into our nooks and crannies, as well as the main parts of our lives. Let God stir your thoughts, emotions, words and actions today.
God is alive and working. He used people when the Church was newly birthed. He still uses people today, but what things should we persue in order that God might use any of us?
Unfortunately there was a short time during this Talk where there was an issue with the microphone.
The current celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 remind us that Jesus undertook a greater Mission - to come to earth and save us from our sins. We briefly look at all the Gospels and consider what emphasis the author had when he wrote it.
Are we fanning into flame the gifts that God have given us? Are we learning to pray more/differently? The Jesus of the Gospels is still alive and wants to encourage us to move at His pace and in His direction. Let's not only be impressed by Him, but also influenced and nurtured.
Reading the Old Testament and the New Testament is excellent, but what happened between them? What was God doing? How was He preparing the world for Jesus to come?
God proves that He is overall charge in history. He was in the period of the Exile and after it too. He is still in overall charge. Due to this, let's expect to hear the Lord's heartbeat as we regularly pray and let's expect that He will start new chapters in our lives, just as He did when His Chosen People returned to Jerusalem even though it would have been difficult for them.
Hear about the Prophets who spoke and wrote for several centuries in the Southern Kingdom.
God spoke and speaks through His prophets. Elijah and Elisha had a big impact in the Northern Kingdom but didn't write things down. Amos and Hosea both wrote God's thoughts down. God is still gracious. Let us hear the prophetic voice today.
The Israelites were meant to show God's Sovereignty in their lives and their unity to other nations. They didn't really do either. Will we?
Israel was meant to be distinctive from the nations around them. We shouldn't compare ourselves to others. Saul, David and Solomon reigned for 120 years between them. Reading about them shouldn't just give us knowledge about what was happening, but should change our lives as we allow God to challenge and move us onwards.
In these two books we are considering God Promises: taking, sharing and keeping them. Treasure and protect what God has given you.
What is the Pentateuch? Why is it called by that name? Several of the PowerPoint slides that were shown have short summaries for each chapter of the five books. This is very briefly discussed, before we ponder on the two macro themes of this section of the Old Testament. These remind of us of what we are like, as well as what God is like. We think about the three Covenants to Noah, Abraham and Moses. God continues to reach out to His creation. Finally we give thought to something that Jonathan Edwards wrote in the 18th century.
We focus on how we can love others by praying for them. Using the Bible as you pray is important, as is meeting with others. Persistently exchanging our ideas for God's ideas is the best way to pray. Near the end, five people briefly explain what they do on an average Monday morning and then others pray for them.
When we have a job we want to be paid the amount we feel we deserve. The sin in our lives means that we should face death (eternal separation from God). Jesus changed this by His death and resurrection. He took our punishment and paid the price so that we can have eternal life. This means that we need to allow God to change us regularly and not be content with our current status quo. We have to regularly work on our spiritual fitness.
If Jesus is our Saviour and Lord, then let us allow Him to be totally in charge of or lives - today and tomorrow.
Most people regularly cross physical borders. What spiritual or emotional borders do you need to cross as a Disciple of Christ? We briefly look at five people from the Bible who God caused to cross borders so that they could go deeper with Him. We are challenged again to regularly be close to God, to obey Him and to trust Him. God is calling us to go deeper with Him and not to be content with the way we are now. Jesus is our King. Let Him reign in your life.
What was it like to follow Jesus around Galilee if you were a lady? Jesus broke social norms by allowing it to happen. Close proximity, trust and obedience were all necessary. Listening to Jesus needed time, dedication and resources.
We consider the wider family of James and John and that they were both in the inner circle of disciples. Being a disciple is an invitation to something much bigger than we are.
Thomas was a disciple who was happy to ask questions. It's still good to ask questions about our faith.
Andrew and Simon Peter who brothers and fishermen. One did upfront things for Jesus, whilst the other was used by God quietly and often in the background. Both were committed to following God and were world-changers in their lives.If we are to change the world for God, we need to let Him change us. We don't want to just use this Series of Talks to find out about Jesus' 12 Disciples - we want to use it to know what it means to be a fully-committed Disciple today.
Judas was a traitor, but he was also one of the Twelve. What are the doors that Judas opened to Satan? The enemy wants a conversation with all of us too - what doors are we opening to him? Following and loving Jesus is the antidote we all need. Sin is deceptive and weakening but has no power over the love of God!
We take a look at each of these men while they followed the physical Jesus around Galilee and then, according to the Early Church Fathers, what they did and where they went after Jesus' ascension.
It is probably true for all of us that we have too often had Jesus as a side order in our lives, rather than as the main course. Just as Jesus had no Plan B with regard to His Disciples two thousand years ago, so He has no Plan B today. We - His current Disciples - are God's Plan A for reaching the world.
Matthew as a Tax Collector wasn't well liked by the Jewish community. As Jesus invited him to be a disciple, so his life was changed. No past sin is too big to stop anyone from following Christ and fulfilling their God-given role.
The Twelve Disciples were a very varied bunch - even their names suggest this. Philip had a wonderful gift. He opened the door so that Jesus was allowed to speak and act. We can all do that.
Thousands of people followed Jesus around Galilee. He called Twelve to be His disciples. What did that mean and who were they? How will my life be affected by what happened to them - both before Jesus' death and after His ascension? God is on our team - let's acknowledge His call on our lives and then pay attention to His demands.
Embracing God means we will willingly and enthusiastically accept God in our lives - His leadings, His decisions and His love. God is calling all of us to do this. We identify five God Embracers in the Bible and then consider the positivity of being in the wilderness for a time.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12 and Ephesians 4 we learn about the Gifts that Christ has given each member of the Church. Leaders are there to equip believers to fulfill their own unique roles.
After the Talk John and Gill Stephenson are prayed for by many people as they are inducted into leading Nuneaton Christian Fellowship.
God has called us all to work in His Mission Field. What a privilege. This Talk focusses on the story of Jonah.
On Epiphany Sunday we consider the story of the Magi. They had several barriers to stop them reaching and worshipping Jesus the Messiah. Even though they were on the cusp, they could have returned to their own land in the East, without reaching their destination. Nehemiah was in a similar state too as he travelled to Jerusalem to inspire people to rebuild the Walls there. We, the Church, are the cusp of being Jesus' Bride. Let us live, think and pray in the light of this. Let us decide to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, so that any barriers we face can be overcome too.
At the end of one year we can decide what to take into 2019 and what to leave behind. As we follow God whoelheartedly so we will make excellent harmonies together and won't want to smuggle secret things into the New Year. We can decide to put God first in our lives, as well as putting Him second and third.
We are invited to come with others to see that Jesus is no longer a Baby. Gazing on and pondering about Jesus is a super recommendation to follow.
The four Gospels describe the beginning of Jesus' life in different ways. John describes Jesus as the Light of the World. We consider how that affects us personally. Are we a Light to our World?
We can experience God's Shalom as we consider Jesus' work on the Cross during the next few weeks. Our lives can experience tension, but the power of death and confusion have been broken.
We can be confident when talking about Scripture and the Christmas story. We can be firm and gentle without being fearful or aggressive. We need a Call to Prayer for what is going on in the UK at the moment. A multicultural society oftens leads people into confusion. Let's further our relationship with God, as this is the essence of Christianity.
God invites us to Him and to rest in Him. How do we reach an equilibrium between resting and striving though? The Church is powerful as we live in and follow God. We are encouraged to pour out our hearts to God.
Do we try to act independently from God? Are we living an authentic Christian life? Preparing for eternity is a serious business. Stop getting distracted by pointless activities and ideas, instead make your love for Jesus grow everyday.
Why didn't God tell the Church at Philadelphia to buck their ideas up and change their hearts and ways? We also consider the 'open door' that is before NCF at the moment and the future of what might be happening here.
We shouldn’t feel down about what we’ve done as God gives us an opportunity to repent and change. Don’t wait until the time is right to put something right. Don’t put off doing God’s will until a future date. Do it now. I should follow God’s plan even if ‘trouble’ happens because of it. Listen to what God says and then do it. Live your life as God intended it to be. The first 7 minutes of the recording are of our Act of Remembrance for Armistice Day.
This letter was sent to encourage the church to trust and obey Jesus, standing firm in His truth and not compromising with things that give us an easy life. We are to rest in the security He has provided. The Church is Jesus' Bride! We are being prepared for eternity.
The Pergamum Church was faithful and loved God but they tolerated ungodly stuff. They thought compromise was fine. Jesus told them to repent and change their ways as compromise isn't good. God challenges us to do the same in our lives. Don't hide sin - deal with it. God calls us then to arise and shine as we follow Him. Some prayers and readings from the congregation follow the Talk. Typed notes and the PowerPoint slides are on our website.
We all have issues in our lives. Sometimes it can really affect us and make us fearful. God calls us to yield to Him and look to Him as the Church in Smyrna did and as King Jehoshaphat did nine hundred years earlier.
God calls us to love, but He also calls us to hate certain things. Repenting is an important part of being a Jesus disciple.
After the Talk we hear some prayers, Scriptures and ideas that strengthen and encourage us further. It is brilliant that God loves us so much as to give us warnings about our thoughts, words and actions when necessary.
What is our attitude like when undesirable things happen in our lives? John the Apostle was sent to a penal colony in the Aegean Sea due to his faith in Jesus. He still sought God and was obedient to Him.
Just as the Seven Churches he wrote to were given an appraisal, so we're encouraged to listen to the way that God personally and collectively appraises us too. Feel your faith rise as God speaks to you, so that changes and additions can be made to your life.
We are reminded that God is with us, but the devil is real and seeks to take our eyes off Jesus through doubt and deceit. A testimony and a poem is read at the end to solidify these honest thoughts.
The Israelites had to move from Egypt to the Promised Land (from A to B). God is calling us to do this both collectively and individually. The journey may not always be easy, but we have the delight of arriving at B. This Talk encourages us to look at how spiritully mature we are. Are we treating Jesus as only as our part Saviour?
In this All Age Worship Service we throw a party to celebrate God's mercy and kindness towards us.
Some aspects of God's Will for individuals are very easy. Let's not limit God in the way He can speak to us and in what He tells us to do.
The main purpose of prayer is to align your own ideas and desires with God's standards and will. As we choose wholeheartedly to follow God, so our identity is in Him.
A brief reminder is given of the Talks so far in this Series, as well as the encouragement to keep on going.
What does it mean to worship God? Corporately we often sing to show God's worth, but that is only one part of how we can worship God both individually and as a group. Take our own crowns off and give them to God! All of the slides that are mentioned are easy to find on our website, as are the notes for this Talk.
We 'speak' about many things throughout our lives and most people have a favourite subject(s). How do we get Jesus into the various types of dialogues and monologues we have? How did Jesus speak about Himself? We are encouraged not to dilute the topic of God and to be ready to describe the burning in our hearts that we have experienced. From 39:10 Hyungjin Yoon describes his recent few months working and learning with YWAM. He 'spoke' about Jesus in Nuneaton, Egypt and the Philippines.
We are reminded how God is generous in many ways and that God loves us to be generous in return. Being generous as we are already persuaded and inclined to do so shows an excellent level of maturity. Being generous in a non-reluctant and spontaneous manner can be shown in many ways. As we follow God's will we become fully free in our generosity - even in tricky situations. Let's open our eyes fully to God's mercy and grace and pour out our lives. Others will be encouraged as well as ourselves!
Using Matthew 26:36-46, we are reminded that Jesus was a man of prayer - even in the hardest times. Hebrews 5:7 - Jesus prayed with fervency and in submission to His Father. Let us follow His example. Let Jesus' concerns be our concerns.
We are reminded that as a Family it is important to meet together. Four people describe recent encouragements at the end too.
Sin is a reality. It is a core value that we hold that we need to and should repent to God and forgive others. Sin is destructive. We are encouraged to not try to hide our sin, but to go to a trusted friend and talk about it and then change. We should model forgiveness to others in society. Baptism is a symbol that we are now living differently
What godly intentional actions or habits do you have in your life? In this new series we look at why it is a good idea to build them into your life. Putting God first in our our thoughts and actions is very important. We hear about people who did so and are encouraged to do so in our own lives even when this might be difficult. Becoming good disciples together is very helpful.
We hear much of the Family Service where we are reminded of the different weeds that might appear in our lives. We are encouraged to use the weedkillers of prayer, fasting, giving, serving, and blessing our enemies to get rid of them.
We hear a little about what Brian and Trish have been doing over the past few years. We are also reminded to work in the field that God has placed us in and that God will bring His work about. Let's sound the trumpet for God. Maggie and Nik also share some brief thoughts.
God is really good, even if we are in desperate situations. King Hezekiah had fine relationships with people and with God. He turned to the right people for help when he needed it. All the things we do can be significant for others. Invest in your relationship with God and with others.
God is full of grace to mankind. Sometimes He shows this in an explosive way and sometimes as a cascade in our lives. We are called to be Heralds to tell other people about this grace. This grace allows us to wear the best robe - His robe of righteousness. God is glorified, we are stretched and others are changed as together we show God's grace to the people we meet.
In Nik’s second Talk on Isaiah 40 we reminded of how and why God comforts us, but then we are challenged to be Heralds for God. We are saved by grace, but God looks to us to make effort. time and finances available to Him. Josephus is used to fill out the story of Isaiah, John the Baptist and Jesus.
The foundations of the nation of Israel were built on prophecies. Isaiah 53 is a brilliant prophecy about Jesus. His blood is powerful. This Talk helps us to consider several aspects of His sacrifice. Do what God says even if it doesn't make sense at first.
It’s really good to look at the structure of Isaiah whether you believe one person wrote it or several. Chapter 40 is a turning point in the book. It’s the beginning of Isaiah’s second statement about/from God.
Three themes in chapters 1-39: 1/ God is the God of all nations – not just Israel 2/ God is the God of the individual and not just the nations. 3/ The Assyrian army is close and threatening.
Our hope and future is in the grace, love and comfort of God – just like the two divided Kingdoms of Isaiah’s time.
God makes a barren desert blossom. What is our part in this? Are we prepared to toil and labour for God with everything that we have - time, energy and ideas? What is our character like? Does it reflect what is written in Galatians 5:22, 23? Will we decide to be full-time lighthouse keepers for God? Do we have a sense of urgency? All of the PowerPoint slides for this Talk, as well as John's notes are on our website.
Join us as we listen to most of the talking components of our Gift Day Service. God certainly loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)!
Are we ready, prepared and available to God for Him to use us? Are we praying for Divine opportunities to share our 'God Story'? We hear a short Talk as an encouragement to testify to others in various ways. This includes an experiment using dominoes (photos are on our website). Looking at the notes on our website will help you as you listen to this Talk as you will be able to see the Powerpoint slides. Six people give a Testimony after the Talk.
Our first Prayer Sunday of 2018. Near the very end we hear a picture that is very powerful.
Who do we think Jesus is? What title should we personally give him? The notes for this Talk are on our website. At the end we also hear from Nohemi Granados Pinilla and pray for her as she returns to South America to carry out more translation work with YWAM.
In our last Talk in this Series, we think about who influences us and who do we influence? It is good to praise and pray for those who have influenced us for the better. John Mark felt he had the freedom to say No. It's part of our Christian DNA to reach out to others. As we do this we can lift up the name of the Lord.
Bravery, faith and obedience sums up the life of many people in the Bible. It certainly does of Hannah.
Nicodemus is a well known person in the Bible. His conversation with Jesus in John 3, is perhaps one of the most quoted chapters in the Bible. Who was he, why did he visit Jesus, what happened after and why is he a hero? Is it easy to be spiritually fit? Our website contains the notes for this Talk. This includes all the PowerPoint slides, as well as other ideas that aren't actually explored in the actual Talk itself.
Bezalel was a brilliant craftsman. He was also a spiritual man and that meant he knew that God was with him – Emmanuel. This enabled him to do something that might seem impossible to most people – to be in charge of building God’s Tabernacle. God often calls us to do things for Him that we are good at, just like He did with Bezalel. Is our relationship with God something we work at? Do we “Come” to Jesus? Do we “Go” for Him too? Do we use our gifts for God’s glory? Do we go to people with metaphorical divine hugs: God’s love and compassion? We are called to be Heroes by doing this. Emmanuel is with us today. This means that we can all grow in the faith. We can all be involved in the work of the Lord. Let’s ask God to open our eyes to see what He is doing and get involved – even if it seems tricky. It would be useful for you to look at the notes on our website, as these contain the PowerPoint slides and plenty more ideas that weren’t developed in the actual Talk.
Acts 16 - Lydia’s Lifeline. It’s our responsibility to build churches and preach the Gospel on the new estates, not the Council or builders. We shouldn’t abdicate the responsibility we have to educate and help others. Paul and Silas were led to Philippi to preach the Gospel. Lydia worshipped God. Paul and Silas met her with a group of women in Philippi, though she was originally from Thyatira. God is impressed when men and women surrender their hearts to Him. Lydia surrendered her heart to God. It is God’s work to bring them into His Kingdom. New birth through the Cross is the only way to access this. She had to repent, believe the Gospel, be baptised and believe the Holy Spirit. Chills and tingles are not primarily what the Holy Spirit is about. Jesus didn’t die so that the Church can be like the World. If we are to be used of God, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ask God for His wisdom. Using your own mind and ability isn’t good enough. Ask God for wisdom in normal living.
a). The Forbidding Spirit
b). The Pleading Vision
c). The Place of Prayer.
Nathan was a political advisor to King David and King Solomon and often spoke prophetically to them. He had a strong influence on David. There are three episodes in the Bible that are looked at in this Talk. He was humble and obedient towards God. Toddlers ‘hide’ and think adults can’t see them. Do we act this way with God when we sin? Nathan doesn’t tell the Law to David but gives him a parable to think about. How do we communicate the Gospel in a secular context so that ‘normal’ people understand it? We need to pray for our communication skills. May God use our words and actions to draw people to Himself. What actions am I taking to invest in others?
Have you got a nickname? Joseph from Cyprus was called Barnabas by the early leaders of the Church as he was such an encourager. What do people call us (whether to our face or behind our backs)? Is it a positive name or something that isn’t? We explore some of Barnabas’ life in this Talk and remind ourselves how excellent it is to be an encourager ourselves. It would be a good idea to consult the notes for this Talk on our website as you listen. You will find all the PowerPoint slides as well as further ideas that aren’t mentioned in the actual Talk. The first three minutes of the Talk are missing due to a malfunction.
There are many people in the Bible that have a large number of chapters or even whole Books written about them. There are many more people who might appear in only one chapter. This Series will concentrate on them. Many of these people are significant heroes and are worth learning about.
In this Talk we are reminded who Jethro is and how God used him to help Moses become a better leader. Jethro was humble and acted as a servant to his son-in-law.
It would be helpful to read the notes on our website as they contain several more ideas that are not touched on in the actual Talk and the PowerPoint slides can be accessed there too.
What is the Day of the Lord? Why is it called "great and dreadfful" in the Bible? What is a good response to this?
Lots of people were involved in the first Christmas. What was there response to Baby Jesus? What is our response as the Risen, Ascended and Exalted Jesus talks and interacts with us today?
Using the books of Kings, Job, Romans and Revelation, we remind ourselves what worship is. Do we mostly focus on the Cross or on the Throne as we worship?
The Media gives us false information when describing heroes. Jesus is the greatest hero and as we follow Him, so we become heroes too. The Outline for this Talk is on our website.
God desires that we pray with others. It's good for us and it's good for the others we meet with.
Jesus still encourages His disciples to fast. This could be from food, but also from activities that we might cherish. Examples are given from the Bible and from recent history. Spending time at a Retreat is also mentioned. The most important issue is whether we are hungry for more of God.
On this Remembrance Sunday we are reminded of the sacrifice of others. The Bible encourages to look back and be grateful for what God has done in our lives. This can be a very positive part of our regular devotions with God. Is that in conflict when we are also told to forget the former things and ponder on what God is about to do in the near and distant future? God calls us to costly grace.
We are encouraged to soak in God's presence for longer and on a regular basis. Doing this certainly makes a difference in our lives.Spending longer with God allows a change to happen. This might cause discomfort in the short term, but it is worth it. Everyone has an Invitation from God to spend time with Him.
Looking at the Outline on our website will help you as it includes all the PowerPoint slides. The Paper with the 57 Prayers, Benedictions and Doxologies can also be found, viewed and printed from there too.
We are reminded how the Word of God is powerful (Jeremiah 23:9, Hebrews 4:12). It is important to read the Bible out loud and to bless others. (More information on blessing others can be found at www.ffald-y-brenin.org.)
We are given practical considerations for when we are prayer-walking (being outside, on the move and talking to God) and stories about past adventures. Be stimulated by listening to others as well as by being observant to the surroundings.
There is a strong link between using the Bible (it is an offensive weapon) and praying in the Spirit. We need to hide God's Word in our hearts. It's very important to meditate and chew over what we read.
Sometimes God seems far away. How do we cope? What should we do? We are reminded about the life of David in this Talk and given some principles to help us move forward.
Here we can ponder on what Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-15 and Luke 11:1-4.
Prayer requires intimacy with God. It was a priority with Jesus. As we pray we can ask God to burden us with how He feels for different nations and circumstances. We can invest our prayer lives in others so that they are blessed and encouraged in their walk with God. Variety is very important. Ask God to show you the heavenly realities that are around you today - open our eyes and ears Lord!
Psalm 27 reminds us that we can be confident of God's love and faithfulness to us. We are also reminded about this in the three testimonies that follow.
First we hear two youngsters tell how they became Christians, then we are introduced to the theme of this Family Service. A Quiz on seeds and plants is followed by the main Talk of the morning. A song by the puppets, prayer for our friends, family and others that we know and then everyone reading Matthew 9:37, 38 concludes this special Service.
This Talk begins with a video by Frank HW Miller (www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1KQ9zrhXtI). The background wind sound soon dies down. We then consider seven attributes of Jesus' hands. At the end we are reminded to shake off our complacency. The numerous PowerPoint slides and typed Outline are available on our website - you may wish to look at them as you listen to this Talk.
Two main questions are asked in this Talk: where are you sitting and what are you focussing on? God invites us to spend time with Him at His table. You can read the notes and PowerPoint slides on our website.
The Day of the Lord - we wait for this by living godly lives. We can grow in Christ and encourage others to follow Jesus too. We know that God will do as He promised. The End Times needn't be a scary thought.
The PowerPoint slides for this Talk are on our website. It might be helpful to look at them whilst you are listening.
This Chapter reminds us to stand against heresy - an inward persecution that the early Church was facing. Does what we are listening to and accepting make God bigger in our lives - does it glorify God? Immerse yourself in the genuine, so that the counterfeit is obvious. Is my own life holy and pleasing to God?
All of the Powerpoint slides are on our website. They are useful to look at as you listen to this excellent Talk.
We get an overview of Peter's Epistles and then zoom in a little more for an overview of Chapter 1 and then concentrate our attention on verses 5-7.
We are told by Peter to live a Godly life! What does that mean? Why should we do it? How can we do it? We are encouraged to follow God wholeheartedly and not to try to put one foot in God's camp and the other foot in the World's camp.
Looking at the Slides and Outline on our website will help you to benefit from and enjoy this Talk more.
Jesus changes our outlook on life when He is our Lord. What seemed normal can become strange and what we used to consider weird becomes the obvious way to think, speak and do.
An experiment with two bar magnets helps us to ponder whether we are ready for God. Are we ready for action now, for Jesus coming back, for the expected and the unexpected and for change? What reminders of God's love are we creating in Nuneaton and where we live/work? As Samuel listened to God and was obedient, let's purpose to do the same.
Using the notes on our website might be helpful for you. The PowerPoint slides are easy to see there, as are extra points and information.
We continue to think about 'Holiness in Action' in this Chapter. Submission is seen as a negative action by many in our society, but the Bible tells us it is a good thing to do. Christianity has both privileges and duties. How much do Jesus' attitudes and actions affect my own? John 13 is used to illustrate this point. Trusting in God, our Rock, is part of our calling (Psalm 62:5-8). Look at the notes on our website too, as these have the PowerPoint slides and much more material that wasn't actually shared during the Talk.
"Holding onto Hope." The Christians that Peter wrote to were suffering persecution. Life was difficult. Peter encouraged them by saying they should live their lives as a spiritual sacrifice to God and tune their SatNav (GPS) to God and not the enemy.
As Christians do we live our lives any differently to pagans? Let's invest our time focussing on God and seeking His holiness in our lives.
In this Talk we get to understand a little more about Peter, as some of the episodes he found himself in in the Gospels and Acts are described. We also hear about how his two Letters fit into the rest of the New Testament. You might like to read the Talk outline on our website as you listen, as this shows all the PowerPoint slides and often goes into more detail.
We are encouraged to pray more than ever. We are individuals but part of a community. As we share our lives together, let us make prayer the centre of it. Looking at the PowerPoint slides on our website will help you to understand this Talk more.
We briefly hear what WEC does and are reminded of the place of sacrifice in our Christian Walk. Using a few statistics we are reminded that the task of taking the Good News of Jesus is far from complete. We are all called to be a part of God’s Mission to disciple others. We don’t need to wait for a special call in order to get going. Matthew 28:19, 20 and Luke 14:28, 33 are discussed. Are we willing to give up everything for the sake of the Gospel? In order for us to disciple others in real repentance, we need to be good disciples ourselves. We can do a lot of things for God, but it is His strength in us that will make the real difference.
The PowerPoint slides that were used can be viewed on our website. Doing this will help you understand more of what is being said. Raine’s Talk Outline is also available there.
We are reminded that God heals through the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. We are also encouraged to worship God as we seek Him.
To celebrate Pentecost we held an International Service, considering how the Church might be vary in different countries, but it is basicially the same: the Bride of Christ.
Thew Service consisted of many parts: Welcome and intro (00:00), Memoery Verse (00:28), Quiz (02:54), Video on the The Church: its history and diversity (08:41), Prayer time introduction (11:18), Memeory Verse (13:56), How is the Church similar/different in other countries? (15:05), Communion (20:08), Craft (23:14), Talk by Jean (23:40), Talk Thanks (38:49), Memory Verse (39:42), Closing Thoughts (44:03) and Closing Prayer (44:45).
In this last of the I Am Talks, we are reminded that nothing is outside of Jesus' control. Our response must be to worship and trust Him. Jesus is coming back. Are we ready? Are we concerned with the empty chair?
Jesus is the Messiah. What kind of Messiah was expected during the Gospel Times? We look at how the differences between the Jews and Samaritans emerged towards Messiahship. God was doing something bigger than the differences that existed though. We have one King and one Messiah, so we are one Family. Jesus can unite the Jews and Samaritans. Jesus can unite us all. We are called to bring unity where we go. We should show that we are one Family. Our task is to continue His work. Jesus urges us to look at Himself – He is the solution to any problems of division we might face.
All the PowerPoint slides are available on our website. You might find it useful to look at them whilst listening to this Talk.
In this Talk, based primarily on John 6:35, we hear about the persecutions that happened to the Church and other background events to the Gospel of John. We are also reminded of the link back to Exodus chapter 3. What is the significance of bread in the Old Testament? Jesus still provides and delivers.
Seung Jin’s outline is available on our website.
What did Jesus mean when He said this? In this message we get to hear the context of the imagery from the history of Israel. We are encouraged to bear fruit, abide in Jesus and to love one another. Are we relying more on our talents and experience than we used to? Do we pray less than we used to as we work out our calling? All of Andy's PowerPoint slides are on our website. It will be useful to look at them as you listen to this message.
Jesus is radical. Is He arrogant for making such a significant statement about being The Door/Gate? No. Listen as we discover that Jesus provides security, safety and sustenance. What does this message imply we should be doing ourselves?
1). The Darkness of the World (1 John 5:19. John 3:19)
2). The Light in the World. (John 9: 5. John 1: 4)
3). The Light in Us. (1 John 1:7)
This Family Service focussed on Davit's Baptism. As well as a short Talk we will hear lots of people pray for Davit, as well as other spoken parts of the Service. Welcome and Initial Comments (00.00), Talk with children (01.28), John’s Talk (08.34), Davit’s Testimony (21.46), the Baptism and Paul's Prayer (24.15), Introduction to the Puppets (25.28), Reading: Matthew 28:1-10 (25.50), Prayers for Davit (27.27) and Closing Prayer (38.27).
Is it narrow minded and bigoted to regard Jesus as only Way, the only Truth and the only Life? What does all of this mean anyway?
In this Talk we hear about the how John's Gospel is different to the other three. We learn about the significance of the phrase "I Am" and how we should respond to Jesus being our Good Shepherd.
If you're able, follow the printed Outline of this Talk on our website, as you will be able to see all of the slides then.
This Family Service focussed on Alan’s Baptism. As well as a short Talk we will hear lots of people pray for Alan, as well as other spoken parts of the Service.
Welcome and Initial Comments (00.00), John’s Talk (4.24), Offering (14.52), Alan’s Testimony (18.11), the Baptism and SeungJin’s Prayer (20.31), Gill’s encouragements (22.49), Jo’s Reading (17.23), Prayers for Alan (30.11) and Closing Comments and Prayer (42.48).
There are several different ways to baptise. At NCF our tradition is to totally immerse someone.
We should baptise and this is clear in the Scripture. How it is done is not so clear in the Bible. Why we do it is more important than how we do it.
It is an initiation as well as a celebration. Adults can understand and respond to the Gospel. Baptism symbolises death and newness of life. We should be baptised to show that our sins are buried and we have new life.
We examine 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, Acts 2:34-41, Romans 6:3-5 and Colossians 2:9-12.
“The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer.” (FB Meyer)
We are encouraged in Colossians 4:2-6 to be devoted to prayer and we are reminded that Jesus was passionate in prayer while on earth. It is good to be thankful as we pray too.
What is Baptism all about? Based on Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 2:38,39 we are reminded of the four steps to Initation Baptism. Part 2 is coming on 19th March.
Our Series is brought to a close by looking at the final King of each Kingdom: King Zedekiah (Judah) and King Hoshea (Israel). Though they reigned around 140 years apart there are many similarities between their characters and the times in which they lived. Their lives are mirrored. We look at some of the history of the period, including inter-state relations. We are reminded how important the Prophets are at this time.
There is hope when we submit to God even when judgement is forecast. We need to repent and turn to Him. Both Zedekiah and Hoshea looked for help in other places to what God indicated.
The picture of King Jehu bowing to Shalmaneser III on the Black Obelisk sums up what is often happening in these two books. Yahweh was meant to be the true King of Israel and Judah. However, most kings trusted in foreign powers rather than God. Failure, tragedy and despair mark most of the reigns in the books of Kings and Chronicles.
Christ is our Lord and King. Jesus is King of all the nations.
Looking at the slides on our website will really help you to get more out of this Talk.
Looking in 2 Kings 22, 23 and 2 Chronicles 34, 35 we find a king that makes us smile. Two key words of his reign are Renewal and Revival.
Some kings had a good start in life yet ruled Judah in an evil way. Josiah’s brilliant reign is a miracle because of the poor inheritance he gained from his dad and grandad. At the start of his reign the Temple in Jerusalem and worship in general was in a terrible state. Josiah didn’t make a casual or pathetic change – he really went for it as he realised the holiness of God was important. Finding the Book of Deuteronomy in the Temple was a major turning point in his reign. The ‘Bible’ is a compass for Israel, but they neglected it under many kings. Revival happens when we realise how sinful we are and how holy God is. Josiah doesn’t just repent personally, but encouraged all of Judah to repent as well.
How can we suggest to people that the Bible is still relevant for them and their lives? People are not aware of this, so we need to lead them to understanding how important it is.
God can use any of us – it doesn’t matter how old we are, our family background or the state of the society around us. We don’t need to let any obstacle to get in the way of us doing what is right. We can all lead a Revival with God’s help.
Are there any promises that are buried? We are encouraged to go and uncover them again. Listen carefully as God whispers important things to you. May He be glorified through us!
In this Talk we hear about King Manasseh, his life and legacy, as well as the background to his reign. He set up high places in Judah and can be seen as an evil king for much of his reign. Are there high places in our own lives? We can’t be the best disciple of Jesus if we live dual lives –tolerating our own sins (like a plank) but getting annoyed by others’ sins (their speck). There is a battle going on, but God is with us and for us. Chronicles describes how Manasseh repented, just like Paul of Tarsus did. We are encouraged to turn our default setting down so that we hate sin too. “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould” (Romans 12:2).
We also watched a video by Justin Welby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m9h3FoeXNA
Hezekiah was a good King of Judah. He sought God through reading the Scriptures that existed then, listening to Isaiah and praying. However we learn that he was also proud on occasions.
We look further into the background of the Kings and Prophets of the Divided Kingdom. Why are some of the Kings mentioned only in the Books of Kings and some in both Kings and Chronicles? Who wrote these books and why? Jehu’s story is mostly told in 2 Kings 9 and 10. He was certainly appointed by God and was perhaps the best King that the northern Kingdom had. However, he didn’t follow through totally with the things that God had asked him to do. He let idolatrous worship continue. He tolerated evil. “Because” and “but” are words God uses to partly describe different Kings. Jehu might have started off his reign in a good way, but it didn’t continue. Doing well in the past can strengthen us today, but we still need to decide to follow and obey God wholeheartedly today. What steps of faith will I take today? How can I help and encourage others in their next step? Neil Armstrong didn’t make that famous step in 1969 on his own. He needed a great deal of help from others. True discipleship needs deep relationships. We need to invest our lives in other people as God leads us. Transformation for the town and our church will necessitate change in us personally. As God speaks to us, so we all need to make a response to Him. Using the Notes on our website in conjunction with this Audio will help you as you will be able to see all the slides that were used.
Another good King is focussed on. Jehoshaphat's heart was for God. Does anything obscure our view of Christ? Does our life revolve around Him? Let's align ourselves fully with God. "...Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)
These Tributes were recorded at TaeDae's Funeral at Nuneaton Christian Fellowship on 19th January 2017.
00.00 - Miss HeeJin Yoon (Tribute); 07.19 - Mr HyungJin Yoon (Tribute); 17.55 - Rev Dr Nik Howarth (Tribute); 26:12 - Rev David Rhodes (Prayer); 29:30 - Rev Paul Wood (1 Corinthians 15:50-58); 32:37 - Rev Professor Bob Akroyd (Revelation 21:1-5); 34:40 - Rev Dr Fergus Macdonald (Sermon); 49:20 - Rev Dr Daniel Choi (Final Blessing); 51:13 - Rev Paul Wood (Announcement).
The hymns sung in the Service were: Higher Ground, The Old Rugged Cross and Onward, Christian Soldiers.
There is also a written Tribute on page 3 of Issue 2 of our Newsletter.
www.nuneatonchristianfellowship.org.uk/Onward.html
King Jeroboam set the tone for evil leadership in the northern kingdom of Israel. Yahweh’s rule was utterly rejected.
It was a dark nation under King Ahab’s rule too. Alliances were made with other neighbouring nations for when things were bad for them. This led Ahab to marry Jezebel. She brought many false prophets with her when she moved to Samaria. The killing of God’s people certainly happened at this time.
Elijah is a light shining in the bleak darkness and evil of the time. God cannot be overcome by evil. God is not in competition with evil. We can be overwhelmed by the thick darkness and negatives around us. It can’t stop us from being kind to others though. There is never an excuse to reaching out and reflecting the love of God – just like Elijah did. God is still good and is in control. The prophet Micaiah was also used by God at this time.
Two things can be applied to our lives.
1/ Spiritual Warfare. There is a spiritual realm that is happening in the world. Terrorism is partly inspired by evil spirits. The power of God through the Church can bring down terrorism – politics and military can’t.
2/ Persecution. We should expect to face opposition when we follow Jesus. Truth still exists – we are not a post-truth society. We should engage in spreading truth. Don’t allow your light to grow dark.
We look at the background to why Jeroboam became King, which primarily involves King Solomon. Jeroboam could have been a very good King indeed but turned out badly. He is the “What If?” King. He can be compared to King David in many ways. The way they worshipped and encouraged others to worship is what separates them.
Do we involve God in the major decisions of our lives? Do we worship God the way He desires to be worshipped within our personalities? Do we allow the circumstances of our lives to dictate the way we relate to Jesus or do we allow Jesus to direct and shape our circumstances? It’s more important to think about how we end our life rather than how we began it. Let’s decide to be like David and not follow Jeroboam’s example.
Using the Notes on our website in conjunction with this Audio will help you as you will be able to see all the slides that were used.
In this Talk we learn a little about King Rehoboam’s reign and the three Kings of “unified” Israel that preceded him. How can we apply these incidents to our own lives? Pray for those in authority, be more sensitive to others and be more sensitive to God.
Listening to and then obeying God will cost us. We have many empty chairs and a hidden baptistry. By praying, fasting and then obeying God in an earnest manner we will see NCF change as we will be changed individually. Are we willing to choose to follow God whatever the cost?
Using the Notes on our website in conjunction with this Audio will help you as you will be able to see all the slides that were used.
We are reminded how the shepherds encountered the angels and then went to see Jesus.
At the end we pray for the Yoon family, after hearing about the death of our good friend Rev TaeDae Yoon, who died on 21st December.
We hear about how Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna were ready for God when He acted in surprising ways in their lives.
This Talk began with a YouTube video which featured Colonel HW Miller talking about what Christmas isn’t about. It can be viewed here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP37kQg0w_4
Not everybody enjoys Christmas. Perhaps those who are ill, have experienced death in the family recently, those in debt and those in wars.
Three well-known Kings from the Christmas story are briefly discussed, as well as one who is much less known. King Herod (Alex), Caesar Augustus (Keith) and King Jesus (Andy) are described with regard to what they were like and what they did.
“King Me” takes the crown off Jesus. “King Me” isn’t interested in others. We are encouraged to give the crown we wear to Jesus. Our primary response to Jesus at Christmas isn’t to send cards, eat a lot or give to charity. Christmas is really recognising who Jesus is and then giving Him our own crown in order to follow Him wholeheartedly. Let Him increase in our lives and ourselves decrease. Celebrating Christmas is about allowing Jesus to wear our crown.
Mary and Joseph were common and normal people from an insignificant place. Their lives were part of the Greatest Story.
How can we inspire others to embrace their destiny in God? How can we inspire them to look to God in their everyday lives? We are encouraged to act as one of the characters in the story, to be a narrator of the story and to be a translator of the story.
Mary was willing to embrace something she couldn't have imagined. Through prayer and then following God's leading we too can do that for ourselves and for others.
Jesus’ work on the cross changes our identities from sinner to co-worker with God. Paul is the typical example of this radical change of his life and destiny through reconciliation with God. His entire life and ministry was to help people reconciled with God (salvation) and bring reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles which was beyond their understanding in the first century world. We know that he was in broken relationship with his fellow Jews, Barnabas and Mark and people in Corinth but he never gave up his personal reconciliation with them.
His life teaches us that reconciliation is our mission and ministry (2 Cor 5:18). Jesus’ obedience was powerful enough to reconcile all the sinners with God. Paul’s obedience was strong enough to reconcile Jews with Gentiles. God has given us the same mission and ministry for reconciliation.
Our little obedience can surely bring reconciliation for individuals, communities and even for the nations.
On this Remembrance Sunday we are encouraged to deny ourselves, just as many soldiers and civilians did in previous generations.
It’s a profound challenge to deny ourselves as we consider our walk with God. What does it mean to be a Disciple of Jesus (Luke 14:25-27)? Paul created a new norm in Corinth. How can I move in the opposite spirit in the context in which I live? There are many things we could do in practical ways to help and encourage others – our neighbours, work colleagues, family and friends. We don’t need to make a lot of noise in our Christian walk – showing kindness and God’s love is powerful. Am I a disciple of Jesus in both word and action?
Why do we take Communion? What is the background to how Paul of Tarsus describes what needs to change at the Church in Corinth?
Recognising our sins and then repenting is an important part of our Christian walk. Our faults need not hold us back from serving God though.
It's brilliant that we have freedom in Christ. This is not a freedom where we can do anything we want though. It's the freedom to lay aside our freedoms. It's the right to lay aside our rights.
This Talk also gives us some background to Paul and his relationship with the church he planted in Corinth.
In this Talk we are reminded Who the Holy Spirit is and how, in several ways, that we are truly dependent on Him for our Christian walk and growth.
It would be useful to look at the PowerPoint slides as you listen to this Talk. They are available on our website.
All of us sin, with everyone having certain sins in their lives that somehow plague them, though we perhaps tolerate them. We are reminded that we can't have dual citizenship with God and the world.
At the end there is a eight minute Question and Answer Session between Paul and John which gives a few practical ideas on this important subject. We shouldn't keep silent about our problems and sins. Seeking help is important.
There are 66 books in the Bible. How does the letter that was written to the church in the city of Corinth (that we call 1 Corinthians) fit into that? Why and when was it written?
Paul reminds us that we are called by God to be saints, to be thankful, to be one and to be child-like/foolish.
It might be useful to follow the Bible Reading Plan for Acts and 1 Corinthians during October and November. This is available on our website, as well as from the back of the church.
Using the written materials for this Talk will help you as you listen as lots of PowerPoint slides are described.
On Partnership Sunday we are reminded what it means to be a Partner of NCF. The form is also discussed.
On this Prayer Sunday we are encouraged to be generous as we pray. This Talk starts off with the stories of the Prodigal Son and Good Samaritan being told. Was it the same person in Jesus’ mind? As our heavenly Father forgives us for what we have done, so we can go out with His power to bless and encourage others.
Just as God loves a cheerful and non-reluctant giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), so surely He must love a cheerful and non-reluctant pray-er?
We are reminded to be inspired by reading the many prayers that are in the Bible, as well as those that have been written down in recent decades and centuries. Listening to others pray is often helpful as well as using objects to spark our activity. God is “..able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine…” (Ephesians 3:20).
You might find it useful to look on our website to look at the PowerPoint slides as you listen to this audio.
Using the section of Matthew 26:36f, we are reminded that when life is challenging it brings out both the best and the worst in us. When we look at Jesus in Gethsemane, He is at His most pressured. He still has choices there. What are His core values and how does He respond to others though?
The main points to The Lord’s Prayer are: Honouring and knowing who God is; celebrating His Will and what He has done and thanking God for His provision. We see these points in action at this time in Jesus' earthly life.
We are also reminded that prayer is aligning ourselves with God’s Will and listening to Him, as well as watching with, being with and identifying with those that are troubled or in distress. Prayer is essentially listening, not speaking.
The Lord's Prayer is the way of living, our core values that should be in our daily lives. It isn't purely just good advice that Jesus gave.
"The summing up of the whole Gospel is in The Lord’s Prayer." Tertullian (c155-c240)
In this Talk we remember the life of Paul and how he passed his baton onto Timothy in a good way. All Revivals only happen for a relatively short time, as the big experience tends to die down as normal life takes hold of us.
We are encouraged to live revived lives rather than to want to experience big events. We should make prayer, holiness, repentance, the power of unity etc part of our normal lives.
A very small section of this Talk near the beginning wasn’t included in the recording. You might find it useful to look at the Printed Materials for the whole of the Talk in any case.
Using the texts of Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:13-16 and Titus 2:11-15, we are encouraged to embrace holiness and not let it get buried in the busy-ness of life. Are our values based on an eternal or temporary perspective? Holiness is a separation from sin - it's active not passive.
Whilst not referring to Joel 2:28, we hear about the importance of being filled with God. God will work through us as we personally submit to Him. The victory has to be God’s – His name should be honoured and glorified. God IS with us - He has not forsaken us. We are told to exhort one another daily. Are we daily encouraging each other to belief or unbelief?
We are reminded that whilst many, many people were converted in Nuneaton in 1905, God is still doing many miracles today by changing sinners into saints. He is not the God of only yesterday – He is the eternal God of now. We may be satisfied and content with what is God doing already, but God wants to move us from our comfort zones. The Essence of Revival is to humble ourselves, pray, do works of righteousness and to believe what God said in the Bible. “Use us in the way You want to use us God!”
Prayer and Unity are two factors that seem to occur in every Revival. Basing his Talk on Daniel 9:1-19, Jean reminds us that our prayer life needs to be motivated by God, centred on God and glorifying to God.
In this Talk we are reminded that God is in control and sometimes He doesn't do things the way we might expect. Using several examples from Church History, Habakkuk 1:5-7 and quotes from AW Tozer and Jonathan Edwards, it is made clear that we should not limit God where He hasn't limited Himself. Reflecting several times on Hebrews 13:8, we are encouraged to continue to pray for Revival in our own lives as well as in the greater Church. God can still shock and surprise us as He has done in other places and in previous times.
You might find it useful to look on our website to look at the Powerpoint slides as you listen to this audio.
In this Talk, Rev. Song from Seoul describes how Korean Christians faced persecution through the Japanese. In the past the Korean Church has focussed on prayer and The Great Commission.
He reminds us of the importance of the truth that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
In this Talk we are encouraged to look back at what God has done across the centuries in this nation. Examples from 1735, 1739, 1859, 1904, 1905 and 1949 are briefly mentioned with events and people being described. Links to books and interesting websites are given on our website so that more information can be discovered.
In conclusion 2 Kings 4:1-6 is read. Our life is like a jar. Dare we give an empty jar to God so that He can use it for His purpose? God whispers to us all: "Listen! Be Holy! Be Ready! Be Radical! Surrender and obey!
"The Acts of the Apostles" is really about the birth of the Church - it's a history book. However, there are many Revival characteristics and principles contained in it, with many of the Apostles and Christians turning the world upside down.
We hear how the importance of prayer, unity, living a practical Gospel and practising the presence of God is vital as the Church (us) is really the Tabernacle with legs.
The Talk ends with useful applications to our own lives.
This Talk introduces a new Series: Revival. We are reminded that whilst Revival is always God's initiative we all have a part to play - to listen, pray and turn from our sinful ways. Some Old Testament stories show us that God is at work. We are encouraged to follow Him with passion, persistence and patience.
Here we have a very brief Introduction to our Prayer Sunday. There were five areas we could pray about: the EU Referendum, Local Issues, International Issues, The Persecuted Church and Healing.
The Printed Materials for today give some feedback as to what people prayed about.
The Titles that some Psalms have are perhaps easy not to consider or even read. However, this Talk reminds us that whilst some may contain ideas/words we don't understand (which is important in itself), others give context and others show that music and structure is beautiful to God.
Two Talks that were given in the same Morning Service - What is Worship and How can we be a true Worshipper?
Waiting. It's not something we like, but it's definitely something God uses to help us grow and develop as Christians. In this Talk we hear how different characters in the Bible had to wait and how it is really beneficial to wait on God together.
God speaks to us all. In this Talk you will hear ideas on how to actively hear God. As we trust Him so we can expect that He “will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; [He] will counsel you and watch over you.”
In this Talk we learn that David can be viewed as a prototype of human struggling. As we go through Psalm 39 we see that at first he copes with the stresses of life by himself, then he quickly realises his limitations and turns to God. This is where he ultimately finds hope.
How would you describe yourself? Be encouraged as you listen to this Talk - you are a child of God and He loves you. "I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the Lord saved me from all my troubles" (verse 6 - Contemporary English Version).
How do we respond in times of trouble, when God feels far from us? In this Talk we go through Psalm 22 with its famous beginning of “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?", and see how even though David began with such a great cry of anguish, yet he ends the same Psalm by leading his people in praise to God. We will also ask why Jesus used this Psalm on the Cross, and how we can use it too.
Is it a paradox that the heavens are silent and yet speak? A few examples are given in this Talk to suggest not! We hear what the vocabulary of our worship is often like and then get ideas how this can be expanded and deepened.
Can something negative be positive? And what exactly does it mean to be blessed? This Talk explores this and more. How do we meditate and what do we meditate on? There are lots of practical pointers to try out in our daily walk.
Pastor Mike (from Queens Road Elim) discusses the importance of putting our roots into God's Word. How do we live fruitful lives? We all need to make a conscious decision to read the Scriptures so that they get into our minds and then our hearts.
Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:5-8 are very closely related. When there is repetition in the Bible, we know we should prick our ears even more than normal.
This Talk begins with a general introduction to our latest Series: Psalms 1-41. Psalm 23 is then discussed, especially thinking about God's Providence, Protection and Provision. The LORD is our shepherd, but we need to let Him be close to us in order for us to know it in reality.
Easter leads to Transformation. Listen to some of the surprises of the first Easter. This Talk is based on John 20:19-29 and helps us to consider Inquistive Thomas, as well as the cost of sin.
(The volume suddenly gets louder after 30 seconds.)
Jinny sang Handel's "I know that my Redeemer liveth" - the recording is unbalanced (listen carefully for the violin and cello) but it gives a flavour.
We hear Mark 11:1-11 read to us and then two Talks about different aspects of Palm Sunday. The first Talk (from 1:35) helps us to understand the meaning of the Hebrew word "Hosanna." The second Talk (from 6:25) makes us consider "How do we see Jesus?"
Teen Challenge, and their leader Phil Hills, joined us for our Morning Service. We hear three wonderful testimonies of how Jesus transformed lives (from 00:00, from 05:05 and from 08:06 ) and then Phil challenges us to follow God wholeheartedly by relating the story of Joseph (from 13:53).
There are many different types of partnerships. We look at how God partnered with many people in the Bible and how He wants to partner with us. This is not a Mission Impossible, but one that is Mission Possible because of who God is and how He enables us to work and live wholeheartedly for Him.
We all have ‘wow moments’ in our lives, but they are mundane when considered to knowing God. He knows us through and through, as well as the large things in creation.
Recounting six episodes from the Bible, we are shown a little about how God is glorious. We’re invited to have a living relationship with God – that is certainly a WOW, but the consequences are both joyous and serious. We are not called to just a head knowledge of who God is.
God is amazing. God is awesome. God is magnificent. God is supreme. God is glorious – and yet: He loves us!
This Series has only scratched the surface on who God is and what He is like. Keep reading and investigating to discover more about Him.
It might be useful to look at the Talk Outline on our website so that you can see the PowerPoint slides that are described in this Talk.
“If we would bring back spiritual power to our lives, we must begin to think of God more nearly as He is." ( A.W.Tozer)
In this Talk we discover more about the What, Why and How of God’s faithfulness. Using a good number of Biblical references, we are reminded that our response is to give thanks in amazement of His faithfulness.
God’s love is a mystery! Using Ephesians 3:14-19, we are reminded about the breadth, length, height and depth of God’s love to us. How do we love Him in return?
In this Talk we are reminded that God's jealousy is very different from envy that we might feel. An historical context is given to help us see What is God's jealousy, Why would God want to be jealous and How do we respond to His jealousy?
We are challenged in that God is jealous for us, so we should be jealous for Him and His business.
Creativity is one of God’s most common genes on earth. Mankind is creative in many ways, but not to the extent that God is! We look at several examples, both in large ways and small. We are then encouraged to allow God to be creative through us as we pray and work for Him.
The first couple of minutes of the Talk are missing due to a recording error.
It might be useful to look at the notes for this Talk as you listen so that you can view the PowerPoint slides that are described.
In this Talk we hear about the relevance of God being omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent.
We are reminded that silence is not golden. God speaks to us in different ways, but we need to spend time tuning into Him and away from background interference. The greatest obstacle to hearing God is ourselves.
Use the notes from this Talk so you can see the slides that are being discussed.
In this Talk we are reminded what holiness is. We then hear in what respects God is holy and what that attribute demands in our own lives.
"Worship must be more than flattery and more than guesswork. It is the loving homage of the committed to the revealed." (Derek Kidner)
This Series of Talks were planned to help us seek to worship God differently by discovering more about His many facets and attributes.
In this particular Talk, we consider how God being Ineffable (too great for description in words) can impact us. As we seek to catch a greater gilmpse of God, so our lives will change and others will change too.