Woodlands Metro Talks: Recent Episodes
Woodlands Metro
Welcome to the official podcast of Woodlands Metro Church. A weekly diet of real, refreshing and relevant talks, coming to you from the heart of the city of Bristol.
A last message before going on Sabbatical. Why it's not enough to just help people Find Jesus - we have to be devoted to Following him on the path of discipleship too.
How do we hold the in out tension of loving one another, yet serving the city around us?
With Love Running happening this morning, what's the point of the whole thing and how does it embody something of God's nature?
What practical difference does having a good theology of resurrection have on our every day lives?
Is it right to put limits on the way we do worship in order to help others? If so, what does that look like?
Another thing tearing the Corinthian church apart was inconsiderate behaviour between believers. So is it right to change how we act depending on what others believe?
Why is it that the pursuit of sexual freedom is so often the very thing that takes away freedom? What exactly is the standard for the disciple when it comes to sex?
Barely has Jesus risen from the dead than he’s sharing a meal with a couple of oblivious disciples. What’s behind this weird story?
Two sisters, two different approaches to faith and intimacy with Jesus. What can we learn from them both and what’s the better way?
A departure from our theme to look at what God is saying to the church this year. What does it mean to expect a Fresh Wave of God's Spirit?
Jesus loved to eat with people, even when they didn’t agree with him. Throw in an uninvited guest or two and things escalated fast.
Jesus’ first miracle happened at a dinner party. But what does it tell us about his mission and the Kingdom of God?
We're children of God and that's where our identity comes from. But what does it mean to also be citizens of the Kingdom?
We're loved by God. But does it stop there? Or does love demand something of us? Check out loverunning.info
Meeting together is a habit. You can gain it and you can lose it? So why are some people giving up on this? And does it matter.
Yesterday’s faith isn’t good enough. So how do we hold on to a hope for today when we’re going through hard times?
Jesus' encounter with a notorious tax collector was a shocking incident full of controversy and surprises. Perfect material for the start of our year.
If the signs of Jesus coming into the world were clearly foretold by ancient prophets, why didn't more people recognise him? Have we got Biblical prophecy all wrong?
People want someone to look to, a ruler to bring order and peace to their world. Problem is, every human king lets us down. Time for God Himself to step in.
The coming of Jesus wasn't an emergency response to a world gone bad. It was planned and promised from the very beginning.
We live non-stop lives in a non-stop world. But what would it look like if Jesus followers rediscovered the spiritual practice of total rest?
We tend to think of giving as an off the cuff response to an emotional ask. But what if it’s a practice that shapes our discipleship?
Scripture tells us to pray with all kinds of prayer, but most of us don’t know there’s more than one. So what does it mean to intercede for others?
For hundreds of years fasting was a weekly practice of every Christian. So why did we drop it and is there more to it than just going hungry?
You can go faster alone, but if you want to go further we need to go together. We need to go the Way of Love.
The Way of Jesus is a direct challenge to the direction most people take. It’s a way of self-denial that embraces weakness and rejection. It’s the way of the cross.
The easiest way to see where a person is headed is to see where they’ve come from. Maybe it’s time to change direction.
The first believers impacted their world not through words, debate or political pressure. They did it by being the most awesome community the world had ever seen.
Here's a paradox. The first disciples impacted the world around them not by looking outward, but by looking inward. How on earth does this work?
The first believers began their mission with an extraordinary vision. So what was it and what can we learn from it?
How do our thoughts and feelings determine our actions? And what's the key to breaking the shame cycle?
What difference does it make in our life and our witness to the world when we truly pursue the presence of Jesus? And how exactly do we do that?
Jesus called the rich to sell their possessions and give to the poor. Are we really supposed to answer this call, or was Jesus bluffing?
Jesus called his disciples to take up a cross and die to themselves. It’s a metaphor, right? Surely he wasn’t serious.
Jesus called his disciples to proclaim his Kingdom, with actions as well as words. But he never said we have to do it in our own strength.
Jesus called disciples to follow him, not just to learn from him. And following Jesus will always change you.
Many of us have built our faith on shaky foundations. So what are the keys to having a robust faith that stands the test of time?
How on earth do you recover when your faith in God is totally destroyed? Martin shares his incredible story.
It’s easy to believe when all is going well. But how do we cope when we feel let down by God?
The Bible talks about God imparting supernatural insight to people. But are words from God and the prophetic just for the select few?
If God has a plan for our lives, how do we discover it? What are the key for figuring out what God is saying to us and how He’s guiding us?
God's image is in us, not just as individuals, but as the body of Christ. So why is that a problem?
We tend to think we can indulge our worst desires a little and get away with it. But the price is always far, far greater than we expect.
Taking matters into your own hands will only take you so far. Unless you can find strength in God you won’t recover when you hit rock bottom.
Why is it that when challenges and discouragement come, we often forget the very lessons that bought us success in the first place?
It takes more than promises and belief to fulfil your God-given destiny. You have to prove God’s calling on your life, not just presume it.
Ever thought that Christianity was based on teaching and superstition? Think again. It's based on history and fact. This is how.
Sundays don't get bigger than Palm Sundays. But the secret to understanding it lies in the small, simple story of a man desperate to see.
God promises to open the windows of heaven and pour out overwhelming blessing on those that trust Him with their wealth.
God promises us that if we humble ourselves and pray, He will bring healing and restoration to our land.
Jesus promises his disciples that he is preparing an eternal future for us. And one day he will come for us.
We are offered rest for our souls in the Way of Jesus, the power of the Spirit and the love of the Father.
God’s promises are not like anyone else’s. They are rock solid, guaranteed. But is there a part we have to play?
We all struggle with negative thought patterns. So what are the keys to changing our thinking? How do we detox our minds?
The Lord's Prayer ends with a strong focus on evil and temptation. But why, and does God really test us?
Surprising that the Lord’s prayer takes so long getting to this. Time for self reflection and detoxing.
Prayer reminds us that we are totally dependent on God for our every need. Let’s put ourselves in a place of trust.
Prayer gives us the opportunity to change the world for better. Time to learn how to pray the will of God.
The whole point of prayer is to meet with God, not just serve him up a shopping list. Let’s start on the right note.
A lot of our conceptions of the Nativity are hopelessly wrong. The reality is way more compelling.
What does the feast of Christmas mean when most of the pouplation don't believe in the Christ? And what does it mean to recognise God in today's world?
The way most of us view advent renders it pretty pointless. So is there more happening here than first meets the eye?
The Parable of the Widow's Mite: A parable that wasn't a parable about a super rich person that wasn't rich.
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats: Why judgement day will be the ultimate twist in the tale for some, for better or worse.
The Parable of the Persistent Widow: Why prayer doesn't work the way we expect it to and why more rests on us than we think.
The Parable of the Talents: Why faithfulness isn't what you think it is and why God doesn't want what you think He does.
We can often feel remote and disconnected from God - but the baptism of Jesus hints at something wonderful to come.
It’s not the first time the world’s felt like it was ending. How did the early church cope with their crisis and what can it teach us?
Your life is like a house. It’s only as strong as its foundations. So how do we build something that can withstand life’s storms?
A secure life is like an iceberg. You find most of it beneath the surface. So what are the secrets to developing hidden depths?
The antidote to worry is not wishful thinking or self-indulgence. It comes from having a grand vision for your life.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Things were supposed to get better, not worse. Good job someone saw this coming.
How are we supposed to do mission when we're struggling ourselves - and since when did evangelism become a dirty word?
Businesswoman, entrepreneur and curious about faith, Lydia used her influence to bring the church to a brand new part of the world.
Religious hypocrisy has been a danger to the church from the start. Meet two people that went from role model to cautionary tale.
In a world powered by slavery, one man had to learn how to model a brand new community, where a master becomes a brother.
She was known for her acts of love, kindness and generosity. Oh, and the fact that she got raised from the dead.
What do we do with all the truth we’ve received from this book? We fight, that’s what. Time to suit up and get ready for the battle.
Most people believe three lies about living the Christian life. So what exactly is the truth and how do we live that out?
Knowing all we know now about our identity and destiny in Christ, how do we live all this out in practice?
The most important thing in the Christian life is to know the love of God for us. But how do you get your head round something that surpasses knowledge?
Most believers are woefully ignorant of the spiritual realities all around us. Paul wants us to know the truth of who’s in charge.
The modern take on Identity and Self Worth is supposed to empower us, but is in danger of overwhelming us. Time to open our eyes to a different way.
The Old Testament teaches us that justice without Jesus is futile. The New Testament teaches that justice with Jesus looks like the redemption of all things.
The church has been weird and confusing for 2,000 years. Here's a little explanation of what it all means and why baptism is the perfect response.
The story of Exodus to Exile is one of being liberated from oppression but then becoming the oppressors ourselves. What can Israel teach us about liberation that goes beyond individual freedom?
The Creation story shows us that true peace doesn’t come from living for yourself, but in ‘shalom’ with God, with others, and with Creation. Audio issues from 21min mark
For most of us, confession is something to be done in private and silence, if at all. Maybe we’re missing a trick.
For many, submission is a dirty word, an oppressive system ripe for abuse. So why does the Bible command it?
It’s easy to cancel one another, but a lot harder to forgive. So why should we do it – and more importantly, how?
The One Another that defines and encapsulates all the other One Anothers. So why isn’t it as simple as it sounds? (*2 mins of sound issues at 21 min mark)
The centre of Christianity is Easter Sunday, not Good Friday. It's just that a cross is easier to draw than an empty tomb.
King Jesus commands his followers not just to act differently, but to react differently. It’s our responses to others that show our real faith.
Jesus is not the only King vying for our loyalty. So what does it mean to serve Jesus as King with what we possess and what’s in it for us?
John the Baptist was the ‘greatest of the prophets’, yet he struggled with crippling doubt. So how do we bring doubt as well as faith to the King?
What on earth makes the death of Jesus Good News? Why do Christians call the day of his death Good? And what difference should it make to us today?
Is there more to the good news than we first imagined? Is it just good for us, or is there more to it than that?
If we don’t understand how truly good God is, we’ll never fully trust Him or experience Him. Time to find out just how good He is.
Last words are vitally important. So what did Jesus say to his disciples and what difference does that make to us?
Our culture is great at the casual fling but long lasting relationships, not so much. So what are the keys to growing love over the long haul?
Sexual equality isn’t a new idea. It’s right there in the first pages of the Bible. Perhaps we can learn something from this ancient wisdom.
For a society that prides itself on being sex-positive, we experience an awful lot of hurt, brokenness and shame. Time to sort out lies from truth.
Why does the Bible make such a big deal about sex? And does it matter if we don't actually go along with it?
Why is that the things that are the most important are often the most neglected? Time to put last things first.
We find echoes of Christmas in the darkest times. After all, that's where hope is needed the most.
For many, Christmas is a time of frivolity and escapism. But the true meaning shines brightest in our darkest times.
If we want to experience more than Christmas Lite this year it's time to look at the reason for the season.
If the good news is so good, why do we struggle to share it with those we love the most?
What does it look like to overcome strength with vulnerability and how do God's plans work for us?
Nobody wants to rock the boat but there comes a point for every believer where you have to choose to make some enemies.
We all have questions about life, meaning and faith - but what are the best ones to ask?
We live in a sex saturated culture that promises instant gratification for all our needs. But is it working?
We’re told the one who dies with the most toys wins. Maybe we’re playing the wrong game.
We no longer find our identity in what others think of us, but in what we think about ourselves. So why isn't it working?
Social Media mega corporations are not charities. They’re in it to make money. And if you’re not paying for it, then you’re the product.
Our lives are more shaped by forces outside our control than we care to admit. It's time to join the resistance.
Believers are called to transform the barren places they find themselves in, not just survive them. How can we do this in practice?
Many Christians have a shallow, superficial faith. So how do we go about deepening our spiritual life? And what does that look like?
What does it mean to have ‘highways in your heart’? And how does the vision of an activist trapped in the body of a mystic affect how we do church?
What’s the secret to contentment? Is there an alternative to materialism? And how does God reward generosity?
In a world where everyone looks out for number one, is it at all realistic to consider the needs of others above your own?
Paul's letter from prison is not what you expect. So what are his twin keys to a life of unreasonable joy?
We're back in our original venue. What better time to explore the reason we do all of this in the first place?!
Some audio issues for first 13 minutes Pitch forks and everlasting flames - no wonder people find the idea of hell repulsive. But what does the Bible actually teach?
For many, the Bible is a book full of contradiction and myth. So can we trust the whole thing or should we just pick the good bits?
If we're not going to heaven when we die then what exactly does happen? And what about all the Bible verses that talk about going to be with Jesus?
Sitting on clouds and endless hymn practice is nobody’s idea of fun. So why should we be excited by the promise of heaven?
So much of friendship connection now happens via social media. But is it real, is it as good and what are the dangers?
What do you do when friendship collides with romance? What are the rules for dating, relating or just letting someone down gently?
What happens when friction and fighting hit friendship? And how do you call a friend out without jeopardising the relationship?
Is there a better way to do friendship than simply finding someone just like you? What is the Biblical model of friendship commitment?
If what John says about Jesus defeating darkness is true, why is there still darkness in the world?
For John, Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's love. What does that look like and how do we pay it forward?
John records 7 signs intended to help us believe in Jesus. So what makes them so convincing and why should we care?
John starts his Jesus story at the beginning of time. How does this impact the way we understand the nature of Jesus?
Ultimately the dream that God gives us needs to be fulfilled in our lives for the benefit of others. How does that work?
Most of us have misconceptions when it comes to ministers and ministry. So how does Joseph’s example shine light on things?
We all struggle with temptation, often falling into the same holes over and over again. But is it possible to successfully overcome temptation?
Is there an over-arching purpose for your life, or are dreams of destiny just for the great and the good?
No believer is stronger than their prayer life. But it’s often the area we struggle to develop in. So what are the keys to going deeper?
Christianity is both a team sport and a contact sport. So how do we invite others into our spiritual life and development?
How do we establish a robust and rewarding relationship with Scripture? What does that look like and what are the keys to success?
The best way to develop spirituality is to commit yourself to a set of spiritual disciplines. What can we learn from Jesus about this?
Joseph is often overlooked at Christmas. But his is a story of joyous hope in the midst of shattered dreams.
Does Jesus really mean the things he says in the Sermon on the Mount and how on earth are we supposed to live up to them?
Why does Jesus put such emphasis on money and wealth and do we really have to give up everything to follow him?
Money
If faith is supposed to be a private, personal thing, why does Jesus demand we be so public about it?
Why does Jesus have such a big problem with religious people? And how do we make sure we're not hypocrites?
It’s hard enough holding on to God when times are normal, but how do you keep your faith when absolutely everything is against you?
One crucial decision set the tone for Daniel’s new normal and made sure that he wasn’t just a victim of circumstance.
It's easier to look at the problems all around you and see what's wrong. But you won't get far if you don't take a hard look at yourself.
Where exactly does Jesus fit in with this whole God thing - and why should anyone really care?
How does the enemy try to upset God’s plan and what does that say about the world we live in today?
Is everything that ever happens all part of God’s great plan? And if so, what does that mean for our free will?
Purpose
Does God really have an individual plan for our lives? We look at the life of an ancient king to find out. (Note: there was an issue with the recording and only the first couple of minutes and the final fifteen recorded).
What does it mean to be blessed and is it even possible in a time of disruption and crisis?
What do we do when we mess up and how do we get our relationship with God back on track?
What does it mean to be 'on pilgrimage' and how do we cope when our faith goes through a dry patch?
How did the early church prioritise serving the needs of the poor and social justice - and what did it cost them?
Paul gives a model for discipleship and mentoring that is key to this day. What does that look like, how do we engage with it in practice and why is it necessary?
Euodia and Syntyche were two women on Paul's ministry team who found themselves at loggerheads. So what we do when Christians don't get on?
Jesus gave the disciples one job to do - to be his witnesses so that the good news would reach everyone. What does that mean for us and how do we fulfil our ‘one job’?
The Biblical story is a story of hope and fulfilment. God’s plans will ultimately prevail and His cosmic purposes will be completed. But what does this look like and what part do we have to play?
God's people endured pain and suffering in exile. So how is it that God says His plans for them were good?
Christianity is based on a historical person and a historical event. So how trustworthy is it?
What do you do in the midst of doubt and darkness? And what are the keys to having a storm tested faith?
The Spirit came to equip us to bring God's Kingdom to a broken world. So how does that work and what is Pentecost?
What does giving have to do with spirituality - and how does it bring us closer to God and happiness?
What does the story of Lazarus teach us about experiencing God's love and comfort in a time of grieving and sorrow?
What does Psalm 46 have to teach us about God's faithfulness in times of trouble - and how do we apply it to our lives?
How do the small details about the resurrection of Jesus help us to understand the way God feels about us?
Psalm 23 is the best of all the psalms - exquisitely constructed and eternally comforting. So what makes it so special?
How different would our lives be if we truly grasped the fact that we are God's heirs, one day to come into a glorious inheritance?
We've been given the most important job there is. But we'll never achieve it if we don't know how good it really is.
Your destiny is intrinsically tied up with your identity. So what does Ephesians tell us about both?
Life in the attention economy can be punishing on mental health. So how can we apply the principles and commands found in Scripture to find a way out?
The oldest book in the Bible tackles depression and personal suffering head on. What can it teach us today?
What's the meaning of baptism and what does it have to do with the 2 big questions of life?
What we consume has big implications for the health of our bodies and the health of our planet. It’s time we put the ‘good’ back into good food.
How do we live differently in a culture of addiction and excess? What sort of alternative does the Bible point us towards?
Porn promises much but delivers little. Worse still, it leads to cycles of addiction and shame. So how can we live porn free?
The statistics for sustaining a relationship for life are not good. So how can we give ourselves a fighting chance for success and happiness?
There's nothing wrong or sinful about our appetites. So why doesn't indulging them always lead to lasting happiness?
As we prepare to launch our second service we look at the vision of the church and what God is specifically speaking to us for today.
What if the reason we don't believe in God is that we've missed the signs? What if He's always been there - but we just didn't recognise Him? A Christmas message.
As we celebrate our 'Jubilee Baptism', Sam talks through what baptism stands for and why it's such an important marker.
How can we see social justice in our city this Christmas-time? An Advent Special, featuring interviews with our partners, the Crisis Centre and Beloved.
Prayer is the biggest factor in changing our story and the stories of those around us. So why don’t we engage more? Why is it so hard?
Our money talks. It tells a story about us. How can we change that story and use our money for something that makes a difference?
What would it be like if we could re-write our story of fear and insecurity into a story of faith and success?
What sets Christianity apart from every other belief system - and why does it provoke such hostility and aggression?
Conventional wisdom would tell you that belief in God is unscientific, unreasonable and irrational. But the truth is far more dangerous.
Baptism is a powerful symbol of a person choosing death with Christ in order to experience the brand new life of the Spirit.
Nothing can explain the spread of the early church, against all the odds. It was a group of trouble makers who turned the world upside down.
A Christian’s job is to rebel against the norm, to challenge the prevailing wisdom and to live a different story. What does that mean in practice?
Why are you here? In a world where our every convenience is catered for, why do we feel like something's missing?
If life is a gift, then what's it for?
And what gives it meaning?
If we're going to add another service then we need to start inviting more people. But how do we do this when most of us struggle to share our faith?
As we prepare to multiply and divide apart, we need more than ever to consolidate and come together. But how?
Is it possible to follow Jesus without personal sacrifice? What are some of the sacrifices that we'll have to make for the new service, and what's in it for us?
Even the smartest of us has blind spots. How do we make sure we don’t fall prey to the usual temptations?
Bad things happen when we only listen to people like us. How do we enlist the help of wiser heads in our decision making?
What are the keys to an effective prayer life and how do we handle sickness as a community.
Communication is the key to any successful relationship. So what's the secret to better speaking - and listening?
Anyone can do well when life is easy, but succeeding in the difficult times takes both Strength and Skill. And that's easier said than done.
Rebuilding is not complete without worship and spiritual renewal. What are our values around worship as a building community?
It takes warrior builders to rebuild a city in a time of conflict. What does that look like and how does it apply to us?
What’s the role of community in rebuilding the city? How do we work together when we're all so different?
Jesus tells a story that completely changes the way we think about God. It's good news of the best possible kind.
How do you make a difference when the problems seem so big and what you can offer seems so small?
Jesus constantly clashed with the religious. How do we live as believers without giving in to our religious impulses?
Jesus had more to say about money than almost any other subject. Why is this and what does it mean for us?
What is faith, how does it inform the way we live, and what is its connection to blessing others and worshipping God?
What's most important for us as a community and why should we aspire to be Mickey Mouse?
It isn't supposed to be like this. What do we do when our experiences don't match up to our expectations?
Healthy church is growing church. What was the early church's experience of growth and how can we see the same? Baptism Special.
How does community work? What are the keys to devoted fellowship? And why is it crucial for church?
Rational arguments are all well and good. But can we experience God's supernatural reality ourselves?
Christianity rises or falls on the claim of Resurrection. So is there any evidence that Jesus rose from the dead and how compelling is it?
Is there any evidence for the person of Jesus Christ? And crucially, is there any evidence that he was more than just a man?
How does faith in Jesus transform the lives of people today, and what does that mean for us? Baptism Special.
Part 1 of our series '5 Reasons Why'. How does a scientific understanding of our time space universe point us towards a creator?