Bristol Vineyard Podcast: Recent Episodes
Bristol Vineyard Community
Debbie shares what the Leadership Team have been thinking and planning for the next season. She looks at the Vineyard Person to help explain what it means to ‘be’ church.
The Vineyard Man – VCUKI Resource
Tim talks to us from Isaiah 41 and explores the command and invitation from God’ “Do not be afraid.”
In a family setting Bill reflects on the day after Good Friday and how Jesus followers must have felt, and how we all feel in times of hardship, and the impact these times have on our faith.
Simon called this talk ‘Everything must change’ and gently walked us in to the reality of the changes to our lives in Christ in light of the events of Good Friday
We are starting a series focused on Easter and Rebecca introduces this with some thoughts on Palm Sunday
Taking in to consideration the calling of Timothy addressed by Paul in 2 Timothy, Debbie poses, in this last talk in the series, the question ‘How do I fit in?’ especially in the context of BV and the Kingdom.
Talk 6 in our series is by Debbie, and its more applied theology about how we take these words of truth and work them in to our lives
Tom today explores some of the virtues Paul associates with Christian leadership in 2 Tim 2
As we continue our series on 2 Timothy, Debbie reflects on the practical outworking of the teaching so far as we minister to one another in our community and beyond.
In this 3rd talk in our series from 2 Timothy Tim reviews Paul's invitation to Timothy to consider his new role in light of the work of a soldier, an athlete and a farmer.
In this second talk on 2 Timothy Tim considers the Gospel to which the Apostle Paul is 'appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher'.
Today we have started a new sermon series on 2 Timothy probably the last letter Paul wrote before his death. Tim takes us straight in and reminds us that when we have something big to do, that causes us fear, we are never alone.....
Today is our annual testimony Sunday. Simon introduces this time with his short talk on 'The power of testimony'. This was followed (not on this podcast) by a time of sharing by our members about what God has been doing our lives over the last year.
Bill gives the final talk in our series on light and darkness a contrast Jesus frequently uses. He dives into Matthew 5:14 and invites us to let our lights shine.
Martin introduced us to William Holman Hunt's painting 'The Light of the World' in this the second talk in our series, which is also the background to the podcast link. The door has no handle on Jesus side, we have to invite Him in.
Today we have started a new sermon series with Tom hope giving the first talk on 'The Light of the World'
This week Debbie considers where we , as a church in transition, are heading. It seems that old orders are good orders!
Debbie continues the theme started in her series of 'Doing the Stuff' by considering the parable of the Good Samaritan.
This week Simon's talk is on Soul Training. He reflects on how in a time of personal struggle, engagement in the Spiritual Disciplines moved him forward in his personal relationship with God.
Simon today introduces us to the Psalms, their types and purposes and in particular how we express ourselves to our Father in Heaven.
This week Tom Hope gives the third talk in our series on 'Reading Wisdom' on Ecclesiastes
The third and final part of our series. This morning, Debbie Foster suggests that while the supernatural is exciting and attractive, we must not forget that the purpose of the miracle is to deepen our relationship with our heavenly Father.
Debbie Foster continues our series on ministering in the power of the Spirit. This morning, she looks at the way in which God expresses his compassion towards hurting people, by sending his own people to them: 'So now, go!'
In his inimitable way, John Wimber dialed down the hype surrounding ministry in the power of the Spirit by calling it 'doing the stuff'. This morning we start a new, three-week series on doing the stuff. Later talks will focus on the 'how', but this morning Debbie Foster asks why we should 'do the stuff'.
The fourth in our series on singing to praise God and worship him. This week Rachel Davis looks at how we respond when we encounter a new song, taking 'This is Love' by Chris Sayburn as an example.
This is the 3rd talk in our series given by the worship team. Ian bases the talk on 'Holy and Anointed one' by John Barnett written in 1988 and a Vineyard 'Classic'
Katherine, a member of our worship team, introduces our new series entitled 4 Hymns with 'What a friend we have in Jesus'
We continue our series looking at the messages to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. This morning Tim Cole considers the messages to Thyatira and Sardis, two churches that had forgotten who they served.
Bill Drewett continues our series looking at the messages to the seven churches in Asia minor, in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Many of the churches John wrote to were experiencing persecution. The main aim of the letter was to encourage them to persevere, to continue to hold tight to their faith in the face of that persecution. As our culture becomes less tolerant of orthodox Christianity, what can John's letter teach us?
Words to seven churches - Part 2 from Bill Drewett
We start a new series this morning, looking at the messages to the seven churches of Asia Minor in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. This morning, Martin Stanisstreet introduce our series and looks at Jesus' message to the first of the seven churches, in Ephesus.
Tom Hope completes our series on the Lord's Prayer, with a talk for our all-age service. What's the connection between tying knots, making paper aeroplanes and Jesus teaching us to pray 'deliver us from evil'?
This morning, Tim Cole continues our series on the Lord's prayer, and looks at 'as we forgive others who sin against us'.
We continue our examination of the Lord's prayer. This morning, Bill Drewett considers 'forgive us our sins' and asks whether we understand what the word 'sin' really means.
Lord's Prayer - Part 5 from Bill Drewett
Tim Cole continues our series on the Lord's prayer. This morning, 'give us this day our daily bread'.
We continue our series on the Lord's Prayer. This morning, Martin Stanisstreet explores what it means to pray, 'Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven'.
In the second talk on the Lord's prayer Simon Lexton teaches on the second part of the first petition 'hallowed be your name' and reflects that Gods name would be treated with the highest honour and set apart as holy.
This is a new series on The Lords Prayer and Rebecca Kishtainy's opening talk is titled 'Our Father'.
This morning, Tim Cole completes our short series on photography. with a look at 'View from the Pont Transbordeur' by Laszlo Moholoy-Nagy.
Martin Stanisstreet gives the second part in our series entitled 3 photographs and explores the biological and bodily aspects of our faith
Today we begin a new series taking a scriptural look at three photographs. This morning, Simon Lexton looks at Hubble Deep Field.
Tim Cole concludes our series on Jonah addressing the prophets and our struggles with the question 'Will you really let God be who he is?'
Tom considers how purpose, challenge and growth in our whole lives help form us as disciples of Jesus. The talk was interspersed with a number of activities!
Today we celebrated Mothers day with a photo ID quiz before, and family Q+A after Tim's talk on our family identity in God our Father
Simon Lexton concludes our mini-series on Jonah and his struggles as a reluctant prophet.
Martin Stanistreet continues our short series on Jonah and draws comparison between this OT story and that of Jesus.
Owen Lynch, lead pastor of Severn Vineyard, visited us today and reminded us that as well as being part of God's family we are also a part of the Vineyard family here in Bristol.
After our baptism service Tim Cole started a new teaching series based on the Old Testament book of Jonah
In this, the sixth and final talk from Philippians, Simon Lexton considers the attributes of generosity and contentment as emphasised by the Apostle Paul.
Tim Cole continues our series on Philippians teaching from chapter 4 and concluding with a lectio divina
As we continue our series on Philippians, Martin Stanisstreet considers some of the issues challenging Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity.
Simon Lexton continues our series on Philippians and encourages us to work out our salvation in fear and trembling.
Martin Stanisstreet talks on Philippians 2 and considers both controversy and challenge
Tim Cole continues the Advent series based on Luke 1 which finishes with Zechariah's prophecy. Tim reminds us that God is always with us in our times of waiting and that he is a God of mercy.
Martin Stanisstreet gives the third talk in the series on Luke 1 based on the meeting of Elizabeth and Mary
The second talk on Advent based on Luke 1 by Martin Stanisstreet. After a short introduction we broke into discussion groups
The 'servant songs' are probably the most famous passages in these chapters in Isaiah, yet their meaning is debated and a lot of the debate revolves around one question: the identity of the servant.
This week, Bill Drewett argues that those who focus on this debate risk missing one of the most valuable things that these passages do show us: what it means for anyone to respond to the call to become God's servant. What can those who choose to serve Yahweh expect?
Isaiah 40-55 - Part 5 from Bill Drewett
Does God intervene in world events, particularly the kind of social and geopolitical changes shaking our world at the moment? If he does, then how does he intervene? What can we expect?
The Israelites in exile in Babylon in the middle of the 6th century BC faced a similar situation, as the balance of power between empires tilted. And Isaiah 40-55 gives a good example of the biblical understanding of how God chooses to work in our world.
Bill Drewett continues our series.
Isaiah 40-55 - Part 1 from Bill Drewett
Isaiah 44 contains a withering critique of the manufacture and worship of idols. But while idol worship was common in the ancient near east, it's practically unknown in western culture today. Isn't it?
Bill Drewett continues our series.
Isaiah 40-55 - Part 3 from Bill Drewett
At our all-age meeting this morning we're celebrating harvest. But why do churches do this? Bill Drewett fearlessly tackles another controversial issue.
Why Harvest Festival? from Bill Drewett
It's difficult to hold onto what we know to be true about God, when we live in a culture which has a very different worldview. That was the challenge faced by God's people in exile in Babylon, the people addressed by Isaiah 40-55. It's hard work to stand out from the majority, to hold onto beliefs and a lifestyle that make you different from your neighbours.
The secret is to remember who God is, to hold onto what we know to be true about him. If we can do this, we'll discover the endurance we need to persevere in challenging circumstances. Bill Drewett continues our series.
Isaiah 40-55 - Part 2 from Bill Drewett
Today we start a new series, looking at the middle section of the book of Isaiah, chapters 40 to 55.
Anyone reading through the book of Isaiah will notice a sudden change in tone at the start of chapter 40. The warnings of judgement give way to a message of comfort, forgiveness and hope. It's as though a different God is speaking through the prophet.
To make sense of this abrupt change, we need to understand the big story of the people of God in the Old Testament, and recognise how the second part of Isaiah addresses people in very different circumstances from the first part.
Bill Drewett introduces our new series.
Isaiah 40-55 - Part 1 from Bill Drewett
The final talk in this series.
In several places in the gospels, Jesus seems to make astonishing promises about answering our prayers. He will do whatever we ask; with faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains.
Yet so many times we ask... and don't receive. So how do we make sense of these promises, given our experience?
Bill Drewett takes a fresh look at one of these passages, in Luke 17, and then asks how this might shape our approach to hearing God.
Hearing God - Part 6 from Bill Drewett
When we think we've heard God speak, the New Testament instructs us to test what we've heard, to discern if it really is from God. How do we do this?
And while these tests are good and useful, might it be possible to rely on them too heavily?
Bill Drewett continues our series on hearing God's voice.
Hearing God - Part 5 from Bill Drewett
Part 4 in our series on hearing God's voice.
God speaks in many different ways, but Dallas Willard, one of the great thinkers on the Christian spiritual life, argued that the central way, the ideal way, is through the 'still, small voice'. What is the still, small voice and why is it so important?
Hearing God - Part 1 from Bill Drewett
The idea that we can hear God speaking to us personally, today, by his Spirit, is one that divides Christians. Some claim that this experience is available to all who choose to pursue it, while others argue that God speaks today through his written word, the Bible, and that it's dangerous to look anywhere else.
What is the relationship between God speaking through the Bible and through the experience of his Spirit? Must this be an either/or question? Bill Drewett wrestles with these questions.
Hearing God - Part 3 from Bill Drewett
Why does God appear to speak to some people but not others? What does it take to be the kind of person who hears God? Bill Drewett continues our series.
Hearing God - Part 2 from Bill Drewett
The idea of an intimate, conversational relationship with God - the opportunity to hear God speaking to us as a part of our daily lives - is incredibly attractive, and yet those who seek it often experience confusion, frustration and disappointment.
Bill Drewett introduces our new series on hearing God by asking, 'Is it really worth the trouble?'
Hearing God - Part 1 from Bill Drewett
Andy and Anna Checkley and their daughter Lydia are members of our church family who have spent several years working with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Africa, first in Malawi and now in Cape Town, South Africa. On a fleeting visit to the UK, we asked Andy to share some of his experiences and in particular, how he has learnt to listen to God.
We're baptising three people in our service this morning. Which, if you think about it, is a very strange thing to do.
Why do churches welcome new members by chucking them in a tank of water? Bill Drewett explains.
Baptism - what's it all about? from Bill Drewett
The third of three talks from Lee Abbey 2018.
Today, you often hear church leaders (and members) claim that the church is too inward-looking, it needs to become more outward-looking. The strange thing is that when we read the New Testament, we find Paul and the other leaders of the early church urging their congregations to love one another, and this far outweighs any concern for those outside the church.
How do we make sense of this 'inward bias' in the early church, especially given the paradoxical growth of the early church and their impact on society. Might it be that visible communities of believers who display God's love in their life together are an essential part of God's strategy for changing the world?
The second of three talks from Lee Abbey 2018.
Today, you often hear church leaders (and members) claim that the church is too inward-looking, it needs to become more outward-looking. The strange thing is that when we read the New Testament, we find Paul and the other leaders of the early church urging their congregations to love one another, and this far outweighs any concern for those outside the church.
How do we make sense of this 'inward bias' in the early church, especially given the paradoxical growth of the early church and their impact on society. Might it be that visible communities of believers who display God's love in their life together are an essential part of God's strategy for changing the world?
Good news looks like a community - Parts 1 & 2 from Bill Drewett
The first of three talks given by Bill Drewett during our church houseparty at glorious Lee Abbey in Devon.
Today, you often hear church leaders (and members) claim that the church is too inward-looking, it needs to become more outward-looking. The strange thing is that when we read the New Testament, we find Paul and the other leaders of the early church urging their congregations to love one another, and this far outweighs any concern for those outside the church.
How do we make sense of this 'inward bias' in the early church, especially given the paradoxical growth of the early church and their impact on society. Might it be that visible communities of believers who display God's love in their life together are an essential part of God's strategy for changing the world?
Good news looks like a community - Parts 1 & 2 from Bill Drewett
In the final part of our series, Bill Drewett summarises what we've learnt about finding freedom from fear and then asks one final question.
There are certainly things that believers can and should do if we want to be free, and we've looked at several of them. We have an important part to play. But as well as as asking what sets us free from fear, it's always worth remembering who sets us free.
Freedom from Fear - Part 8 from Bill Drewett
In this series exploring freedom from fear, we've seen how fear and faith are connected: the more faith we have, the less we'll fear, and vice-versa.
But that knowledge on its own doesn't help us very much. In practical terms, what can we do when faced by fear-inducing situations? Are we simply expected to try harder to trust God, or is there some other way to grow faith and shrink fear?
The good news is that there is another way, but it may come as a surprise. We need to complain.
Bill Drewett continues our series.
Freedom from Fear - Part 7 from Bill Drewett
We continue our series on freedom from fear. This morning Tim Cole looks at two storms at sea, Paul's shipwreck in Acts 27 and Jesus' authority over the storm in Mark 4. Tim shows how fear is transformed by the presence of Jesus the king.
What can we do when gripped by great fear? Turn to something even greater.
The most often-repeated command in scripture is 'Do not fear!', but people in the Bible are also regularly commanded to fear God. How do we make sense of this apparent contradiction? What does it mean, to 'fear God', and might learning to fear God be an important part of discovering freedom from other kinds of fear?
Bill Drewett continues our series.
Freedom from Fear - Part 5 from Bill Drewett
We continue our series on experiencing freedom from fear. This morning Tim Cole examines something many of us struggle with - fear of other people.
The well-known story of the twelve spies sent to explore Canaan in Numbers 13 & 14 illustrates how powerful the human imagination is in both magnifying fears and diminishing them. Ten spies saw only giants, and were terrified. Two spies, with exactly the same experience as the ten, found the confidence to obey God and advance. How can we learn from them?
Bill Drewett continues our series on freedom from fear.
Freedom from Fear - Part 3 from Bill Drewett
What happens when we are gripped by fear? Why does our mouth go dry, our heart beat faster, our muscles tremble? And how do these ancient biological processes, designed to help us deal with physical dangers, become associated with today's fears like precarious finances and angry bosses?
More importantly, is there anything we can do to cope with these overwhelming fears? Bill Drewett continues our series on freedom from fear.
Freedom from Fear - Part 2 from Bill Drewett
This morning we're delighted to have a visiting speaker, Rob Scott-Cook. Rob's theme: confidence in God's purposes.
The most often-repeated command in the Bible is 'Do not fear!'
Why is that? Why do our fears matter so much to God? This morning Bill Drewett introduces a new series on how we can all find freedom from fear.
Freedom from Fear - Part 1 from Bill Drewett
This morning, Simon Lexton takes a look at a vital ingredient in the life of a disciple: encouragement.
Why is forgiveness essential for those who belong to the Kingdom? Rebecca Kishtainy concludes our series on the Kingdom of God by reading Mark chapter 11.
This morning we continue to explore the meaning of the Kingdom of God by looking at a parable of a different kind. When the disciples ask Jesus who will be the greatest in the Kingdom, Jesus replies by placing a child before them as an example.
Bill Drewett asks what's wrong with desiring greatness? Why does entering the Kingdom require smallness?
Parables of the Kingdom - Part 7 from Bill Drewett
Many of us find it difficult to accept the idea that God will judge the world. It's hard to think of another subject given so much attention by the Bible and so little by Christians. But as this morning's parable shows, if we want to understand God's Kingdom, we need to know about his judgement. Bill Drewett continues our series on the parables of the Kingdom.
Parables of the Kingdom - Part 6 from Bill Drewett
Jesus tells many stories that show the Kingdom of God operating completely differently from the way the world usually works. The illustration of salt and light in Matthew chapter 5 is a great example of how the Kingdom breaks all the rules. Bill Drewett continues our series.
Parables of the Kingdom - Part 5 from Bill Drewett
Martin Stanisstreet continues our series exploring the Kingdom of God through the parables told by Jesus. This morning we read the story of the great banquet in Matthew chapter 22..
We continue our series exploring the meaning of the Kingdom of God through Jesus' parables. This morning, Tim Cole considers the parable of the workers in the vineyard at the start of Matthew chapter 20.
Each January we take the opportunity as a church family to look back on the last 12 months and consider where God might be leading us in the immediate future.
Bristol Vineyard Annual Review 2017 from Bill Drewett
Each January we take the opportunity as a church family to look back on the last 12 months and consider where God might be leading us in the immediate future.
Bristol Vineyard Annual Review 2017 from Bill Drewett
By their nature, Jesus' parables are open to misinterpretation. Jesus himself observed that their meaning would be hidden from many. The trouble with the parables is that we can read our own ideas into them, making them mean whatever we choose.
How do we guard against this? An important principle in interpreting all scripture, including the parables, is that we are different from the original audience. Jesus was speaking to first-century Jews, not 21st-century Westerners, and their understanding, their questions and their concerns were vastly different from our own.
Bill Drewett continues our series on the Parables of the Kingdom by asking what the words 'Kingdom of God' meant to Jesus' audience?
Parables of the Kingdom - Part 2 from Bill Drewett
This week we start a new series exploring the meaning of the Kingdom of God, by listening to some of Jesus' parables.
If there's one central theme shaping Jesus' teaching, it's the Kingdom. But how many of us understand what Jesus meant by that word? Christians love talking about 'Kingdom ministry', 'Kingdom theology' or 'extending the Kingdom', but they often seem to be talking about different things. In this first part of the series, Bill Drewett suggests that Jesus' parable of the sower in Matthew 13 offers the key, not just to understanding the Kingdom, but also to seeing its fruit in our lives.
Parables of the Kingdom - Part 1 from Bill Drewett
We finish our series on spiritual gifts by returning to the question of how we discover our gifts. Bill Drewett argues that we cannot discover our gifts alone - we need to be part of a church community.
A Church for the Gifted - Week 5 from Bill Drewett
So far in our series on gifts we've explored what spiritual gifts are, and how they build up the church. This morning we change tack and ask, 'how do we discover our gifts?' Tim Cole explains how discovering our gifts is a life-long journey.
This week we pause our series on gifts to go to the movies.
We look at the popular 1996 film, The Truman Show, and explore how the ideas behind the film amount to a critique of the Christian worldview. But is it a fair critique? Bill Drewett considers the evidence.
(Bill shows five clips from the film during the talk. They are:
Clip 1: 2:38 - 3:44
Clip 2: 8:46 - 11:06
Clip 3: 31:11 - 32:48
Clip 4: 53:13 - 56:04
Clip 5: 1:27:32 - 1:31:54).
The Bible goes to Hollywood - The Truman Show from Bill Drewett
Bill Drewett continues our series looking at the gifts that God gives his church.
One of the dominant themes in the New Testament's teaching on gifts is that we're all different, yet many of us find it very difficult to embrace this idea and put it into practice . As humans we tend to value conformity, feeling secure when we're the same as everyone else, or trying to get others to fit our own ideas of 'what people should be like'.
How can we be a church that accepts people in all their variety, the way God does? How can we be a community where we're all different and all equally valued?
A Church for the Gifted - Part 3 from Bill Drewett
Bill Drewett continues our series on spiritual gifts by asking a couple of the most basic questions. What are spiritual gifts, and who receives them?
We all know what we mean when we describe someone as 'gifted'. We're saying they have a natural ability that many others do not share. The talent shows we watch every week underline that message. So is this how it works in the church too? It's easy to assume that the same principle applies, that there are some people who have a gift for 'spiritual' things, and most others don't. But is this right? What does the Bible say about the subject?
A Church for the Gifted - Part 2 from Bill Drewett
We start a new series today, looking at the gifts God gives his people.
It can be quite a surprise to discover how important the idea of gifts was to the early church, at least judging from the number of times gifts were mentioned in the letters they wrote to one another. They seem to have considered a good understanding of gifts to be vital. Today we often seem to think gifts are optional, just for the real enthusiast, or even, sometimes, more trouble than they're worth.
So why do gifts matter? Bill Drewett introduces our series.
A Church for the Gifted from Bill Drewett
This week marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his ninety-five Theses to the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg.
If that actually happened.
Either way, the Reformation certainly happened, so this week we're taking the opportunity to remember the original reformers' objectives and ask, 500 years later, 'how are they doing?' Does the world-wide Protestant church today reflect the original reformers' hopes?
Bill Drewett reckons there's one area in particular where we 'must try harder'!
The Reformation - A Performance Appraisal from Bill Drewett
What is a church and how is a church supposed to work? Most of the time we work out the answers to these questions by observation: 'What do the people around me seem to think, based on what they say and do?' But there are risks in that approach. It's easy to guess and get it wrong, and churches can end up doing things just 'because that's what we've always done'.
So now and again we take a Sunday morning talk to explain why we do what we do. This morning, Adam Kishtainy puts the way we do pastoral care at Bristol Vineyard under the magnifying glass.
In our survey of the first part of Isaiah, the book has established the problem: Israel is failing to live as God demands. The nation that God established in order to show the world who he is and what he is like, weren't living up to that calling. In chapter nine, the focus of the book changes. It's as though the prophet looks hundreds of years into the future, and sees how God will act to solve the problem of Israel. Bill Drewett continues our series.
First Isaiah - Part 5 from Bill Drewett
One of the dominant themes throughout the whole of the book of Isaiah is holiness. An understanding that God is 'the Holy One of Israel', and that God's people are called to be holy like him, is the foundation on which the book is built.
Yet holiness is a confusing, paradoxical concept, so this morning Bill Drewett explores the meaning of this single word. If we can begin discover what Isaiah's talking about when he describes God as holy, then not only this book, but many aspects of our life with God will begin to make more sense.
First Isaiah - Part 4 from Bill Drewett
One of the best-known passages in the book of Isaiah is his vision of God in the Temple in chapter six. If only we could hear from Isaiah himself what it was like to experience God's presence in this way. Well, at short notice (due to the postponement of this year's Association of Former Prophets annual reunion at Palm Springs), Isaiah himself is able to be with us. What a privilege to be able to listen as the old man recalls the most significant day in his life!
First Isaiah - Part 3 from Bill Drewett
The books of prophecy in the Old Testament are some of the most difficult parts of the Bible to understand, so how should we read a text like Isaiah? And then, if we can work out what they're saying, what's the point? Do they have anything to say to Christian churches today?
This morning, Bill Drewett tackles both these questions taking the first five chapters of the book of Isaiah as an example. The surprising discovery is that these texts have rather more to say to us than we might expect.
First Isaiah - Part 2 from Bill Drewett
Why bother to read Isaiah? The Old Testament prophets are strange and difficult texts for readers in twenty-first century western culture. Can they say anything of value to people like us? Bill Drewett introduces our new series.
First Isaiah - Part 1 from Bill Drewett
This morning Rebecca Kishtainy gives us a moving and personal testimony about her experience of naming and being named. She goes on to explain how a better understanding of God's names has deepened her relationship with him. Last in the series.
One of the best-known names for God in the Old Testament is El Shaddai, but what does it mean? If we truly know God as El Shaddai, it'll transform the way we live our lives. Bill Drewett explains how...
OT Names of God - El Shaddai from Bill Drewett
The first in our summer series on the names of God in the Old Testament. One OT name for God is used far more often than all the others, but we hardly ever see it when we read an English translation of the Bible. Bill Drewett explains why... and why this actually matters.
OT Names of God: Yahweh from Bill Drewett
This year we have been looking at the way one artist, Caravaggio, painted scenes from New Testament texts, and how his paintings can help us look at familiar stories with fresh eyes. Today, Bill Drewett looks at 'The Incredulity of St Thomas'.
Four Paintings - St Thomas from Bill Drewett
Bill Drewett concludes our series on how to pray for healing. We know that Jesus is our model and our guide, the master healer who we're called to imitate. So how exactly did he do it? What's the secret technique? It turns out to be simpler than we ever expected.
Healing - Part 4 from Bill Drewett
Jesus often told people that their faith had healed them. Yet he also said that faith as small as a mustard seed could move mountains. So what is the role of faith in praying for healing? Adam Kishtainy continues our series.
People were astonished at the power and authority that Jesus seemed to possess. But what was the source of the power that enabled him to heal? Bill Drewett continues our series.
Healing - Part 2 from Bill Drewett
Talking about Christian healing is easy, but anyone who tries to put the theory into practice knows how difficult it can be. A string of disappointments can suddenly be followed by a dramatic work of God. In the first part of a new series, Bill Drewett asks how we can make sense of this confusing subject.
Healing - Part 1 from Bill Drewett
Because every human is unique, there's no single 'correct' way to relate to God. We're doing an occasional series interviewing people in our church to discover how they've learnt to know God. This morning... Rachel.
My devotional life - Rachel from Bill Drewett
A series looking at the story of the exodus, but in particular the 40 years that Israel spent in the wilderness. If God had saved his people, why was life so tough? Tim Cole concludes the series.
A series looking at the story of the exodus, but in particular the 40 years that Israel spent in the wilderness. If God had saved his people, why was life so tough? Bill Drewett continues the series.
Exodus Part 5 from Bill Drewett
A series looking at the story of the exodus, but in particular the 40 years that Israel spent in the wilderness. If God had saved his people, why was life so tough? Bill Drewett continues the series.
Exodus Part 4 from Bill Drewett
This year are looking at the way one artist, Caravaggio, painted scenes from New Testament texts, and how his paintings can help us see familiar stories with fresh eyes. Today, Tim Cole looks at 'The Conversion of St Paul'.
A series looking at the story of the exodus, but in particular the 40 years that Israel spent in the wilderness. If God had saved his people, why was life so tough? Tim Cole continues the series.
A series looking at the story of the exodus, but in particular the 40 years that Israel spent in the wilderness. If God had saved his people, why was life so tough? Bill Drewett continues the series.
Exodus Part 2 from Bill Drewett
A series looking at the story of the exodus, but in particular the 40 years that Israel spent in the wilderness. If God had saved his people, why was life so tough? Bill Drewett introduces the series.
Exodus Part 1 from Bill Drewett
In the month leading to Easter, we're doing a short series of talks following the story of Jesus' final week as told by Mark. Martin Stanisstreet continues the series by looking at Jesus' encounter with Pilate.
In the month leading to Easter, we're doing a short series of talks following the story of Jesus' final week as told by Mark. Bill Drewett continues the series by looking at Jesus before the Sanhedrin.
Holy Week with Mark Part 2 from Bill Drewett
In the month leading to Easter, we're doing a short series of talks following the story of Jesus' final week as told by Mark. Bill Drewett starts the series by looking at events in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Holy Week with Mark Part 1 from Bill Drewett
When should Christians support those in power, and when should they oppose? The biblical evidence is mixed, some might say contradictory. In the final part in our series on thinking Christianly about politics, Bill Drewett looks at the book of Daniel, and finds some lessons about how to live faithfully under a secular government.
Slides available at:
When the World Shakes - Part 4 from Bill Drewett
In the third part of our series on faith and politics, Tim Cole looks at nations and nationalism. Tim traces the history of nations across the story told by scripture. How does understanding the role of nation states in God's plan for the world help us to make sense of our current situation, when so much political debate concern the rise of nationalism?
Speaking truth to power is a hot topic at the moment. It's also one of the ways in which God calls his people to engage in the political process. As we continue our series on how to think Christianly about politics, Tim Cole examines three episodes from the life of King David, to discover some of the secrets of speaking truth to power.
The second part of our review of the last 12 months. Finances, and then looking forward to 2017.
Slides available:
Bristol Vineyard Annual Review 2016 - Part 2 from Bill Drewett
Where is God when the established political structures of our world begin to tremble and fall apart? How does God work in and through political processes?
What is our role as faithful followers of Jesus within human governmental systems?
Today we start a new series, responding to recent seismic changes on the world stage. Bill Drewett asks 'How can we think Christianly about politics?'.
Slides available:
When the World Shakes - Part 1 from Bill Drewett
Something a bit different this week, our review of the last 12 months.
Slides at:
Bristol Vineyard Annual Review 2016 - Part 1 from Bill Drewett
As a church we need to take child protection seriously. It's the law. But it should go much deeper than that. Our attitude to defending the vulnerable is inextricably connected to our understanding of God, and in particular God's distinctive kind of justice.
Slides available at:
Defending the Defenceless from Bill Drewett
We continue our occasional series looking at how great paintings treat the biblical text. This morning, Bill Drewett looks at Caravaggio's 'Supper at Emmaus'.
Slides available here:
4 Paintings - Supper at Emmaus from Bill Drewett
National Gallery's page for the painting:
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/michelangelo-merisi-da-caravaggio-the-supper-at-emmaus
Bill Drewett presents the final part of our series on the church. How do Sunday mornings fit with all the other structures and groups that make up the life of our church? And how do they all work together to create community?
Today, something a little different. We'll intersperse our regular series over the next 12 months with an occasional look at a painting, discovering how great artists have illuminated the story of Jesus. We begin with 'The Taking of Christ' by Caravaggio. Tim Cole is our guide.
An image of the painting can be found at:
http://www.nationalgallery.ie/en/Collection/Irelands_Favourite_Painting/Caravaggio.aspx
Our current series on the church, 'Why Gather?', resumes next week.
'It takes a church to make a Christian'. Is that true? If it is true, then why? Bill Drewett continues our series on the church.
We continue our series on the church, the assembled community of God's people. This morning, what is the church for? If the church is a means to an end, what is that end? Bill Drewett continues our series.
A change to the advertised programme. An election took place in the USA this week, sparking some debate. Bill Drewett joins in…
Today Bill Drewett continues our series on the church, 'Why Gather?'. One of the images Paul uses in several places to explain the church is a temple. What does it mean to say that when we gather in Jesus' name, we become a temple?
Slides available at:
Why Gather - Part 4 from Bill Drewett